Along with Madonna and Def Leppard, Billy Idol stands as one of the first music icons created by MTV. Idol was born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955, in Middlesex, England, and formed the punk band Generation X in 1976 with bassist Tony James, drummer John Towe and guitarist Bob Andrews during the British punk explosion that created the Sex Pistols and the Clash. Generation X released three albums filled with brilliant hooks and Idol's snarling vocals, before splitting up in 1981. Idol moved to New York City later that year and released a solo EP, Don't Stop, which led to a record deal with Chrysalis and a self-titled debut album in '82. Heavy airplay on MTV for the videos "White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself" drove the album's sales to gold status. The follow-up, 1984's Rebel Yell, included the hits "Eyes Without a Face" and "Flesh for Fantasy," and furthered Idol's reign on MTV. Idol scored another big hit in 1990 with "Cradle of Love" off his fourth album, Charmed. But after a motorcycle accident injured his leg, he dropped out of the spotlight until 1998, when he made a cameo appearance in the hit romantic comedy The Wedding Singer.

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