Billy Idol in LA, 30 Years Ago

Hard to believe, but it was 30 years ago, almost to the date, that Pleasant and I, under the guise of our Lobotomy fanzine, served as Billy Idol's hostesses on his first Generation X promotional trip to Los Angeles.



This image of Billy Idol at Joan Jett's apartment may be the most well-known image and story of his first Los Angeles trip - but I think the most fun pictures were taken while we were shopping in Hollywood.



Pleasant had been waiting a long time for this chance to hang out with Billy Idol. We had been talking with him on the phone when he called in to Rodney Bingenheimer's Sunday night radio show, Rodney on the ROQ. We felt like we knew him well already, so once he arrived on our sunny shores, our shopping hit list was all ready to go.



Melrose Avenue was the hipster shopping street back then, and little has changed, consumer-wise, in 30 years. Melrose is still happening, but at about 1000% more cost.



Over on Cahuenga Blvd. at the international news stand, Billy is recognized by fans.



He is warmly greeted in Licorice Pizza for his record-signing meet and greet session.



He looks great first thing in the morning, as we pile into a car to tool around town one last time.



I catch him and his reflection in a shop window. This is probably my favorite of all the Billy Idol photos I have taken. But then again, I also love the photos we took in the airport - LAX, because you just can't do that any more.



And of course, Billy is recognized again, one last time, as he tries to go home.



We bid good-bye to Billy Idol at the very last footstep before he sauntered down the jetway to board his plane. Next thing we knew, he was a big star...