Rock legend Billy Idol has just released an expanded edition of his self-titled debut album on July 28th, 2023 via Capitol/UMe. The reissue includes the original 10-track album, the previously unreleased August 12, 1982 concert from The Roxy in West Hollywood, CA as well as the recently unearthed and previously unreleased 12-minute Clubland Extended Remix of his classic song “White Wedding” from Idol’s debut.

For 46 years, Billy Idol has been one of the faces and voices of rock’n’roll. Between 1977 and 1981, Idol released three albums with Generation X as their camera-ready frontman. In 1982, he embarked on a transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated the bold and simple lines of punk and rock’n’roll decadence.

Last year, Idol released his latest project, The Cage EP, via Dark Horse Records. The new music follows Idol’s 2021 The Roadside EP, which received praise from fans and critics alike. In January, Idol was honored with the first Hollywood Walk of Fame Star of 2023. The ceremony included guest speakers Henry Rollins and Shepard Fairey.

Disc 1 - Billy Idol:
1. Come On, Come On
2. White Wedding (Part 1)
3. Hot In The City
4. Dead On Arrival
5. Nobody’s Business
6. Love Calling
7. Hole In The Wall
8. Shooting Stars
9. It’s So Cruel
10. Congo Man
11. White Wedding (Clubland Extended Remix) (Previously Unreleased)

The original 1982 album, plus the brilliant now-added, and 12 minute bonus track, was, and without a shadow of a doubt, the album that pretty much let the world know that Idol was going to be a force in rock music.

Although this phenomenal solo debut album was pre-dated by a solo EP in 1981, although that record wasn’t a studio release or a full album, it was enough to allow Idol to springboard off it for this officially recognized debut recording.

The album, of which should have gone platinum back in the 1982-1984 music buying period, but actually wasn’t certified gold (500,000) until almost a year after its release, might well have been one of his underrated musical exploits, but it still contains a lot of greatness.

Sure, people mainly remember this album for the steamy Hot In The City, but there are other memorable (still today) standouts here, such as Come On, Come On, Nobody’s Business, the brilliant Dead on Arrival, and for my money, also Hole In The Wall.

Idol’s vocals, the guitar usage, the bass, and the overall rhythmic beat production on this album definitely combined to create an album that still stands up to musical scrutiny today, some 41 years later!

DISC 2 – Live At The Roxy, 1982 (Previously Unreleased):
1. Baby Talk
2. Untouchables
3. Come On, Come On
4. Hot In the City
5. Dead On Arrival
6. Heavens Inside
7. Ready Steady Go
8. Hole In The Wall
9. Shooting Stars
10. Kiss Me Deadly
11. White Wedding
12. Nobody’s Business
13. Dancing With Myself
14. Mony Mony
15. Triumph

The bonus disc is the previously unreleased live show recorded on August 12, 1982, and showcases the raw, rocking, throaty talent of William Broad to the fullest.

Giving lifelong Idol fans something to eagerly flashback to, the live recording is as energetic, as vibrant and as musically colorful as you could ever have hoped it would be.

With the Roxy set being about an hour long, included amongst the debut tracks are a bunch of Generation X ditties, such as Dancing With Myself, Ready Steady Go, Untouchables, Kiss Me Deadly and the show ender Triumph, but it’s the tracks such as his rendition of Mony Mony that become instant showstoppers.

Idol will continue to take his lauded live show on the road this summer with a select run of headline tour dates. The run of shows includes a debut performance at New York City’s Kings Theatre, D.C.’s The Anthem, and Boston’s MGM Music Hall, as well as an appearance at Jazz Aspen Snowmass with the Foo Fighters.

Performing a career-spanning set featuring his iconic hits and new music from his latest EPs, Idol will be joined by his longtime band, including his collaborator and lead guitarist of over forty years, Steve Stevens.

Official Purchase LinkS