Billy Idol
Singer Billy Idol performs onstage at the William Morris Agency Post Grammy Party at Avalon on February 13, 2005 in Hollywood, Calif.
In the 1980s, at the dawn of the music video age, few stars burned brighter - or hotter - than the swaggering Billy Idol, whose hits included "Dancing With Myself," "Rebel Yell" and "White Wedding."
Today, at a fit 58, he still looks pretty much like the bad boy rocker you watched on MTV – and is still working hard, with a new album, a new tour, and a just-published autobiography.
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan
"Opening Manifesto"
When CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith asked him to define "Billy Idol music," the singer said, "It's taking the best of punk rock, the best of rock 'n' roll -- you're taking the best of everything and somehow cross-pollinating it. So you have a bastard child, really, and the bastard child is my music!"
"Beyond Belief"
William Michael Albert Broad was born in England. Dad was a power tool salesman, mom a former surgical nurse.
His childhood looked pretty much like anyone else's: he went to church with his parents, suited up for snow days, fell in step with the Cub Scouts. But as a teen he was obsessed with music.
"Cradle of Love"
When Billy announced that he was quitting college to join a rock band, his parents hit the roof.
He told CBS News' Tracy Smith that he recognizes his parents wanted security for him, but added, "We wanted to dream, wanted to have fun, wanted something more glamorous than my dad's power tool business that he wanted me to join him in," said Idol. "And he was a great salesman, fantastic, actually. But I always thought to myself, 'The only weakness he's got is he's selling a product that's not himself.
"So I'm still a bit of the salesman he is, really. But I managed to work out I could make my own product, and there's a power in that, you know?"
"Don't You (Forget About Me)"
Gene October and Billy Idol of Chelsea perform in the 1970s.
"Shooting Stars"
Billy Idol was a member of the "Bromley Contingent" - fans of the Sex Pistols. Clockwise from upper left: Simon Barker, Idol, Steve Severin, Debbie Juvenile and Siouxsie Sioux.
"Then The Night Comes"
Billy Idol performs at Le Gibus in Paris.
"Hole In the Wall"
Billy Idol at the Marquee in Plymouth, England, March 1977. The club was an industry showcase which usually booked bands that had already released records.
"The fact that a punk showcase was booked at the Marquee was emblematic of punk's evolution from marginalized subculture to emerging commodity," writes Idol. "The punks went absolutely nuts."
"Man For All Seasons"
A portrait of Billy Idol taken at his parents' home in Bromley, c. 1978.
"Romeo's Waiting"
Calling the fashion police: Billy Idol of Generation X in New York City, 1978.
"New Future Weapon"
The very first Billy Idol solo show, coincidentally on the very last night of the legendary club Max's Kansas City in New York.
"Untouchables"
Billy Idol with his band and manager Bill Aucoin accepting gold records backstage at the Nassau Coliseum, N.Y., September 8, 1984.
"Sweet Sixteen"
Actress Drew Barrymore clubbing with Billy Idol in 1984.
Fourteen years later, Idol played himself in the Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymoore comedy, "The Wedding Singer."
"Pumping On Steel"
The infamous Rolling Stone cover, Jan. 31, 1985, featuring Billy Idol decked out with leather loincloth and his "bible belt."
"Cherie"
Billy idol at home, writing songs on his beloved Taylor acoustic.
"Licence To Thrill"
Billy idol performs at Bercy in Paris, France on December 11, 1990.
"Fatal Charm"
Billy Idol as Cat in the Oliver Stone film, "The Doors."
"I insisted on having the longest hair on set," he writes.
"Tomorrow People"
Billy Idol with his children, Bonnie Blue Broad and Willem Wolfe Broad.
"Shock To the System"
Billy Idol performs at the MTV 20th Anniversary party, "MTV20: Live and Almost Legal" at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on August 1, 2001.
"Hot In the City"
Billy Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens perform at the Beacon Theater May 23, 2005 in New York City.
"Eyes Without a Face"
British musician Billy Idol performs on June 3, 2005 during the open-air festival "Rock in the Park" in the southern town of Nuremberg, Germany. Some 50,000 spectators are expected for the 9th edition of this rock festival.
"Catch My Fall"
Billy Idol performs on the Snickers stage on Day One of the 2005 Download Festival at Donington Park, Castle Donington on June 10, 2005 in Leicestershire, England. The annual rock festival features more than 90 acts over three days.
"L.A. Woman"
Singer Billy Idol performs at The Art of Elysium's 3rd Annual Black Tie Charity Gala "Heaven" on January 16, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
"Don't You (Forget About Me)"
Recording artist Billy Idol and drummer Jeremy Colson perform at The Pearl concert theater at the Palms Casino Resort August 21, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Mony Mony"
Musicians Steve Stevens and Billy Idol perform on stage during the 8th Annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit at Club Nokia on May 31, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The MusiCares MAP Fund provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment.
"White Wedding"
Musician Billy Idol arrives at the "John Varvatos: Rock In Fashion" book launch celebration held at John Varvatos Los Angeles, November 7, 2013 in Los Angeles.
"Dancing With Myself"
Billy Idol performs during the M One rock festival held at the Sydney Showground in Sydney, Australia, October 7, 2002.
For more info:
"Dancing With Myself" by Billy Idol (Touchstone/Simon & Schuster); Also available in eBook, Unabridged Audio Download and Unabridged Audio CD Formats
"Kings & Queens of the Underground" by Billy Idol (available beginning Oct. 21 via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes (Bonus Track version)
"Idol Live World Tour 2014-15" dates (beginning Nov. 5 in Birmingham, U.K.)
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