Billy Idol mini-bio: Billy Idol is an English hard rock/new wave musician.
He first came to attention in the punk rock era, then embarked on a successful solo career, aided by a series of stylish music videos, making him one of the first MTV stars. He has continued to make music, but has yet to recapture the levels of fame he found in the 1980s.
in 1990, Idol was in a motorcycle accident in which he almost lost his leg. He decided to take a break from music and acted in The Doors, directed by Oliver Stone.
In 1998, he played himself in The Wedding Singer, an Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore romantic comedy, where "White Wedding" was used as the title track. Idol appeared on VH1 Storytellers and issued a successful Greatest Hits CD in 2001.
Idol played a handful of dates on the 2005 Vans Warped Tour. Then in 2006, as his only UK live date, he appeared headlining the Sunday night of Guilfest.
In 2006, Billy guested on his keyboardist Derek Sherinian's solo album Blood of the Snake, covering the 1970 Mungo Jerry hit, "In the Summertime". A video was also made featuring Idol and former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.
In November 2006, Idol released a Christmas album called Billy Idol: Happy Holidays. It includes classic Christmas songs like "Frosty the Snowman", "Jingle Bell Rock", and "Silent Night", plus some originals.