Generation X

Before Billy Idol became an ’80s rock icon, he fronted the feisty, first-gen London punks Generation X. Idol, drummer John Towe and bassist Tony James were part of the pioneering punk band Chelsea before forming Generation X in 1976 with guitarist Bob “Derwood” Andrews. Two years later, with Mark Laff replacing Towe, they released their self-titled debut album. Bucking the punk trend of the times, they were instrumentally tight and featured pop-savvy hooks in their songs. Produced by Ian Hunter, 1979’s Valley of the Dolls found the band branching out, incorporating glam touches and a Who-like two-part conceptual epic (“The Prime of Kenny Silvers”). Less ambitious but more nuanced and New Wave-flavoured, 1981’s Kiss Me Deadly included the first version of Idol’s future dance-rock staple “Dancing with Myself”. But Generation X split soon after its release, setting the stage for Idol’s solo career and James’ stint with the fashion-conscious electro-rockers Sigue Sigue Sputnik.