Billy Idol Net Worth

What is Billy Idol's Net Worth?

Billy Idol is an English rock musician, singer-songwriter, and actor who has a net worth of $60 million. Billy Idol rose to prominence in the 1980s, getting his first taste of fame with the punk rock band Generation X, and then as a solo artist.

Considered part of the MTV-defined "Second British Invasion," Billy is best known for the songs "Eyes Without a Face," "Rebel Yell," "White Wedding," "Dancing with Myself," "Cradle of Love," and his cover of the Tommy James & the Shondells song "Mony Mony."

The music videos for these songs made him one of the first MTV stars and defined him as a member of the glam rock contingent made popular by music videos in the 1980s. Idol has released eight solo studio albums, including the 2x Platinum "Rebel Yell" (1983) and the Christmas album "Happy Holidays" (2006). Billy has also appeared in several movies, such as "The Doors" (2001) and "The Wedding Singer" (1998), and his 2014 memoir, "Dancing with Myself," was a "New York Times" bestseller.

Early Life

Billy Idol was born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, Middlesex, England. His parents, Joan and Bill Broad, briefly moved the family to the United States when Billy was two years old, settling in Patchogue on Long Island, New York. The family also spent time living in Rockville Centre during their four-year stay in America, and Idol's younger sister, Jane, was born during that period. The Broads eventually returned to England, first settling in Dorking, Surrey, before relocating to Bromley in southeast London.

Idol attended Ravensbourne School for Boys and later Worthing High School for Boys after the family moved to Goring-by-Sea in West Sussex. In 1975 he enrolled at the University of Sussex, where he studied English. His time there was short-lived. After about a year, he dropped out and became immersed in London's emerging punk rock scene.

Around this time he began using the stage name Billy Idol. The nickname reportedly came from a schoolteacher who wrote "Billy is idle" on a report card. Broad later altered the spelling to "Idol," partially to avoid confusion with Monty Python comedian Eric Idle. By the mid-1970s he had become part of the Bromley Contingent, a loosely organized group of fans and followers of the Sex Pistols who helped define the early punk movement in Britain.

Punk Roots and Generation X

Idol began his music career in 1976 when he briefly joined the retro-rock band Chelsea as a guitarist. His time with the group lasted only a few weeks, but the experience led him to form a new band, Generation X, with bassist Tony James. Idol served as the group's lead singer and frontman.

Generation X quickly became one of the most prominent bands to emerge from the first wave of British punk. The group signed with Chrysalis Records and released its self-titled debut album "Generation X" in 1978. The album included songs such as "Ready Steady Go," which captured the youthful energy of the era and helped the band earn television appearances on programs like "Top of the Pops."

The band followed up with "Valley of the Dolls" in 1979 and "Kiss Me Deadly" in 1981. Although Generation X never achieved the same level of notoriety as the Sex Pistols or The Clash, the band developed a loyal following and helped establish Idol's reputation as a charismatic frontman with a distinctive voice and rebellious image. By the early 1980s, however, tensions within the group led to its breakup, prompting Idol to pursue a solo career.

Billy Idol in Munich in June 1984 (Photo by Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Solo Breakthrough and MTV Stardom

In 1981 Idol moved to New York City and began working with music manager Bill Aucoin, who had previously managed the rock band Kiss. Around this time he began a long-running collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens, whose distinctive playing style would become a defining element of Idol's sound.

Idol's first solo release was the EP "Don't Stop" in 1981, which included the track "Dancing with Myself." The song received strong airplay on the newly launched MTV network, helping introduce Idol to American audiences.

His self-titled debut album "Billy Idol" was released in 1982 and featured several songs that would become staples of 1980s rock radio, including "White Wedding" and "Hot in the City." Idol's sneering vocals, platinum-blond spikes, and leather-clad image made him one of the most recognizable faces of the MTV era.

His next album, "Rebel Yell," released in 1983, became his biggest commercial success. The album went multi-platinum and produced several hit singles, including "Rebel Yell," "Flesh for Fantasy," and "Eyes Without a Face." The success of the album helped cement Idol as one of the defining rock stars of the decade.

Commercial Peak and Late-1980s Success

Idol continued his commercial momentum with the 1986 album "Whiplash Smile," which featured the hit singles "To Be a Lover" and "Sweet Sixteen." The album achieved strong sales internationally and reinforced his reputation as a major rock act.

In 1987 he released the remix compilation "Vital Idol," which included a live version of "Mony Mony." The track reached No. 1 on the "Billboard" Hot 100, giving Idol his biggest chart-topping single in the United States.

During the late 1980s Idol relocated to Los Angeles and became a fixture in the city's rock scene. Around this time, director James Cameron reportedly considered him for the role of the villainous T-1000 in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." However, Idol suffered a serious motorcycle accident in 1990 that left him with multiple fractures and internal injuries, forcing him to withdraw from consideration for the role.

Later that same year he released the album "Charmed Life," which featured the hit single "Cradle of Love." The song became one of his biggest MTV successes and helped keep Idol relevant as musical tastes began shifting in the early 1990s.

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Experimentation and Career Changes

In 1993 Idol released the album "Cyberpunk," an ambitious and experimental project inspired by emerging digital culture and internet communities. The album incorporated multimedia elements and futuristic themes that were unusual for the time. Although it attracted significant media attention, the project received mixed reviews and was not a major commercial success.

During the 1990s Idol also struggled with substance abuse issues and stepped back from the spotlight for several years. Despite these challenges, he remained a recognizable pop culture figure.

In 1998 he made a memorable cameo appearance as himself in the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore romantic comedy "The Wedding Singer." The film helped introduce Idol to a new generation of fans and featured his song "White Wedding" on its soundtrack.

He also lent his voice to the animated film "Heavy Metal 2000," where he voiced a character named Odin, and appeared on television programs such as "Behind the Music" and "VH1 Storytellers," reflecting on his career and personal struggles.

Later Music and Continued Touring

After more than a decade without a new studio album, Idol returned in 2005 with "Devil's Playground." The album marked a comeback for the singer and was supported by extensive touring, including appearances on the Vans Warped Tour.

In 2006 he released the holiday album "Happy Holidays," which featured rock interpretations of classic Christmas songs alongside original material.

Idol continued to tour extensively throughout the 2000s and 2010s, performing both solo shows and festival appearances. His songs also found new audiences through video games such as "Guitar Hero World Tour" and "Rock Band," which featured tracks like "Rebel Yell" and "White Wedding."

In 2014 Idol released the album "Kings & Queens of the Underground," his eighth studio album. The record reflected on his early punk years and included collaborations with longtime partner Steve Stevens.

In 2018 Idol reunited on stage with former Generation X bandmate Tony James, along with Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols, for a special performance at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood that celebrated the legacy of the original British punk scene.

He has also collaborated with contemporary artists, including appearing on the song "Night Crawling" from Miley Cyrus's 2020 album "Plastic Hearts."

Personal Life

In 1980 Idol began a long relationship with singer and dancer Perri Lister, who appeared in several of his music videos. The couple had a son, Willem Wolf Broad, born on June 15, 1988, before separating in 1989. Willem later became a musician and performed in bands including FIM and Juggs.

Idol also has a daughter, Bonnie Blue Broad, born on August 21, 1989, with Linda Mathis. Bonnie made him a grandfather when her daughter, Poppy Rebel, was born in 2020.

In 1990 Idol was seriously injured when he was struck by a truck while riding his motorcycle in Los Angeles. The accident left him with multiple broken bones and required extensive surgery. Several years later he survived a near-fatal drug overdose, an experience that prompted him to reevaluate his lifestyle.

Over time Idol distanced himself from heavy drug use and spoke openly about the importance of being present for his children.

In 2018 he became an American citizen, giving him dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States. Throughout his career, Idol has continued to perform and tour internationally, maintaining a dedicated fan base and a lasting influence on rock music and punk culture.

Awards and Nominations

Idol earned Grammy nominations for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for "Rebel Yell" in 1985, "To Be a Lover" in 1987, and "Cradle of Love" in 1991. He won an ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures for "Cradle of Love" in 1991, and he has been nominated for 10 MTV Video Music Awards, winning Best Video from a Film for "Cradle of Love," which featured clips from "The Adventures of Ford Fairlane." "Cradle of Love" also earned Billy a Brit Award nomination for Best British Video.

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