Billy had some huge hits and was an MTV stable in the 80's and early 90's. But i was going through his catalogue and his best songs where defintley his non hits

I'm shocked Daytime Drama was not released over Catch My Fall. The song was an obvious hit imo Steve Stevens effects on this shock are very cool

Blue Highway always seemed like an obvious hit over Catch My fall as well.... but it think Rebel Yell wise The Dead Next Door is the best song.

Fatal Charm with it's thumping bass and powerful guitar seemed like another obvious to me that could have had a killer video[it was used in Nightmare On Elm Street 4 though!]

And Worlds Forgotton Boy & Man For All Seasons with it's jazz guitar breakdown is brilliant and my favorite off that album.

Billy's first album Come On & It's So cruel where great raw tracks, and still had some punk from Billy's Generation X day's sneaking in.

Another classic i was suprised which was released as a single but got no attention was Prodigal Blues... which is my 2nd favorite Idol song after Man Of All Seasons.

I just wish he wasn't so often remembered as a punkish clone doing Jim Morrison covers...

purplethunder3121 said:

I just wish he wasn't so often remembered as a punkish clone doing Jim Morrison covers...

I have never once heard him called that actually

Is that what some peopel think of him? that is silly billy was all his own. Like most artists he was heavily inspired by people befor ehim, but he had a punk attitude with pop sensibilities and one of most underrated guitar player of the time... Steve Stevens

[Edited 8/30/11 23:12pm]

oh and some good tracks from cyberpunk... which gets an awful awful rap when it's not THAT bad of an album

Cyberpunk is the only album i don't own on cd. Shock To The System is the only song i can remember on that album.

Always loved Blue Highway. One of my favorites artist for sure.

JoeBala said:

Always loved Blue Highway. One of my favorites artist for sure.

That is a fantastic song, it always seemed very bob dylanesque to me for some reason.

bigd74 said:

Cyberpunk is the only album i don't own on cd. Shock To The System is the only song i can remember on that album.

Is that album as horrible as everyone says?

Gunsnhalen said:

purplethunder3121 said:

I just wish he wasn't so often remembered as a punkish clone doing Jim Morrison covers...

I have never once heard him called that actually

Is that what some peopel think of him? that is silly billy was all his own. Like most artists he was heavily inspired by people befor ehim, but he had a punk attitude with pop sensibilities and one of most underrated guitar player of the time

He hung out with Johnny Rotten in the 70's. That's pretty cool, in my book!

I even have his earlier stuff with Gen X like King Rocker, Happy People, Ready Steady Go, Kleenex, etc. I was looking for my LP's and my Billy Idol was right next to TTD. I gotta get those Gen X on CD. Love this thread. You have good taste dude.

Gunsnhalen said:

purplethunder3121 said:

I just wish he wasn't so often remembered as a punkish clone doing Jim Morrison covers...

I have never once heard him called that actually

Is that what some peopel think of him? that is silly billy was all his own. Like most artists he was heavily inspired by people befor ehim, but he had a punk attitude with pop sensibilities and one of most underrated guitar player of the time

I did not think of him as that when it was happening, but now I do think he was kind of doing a punk Jim Morrison

Not that it fits perfectly, but I can definitely hear Morrison doing Rebel Yell or White Wedding. It's the crooning combined with the screaming.

JoeBala said:

I even have his earlier stuff with Gen X like King Rocker, Happy People, Ready Steady Go, Kleenex, etc. I was looking for my LP's and my Billy Idol was right next to TTD. I gotta get those Gen X on CD. Love this thread. You have good taste dude.

You to dude! thank's for the comments

dancerella said:

bigd74 said:

Cyberpunk is the only album i don't own on cd. Shock To The System is the only song i can remember on that album.

Is that album as horrible as everyone says?

you know, i can't remember it's been so long since i listened to it, at the time i remember it being very electronic ambient dance music bar the single. i'll have to listen to it again.

I saw Billy Idol at Hollywood Sportatorium in Hollywood, Florida when I was 16. One of the best concerts ever!!! I was in the 20th row standing on my chair and pumping my fist all fucking night!!! The Cult opened for him which was an amazing bonus!!!

BILLY IDOL ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That show was cancelled in NY. They said it was asbestos in the venue and it was never rescheduled. I got to see him years later when he did the acoustic show in NYC, which was good. I wanna see him with Steve Stevens. He didn't do the acoustic tour. He's only 55 I thought he was older. I gotta get Whiplash Smile on CD DAMN.

Gunsnhalen said:

purplethunder3121 said:

I just wish he wasn't so often remembered as a punkish clone doing Jim Morrison covers...

I have never once heard him called that actually

Is that what some peopel think of him? that is silly billy was all his own. Like most artists he was heavily inspired by people befor ehim, but he had a punk attitude with pop sensibilities and one of most underrated guitar player of the time

Billy Idol on guitar? Don't you mean Steve Stevens??

Billy Idol

Rebel Yell was an excellent album and I was fortunate to see him perform it live in 1982 - awesome!

And again in 1986 with The Cult

Daytime Drama is a great song although at the time my favorites were Eyes Without a Face and Flesh for Fantasy.

I also liked his final release and the song Sweet Sixteen...good stuff!

EDIT...

I had to check on what Billy is up to and happy to hear he is getting ready to release a new CD!!! This is the lead single which is pretty cool....

http://www.youtube.com/wa...re=related

[Edited 8/30/11 13:03pm]

SUPRMAN said:

Gunsnhalen said:

I have never once heard him called that actually

Is that what some peopel think of him? that is silly billy was all his own. Like most artists he was heavily inspired by people befor ehim, but he had a punk attitude with pop sensibilities and one of most underrated guitar player of the time

Billy Idol on guitar? Don't you mean Steve Stevens??

yup

Looks like Steve Steven is touring with him! Dude looks pretty good for 55:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o6kvnau7lE&feature=related

I totally agree to Gunshalen's points about Daytime Drama and Crank Call (which even could have been remixed for easier radio acceptance/irresistability; perhaps a little more danceable rhythm and percussion section).

Until you guys start posting songs from his Christmas album, you're all posers!

LOL, j/k.

His "Unplugged" is the best one I've seen.

Rock N Roll Inferno... Guitar Riff

The problem is Eyes Without a Face is his best song.

First major album without Steve Stevens, and it showed. But it still had a few good tracks, with "prodigal blues" being one of my favs songs from him.

And on the Jim morrison thing, Billy was supposed to play him in the biopic Oliver Stone did, but he had a near fatel Motorbike accident that ruled him out of the main part. He also supposedly missed out as the villian in "terminator 2" for the same reason. Christ, talk about bad luck!

I also really liked "Cyberpunk". Yes its trendhopping, but I still dig alot of it actually and it was risky as there is barely any rock on the album at all! Billy still sounded great too.

Love this song:-