Billy Idol (GB)

About

Also known as: Albert Broad, B.Idol, Bili Idol, Bilie Idol, Billi Idol, Billie Idol, Billy Broad, Billy Iddol, Billy Idle, Billy Idoll, Billy Idoul, Bily Idol, Broad, Idol, Michael Broad, William Broad, William Idol, William Michael Albert Broad, ビリー・アイドル

Born William Broad, Billy Idol first made his mark on the London punk scene as lead singer of Generation X, a band he co-founded with guitarist Tony James after a brief stint in Chelsea. Three studio albums on Chrysalis Records later, he relocated to New York City and launched a solo career with guitarist Steve Stevens, quickly becoming a fixture on the then-new MTV with videos for "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding". His second solo album Rebel Yell went double platinum in the US on the strength of its title track and "Eyes Without a Face", and he followed it with Whiplash Smile, Charmed Life, and the concept album Cyberpunk. After a motorcycle accident in 1990 and years away from the spotlight, he returned with Devil's Playground and continued releasing music into the 2020s, including Dream Into It in 2025.