The bleached spiky hair, the ripped jeans, the studded leather jacket and yes, the British accent are all making their way to the beautiful Iroquois Amphitheater this week for 80’s rock icon, Billy Idol’s Louisville tour date.
That’s right, Louisville, the man who’s been “dancing with himself” as a solo rock icon since 1981 is making a comeback and tickets are still available!
As guitarist and lead singer of the 1970’s British punk rock band, Generation X, William Broad, who has come to be known as Billy Idol, first made a name for himself in the rock world when his band was first featured on BBC’s Top of the Pops in the late 1970’s. However, just a few years after Generation X’s music had climbed the popular charts of Top of the Pops, the band split.
Refusing to end his promising career as a punk rock musician, Billy Idol relocated from Europe to the United States and persevered as a solo artist in New York City. His first solo EP, “Don’t Stop,” was released in 1981 and became an instant hit for the punk rock junkies of the American 1980’s. The following year, Billy Idol became a true European and American household name with the release of his self-titled debut solo album.
Throughout his career, the rockstar has released eight studio albums, has been nominated for a number of Grammys and MTV Video Music Awards and has won a BRIT Award, has performed at Bonnaroo and guest appeared as himself alongside Adam Sandler in one of the comedian’s most successful films, “The Wedding Singer.”
New York City-based rock band, The London Souls will be opening for Billy Idol, who is set to perform all of his greatest hits, including “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell” with his guitarist, Steve Stevens at Iroquois Amphitheater on Tuesday, September 15. Visit the venue’s website to purchase your tickets. For more information on one of the most influential artists of the 1980's, check out Billy Idol's official website.
Photos courtesy of Billy Idol.
