This story is featured in CityBeat’s April 19 print edition.
British rock and roll legend Billy Idol and his famous bleach blonde hair and punk sneer will make a special appearance in front of a Cincinnati crowd at PNC Pavilion.
Along with his unmistakable image, Idol’s revved-up new wave sound delivered with a punk attitude made him one of the biggest stars of the original MTV era throughout the ‘80s, and his popularity has kept him a relevant personality and sustaining figure in pop culture ever since. From being a regular on major festival lineups and on daily radio play to tour dates around the world, he’s proven his staying power.
Idol began his career in the mid-70s, forming the charting punk band Generation X before branching out as a solo artist with a move to New York City in 1981 and the release of his debut solo EP Don’t Stop. A self-titled full-length album followed the next year, achieving major success with the singles “Dancing with Myself” and “White Wedding,” making Idol a video star with the accompanying videos that received heavy rotation on the then-newly-formed MTV. The album Rebel Yell followed in 1983, again scoring hits and video airplay with the album’s title song, the power ballad “Eyes Without a Face” and the driving “Flesh For Fantasy.”
Overall, Idol scored hits with 12 singles landing on the Billboard singles chart, including a number one with his cover of ‘60s group Tommy James and Shondells’ “Mony Mony” in 1987 and 1990’s “Cradle of Love” at number two.
He recently signed to Dark Horse Records, a label founded by late Beatle George Harrison, and has released two EPs, The Roadside in 2021, and The Cage in 2022. Idol also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January.
The show, bringing a high energy rock and roll show with a shaking fist and a rebel yell, will feature longtime collaborator and Idol guitar player Steve Stevens.
Billy Idol plays PNC Pavilion at 8 p.m. May 6. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Info: riverbend.org.
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This article appears in Apr 19 – May 2, 2023.