Before we start: A lot of changes have been occurring for me both personally and professionally as of late, which are taking up a good chunk of my time. This is necessitating I pull my focus away from things I'd rather be doing, such as this blog. While I hope to keep up with daily Retro Spins, the reality is that this may not be a feasible goal. If you see a sudden drop off in posts, it's not because I wanted to stop, but rather that other matters simply took over my time.
Before the snarling one stepped out into the spotlight in the 80's, Billy Idol was fronting Generation X, the English punk band formed in London in 1976 with Derwood Andrews, Tony James, and John Towe. Unfortunately, the latter would be asked to leave over his playing style and be replaced by Mark Laff.
They released their self-titled debut in 1978 on Chrysalis and followed suit with 1979's Valley Of The Dolls. Both would perform fairly well in the UK. However, Idol would seem to only benefit from this, as the label would fly him around to promote the records, leaving the remainder of the band behind.
Despite chart success, their label grew increasingly unhappy that they money they were investing was not resulting in hits. They informed the band that if their next single failed that they would be dropped.
Work would commence on a new album, but during these sessions, both Andrews, and Laff would quit. Ultimately, this led to the album being aborted, and shelved. Idol and James would reform as the newly branded Gen X and commence work on what would become 1981's Kiss Me Deadly. Though they would disband after its release.
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It's great hearing young Billy, and taking in some of the roots that ultimately led to his massive solo success. Candidly, I don't understand how this album was unsuccessful. I think it's on par with any of his earlier solo work and in addition to the above, features a handful of standout tracks. For me, these were Untouchables, and Heavens Inside.
Is it an amazing? No. But were any of his solo album's magnum opus pieces?
Billy would pack up and leave London for New York, where he took the MTV generation by storm, releasing several hit records, and causing waves through controversy and publicized legal troubles. The bad boy of punk was leading the scene in America and becoming incredibly successful (and rich) in the process.
As for the aborted Generation X album, it would eventually see the light in 1998, released as K.M.D. – Sweet Revenge. Further, the band would reunite in 1993 to perform for a single night at London's Astoria Theatre.
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