Billy Idol was a bleached-hair, fist-pounding, lip-snarling punk-pop superhero of MTV in the 1980s, thanks to hit songs such as "Dancing With Myself," "White Wedding," and "Rebel Yell." He got his start in London's punk scene in the late 1970s, and made a name for himself as the lead singer of the band Generation X (1976-81).
For his solo career he moved to New York and joined guitarist Steve Stevens for a release of "Mony Mony" and a dance version of the Generation X song "Dancing with Myself." Idol's first album took a while to catch on, but the early days of MTV made him a star, and by the end of the 1980s he'd had a string of hits, including "Hot in the City," "Eyes Without a Face," "Flesh for Fantasy" and "Cradle of Love." Idol had a punk rock pedigree and commercial rock sensibilities, and his bad boy attitude extended beyond rock arenas and sound studios to include brushes with the law and a life-threatening motorcycle accident (1990). During the '90s he faded into the background, only to be resurrected as part of a nostalgic wave by the end of the decade.
I'm of the belief that Billy Idol's appearance in the movie "The Wedding Singer" in 1998 introduced his music and his persona to a whole new generation.
But for me, Billy Idol will always be remembered for the tunes such as "Dancing With Myself" from the party scene in Can't Buy Me Love.. As well as "Rebel Yell" in The Legend of Billie Jean.. plus the underrated "Catch My Fall" from Some Kind of Wonderful.. and several more!
Now the real reason for this thread.. Billy Idol is currently on tour in the US. Below are the cities and dates remaining. Chicago on 9/8 is a so on..
Remaining Tour Dates:
Thu 8/19 Santa Ynez, CA: Chumash Casino Fri 8/20 Rancho Mirage, CA: Agua Caliente Casino Sat 8/21 Las Vegas, NV: The Pearl at the Palms Tue 8/24 Dallas, TX: Palladium Ballroom Wed 8/25 Houston, TX: House of Blues Fri 8/27 Biloxi, MS: Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino Sat 8/28 Robinsonville, MS: Harrah’s Tunica Sun 8/29 Atlanta, GA: Chastain Park Amphitheater Wed 9/1 Portsmouth, VA: nTelos Wireless Pavilion Fri 9/3 Kettering, OH: Fraze Pavilion Sat 9/4 Mt. Pleasant, MI: Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Sun 9/5 Rockford, IL: On the Waterfront Wed 9/8 Chicago, IL: Riviera Theatre Thu 9/9 Windsor, ON: Caesar’s Windsor Sat 9/11 Rama, ON: Casino Rama Sun 9/12 Montreal, QC: Metropolis Tue 9/14 Boston, MA: House of Blues Wed 9/15 New York, NY: Hammerstein Fri 9/17 Atlantic City, NJ: House of Blues Sat 9/18 Gaitherburg, MD: HFSestival
Oh and this might be of interest to Ronnie.. I've heard that two of Camp Freddy's bandmates are touring with Billy Idol this summer. And while Donovan Leitch is not one of them.. I've been told he has been at numerous shows. Posted by Secret Admirer (Member # 3574) on :
quote:Originally posted by Valley: But for me, Billy Idol will always be remembered for the tunes such as "Dancing With Myself" from the party scene in Can't Buy Me Love.. As well as "Rebel Yell" in The Legend of Billie Jean.. plus the underrated "Catch My Fall" from Some Kind of Wonderful.. and several more!
Great moments in cinema - well thought out, Valley
Who doesn't love Vital Idol?
I used to copy Billy's blond spike hairdo to a 't', lol
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
you're gonna laugh valley, but when i first saw The Wedding Singer, i thought that billy idol was really some actor playing the part of billy idol...i seriously did not think it was really him.
i love dancing with myself, catch my fall, eyes without a face & cradle of love! but i cannot stand his version of mony, mony. blech!
good job on the bandmates.. would be nice to see all of them, and again.. no AZ date. ugh!
[ 18. August 2010, 21:24: Message edited by: Ronnie ]
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ronnie: you're gonna laugh valley, but when i first saw The Wedding Singer, i thought that billy idol was really some actor playing the part of billy idol...i seriously did not think it was really him.
OMG Ronnie! this makes me laugh so hard because I did the same thing! A few of us saw it in the theater and I was like "thats not Billy it's an actor" I was soooo stubborn and bullheaded and knew I was right. My buddy Lisa makes us sit through the credits to prove me wrong haha ok it was hard for me to face the truth!
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
Sadly, being in little ol Nova Scotia, Canada, I'll never get to see most of my 80's "Idols". White Wedding is one of my top 10 all time favorite 80's songs....some great memories of Billy Idol as some of his videos are imprinted in my brain forever....certainly a dude that stands out in a crowd....
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Ronnie & Veronica... this where I'm currently at in Chicago:
And Ronster.. I'm totally going to be searching for the special guests not listed on the tickets.. Donovan Leitch and Ione Skye!
Did you know Ione Skye was once married to a Beastie Boy?
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
you lucky duckie
ione sure did get around? i know she was the apple of anthony kiedis's (red hot chili peppers' lead singer) eye for a long time. she must like them bad boys!
hope you're enjoying the show. think of us all here at the rewind when he sings 'dancing with myself' will ya? Posted by Secret Admirer (Member # 3574) on :
I wish he would cover 'She Bop'. It would be amazing, I'm sure of it.
Valley, did you get to dance on stage or anything?
Posted by StevenHW (Member # 509) on :
Speaking of Billy Idol, here is his concert tour rider contract. And I was not aware he is a vegetarian!
Hey everyone.. The Billy Idol concert was awesome!! Slash was the opening act and he came back on stage later and performed "LA Woman" with Billy Idol. Idol actually changed the words to "Chicago Woman" and rocked it.
Billy Idol though older still was a brilliant performer and his trademark snarl was on exhibit throughout the concert.
Idol came to play hard with the second tune out of the gate being dedicated to Ronnie.. "Dancing With Myself".. the crowd went nuts and everyone started dancing around. It was so cool and only a few people even realized I was doing the African Anteater Ritual.
No Donovan Leitch or Ione Skye sightings, but the place was packed.. so you never know.
Secret.. I made it close to the stage, but never had to the opportunity to show my stage skills.
For fans.. Billy played a mixture of new tunes and 80's favs. Of course, "White Wedding" and "Mony Mony" closed the show.
My fav tune to hear live was actually... Rebel Yell.. the crowd was jamming to it!
I aint nobody's fool Come on shake it up Whatever you do These are the wages of love Rock the cradle of love
Posted by Secret Admirer (Member # 3574) on :
Sounds like a blast - nothing beats a good show. Glad you had a good time, Valley Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
So jealous!!
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
I'm jealous too Valley.........Glad you had fun and got to go!
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
I hope Billy comes back to Chicago...The Riv is a pretty cool little venue. You can't really have a bad spot anywhere in there. Did you take any pics, Val?
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
I'm so sorry I missed the Montreal concert recently , I saw him 5 years ago and he was so damn good, he put on a heck of a show. So sid any other Chitown homies like Vince Vaughn, Cusack or Db Sweeney make appearances? Would have loved to have been there. Valley did you make it to Modern English?
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