I will admit right now I love Billy Idol. I think he brought a lot of punk flavor into 80′s glam, and he had a hell of a lot of fun doing it.
The Arizona State Fair always surprises with the caliber of musicians they get to play each 18 nights, and I was thrilled when I heard Idol would be among the performers. I grabbed lower section tickets the day they went on sale, and preceded to wait patiently.
Sunday night rolled around and I found myself not 25 feet from the bleach-blond legend, swaggering around the lit-up stage in a vest and tight pants. Idol’s show was a real treat for the fans who went (especially the people who saw him for free in the balcony section).
He doesn’t look a day older than his “White Wedding” video, and he’s a true showman. Through just a few of his hits (Rebel Yell, Eyes Without a Face, L.A. Woman) and some deeper cuts (Do Not [Stand in the Shadow]), he kept the crowd shaking their fists and moving in the their seats. (Unfortunately, the Coliseum does have seats.)
He thanked his long-time guitarist, Steve Stevens (who is incidentally Robert Smith’s long-lost twin), for a great time playing together over all the years. He was very gracious to his whole band and very sweet to the audience, throwing out signed drumsticks, set lists and what I think were paper plates.
You really couldn’t ask for a better show at a better price from such an Idol.
Posted on October 17, 2011
0