Billy Idol

about as Metal as Plastic

I love Billy Idol though I don't consider him a metal band or even hard rock.

Idol is a very solid performer though he is more punk than hard rock. Idol is a great live act. His problem is his albums are inconsistent. With the exception of Devil's Playground every album has a ton of filler material on it.

The man came up with some fine singles in the early 80's. Underrated by some, indeed. I'm not so sure about some of his videos, though.

I love you Billy Idol!

On the one hand I liked Rebel Yell, Eyes without a Face and White Wedding. On the other hand BI is a bit of a knobhead.

Couldn't say it any better than oscar does below. Repulsive musician

The Billy Joel of the punk movement and the rock of the 80's, a cunning, fraudulent, opportunist who managed to parlay a sneer and s&m; gear into millions of albums sold. I hate his music. Disposable dreck. Awful covers of The Doors and Tommy James and The Shondells to go with lame originals. I will admit that his guitar player, Steve Stevens, was a good one. Saw his 'Behind the Music" special a year or two ago, looks like he actually died about 7 years ago and was then stuffed with booze and mayonaisse, and electrically brought to life again.

Billy idol is one of THE faces of the 80s, with a talent unequalled by very many. He had a good sound, chart topping songs, unique look, and still gives a hard driving performance today.

Notwithstanding the harder sounds that Billy Idol brought to the post-punk, new wave music scene, he cannot really be classified as a heavy metal/hard rock musician. Idol started his real music career with Generation X but made a name for himself (as well as becoming a minor pop icon) as a pretty boy solo artist, all achieved on the strength of only two good full-length releases (i.e. the self-titled album and "Rebel Yell"). His remaining catalog is relatively weak save for some isolated tracks (e.g. "Cradle of Love"). I would add the while Idol's cover of Tommy James' "Mony Mony" was more popular, his cover of the Doors' "L.A. Woman" is actually much better. Additionally, the relatively acoustic set of Idol's "VH1 Storytellers" (2002) is highly recommended, primarily for the work of guitarist Steve Stevens. Nevertheless, the bottom-line is that while Idol may be an average new wave artist, he is not a heavy metal/hard rock artist, and his rating must suffer on a list of the latter.

You know, if you were to ask me to rate him 20 years ago, I may have only given him a 3-4 stars, but only for his music. But, MAN! Has this guy improved with age! My mouth waters every time I see him! His voice, IMO, has improved too! Much fuller, mature, experienced..., something. It's just better. I think he should do like some other artists have done, and do and "anthology" and re due all his songs with this much more mature voice. I've yet to buy the Beatles Anthology, and yet, I just might scrape the money up for Mr. Idol's! [on a fix income, so very choosey on purchases] Rua

More of a Pop New Wave rocker. He had some decent songs.

Funny, his name is Billy IDOL... considering he is not an idol to anyone in the world. He just plain sucks.

i admit im a billy idol fan. i thought he was awesome. his music made you want to move.

Was a good rocker a little on the pop side but quite a few memorable songs like White Wedding.

Billy Idol is a has been,80s poseur.He's about as Heavy Metal as Regis Philben.Phoney.

I always thought his music was a little..blah. Seems like a nice guy though.

I had forgotten about him until about a year ago when I saw a VH1 True Spin on White Wedding. I'm hooked on him now.

I dont really like any of his music besides the song mony mony. That is one of my favorite songs.

One of the artists who defined 80s rock, and still worth a listen.

Billy Idol is one of the greatest rockers EVER!! Wicked smile, sexy leer, great voice and I have tickets to see him in two weeks! Major excitement here. And DickDirk, you must be gay. Or maybe you just come across that way. What is the difference?

(UPDATE)- OK, I just really don't understand how anyone can even assume Billy Idol *music* was *gay* music. And how could you possibly know only gay people listened to this music? It doesn't even make sense ! I guess if you were part of the gay culture and the gay music scene at that time, you would know? But once again, I would like to say that I do know from reports that Billy Idol got most of his inspiration for his music from his female partner at the time. He loved her very much. And I will say I know many a *straight* bar that plays his music with full dance floors of people knowing every single word of the songs. If that is gay, I guess I am blind....lol. Good grief !

Billy Idol's style might not be everybody's cup of tea, but there's no denying that he went all out in his performances. From "Dancing With Myself" and "White Wedding," which were defining tunes of the 80's, to "Cradle of Love," which was a defining video for young guys of the eighties, the man clearly deserves a hand. I regret that I haven't been to any of his concerts, but I was happy to see his cameo in The Wedding Singer.

Billy is the next Ozzy

So, I was watching the Wedding Singer back when it came out, and I was wondering "who's this ugly guy with the stupid name?" As it turns out, this guy was pretty famous at some point. Well, great, so were a lot of people. I guess the movie gave me a bad impression of him, because then, I listened to his music. Let me tell you, I haven't been the same since. His music is the most inspirational stuff I've heard all my life, whether the Generation X songs or the Billy Idol stuff... I've looked for what's left in this world, and he IS.

A true talent, this guy knows how to put on a show, but needs a nice album!

All was forgiven after I found out he did "Eyes Without a Face."

Absolutely one of the most sexiest men in the world and the greatest tunes to party too!!

love you man in the wedding singer! cool videos

he is the master!

I love punk music, but this guy I could never get into. He always seemed so... Schlocky to me. He was like some dumb caricature, who wanted to look like a badass, but looked like a buffoon. And the songs? "Dancing With Myself"? "Eyes Without A Face"? PUH-LEASE!

I admire any performer that knows how to put on a real shor. Idol is a great performer and I hope he makes a strong comeback.

There's no words to describe how wonderful idol is, he's simply the hottest. best rocker out there! ya!!

...but Generation X was pretty damn cool.

A '70s punk-like singer that really had a few good songs (White Wedding and Dancing With Myslelf).

Probably THE most sexy, enigmatic artist of all time. With the blond spikey hair, that lazy snarl, and that ne'er do well bad boy thing he had going on, you just don't get hotter than Billy.(and he had a british accent..grr..) Every time I hear "Cradle of Love" I just..well..lose myself I guess you can say. With a surprisingly good voice, Billy sang surprisingly good songs. Like "Eyes Without A face" and "Dancing with Myself"(Okay, that one's kinda cheesy, but really cute.) and of course "White Wedding." This guy almost defined a generation of wanna be 80's punk rockers..he's a legend and a true rock star. 5+ stars to ya baby. You can rock my cradle anytime you like. ;)

billy idol is one of the most under rated singers of all time!HE DESERVES ALOT MORE RECOGNITION!I have loved him for the last 20 years.he is simply the best.he's the most talented,not to mention the sexiest being on the planet!!He really deserves this rating.thanx,Carmen.

What a babe. I'd shag him.

Billy Idol is the greatest rocker ever, I've been listening to him for five years since I was eleven and noone so far has even come close I can't wait till he finishes his next album it's gonna rule beyond belief

he's pretty awesome.

TERRIBLE??? C'MON!.....NOT ONLY HAS HE BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG WITH HIS BAD BOY CAREFREE STYLE AND SEXY TUNES.....HE'S HOTT!

Addicted to Billy ! I just cannot stop listening to his music. Although difficult to choose a favourite, I love L.A.Woman. Luckily CD's do not wear out, otherwise this track would have disappeared. So sexy....he really gets my imagination rolling.Simply the best.

After all these years Billy Idol looks great and survived nine lives. His voice and Steve Stevens guitar can not be matched.Steve Stevens is one of the best rock guitarist around. Not too hard on the eyes either. Billy hold fast to your son b/c they grow up fast. My little rock n roll baby is now 20 yrs old but very talented on keyboards as well. Helyen

Once you turn on Mony Mony or White Wedding, you'll see why I gave Billy a great review.

Billy Idol rocks! He is insanely attractive and makes the hottest videos. Cradle of love, was uh... interesting! (LOL). I'm seeing Billy in a couple of weeks live in concert and can't wait. I just hope I can control myself from jumping the stage.

His first band, Generation X, were great pop-punksters from the U.K. circa 1978. Their first record is well-worth tracking down. Billy's solo career was much more uneven, but "Dancing with Myself" remains a classic and I still dig that "Cradle of Love" video that we all loved in the late 80s.

I want to tie Billy Idol up in my basement and have my way with him for a night. DAMN! He is still just the sexiest man ever.....

What are you guys saying? Billy Idol is the best rock n' roll I have heard. Far better than Mettalica or Generation X. This what started Heavy Mettle. He brings his message to teenage angst around the world who suffers the same. Pity he doesn't sing anymore. Billy Idol quotes: "It's going to be a White Wedding." After all, even though I am 17, I still listened to Billy Idol. Long Live Idol. The First Heavy Mettal Artist.

a very funky guy