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BILLY THEN, IDOL NOW

"I hope if I get it right, it’ll be a great record. If I get it wrong, it’ll be in the trash-bin. I wouldn't be surprised if it bombed!” That was Billy Idol talking earlier this year when he broke off the Whiplash Smile album sessions to do a single interview (which appeared in the August issue of this magazine).

March 1, 1987
Kris Needs

BILLY THEN, ODOL NOW

"I hope if I get it right, it’ll be a great record. If I get it wrong, it’ll be in the trash-bin. I wouldn't be surprised if it bombed!” That was Billy Idol talking earlier this year when he broke off the Whiplash Smile album sessions to do a single interview (which appeared in the August issue of this magazine).

But that story was somewhat premature, as Whiplash—originally scheduled for a July release—didn’t appear until four months later. What to do? (Ignore him?—Ed.)

An overview on the whole Idol phenomenon is perhaps in order I’ve known Billy for 10 years, watching his rise to superstardom. As we shall see he didn’t just spring into the world with a “Rebel Yell” on MTV...

by Kris Needs

“If I tried to live my life by the rock 'n' roll myth, Yd have had to have been dead 10 years ago.”

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