“If you’re going to do something like this, this is where to do it”: Watch Billy Idol play Rebel Yell live at the top of the Empire State Building

Not since King King straddled the top of the Empire State Building in 1933 has New York borne witness to such an event

Billy Idol has celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of his breakthrough Rebel Yell album by performing an acoustic version of the title track while tethered to a narrow 103rd floor balcony near the top of New York’s iconic Empire State Building. 

The 103rd floor was originally built as a disembarkation point for passengers of airships tethered to the Empire State’s spire, and is not open to the public. Idol was joined for the historic shoot, which took place in April, by longtime guitarist Steve Stevens.

“When I was a little boy we lived in Long Island for a few years and my mom and dad took me to visit the Empire State Building, probably in 1959,” says Idol. “Hard to fathom that 65 years later I’d be playing rock’n’roll on top of the building! Then and now the Empire State Building is an unrivaled jewel of Art Deco magic. A career highlight for sure!”