Billy Idol is proving once again that rock ‘n’ roll is a lifelong commitment. With a new album, Dream Into It, set to drop April 25, a fresh Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, and a summer tour with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, the punk rock icon isn’t just revisiting his past—he’s charging full speed ahead.
Idol’s latest project is a concept album, a first for the legendary rocker, taking fans on a sonic journey through his life—from his early punk days to his wild ‘80s superstardom, and even his battles with addiction and ultimate redemption. Inspired by a forthcoming documentary about his life, Dream Into It is anything but a nostalgia trip. “It’s telling a story—the story of my life. We even arranged the tracklist in chronological order,” Idol explained.
The album’s first single, “Still Dancing,” encapsulates the whole ride. “It’s got the energy and vitality of my life. What I’ve put into my life. What we believed things should have when we came out of punk rock.”
America, Punk, and Making the ‘80s
When Billy Idol left England for America, everything changed—for him and for rock history. “Living in England, I knew what English people liked. But I had to think a bit more about what Americans liked,” he admitted. His move coincided with the dawn of the ‘80s, and Idol wasn’t just part of the new decade—he was helping define its sound.
Tracks like “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell” became radio and MTV staples, making Idol a household name. But even now, he refuses to coast on past glories. In recent years, he’s dropped two killer EPs (The Roadside in 2021 and The Cage in 2022) and pulled off firsts like performing live at the Hoover Dam in 2023.
Collaborating with Rock’s Next Generation
Idol’s latest album also sees him breaking new ground by teaming up with rockers from different eras—Joan Jett, Avril Lavigne, and more. “I’ve never really done that many duets before, so it was fantastic,” he shared. “The girls really liked the songs, and it just worked. You can tell almost immediately if it’s going to work or not.”
A Love for Concept Albums—From Cyberpunk to Dream Into It
Longtime fans will remember Idol’s 1993 album Cyberpunk, a groundbreaking, ahead-of-its-time project that embraced digital recording and home production long before it became the norm. Looking back, Idol sees the connection between then and now. “Even this new album was recorded in a small room at my producer’s house, with just some of the drums done in a bigger studio. It’s wild to think that’s how Cyberpunk was made, and now, it’s how everyone makes music.”
Concept albums were a huge part of Idol’s musical upbringing, from Sgt. Pepper’s to Quadrophenia. “We grew up with people making eclectic albums. The Clash, David Bowie, The Who—they were all making records where every song was different. That’s what I’ve always tried to do.”
A Summer Tour & A Rock Hall Nod
Come summer, Idol will hit the road with Joan Jett—a reunion that’s been decades in the making. “I met Joan in 1978. I was in L.A. for a Generation X press tour, hanging out at the Whisky a Go Go, watching the Germs and Black Flag. Then I ended up in a room with Joan and 20 other girls dressed like the ‘60s in go-go boots. It was pretty fun,” he laughed.
And of course, there’s the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination—a long-overdue recognition of Idol’s impact. His reaction? True to form: “I just keep doing my thing. The music will speak for itself.”
With Dream Into It, that music is set to tell one hell of a story.
