Billy Idol Reflects on His Rock Hall Journey and Unveils the Stories Behind His New Album ‘Dream Into It’
Shaking off a rock ‘n’ roll bad boy image is no simple task—just ask Billy Idol. Although he has maintained sobriety since 2010, his persona as a rebellious figure remains.
The “Dancing By Myself” artist has had to wait nearly twenty years for his chance at recognition from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since he became eligible in 2007, but this year, he finally received his first nomination.
The nomination announced in February marked the beginning of a busy 2025 for Idol. He released “Still Dancing”—his first single in three years—last month. At the end of April, he will unveil Dream Into It, his first album in 11 years, which he hopes will coincide with a Rock Hall acceptance as well.
“Well, that would be rather fantastic,” Idol shares with The Hollywood Reporter in a Zoom interview from his home in Los Angeles, while also emphasizing the punk-rock pioneers who preceded him, whose contributions still haven’t been fully acknowledged. “The New York Dolls aren’t in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and they’re a seminal band. The MC5 only got in last year. I can understand why this is my first time.”
Idol has attended the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony twice previously. In 2020, he participated virtually, contributing a video about the impact of inductees glam rock legends Marc Bolan and T. Rex. In 2024, he performed on stage as part of an all-star tribute band celebrating Ozzy Osbourne’s induction as a solo artist—Osbourne’s second recognition after being first inducted in 2006 as a member of Black Sabbath.
While some artists—such as Chic, The Smiths, and Jane’s Addiction—have been nominated multiple times without being inducted, Idol stands a chance of being honored on his initial attempt. He is a strong contender if the fan vote is any indication, currently sitting in third place this week behind Phish and Bad Company according to the Hall’s leaderboard.
Idol expresses admiration for many of his fellow first-time nominees. Regarding Bad Company, he praises lead singer Paul Rodgers as “having one of the greatest voices in rock ‘n’ roll,” and he commends both Joe Cocker and Cyndi Lauper as exceptional vocalists. He refers to fellow new wave legends Joy Division/New Order, who were first nominated in 2023, as “one of my favorite groups.”
“I’m excited about it,” Idol remarks about this year’s upcoming Rock Hall ceremony. “I really enjoyed Ozzy’s solo induction. That was a lot of fun. Apart from seeing acquaintances like Roger Daltrey and Sammy Hagar, I met Dua Lipa. It was a great night.”
He reflects on last year’s show, stating it “got me thinking about the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll: Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis.”
“Being part of something with those icons, I couldn’t have imagined that when we started out ages ago in punk rock, especially since that was such a reaction against the establishment,” he continues.
Idol’s journey began in the late ’70s as the frontman for the British punk band Generation X. It was not until the early ’80s—thanks to the rise of MTV—that Idol, now a solo artist, broke into the mainstream. With his leather-clad, chest-baring look and signature sneer, Idol was the perfect visual match for the video era.
However, his music, co-written with longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, was equally captivating. Over the course of a dozen albums (including those with Generation X), Idol has garnered three Grammy nominations. His songs have endured over time, with approximately 12.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, while his classics “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face” are both approaching half a billion streams on the platform.
“Punk rock was all about trying to write your own songs and be your own boss,” Idol explains. “We broke through at a time when many other punk rock artists didn’t go mainstream—or couldn’t, I suppose. Calling myself Billy Idol was more ‘80s than punk rock. I enjoyed all the success, but at the same time, I wanted to maintain a credibility factor.”
With Dream Into It, his first studio album in ten years, Idol demonstrates that he isn’t merely revisiting his past successes but is keen on evolving as a songwriter. Scheduled for release on April 25, the album is divided into two thematic sections: the reflective “Dying to Live” and the forward-looking “I’m Reborn.” Dream Into It is autobiographical, chronicling Idol’s life in chronological order. He confronts his struggles with addiction, the repercussions of his choices, and his shortcomings as a father, son, and partner. Yet, the album also showcases his passion, resilience, and current state, encapsulated in the closing track, “Still Dancing.”
An especially thrilling aspect of the new album involves Idol’s collaborations with several female punk-rock icons. Dream Into It features partnerships with Avril Lavigne on “77,” Alison Mosshart of The Kills on “John Wayne,” and Joan Jett on “Wildside.” Idol notes that while “77” was “fine” with just his vocals, it became “three times better” once Lavigne contributed. Mosshart is a returning collaborator, having performed with Idol last year.
She joined him for a performance filmed for his conservation-focused 2024 documentary and concert film, Billy Idol—State Line: Live at the Hoover Dam. Jett—who will accompany Idol on the North American leg of his “Billy Idol: It’s a Nice Day to…Tour Again!” tour starting on April 30—has been a friend of his for nearly five decades. “I’ve known Joan since 1978,” he reminisces. “I spent time with her at the Whisky a Go Go after watching the Germs and Black Flag perform.”
The album’s narrative is also shaped by Idol’s ongoing exploration of his past for a documentary on his life that has been in development since 2019. “The last album, Kings & Queens of the Underground, told my story, but it was a bit surface level. I should have delved deeper,” he admits. “With this album, I wanted to really talk about all of my life. Lyrically, I couldn’t help but draw from the documentary, arranging the album so it narrated the story of my life.”
Idol fully embraces the philosophy of “living each day as if it’s your last,” and for much of his life, that has meant living on the edge. “There’s a certain wild side you have to maintain to stay engaged, to keep writing songs,” he says, referencing tracks like “Too Much Fun” and “Those I Love” from Dream Into It. “However, that doesn’t always align well with relationships.”
His relationship with that lifestyle is complex, as it has also led him to a legendary career, but with Dream Into It, he appears to come to terms with it all.
“It’s unfortunate that sometimes, in pursuing what you need to do, you hurt those you care about. But, if you don’t do it, you risk letting them down because they won’t know the real you,” Idol reflects. “This rock ‘n’ roll journey has provided me with enough resources to help my children raise their children—my four grandchildren. My father was incredible, truly exceptional at being the family leader. I never envisioned I’d be able to emulate him. Yet, amusingly, at this stage in my life, rock ‘n’ roll has granted me the opportunity to be that person.”
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