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Billy Idol

Billy Idol has always understood the value of a strong entrance. Born William Michael Albert Broad in Stanmore on 30 November 1955, the English singer, songwriter and guitarist built a screen-ready persona alongside his music: blond hair, leather, a curled lip and the restless energy of punk sharpened for the music-video age. After a brief spell as Chelsea’s guitarist, Idol co-founded Generation X with Tony James and moved to the microphone. The band appeared on Top of the Pops, performed in the punk documentary D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage and released three studio albums before disbanding. Idol moved to New York City in 1981 and began the solo career that made him an MTV fixture. Videos for “White Wedding” and “Dancing with Myself” established his presence, while the album Rebel Yell delivered “Eyes Without a Face,” “Flesh for Fantasy” and its commanding title track. That persona translated naturally into film appearances. A serious motorcycle accident in 1990 reduced his intended part as Cat in Oliver Stone’s The Doors to a small role. He later played Lee Turner in Mad Dog Time and, more playfully, appeared as himself in The Wedding Singer, where his intervention becomes important to the plot and “White Wedding” also features on the soundtrack. Idol voiced the mysterious alien Odin in Heavy Metal 2000 and contributed a song to the film. Music has remained the centre of his career, from Whiplash Smile and Charmed Life through the experimental Cyberpunk, his return with Devil’s Playground and later releases including Kings & Queens of the Underground, The Roadside and The Cage. Whether acting, voice performing or simply facing a camera in a music video, Idol brings the same quality: a knowing mixture of punk attitude, theatrical cool and a willingness to play with his own image.