Biography
Who is Billy Idol?
Early life and real name
William Michael Albert Broad was born in Stanmore on November 30, 1955. His mother was from Cork and his father was from Birmingham. In 1958, he moved with his family to the United States and lived in Patchogue, New York, before they returned to England. His family later settled in Dorking and Bromley.
He attended Ravensbourne School for Boys and Worthing High School for Boys. In October 1975, he began attending the University of Sussex to study philosophy and literature, but he left after his first year in 1976.
Generation X and stage name
The stage name Billy Idol came after a chemistry teacher described him as idle on a school report card. He briefly played guitar in the punk rock band Chelsea before he and Tony James left to form Generation X with Billy as the lead singer.
Generation X released three studio albums on Chrysalis Records and appeared on the television programme Top of the Pops before the group disbanded. Billy later moved to New York City in 1981 to pursue a solo career and began working with guitarist Steve Stevens.
Solo career and MTV success
His debut solo album titled Billy Idol was released in July 1982. He became a staple of MTV during the Second British Invasion with music videos for singles like Dancing with Myself and White Wedding.
His second album, Rebel Yell, followed in 1983 and became a major commercial success with hit singles such as Rebel Yell and Eyes Without a Face. The record achieved double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Later career and personal life
In February 1990, Billy was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Hollywood that nearly cost him a leg and required a steel rod to be placed in it. He later released albums including Devil's Playground in 2005 and Kings & Queens of the Underground in 2014.
He has been a three-time Grammy Award nominee in the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance category. In 2023, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Steve Stevens.
Birthday and age
Billy Idol was born on November 30, 1955, which makes Billy 70 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Billy shares the date with 22 other famous people.
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