Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The 70-year-old rock musician is best known for songs such as “Rebel Yell” and “Dancing with Myself.”
Billy Idol has long been known for delivering energetic live performances, but the rock veteran says his approach to taking the stage has changed significantly over the years—especially when it comes to sobriety.
Speaking with PEOPLE, the 70-year-old performer explained that there was a period in his career when he would occasionally perform under the influence or drink heavily during shows. Looking back, he recalled times when he would go on stage feeling slightly intoxicated or consume large alcoholic drinks midway through a performance.
Today, however, Idol says he performs with a completely different mindset. Rather than relying on substances, he now steps onto the stage sober and clear-headed, believing that the music itself provides all the excitement he needs.
According to the singer, performing live creates a natural rush that rivals anything he once sought elsewhere. He described the experience of playing music as its own kind of high, one that is available every time he performs.
In a previous interview with PEOPLE in 2024, Idol revealed that he considers himself “California sober.” He explained that a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 1990, which nearly resulted in the loss of one of his legs, prompted him to reevaluate his lifestyle and relationship with drugs.
The incident became a turning point, encouraging him to move away from addiction and pursue a healthier path. Although the process took years, Idol said he eventually developed the discipline needed to leave behind the destructive habits that defined much of his life during the 1970s and 1980s.
While he acknowledged that recovery is an ongoing journey, he emphasized that he no longer lives as the person he once was. He also expressed gratitude for having successfully overcome challenges that many others continue to face.
Idol noted that surrounding himself with sober friends and associates has played a major role in maintaining his progress. Although he occasionally enjoys a glass of wine, he says his relationship with alcohol and substances is vastly different from what it was during the height of his fame.
The singer also reflected on his career while attending the American Music Awards, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the ceremony honored some of the music industry’s most influential artists.
During the event, Idol received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lasting contributions to rock music and popular culture. The honor was presented by actor and singer Leon Thomas, who praised Idol’s decades-long career spanning punk rock beginnings and mainstream success.
Idol first gained attention in the late 1970s as a member of Generation X before launching a solo career that produced enduring hits such as Rebel Yell, Dancing with Myself, Eyes Without a Face, and White Wedding.
