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We interrupt our regularly scheduled Yesterday
& Today profile for a special live review from Debbie of Billy Idol
and where he is today. It’s been a long road from his days in Generation
X, calling the guys in Led Zeppelin "dinosaur wankers" in a London pub
to hit chart topping glory with "White Wedding" and "Rebel Yell" to his
song of the attraction of youth with “Rock The Cradle of Love” to his cameo
in Wedding Singer to this year's sold-out Story Tellers Tour. So plug in
and find out how Billy is still rockin with the best of them in the year
2002. Enjoy!
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Story Tellers Tour
- July 21, 2002 - Viejas Outdoor Concert Venue - Live Review by Debbie
Seagle
 Punk
rockers who mourned the death of Joey Ramone take heart. The punk
scene is still alive and well in the capable hands of the one and only
Billy Idol. At the age of 46 he is on tour for the second year of
his comeback trail and going strong. Spikey, snarly and still qualifying
as every mum’s worst nightmare, Billy springs onto stage with his rebellious
swagger and his fists pumping in the air. Who hasn’t practiced that
snarl in the mirror or along side his mannequin in Madame Tussaud’s Wax
Museum? Okay, I have, and I’m damn good at it!
With his long time guitarist Steve Stevens
at his side once more, its as though the years haven’t even passed since
the 80’s punk scene and this “Story Tellers” tour has played to sold out
audiences all across the US, proving that he is still on his game and still
the Price of Pissed Off.
 Beginning
with the hit “Cradle of Love” the audience at this particular show was
pumped and ready to ride the wave with Billy. This was all well and
good, and the crowd was almost moving in unison to the beats, but things
really got heated up when he launched into “Dancing With Myself” and “White
Wedding.” Steve Stevens showed he still has the chops to strut with
a jaw dropping solo during the old Generation X tune “Man In The Kill Box.”
From there on out, there was no turning back. This 90 minute set
was an aerobic exercise for anyone within ear shot.
 Not
to shatter his image, but Billy Idol seemed very happy to be back before
American crowds and very accommodating. On several occasions I observed
him lean down to the edge of the stage and sign someone’s vinyl while he
was still performing. Not that many artists do that any more.
But I guess if you have had the kind of career Idol has, you can relax
and just go with the flow, which always seems to reap the best results.
Take his announcement that it was time for a little Rocka-Billy-Idol, followed
by “To Be A Lover.” A change of pace but not a beat skipped in the
action. Take this package and wrap it up with a “Rebel Yell” and
a middle finger salute and you have a perfect punk party.
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Live
Photos
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Do
you want more?
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Purchase
Billy Idol music online and hear samples!
Visit
the official Billy Idoli site for all the latest
Debbie Seagle is the Special
Features Editor for the iconoFAN Network
Photos by Debbie Seagle
- Copyright 2002
All Rights Reserved
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