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William Michael Albert Broad, besser bekannt als Billy Idol, hat eine bewegte Karriere hinter sich. Nachdem er in jungen Jahren sein Philosophie-Studium abgebrochen hatte, trat er der Londoner Punkszene bei, um mit dem späteren Clash-Gitarristen Mick Jones die Gruppe Chelsea zu gründen.
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Taking the stage on the same evening as Status Quo is another British rock star, a veritable phenomenon in the 1980's. William Michael Albert Broad, better known as Billy Idol, has had quite a career: after breaking off studies in philosophy, he joined London's punk scene, later founding the band Chelsea with Clash guitarist Mick Jones, and then Generation X, which had three successful albums by the end of the 70's. But Billy Idol had even greater ideas, going to the US after the break-up of Generation X, where producer Keith Forsey helped him gain international fame with albums like “Billy Idol”, “Rebel Yell” and “Whiplash Smile”. Although far from his original punk roots, his pop songs in the 80's were edgy and his rough voice and platinum brush cut were in sync with the times. At this time guitarist Steve Stevens was on hand for great riffs on hits like “White Wedding”, “Dancing With Myself”, “Rebel Yell” and “Flesh For Fantasy”, until their break-up in 1986. In early 1990, Idol sustained severe leg injuries after a near-fatal motorcycle accident, which inspired the album “Charmed Life” just a few months later – it was the last one for quite some time. Idol has been back on tour in the last few years with new recordings, especially the CD and DVD for the VH1 series “Storytellers”, which featured a reunion with Steve Stevens.
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Une autre rock star venue de Royaume-Uni se produira le même soir que Status Quo: Billy Idol. Authentique phénomène de société dans les années 80, William Michael Albert Broad de son vrai nom, a déjà derrière lui une sacrée carrière jalonnée de succès et de tragédies. Après avoir interrompu ses études en philosophie et rejoint la scène punk de Londres, Billy Idol fonde en 1977 le groupe Chelsea avec le guitariste des Clash, Mick Jones, puis dans la foulée Generation X, formation avec laquelle il enregistre trois albums à succès. Voyant alors les choses toujours en grand, le chanteur anglais décide de quitter l'Europe pour les Etats-Unis après la rupture de Generation X, ce qui lui permet d'accéder, grâce à sa collaboration avec le producteur Keith Forsey, à la célébrité au niveau mondial avec des albums tels que “Billy Idol”, “Rebel Yell” et “Whiplash Smile”. Désormais bien loin de ses origines Punk, ses chansons pop, sa coupe de cheveux couleur platine et sa voix rauque représentent le nec plus ultra en ces années 80. Billy Idol fait alors appel au guitariste Steve Stevens pour des morceaux à succès tels que “White Wedding”, “Dancing With Myself”, “Rebel Yell” et “Flesh For Fantasy”, jusqu'à leur séparation en 1986. Au début des années 90, il est victime d'un grave accident de moto qui manque de peu de peu de lui coûter la vie, expérience douloureuse qui lui inspire "Charmed Life" quelques mois plus tard. Au cours de ces dernières années, le chanteur anglais est reparti en tournée avec de nouveaux albums, notamment avec "Storytellers" pour les besoins duquel il a retrouvé Steve Stevens.
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La stessa sera degli Status Quo si presenterà sul palco un’altra rockstar inglese, uno degli esponenti di spicco della musica mondiale degli anni ’80. William Michael Albert Broad , ovvero Billy Idol, ha alle spalle una carriera movimentata: dopo avere interrotto gli studi di filosofia da giovane, entra a far parte della scena punk londinese fondando il gruppo Chelsea, insieme al futuro chitarrista dei Clash, Mick Jones. Poco dopo fonda Generation X, gruppo che pubblica tre album di grande successo nel corso degli anni ’70. Ma il bello deve ancora venire: dopo lo scioglimento di Generation X si trasferisce negli Stati Uniti, dove insieme al produttore Keith Forsey riesce a sfondare a livello mondiale con album rivoluzionari come “Billy Idol”, “Rebel Yell” e “Whiplash Smile”. Pur allontanatosi dalle sue radici musicali, grazie ai suoi brani pop spigolosi, la voce rauca e i capelli cortissimi e ossigenati, riesce a dar voce al suo tempo e a un’intera generazione. Ai tempi d’oro era accompagnato dal geniale e fascinoso chitarrista Steve Stevens, responsabile degli energici e vigorosi riff dei suoi pezzi più famosi come “White Wedding”, “Dancing With Myself”, “Rebel Yell” o “Flesh For Fantasy”. Nel 2008 pubblica il suo (finora) ultimo album, un “Best of” con due brani inediti.
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