Billy Idol is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist best known for his work with Generation X and Generation Sex. Emerging from the UK punk scene, he later built a solo career that stretched across punk rock, new wave, dance-rock and hard rock.
Quick Facts
Canonical Name
Billy Idol
Born
November 30, 1955
Birthplace
Stanmore, London Borough of Harrow, Greater London, London, England, United Kingdom
Country
United Kingdom
Occupations
songwriter, guitarist, singer
Instruments
voice, guitar
Gender
male
Genres
punk rock, dance-rock, new wave, hard rock, alternative dance, classic rock, electronic, pop rock, punk, rock
Billy Idol is the stage name of William Broad, a British artist from Stanmore in Greater London who has worked as a singer, songwriter and guitarist since 1973. He is most closely associated with Generation X and Generation Sex, and his career has moved between punk energy, glossy new wave and harder-edged rock.
Career Timeline
Year / Period
Event
Detail
Source
1955
Born
Stanmore, London Borough of Harrow, Greater London, London, England, United Kingdom
Wikidata
1973
Career Start
Active period begins
Wikidata
1976–1976
Member of
Chelsea
MusicBrainz
1976–1981
Member of
Generation X
MusicBrainz
1995–1995
Member of
Neurotic Outsiders
MusicBrainz
Date not specified
Member of
Generation Sex
Wikidata
Musical Roles
Billy Idol is primarily known as a singer and songwriter, with guitar also part of his performing profile. His work centers on voice and guitar, and his recording history reflects a strong link between punk-rooted expression and more polished rock-oriented material.
Role
Source
songwriter
Wikidata
guitarist
Wikidata
singer
Wikidata
Bands and Projects
Band / Project
Relationship
Source
Generation X
Member of
Wikidata
Generation Sex
Member of
Wikidata
Releases and Appearances
MusicBrainz lists several release entries connected to Billy Idol.
These entries may include solo releases, guest appearances, live recordings, and catalogued metadata records.
MusicBrainz-listed Releases and Appearances
Title
Year
Type
Classification
Source
Dream Into It
2025
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Night Flight, Vol. 1: The Billy Idol Interview
2020
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Vital Idol: Revitalized
2018
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Kings & Queens of the Underground
2014
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Starboulevard
2014
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Icon
2013
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
So80s (Soeighties) Presents: Billy Idol
2012
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Billy Idol / Rebel Yell
2011
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
10 Great Songs
2009
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Idolize Yourself: The Very Best of Billy Idol
2008
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Happy Holidays
2006
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Devil's Playground
2005
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Live in Glen Allen, VA
2003
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Live in Asbury Park, NJ
2003
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
VH1 Storytellers
2002
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Recorded Performances & Appearances
MusicBrainz-listed recording entries connected to Billy Idol include:
Song Title
Artist / Group
Relationship
Source
“Billy Idol: Satanist”
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
“I Ain’t a Rock Star”
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows (demo)
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows (Moby remix / Half Speed version)
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows (Moby remix)
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
[unknown]
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
77
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
311 Man
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
Adam in Chains
Billy Idol
Performer
MusicBrainz
Musical Style and Instruments
Billy Idol's music spans punk rock, dance-rock, new wave, hard rock, alternative dance, classic rock, electronic and pop rock. That mix points to a style that balances punk attitude with melodic hooks and club-friendly momentum.
Genres
punk rockdance-rocknew wavehard rockalternative danceclassic rockelectronicpop rockpunkrock
Instruments
voiceguitar
Collaborations and Guest Relationships
Artist
Relationship
Source
Steve Stevens
Instrumental supporting musician
MusicBrainz
Steve Stevens
Instrumental supporting musician
MusicBrainz
Perri Lister
Involved with
MusicBrainz
Willem Broad
Parent
MusicBrainz
Related Entities
Genres
punk rock
dance-rock
new wave
hard rock
alternative dance
classic rock
electronic
pop rock
punk
rock
Instruments
voice
guitar
Bands
Generation X
Generation Sex
External Identifiers & Authority Control
Billy Idol maintains an official website at billyidol.net. Additional profile identifiers connect him to MusicBrainz, Discogs, Spotify, IMDb, VIAF, ISNI, the Library of Congress and the German National Library.
