The Greatest Hits from Billy Idol
by
James Russell
Billy Idol is an icon in modern music who continues to be a great seller. As testimony to the diversity of his music and its wide appeal, Idol's songs remain a staple at four different radio formats - Modern Rock, Classic Rock, Rock and Adult Contemporary. The first Greatest Hits collection in the U.S. by Billy Idol will be released by Chrysalis/Capitol Records September 26. The comprehensive collection, The Greatest Hits, contains 14 tracks from his recorded albums.
The Greatest Hits is a good way to discover - or rediscover - this multi-platinum artist. After the break-up of his British punk band, Generation X, Idol moved to New York and branched out far beyond his punk roots. Opening with "Dancing With Myself," from his first solo EP album, Don't Stop, The Greatest Hits shows all sides of Idol's career, raucous rocker, balladeer and dance artist.
"Hot In The City" and "White Wedding," the two Top 40 hits from his self-titled debut album, exemplified what Idol called, "the power of rock disco," and critics agreed. The Village Voice's Robert Christgau described "White Wedding" as "a call to innocence regained as desperate and persuasive as 'Start Me Up.'" The two hit songs and videos plus constant touring led to a two year chart run and sold-out concerts for Idol.
The winning team Idol worked with on his debut, producer Keith Forsey and guitarist/co-writer Steve Stevens, continued to collaborate with him; two years after the release of his debut album, Rebel Yell pushed Idol to the top. The title track, the Top 5 ballad, "Eyes Without A Face" - and "Flesh for Fantasy" dominated the album charts and hit radio for a year. Rebel Yell went double platinum and Idol earned a Grammy® nomination, representing new blood alongside such legends as Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, John Mellencamp and Elton John.
Idol's third album, Whiplash Smile, yielded another Grammy®
nomination in the Best Rock Vocal category for one of his personal favorites, William Bell's "To Be A Lover." "Sweet Sixteen" garnered praise for Idol's songwriting skills from a wide array of fans and critics. Whiplash Smile was followed by Vital Idol, a collection of dance remixes that became the first remix album to hit the Top 10. It contained a #1 hit - a live version of the Tommy James classic "Mony Mony."
After a four-year break, Idol released his most personal album yet, Charmed Life. By that time he had branched out into film by that time with a role in Oliver Stone's The Doors, which led to a cover of "L.A. Woman." The first single from Charmed Life, "Cradle of Love," was used in the Andrew Dice Clay film The Adventures Of Ford Fairlane. And don't forget his cameo performance in The Wedding Singer! Idol continued his involvement with film, recording the title song from the Keanu Reeves blockbuster Speed. Since then, except for an appearance with The Who on their U.S. Quadrophenia tour, Idol has chosen to keep a low profile while working on new material.
Billy Idol is an icon in modern music who continues to be a great seller. The Greatest Hits is a good way to discover - or rediscover - this multi-platinum artist. 
All The Way...A Decade of Song by Celine Dion, S & M (Explicit) by Metallica, Rainbow by Mariah Carey, Live Era '87-'93 (Explicit) by Guns N' Roses.
Astro Lounge by Smash Mouth, Hours... by David Bowie, Supernatural by Santana, The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails.
Schizophonic by Geri Halliwell, Walking Off The Buzz by Blessid Union Of Souls, Dizzy Up The Girl by Goo Goo Dolls,Dangerman by Dangerman, Dosage by Collective Soul, On The 6 by Jennifer Lopez.
Americana by Offspring, Promises by Def Leppard, Ricky Martin by Ricky Martin, Enema Of The State by Blink 182, Fanmail by TLC, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill, Calafornication by Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Globe Sessions by Sheryl Crow.