music
Billy Idol
Billy Idol born William Michael Albert Broad is a British hard rock singer-songwriter and musician. William was the first child born to Bill and Joan Broad, shortly after the family moved to Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York. Two years later, Billy's sister Jane was born.
The Broads returned to England after four years of living in the United States. They moved to Mickleham, Surrey before moving to Goring, Sussex. The Broads were a religious family, and William joined the St. Mary's cub scouts, becoming a full scout.
It has been said that William was kicked out of the scouts for making out with a young girl behind a hot dog stand. Broad progressed well with his studies and his family moved to Bromley, Kent. His father was working as a salesman, and William worked for him as he was growing up.
With his spiked peroxide blonde hair, sneering visage and a voice capable of singing growling rock and roll and crooning ballads, Idol became a cultural icon during the 1980s. He first achieved fame as the lead singer of the first-wave UK punk band Generation X.
When that band broke up, Idol moved to New York where he met guitarist Steve Stevens. The two of them set out to make punk music 'sexier,' recording a series of hit singles. A series of stylish music videos made him one of the first stars of MTV. His success has waned since the 1990s.