In a revealing new interview with The Guardian, rock icon Billy Idol recounted a dramatic episode from his past involving the master tapes for his legendary Rebel Yell album. Faced with a dispute over the cover artwork, Idol resorted to drastic measures to get his way.
Idol, now 68, described how he stole the master tapes from Electric Lady Studios in New York City to pressure his record label into changing the album cover. “I was saying: ‘There’s a flaw in this picture, and if we blow this up it will get worse,'” Idol recalled. When the record company refused to listen, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
“So I went down to Electric Lady in the middle of the night and got to where I knew the tape boxes were,” he said. After retrieving the tapes, Idol handed them over to his heroin dealer and called the label with a stern warning. “I phoned the record company and said: ‘This guy I’ve given them to, he’ll have them out on the street bootlegged in a couple of days if you don’t change this picture.’ And they relented.”
Reflecting on the bold move, Idol emphasized the importance of standing up for oneself: “Don’t let them walk all over you.”
Idol has been candid about his past struggles with substance abuse, detailing his battles with alcohol, heroin, and cocaine in his 2014 memoir, Dancing with Myself. He revealed that a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 1990 prompted him to reevaluate his life and gradually overcome his addictions. “I really started to think I should try and go forward and not be a drug addict anymore,” he said. Now, living what he calls “California sober,” Idol occasionally enjoys a glass of wine without falling back into old habits.
This candid recounting of his rebellious act and his journey to sobriety offers a glimpse into the resilience and determination that have defined Billy Idol’s storied career.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
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