In an unexpected revelation during an interview with The Guardian, Billy Idol shared a unique story from his past that not many know. He disclosed an incident where he attempted to blackmail his record label. As conversations with rock stars go, this one peeled back a layer of Idol’s career that fans would be intrigued to know about.
Idol’s Stand Against His Label
The story dates back to the time when Billy Idol was working on his album ‘Rebel Yell.’ Idol was asked by the interviewer if it was true he stole the master tapes of his album during a disagreement with his record label. Confirming the tale, he explained his motivation was a concern over the album cover.
“It was because of the cover. I was saying: ‘There’s a flaw in this picture, and if we blow this up it will get worse.’ The record company started to say: ‘We’re leaving it. It’s not that bad.’ I just thought: ‘I’m just not going to let this happen. It’s so silly. They just need to reprint the picture. I’m not listening to what the record company guys say. In fact, I’m gonna blackmail them,’” Idol recounted.
The story took an even more dramatic turn when Idol detailed how he went about the blackmail. His actions were bold, driven by his desire to ensure his work represented his vision perfectly, even if it meant taking extreme steps.
“So I went down to Electric Lady in the middle of the night and got to where I knew the tape boxes were. I took them and left the studio and gave them to my heroin dealer. And then I phoned the record company and said: ‘This guy I’ve given them to, he’ll have them out on the street bootlegged in a couple of days if you don’t change this picture.’ And they relented. Don’t let them walk all over you.”
This story is not just a snippet from Idol’s colorful life; it’s a glimpse into the lengths he was willing to go to fight for his art. The incident speaks volumes about his determination and the fiery spirit that his fans admire.
The Legacy of ‘Rebel Yell’
Despite the contentious circumstances surrounding its release, ‘Rebel Yell’ climbed the charts. It received glowing reviews and achieved the number six spot on the Billboard 200 in the US. It followed on the heels of his debut album ‘Billy Idol,’ marking another successful milestone in his career.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of ‘Rebel Yell.’ Reflecting on the sources of inspiration for the album, Idol shared how his new life in New York City influenced its creation. In an interview with Forbes, he explained that the experiences and daily life of the city were at the core of the album’s themes.
“What else could we sing about except what was happening every day? We were just figuring out where to take the music.”
Through this album and the stories behind its making, Billy Idol demonstrates his commitment to authenticity and creative expression. It reveals the challenges artists sometimes face with record labels and the measures they are willing to take to ensure their vision comes to life exactly as they imagined.