June 23, 2016
On July 2, Billy Idol, Steve Stevens and the band return to the road for a string of July tour dates in the US and
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May 9, 2016
BILLY IDOL BRINGS AN UNBRIDLED ENERGY TO HIS HOUSE OF BLUES RESIDENCY
John Katsilometes, Las Vegas Weekly (Photo: John Salangsang/Invision/AP):
Even during a phone conversation, you feel Billy Idol is pumping that leather-clad right fist. More, more, more.
He’s not to be stopped, the 60-year-old rock star who unleashed a string of hits in the early and mid-1980s that still stand today. Idol effectively name-checks a few of those classics later in the conversation to promote his upcoming House of Blues residency. He sweeps onto the Strip this week with his production, titled Billy Idol: Forever, and it’s reportedly doing brisk sales. He’s back in May, and this week even more shows were added for August, September and October. Some highlights of our chat:
I saw you in 1982 in Chico, California, at Acker Gymnasium at Chico State University. The next time I saw you was in 2010 at the Pearl at the Palms, 28 years later, and you’d lost none of your energy. How have you been able to keep up your exuberance throughout your career?
I think it has a lot to do with the music, and the intent behind the music. Coming from punk rock, there is a
April 19, 2016
“Billy Idol was among British punk’s first wave, beginning with Generation X in the late seventies, and going on to become one of the first punk acts to succeed in the video medium in the eighties. To many, he defined the look, style, and snarl of punk, and he’s not afraid to claim the mantle. He narrates his memoir in his unmistakable Cockney accent, which befits the more lurid tales of excess as well as
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March 17, 2016
WITH A ‘REBEL YELL,’ BILLY IDOL FIST-PUMPS HIS WAY INTO LAS VEGAS
By Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas Magazine, March 11, 2016:
The Billy Idol: Forever series of shows at Mandalay Bay’s House of Blues isn’t just the latest rock star residency in Vegas. It’s also the final chapter of Billy Idol’s most ambitious tour since his ’80s heyday, with guitarist Steve Stevens on board playing Sundance Kid to his Butch Cassidy. The prince of ’80s post-punk has been on the road since the October 2014 release of King & Queens of the Underground, his audio companion to autobiography Dancing with Myself, and judging from a high-profile appearance in February’s iHeart80s Party in the Forum in L.A., the adulation received on tour is only making him stronger.
The fact that Idol soldiers on at all—let alone while sporting a six-pack that enables him to perform shirtless at age 60—testifies to his status as a true rock ’n’ roll survivor. Idol was part of the original pack of Sex Pistols followers and one of many fans that started a band. Generation X outlived the initial blast of British punk, with spiky-haired Idol going against the grain by demonstrating
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March 7, 2016
Billy Idol has announced additional dates to his BILLY IDOL: FOREVER engagement at the intimate House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Previously announced dates in March and May are on sale now and additional dates beginning August 31 and playing in September and October will go on sale this week.
Featuring material from throughout Idol’s career, from his days fronting the seminal British punk band Generation X to his hits the world has come to know and love, BILLY IDOL: FOREVER will transport fans on a wild ride of punk, rock & pop, capturing the IDOL spirit three decades in the making.
BILLY IDOL: FOREVER will feature longtime guitarist Steve Stevens and the rest of Idol’s band at the top of their game, performing songs from throughout Idol’s extensive catalog.
Tickets for show dates in August, September and October go on sale March 11 at 10am PT with a special presale for Billy Idol fans on
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January 11, 2016
“In this age of grand illusion you walked into my life out of my dreams.”
David Bowie was a beacon of light to young people in Britain’s socially disturbed & turbulent economy of the early 1970’s. He paved the way for Punk rock as he took an uncompromising stance against the conservative viewpoint of much of the intelligentsia of the day, and whether it was for gay rights or a fight for artistic freedom, or the right to state your case about the world, Bowie’s music led the way.
Not willing to be controlled by the artistic norms of the day he introduced many art forms into his world view…mime, dance, kabuki theater, film and character driven personas that broke new ground in rock music beset by others whose vision was limited to only one genre of music, art or film.
His sound & vision woke up this young Bromley boy & showed me that to strive for an artistic life was valuable & was a goal to reach & once attained, new vistas and new worlds would open up. Beyond a visionary, he was a prophet, and his influence will be felt as long as recorded music is still heard and many people’s struggle against social oppression is still being fought.
He was a giant on our scene engaged and genuinely interested in other artists reaching out in a way that made me, and I’m sure many others, feel like we were talking to a friend that cared deeply.
– Billy Idol
November 13, 2015
Las Vegas (November 9, 2015) – Billy Idol will take the stage of the intimate House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino for his first-ever multi-date residency, Billy Idol: Forever.
Billy Idol: Forever will feature Idol, his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, and the rest of Idol’s band at the top of
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November 1, 2015
October 22, 2015
Billy Idol will be performing at alongside Dave Navarro, Juliette Lewis, Kesha, Duff McKagan, Gilby Clarke, Josh Freese, Mark McGrath and Dave Kushner and more at the Rhonda’s Kiss benefit concert on Nov 3 at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles. Rhonda’s Kiss provides assistance to
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October 13, 2015
DANCING WITH MYSELF Soundtrack
Autobiography Musical Reference Guide
The playlist* below is a musical reference guide to Billy Idol’s New York Times bestselling autobiography Dancing With Myself. Compiled by chapter and in chronological order as they are discussed by Billy throughout the book, these songs** represent a sampling of the music and the artists who influenced, shaped and colored Billy’s musical landscape and awareness. Also included are many of the songs which he would go on to create as a punk
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September 29, 2015
Billy Idol’s New York Times bestselling autobiography is now available in the US and Canada in audiobook format read by Billy himself and in paperback! The audiobook (digital download) clocks in at 12 hours and
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September 19, 2015
David Von Bader, Broward/Palm Beach New Times, Sept 18, 2015:
Among the copious guitar heroes the 1980s gave us, Steve Stevens — best-known as Billy Idol’s capo and lead collaborator — remains in a class of his own. By Idol’s own admission, Stevens’ eclectic fretboard pyrotechnics and deft sense of arrangement were the emulsifying agents that helped make Idol’s
August 31, 2015
Hi Mates!
The summer tour was a definite success! I believe we played thirty-one dates, roaring along, enjoying every moment. These days I try to do each gig as if it was my last as that will surely be true one day in the future, but “not yet, not yet”, to quote the movie Gladiator.
I managed to stay sane out there on the road by swimming as often as possible with my bass player “Evil McG.” We swam on our days off to energize with a little bit of weight training thrown in, some Pilates and TRX. It really helps to keep one on track and focused when
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August 25, 2015
Billy Idol guitarist Billy Morrison has set October 23 as the release date for his second solo album, GOD SHAPED HOLE. For this new studio album, Morrison is joined by Idol bandmates Steve Stevens and Erik Eldenius, as well as Jane’s Addiction’s Dave Navarro and rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, who sings a brand new track written by himself and Morrison.
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August 16, 2015
Billy Idol’s ‘Kings & Queens of the Underground’ U.S. tour resumes September 10!
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June 22, 2015
Robert Cavuoto, Guitar International, June 21 2015:
Not many guitar players can flawlessly cross as many musical boundaries as Steve Stevens has done in his career. His prolific and innovative playing has changed the face of music, and together with Billy Idol, they helped revolutionizing a new genre of music.
Whether you consider their brand of music; New Wave, dance rock, or rock n’ roll they rode the crest to become MTV staples and musical icons.
Guitar players around the globe scratched their heads trying to duplicate Steve’s unique sound, asking “Was it a guitar, synth, keyboard or all of the above?”
Being a self-proclaimed techno head, Steve has emerged as a quintessential force, capable of magically and successfully marrying it all altogether without sacrificing the main objective – making great music!
A true “orchestrator” as he likes to say.
With his extraordinary stage charisma, leather outfits, long spikey hair, and amazing chops he caught the attention of hard rock & metal fans.
It was apparent that Steve was not content with conquering just one genre of music and took his unique playing technique and versatility to new heights, playing with such musical legends as Michael Jackson, Vince Neil, Robert Palmer and Joni Mitchell.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with a Steve to talk about
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June 9, 2015
Billy Idol will join Pete Townshend on July 5, 2015 at Royal Albert Hall in London as part of The Who’s 50th Anniversary celebrations for the world premiere concert of the new ‘symphonised’ version of Quadrophenia.
Pete Townshend has created a new orchestral version of one of The Who’s landmark albums, Quadrophenia. The new incarnation of this classic rock opera
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June 2, 2015
Billy Idol, Steve Stevens and the band begin a summer tour overseas on June 11 with dates in the UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Italy and Croatia. Festival appearances during the tour will include Isle of Wight Festival, Download Festival, Hellfest, Rock The Ring and more. The London Souls will be the special guest for select dates. Visit the tour dates page for details and ticketing info.
May 21, 2015
Billy Idol sits down with Los Angeles Times writer Lorraine Ali to discuss his bestselling autobiography Dancing With Myself and perform an acoustic version of Rebel Yell with Steve Stevens.
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May 12, 2015
Watch the brand new video for Save Me Now from Billy Idol’s new album Kings & Queens of the Underground
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May 5, 2015
Billy Idol will be appearing at both 3 day weekends of this year’s Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, TX. The multi-weekend ACL Fest dates are October 2 and October 9. 3 day passes on sale May 5 at 10am CT. Single day passes on sale later this summer. For the
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April 28, 2015
Billy Idol, Joan Jett and more will perform at the 11th Annual MusiCares Map Fund benefit concert at the Best Buy Theater in New York City next month. Proceeds from the event will go toward MusiCares’ programs aimed at helping musicians struggling with addiction.
The event will take place on May 28th and will honor Pete Townshend as well as The Who’s longtime manager/music and film producer Bill Curbishley. Bruce Springsteen will present Townshend with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund and its addiction recovery programs. Doug Morris, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, will present Curbishley with the MusiCares From the Heart Award by for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization.
The 11th Annual MusiCares Map Fund benefit will feature performances from Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones and more, who will be announced
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April 20, 2015
April 18, 2015 Saba Hamedy–LA Times
Billy Idol sang his way onto the stage (literally) to talk about his memoir at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on Saturday.
“I’m ready ready ready to discuss rock ‘n’ roll,” Idol sang as he strutted onto the L.A. Times stage at USC. “Hopefully I don’t really need an introduction.”
It’s true, he really didn’t need an intro: Crowds of book festival attendees arrived at the stage area early to save seats. Others packed the surrounding grassy area, standing to get a better view of the 1980s British rocker. “Bookchella,” indeed.
The lively musician, who still sports his iconic spiked bleached hair look, pumped up attendees with
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April 16, 2015
Hi Mates,
The Aussie/NZ tour was magic! The audience participation was really fun and we as a band were playing more & more ‘as one’ as the dates flew by and we rocked with you. Also nice being joined by Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen & Robin Zander in Melbourne, AU & Christchurch, NZ for “LA Woman”… thanks Guys! It’s great to feel the musical entity
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April 14, 2015
Billy Idol will be appearing at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this Saturday, April 18th at 3:40pm.
The Festival will take place in USC’s Alumni Park, near Downtown Los Angeles. Billy will be interviewed live on stage about his bestselling autobiography, Dancing With Myself, and he will also personally read from the book. His appearance on the LA Times Festival Stage will be followed by a short book signing.
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