40 Years Ago: Billy Idol Leaves Generation X For Solo Stardom
Generation X had basically invented Billy Idol s solo career before he left in February 1981. He even swiped their last single, scoring an early dance hit with his own remix.
The London-based group s sudden end could be blamed on the buying public s growing indifference, a shifting late-period lineup that led to a brief shortening of their band name to Gen X, a protacted managerial dispute, Idol s own dreams of separate glory or the dangerous influence of drugs. Actually, all of that was true, to one degree or another.
Generation X started as punks, but in a more fashion-forward way, suggesting that the band had higher aspirations from the first. Their musical evolution reflected that too.
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