Episode #229 | 04.08.25

Billy Idol: A Motorcycle Crash, a Rude Awakening in Bangkok, Sexual Deviancy, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Animals

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In this episode

With his spiked blond hair, perpetual sneer, and gloved hands clenched in defiance, Billy Idol seemed like an avatar of punk rock dreamed up by central casting. But Idol's look, his attitude, and especially his music were completely authentic. He was a pure rock 'n' roll animal. Few rock stars lived a life as hedonistic and debauched as Billy Idol, and even fewer lived to tell the tale.

Sources

Dancing with Myself, by Billy Idol

When Billy Idol trashed a Thai hotel so badly they called in the army (Far Out)
"We went there to have a whale of a time – a sex holiday, really. But it got out of hand": Billy Idol on the Thailand vacation that ended with a visit from the army (Louder)

Billy Idol opens up about addiction, nearly losing leg in accident: 'I could have died' (Yahoo)

On Halloween 1990, Billy Idol played the final show of his Charmed Life tour in Seattle. The night would feature Faith No More dancing naked, 600 dead fish, five miniature pigs, a goat, and a visit from the Seattle police department (Louder)

Singer Billy Idol Injured in Motorcycle Crash (LA Times)

Billy Idol on David Letterman, 1984

Billy Idol interview 1977