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New York Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Billy Idol reveals he nearly died from a heroin overdose — and more bombshells from his new doc
His new documentary, which premiered at NYC's Tribeca Festival on Tuesday night, is called 'Billy Idol Should Be Dead.' And the snarling punk-rocker indeed suffered a near-fatal heroin overdose in 1984 after becoming an early MTV sensation with hits such as 'Dancing with Myself,' 'White Wedding' and 'Rebel Yell.' 'There was a moment there where, you know, I'd done what I set out to do,' Idol recalls of conquering the US after moving to New York in 1981. 'I was coming back to England … in triumph, and I nearly ruined it. 7 Billy Idol survived a near-fatal heroin overdose in 1984. 'I was basically dying, I was turning blue,' he says in new doc. Sonia Moskowitz Gordon/ZUMA / 'We flew to London where we met a load of our pals that we knew,' he continues in the doc. 'They had some of the strongest heroin, Persian brown I think it was. Everybody did a line or so, and they all nodded out, except for me and this mate of mine. We kind of went, 'Well, that's funny.' So we did a few more lines.' But the overdose nearly turned deadly for him. 'I was basically dying. I was turning blue,' he recalls. 'So they put me in an ice cold bath, and I remember them walking me around on the top of the building, you know, on the roof.' Indeed, the artist born William Broad had been seduced by heroin as the '80s rock god known as Billy Idol. 'That's what was going on. The scene had embraced hard drugs really,' he reflects. 'A number of people were on it. [So] you know, you're wide open for it.' 7 Billy Idol rocked the red carpet at the Tribeca Festival world premiere of his new documentary. Sonia Moskowitz Gordon/ZUMA / 'A lot of the people we loved were all heroin addicts,' adds Idol. 'Lou Reed wrote the song 'Heroin.' The New York Dolls were all heroin addicts practically. So we weren't thinking how dangerous it was. In fact, you're thinking quite the opposite. Maybe this could unleash something.' But, at 69, Idol has survived his severe drug addiction and lived to tell the tale. And he's still going strong, taking off his shirt to reveal a ripped torso after finishing a five-song set with longtime guitarist Steve Stevens — including 'Dancing with Myself,' 'White Wedding,' 'Eyes Without a Face' and 'Rebel Yell,' plus new song 'People I Love' — following his doc's premiere. Here are five more of the biggest revelations from 'Billy Idol Should Be Dead.' He wrote 'Dancing with Myself' after, yup, seeing someone dancing by themselves. Idol's breakout 1981 US hit, which was originally recorded with his band Generation X, was inspired from a night out on the club scene in Japan. 7 'Billy Idol Should Be Dead' traces the singer's rise from Generation X to solo stardom in the '80s. Serial Pictures 'We were standing having a drink, and we were watching this kid dancing with his reflection in the mirror of walls in this club,' recalls Gen X bassist Tony James, who co-wrote the song with Idol. 'And Billy went, 'Wow, look at that kid. Look, he's like dancing with his reflection.' And I went, 'Yeah, dancing with myself.' I'm like, 'Billy, that's gonna be a great name for a song.' ' True enough, Idol came up with the beginnings of a tune to go with that title. 'Literally, in the space of like two minutes, we wrote all the lyrics, just the two of us,' says James, 'and by the afternoon, we'd recorded the demo.' While trying to kick heroin, he turned to crack. Idol, who once even lived next door to his drug dealer, hid out at the Park Meridien hotel in Midtown Manhattan while trying get off heroin. 7 Billy Idol's longtime guitarist Steve Stevens is among those featured in the punk-rocker's new documentary. Serial Pictures 'And it's only when I really tried to give up heroin that I did start to smoke crack,' he says. 'And, yeah, it was a nightmare. I mean, it's horrible because I was seeing and hearing things. Like, people in the next room talking about me or above me.' Shortly after that, friends convinced him to go to the hospital to detox, and his father flew in from London to clean house. 'My dad believed everybody was a drug dealer,' says Idol, who is now 'California sober.' He finally kicked heroin after one wild final binge in Bangkok — and a run-in with Mel Gibson. Idol and his friend Harry Johnson went on vacation to Bangkok, Thailand in 1989, with the idea that it would be a drug-free trip. 'We started out just drinking and stuff, but after a week or so of that, we asked a cab driver if he could get us some coke,' recalls Idol. 'But he brought back this long, thin vial of this white stuff' that turned out to be heroin. 7 Billy Idol and Steve Stevens performed five songs after the premiere of the singer's documentary. Serial Pictures 'It was so strong that … you only needed a pin prick, and you were just as high as a kite,' he says. During his long 'zombie' trip, Idol had a strange celeb encounter. 'At one point, I passed out in the elevator with the elevator doors closing on me, and Mel Gibson was there with his family on holiday, horrified,' he recalls. 'The silver lining was I did put heroin behind me,' he says. 'It was too horrible, the whole experience. It actually really put me off.' He almost lost a leg in a motorcycle accident — and did lose a big role in 'Terminator 2.' Idol was hit by a car when he ran a stop sign at a Hollywood intersection on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle in 1990. He broke his right leg, which was so badly damaged between his knee and ankle that he had to have a steel rod inserted, and fractured his left wrist in the horrific accident that required seven hours of surgery. 7 The documentary 'Billy Idol Should Be Dead' had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on Wednesday night. Serial Pictures It also cost Idol a big role in 1991's 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day,' with him being originally cast to play Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator T-1000 rival. But the singer couldn't do the required running. 'I just had a really bad limp, so I couldn't do it,' he says. 'But I wish I could've done it, it would've been incredible. And you never know where that would have led?' He discovered that he had another son several years ago. Idol, who has never gotten married, raised son Willem, 36, with former partner Perri Lister and daughter Bonnie, 35, with ex-girlfriend Linda Mathis. But several years ago he found out that he had a second son, Brant, 39, from a weekend fling. 7 Billy Idol originally recorded his breakout hit 'Dancing with Myself' with his band Generation X. Getty Images The discovery was made through a 23andMe DNA test that Bonnie did. 'And then a few weeks later, I get the results back on the app and open it, and I'm like, 'Who is this? This Brant,'' she says in the doc. A DNA test had also raised questions about who Brant always thought was his biological father. 'I was like, 'Mom, is there a chance Mark might not be my biological father?'m' he recalls in the doc. 'And she's like, 'Well, it's pretty crazy, but back in the day, we broke up and I actually spent a weekend with Billy Idol.' '
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Idol Announces New Album Dream Into It, Unveils Single 'Still Dancing': Stream
The post Billy Idol Announces New Album Dream Into It, Unveils Single 'Still Dancing': Stream appeared first on Consequence. Billy Idol has announced a new album, Dream Into It, arriving April 25th. The video for lead single 'Still Dancing' can be streamed below. The autobiographical song calls back to one of Idol's biggest hits ('Dancing with Myself') and charts his musical journey, from humble punk roots to rockstar status. That's reflected in the music, which channels the sound of Idol's '80s heyday with its throwback production, surging guitars, and huge chorus hook. Get Billy Idol Tickets Here 'At the start of the song I'm recalling the early times in London, when I was living in squats or at friends' apartments, all my belongings in a plastic bag,' said Idol in a press release. 'Everybody at home or work told you what you were doing was never going to happen. But punk rock gave me an opening. I was surrounded by people who loved the music as deeply as I did and you were going to throw caution to the wind, believe in what you were doing and grab on for dear life.' He added, 'As the song says, there have been many moments along the way where I've been self-destructive. But what's seen me through is that unflinching belief in the music that started all those years ago. That's been the greatest gift of all.' 'Still Dancing' serves as the closing track on Dream Into It — Idol's first full-length studio album since 2014. The LP spans nine songs and features guest appearances by Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett, and Alison Mosshart of The Kills. A few days after the record's release, Idol will hit the road with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts for a previously announced North American tour. Dates kick off April 30th in Phoenix, with tickets available here. Pre-orders for Dream Into It are available via this location. Stream the video for 'Still Dancing' and see the album art and tracklist below. Artwork: Tracklist: 01. Dream Into It 02. 77 (featuring Avril Lavigne) 03. Too Much Fun 04. John Wayne (featuring Alison Mosshart) 05. Wildside (featuring Joan Jett) 06. People I Love 07. Gimme The Weight 08. I'm Your Hero 09. Still Dancing Billy Idol Announces New Album Dream Into It, Unveils Single 'Still Dancing': Stream Jon Hadusek Popular Posts Tony Hawk Wishes Kurt Cobain Could Meet Their Shared Grandson J6 Prison Choir to Perform at Kennedy Center Michelle Trachtenberg Dead at 39 The 69 Sexiest Film Scenes of All Time Wu-Tang Clan Announce Final Tour with Run the Jewels as Special Guest Classic MTV Unplugged Episodes Now Streaming on Paramount+ Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meghan Markle Shares First-Ever Instagram Story Featuring Prince Harry's Dance Moves at Invictus Games
Meghan Markle has officially made her Instagram Story debut — and she did it with a playful glimpse of Prince Harry in action at the Invictus Games. On the heels of the official start of the adaptive sports tournament, Meghan, 42, took to Instagram, sharing a behind-the-scenes moment of her husband, Prince Harry, dancing in celebration at the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada. In the short clip set to "Dancing with Myself" by Generation X, Harry, 40, is seen letting loose while preparing for a group photo with members of Team Canada, fully embracing the energetic spirit of the competition he founded in 2014. In a series of Instagram Stories, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen engaging with athletes, exchanging hugs, sharing laughs, and posing for photos as they connect with the team. The low-key outing comes hours before the couple are set to attend the official opening ceremony of the Invictus Games at at BC Place. Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado, Noah Kahn, Roxane Bruneau and Coldplay's Chris Martin are set to perform. Related: Meghan Markle Shares Candid Family Story in Unplanned Speech About Prince Harry at Invictus Games Reception On Feb. 7, the couple attended a special welcome reception for athletes and their friends and families. In an impromptu speech, Meghan shared: "We are so excited and we also recognize most of you are probably so exhausted from how much travel you've done, how much adrenaline you have pumping, how excited you are for what is going to be one of the most outstanding, memorable, unforgettable and connected weeks probably for you and for your families." While the Sussexes previously had an official @SussexRoyal account during their time as working royals, the couple shut it down upon stepping back from their roles in 2020. Since then, they have been notably absent from social media — until Meghan debuted her new Instagram account on New Year's Day. Meghan's Instagram Story not only signals her return to the platform but also offers a rare, intimate glimpse into their dynamic behind the scenes. The Invictus Games, which run from Feb. 8 to Feb. 16 in Vancouver and Whistler, hold a deeply personal significance for Prince Harry. The competition brings together wounded, injured, and sick service members from around the world, fostering camaraderie and resilience through sports. Meghan's latest social media post reflects her enthusiasm for sharing the Invictus Games experience with Harry. Her presence at the event reinforces that, despite her own upcoming projects, she and Harry remain a strong team both personally and professionally. When asked about their thoughts on the Duchess attending, an onlooker in Vancouver told PEOPLE: "I think it's great that she's coming. There is a lot of speculation about them and their marriage, but this reinforces one thing to me, at least — there is no separation. It looks like they present a united front when it comes to matters they both care about." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Meghan's foray back into Instagram has long been speculated, especially as she continues to expand her entrepreneurial ventures, including her upcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, and her lifestyle brand. Read the original article on People
