William Michael Albert Broad (born 30 November 1955), better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X. He then embarked on a successful solo career, and was a member of the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States. A series of music videos for songs such as "White Wedding", "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face" made him one of the first MTV stars. Idol continues to tour with guitarist Steve Stevens.
Idol was born in Stanmore, Middlesex, England. The name Billy Idol was inspired by a schoolteacher's description of Broad as "idle”. Idol first joined the punk rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (before the band had decided on that name) in 1976, but soon quit. Idol moved to New York in 1981, and became a solo artist working with ex-Kiss manager, Bill Aucoin. Idol's 'bad boy' image was recognized and this worked well with the flashy glam rock style of his new partner on guitar, Steve Stevens. Together they worked with Phil Feit and Steve Missal. Idol's solo career began with the Chrysalis Records EP titled Don't Stop in 1981, which included the Generation X song "Dancing with Myself", originally recorded for their last album Kiss Me Deadly, and a cover of Tommy James & the Shondells' song "Mony Mony". Idol's debut solo album, Billy Idol, was released in July 1982. Part of the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the US, that year Idol became an MTV staple with "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself". In 1983, in an effort to introduce Idol to American audiences not yet as familiar with him as those in the UK, Idol's label released "Dancing with Myself" in the US in conjunction with a music video directed by Tobe Hooper, which played on MTV for six months.
Idol's second LP, Rebel Yell (1983) was a major success and established Idol in the United States with hits like "Eyes Without a Face," "Flesh For Fantasy", and the title cut. Tracks from the album featured in the 1988 Hollywood comedy film Big, which starred Tom Hanks. "Eyes Without a Face" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, and "Rebel Yell" reached number six in the UK Singles Chart.
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Studio albums include the following: Billy Idol (1982), Rebel Yell (1983), Whiplash Smile (1986), Charmed Life (1990), Cyberpunk (1993), Devil’s Playground (2005), and Happy Holidays (2006). Idol has been nominated three times for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance (1885, 1987, 1991), and he has been nominated for ten MTV Video Music Awards (winning one in 1990 for ‘Cradle of Love’: Best Video from a Film). Idol has also won one Brit Award in 1991 for Best British Video.
As of February 2013, current band members include Steve Stevens (lead guitar. He started with band in 1981), Stephen McGrath (bass guitar, backing vocals), Derek Sheriniam (keyboards), Billy Morrison (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Jeremy Colson (drums, percussion).
