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Billy Idol’s ‘Billy Idol’ Pushing 40

July 16, 1982. English rocker Billy Idol unleashes his self-titled debut album with a defiant sneer. Idol had, in the previous year, parted ways with Gen X. Gen X was…

July 16, 1982. English rocker Billy Idol unleashes his self-titled debut album with a defiant sneer.

Idol had, in the previous year, parted ways with Gen X. Gen X was the offshoot of Generation X, the first band he fronted and the act that brought him into prominence (remember, they recorded the original version of "Dancing With Myself").

Billy Idol catapulted the singer into almost immediate stardom. The album is a near-perfect rock n' roll stew circa 1982, serving up chunks of punk, rock, and new wave sounds. Guitarist Steve Stevens riffs and Idol's New Romantic-meets-bondange-punk approach put the release over the top: it peaked at 45 on the Billboard 200.

Idol's look made for early MTV gold, too. I remember seeing the video for "White Wedding" and being terrified: who are all these creepy people dressed all in black? What are they doing in this church? Why isn't Billy Idol wearing a shirt? I was 5 years old.

So spend a bit of time with Billy Idol's debut as we celebrate the anniversary. Shirts are optional.

adam12Writer
Adam 12 is the Program Director of Boston's ROCK 92.9, heard weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. He's been flexing his encyclopedic rock knowledge in New England for over 2 decades, both on-air and online, at WBCN, WFNX, Boston.com, and indie617. At ROCK 92.9, he keeps you in the know on the big stories from the Boston music scene and writes about great places to eat, drink (beer), and to spend time outdoors in and around Boston.