Kim Of The Night Time World

Do you like good music, do you like to dance?

It’s a nice day for a Billy Idol book.  One of the latest in a rising wave of autobio’s, Dancing With Myself chronicles every step of the way in Idol’s nearly 40 year career span.  From seeing the Sex Pistols for the first time at 100 Club in London, befriending Steve Jones, almost becoming a member of Sioxsie and the Banshees, flat sharing with Visage’s Steve Strange  pre-New Romantic explosion, the small victories of Generation X, all before heading to NYC to go solo.  It’s all here, captured in these pages.  A confession about how Glen Matlock nicked the bass line hook of “Anarchy in the UK” from an Abba record, this amusement would stick with Idol, who embraced drumming and groove early on in his own songwriting, it would become apparent on “Dancing With Myself” and onward.  One of the coolest stories is how the band appeared on Marc Bolan’s show Marc, and when the band’s gear didn’t arrive in time, how Marc ensured their slot wouldn’t be canned.

Teaming up with Bill Aucoin as manager, his wild enthusiasm would enforce Idol’s own commitment of being true to himself, while also liberating it.  It was Aucoin who first brought Steve Stevens to Billy’s attention.  A collaboration between singer and guitarist that brewed with fresh excitement and energy, and continues presently.

The reaction to “Dancing With Myself” in the night clubs of NYC (back when an artist could slip the DJ a mix to be played right on the spot) would fuel the catalog of material to come.  From then on, “beat driven” tunes was what the desire to produce would be.

Yes, there’s the motorcycle accident, the years of drug abuse, orgy’s during recording sessions, but at the core is the story of how well crafted records came into shape.  Songs that have without question stood the test of time.  Does he get credit for it, probably not.  It’s overused and cliche’ to say Barry White puts couples in the bedroom, but is “Flesh For Fantasy” as sexy as it ever was?  You bet.  Does “Eyes Without A Face” still create a vibe and mood, with Sal Cuevas providing such a great bass track?  Absolutely.