LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — When Billy Idol transformed the House of Blues in Los Angeles to the “House Of Billy” last week with three sold-out shows (Tuesday, September 16, Wednesday, September 17 and Friday, September 19), the legendary rocker delivered triumphant performances to a rapturous audience. He also stopped traffic on the Sunset Strip as the area became a virtual red light district, with the venue bathed in red klieg lights which could be seen from miles around.
To welcome Idol for this exclusive run, the building had its exterior strikingly wrapped with images of Billy created by acclaimed Obey Giant graphic designer and illustrator Shepard Fairey, who also designed the album artwork for Idol’s latest release ‘The Very Best Of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself.’ Fairey’s Andre the Giant street art has been seen around the world and his credits include creating the iconic Obama “Hope” poster, various anti-war posters and the poster art for the feature film Walk The Line. Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen played alongside Idol’s drummer on “White Wedding” at Friday night’s show. Also in the audience for the run were Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols, Matt Sorum of Velvet Revolver and Phil Collen of Def Leppard.
The “House of Billy” set lists included two brand new songs–“John Wayne” and “New Future Weapon"–alongside such IDOL classics as “Dancing With Myself,” “Eyes Without A Face" and “Cradle Of Love" (all of which appear on ‘The Very Best Of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself’), along with Generation X’s “Ready, Steady, Go.”
On his night off during this run of shows, Idol and Shepard Fairey hosted a party–at the Subliminal Projects Gallery near downtown Los Angeles where both Fairey and Billy’s son Willem took turns DJing for the crowd–to celebrate the week-long “House of Billy” shows and the creation of Billy's album cover. On hand were actor Adrian Grenier, along with such musicians as Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Billy Morrison of Camp Freddy and IDOL’s longtime bandmate, guitarist Steve Stevens.
Idol closed up the week with a headlining spot at Sunday’s (September 21) Entertainment Tonight Emmy party sponsored by People magazine at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Cheering IDOL on were an array of actors and celebrities including Brooke Shields, Dana Delany, Amy Poehler and husband Will Arnett, Kristin Chenoweth, Paula Abdul, Valerie Bertinelli, Joely Fisher, Neil Patrick Harris, Masi Oka, Emmy winner Jeff Probst, Kristen Chenoweth, John Krasinski and Kathy Griffin.
Up next for Idol: he will make his last appearance of 2008 when he headlines Los Angeles radio station Jack FM’s “Jack’s Third Show,” Saturday, September 27 at Irvine’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
Fans can also catch up with Billy on the new Guitar Hero World Tour game–the definitive rock ‘n’ roll music videogaming experience–due out October 26. Idol’s immortal “Rebel Yell” is one of 86 tracks (comprised entirely of master recordings) featured on the latest installment of the Guitar Hero franchise. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
