Billy Idol is probably one of the most ubiquitous names in music history. From 'White Wedding' to 'Rebel Yell,' it's nearly impossible to not have had a good time lip syncing and dancing around the room to his iconic tunes during childhood. Despite being remembered by many for his fun-loving persona, Billy Idol's musical career has seen its fair share of controversial moments - some that even he may prefer be forgotten! In this blog post, let's take a retrospective look at Billy Idol and discover some things you never knew (or wished you didn't!) about the punk prince himself.
Ah, the infectious tunes of Billy Idol - who doesn't love them? With his punk rock image, bleached blonde hair, leather jacket, and signature sneer, Idol defined an era of music in the 80s like no other. But behind the fun-loving rockstar image, he portrayed on stage, lies a darker, more controversial side of the punk prince himself. From his wild antics to his drug addiction, Idol has had several run-ins that are seldom talked about. In this blog post, we'll be uncovering these hidden stories - so buckle up and get ready to learn some shocking things you never knew (or wish you didn't!) about Billy Idol.
1. Billy Idol Was A Sex Addict
This might come as a surprise to those who only know him from his music, but Billy Idol was a notorious sex addict. In his autobiography 'Dancing with Myself,' Idol admitted that he slept with numerous partners and indulged in some pretty kinky fetishes. He recounts a time where he had sex with a girl's sister while she was sleeping in the same room. Idol's wild antics extended beyond the bedroom as well, he often visited Red Light Districts in several countries and admits to having sex with women in bathrooms during live concerts.
2. Idol's Near-Fatal Motorcycle Accident
In 1990, Billy Idol was involved in a severe motorcycle accident that almost claimed his life. While riding his Harley Davidson through Los Angeles, he lost control and ran into a car. He was thrown over the handlebars, and his left leg got tangled in the bike. The accident left him with a broken leg, arm, and severe facial injuries. It took him over a year of extensive surgeries and physical therapy to recover, and he was left with a slight limp for the rest of his life.
3. Billy Idol's Drug Addiction
Like many rockstars, Billy Idol struggled with drug addiction in the prime of his career. He was well known for his cocaine habit but also dabbled in heroin and other substances. His addiction caused him to miss important concerts and led to him being dropped from his record label at one point. Idol has since claimed that he's been sober since the late 2000s and is grateful that he was able to overcome his addiction.
4. His Legal Issues
Billy Idol has had his fair share of legal issues over the years. He was arrested in 1977 for stealing money from a clothing store and ended up spending a few nights in jail. In the 90s, he was sued by his former guitarist, Steve Stevens, for unpaid royalties, and the case was eventually settled out of court. In 2002, Idol was arrested for punching a woman in the face outside a nightclub in Seattle but claimed that he was only defending himself.
5. Billy Idol's Wild Controversial Moments
We all know that Billy Idol was a wild child, but some of his outrageous moments might surprise you. In his autobiography, Idol recounts an incident where he snorted a line of cocaine off of the Bible. He's also been caught urinating in public, getting into fights with fans, and once fell into a chairlift while skiing under the influence of alcohol.
Billy Idol's larger-than-life persona and infectious tunes are what he's best known for, but his journey to fame was far from smooth sailing. He's had his fair share of controversies and scandals, but despite all that, his music has remained an important part of rock history. Love him or hate him, Billy Idol's legacy will continue to live on as an embodiment of an era of music that was truly iconic.
