Billy Idol rocks Nashville with rebel yells & raw energy

Billy. Fucking. Idol.

There is just something about him. The dramatic and glam rock stars of the 80s were the soundtrack of my childhood and shaped the artist I would eventually become. Billy Idol, in particular, had a massive impact on my life. His music, his presence, his attitude. It all lit a fire in me to embrace drama.

“Rebel Yell” is not just a favorite song. It is THE song.

My number one. It has pulled me to my feet in the most absurd and joyful ways more times than I can count, always making me dance like no one is watching, regardless of the circumstances. 

To many people my age, Billy Idol might just be a name they have heard before. To me, he lives up to his namesake. He is an idol. Watching his resurgence over the past year has been incredible. He is once again playing to massive crowds around the world and receiving the recognition he has always deserved.

The night opened with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, who brought her decades-long OG riot girl energy to the Bridgestone Arena stage. There was no elaborate production — just Joan and her band commanding the stage as if she was still in her 20’s! It had all the rawness of a small club show; her guitar playing was razor sharp and her attitude as effortlessly cool as ever.

When I found out I would be photographing Billy Idol’s Nashville show, I could hardly contain myself.

It was a dream come true to capture an artist who helped shape my career. I was a little nervous that he might not live up to the magic I had always imagined. After all, he is 69 years old and still touring on 80s hits. I wondered if the energy would still be there, if his voice would still hold the same power, and if he could still command an audience… 

From the moment he stepped onstage, any doubts about his age or voice had vanished. The electricity in the arena was unreal and Billy was on fire. His vocals were strong and full of grit. His moves were wild and surprisingly sexual, but I suppose it comes with the Billy territory. He even ripped open (and off) his shirt with his signature, devilish grin for some onstage costume changes.

He had more energy than most artists half his age.

Steve Stevens, Billy’s longtime guitarist, had some amazing moments where everyone else left the stage and the spotlight was solely on him. He seemed to rock out on his own for at least 10 minutes. His guitar solos are still topnotch. Even from the soundboard, where I was shooting with a long lens, the performance was so dynamic that I captured some of my favorite live photos ever.

Billy then closed the show with “Rebel Yell” and “White Wedding”; I completely lost myself in the moment. He sounded just like the records I grew up on. I sang and shouted next to others who were dancing like no one was watching. This night with Billy Idol reminded me exactly why I fell in love with music in the first place and that there is no expiration date on being a rockstar. I look forward to seeing him rip his clothes off again when he’s 95 and still touring.

Photography by Derek Jones

Share this article

or