The punk pop star Billy Idol will play San Diego's House of Blues on Dec. 15.
As a young kid, William Michael Albert Broad was called "idle" by a schoolteacher -- but it didn't stop him from becoming a world famous rock star. The rambunctious Brit interpreted the characterization in his own way, and instead of focusing on academics, Billy Idol entered the U.K. punk scene.
Idol started his career with punk pioneers Souixie and the Banshees and Generation X, but he didn't gain widespread fame until he embarked on a solo career. Don't Stop, Idol's debut EP, came out in 1981, followed by Billy Idol,in 1982, and both releases were considered commercially successful. Soon, songs like "Dancing with Myself" and "Mony Mony" earned him many fans.
Idol didn't truly enter the world consciousness, however, until MTV started airing his video of "White Wedding" -- basically on repeat. Then, in 1983, he released Rebel Yell, and Idol's popularity exploded. The singles "Eyes Without a Face," "Flesh for Fantasy" and "Rebel Yell" cemented Idol's status as an icon, and he's has been a household name ever since.
Billy Idol will play that famous San Diego household -- the House of Blues -- on Dec. 15. Get your tickets here.
T. Loper is a writer and photographer for the San Diego music blog Owl and Bear.
