Generation X - Valley of the Dolls

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today (January 26th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Valley of the Dolls, the second studio album from Generation X. Produced by Ian Hunter, this album went to number 51 on the UK charts in 1979.

Billy Idol - Rebel Yell

Today (November 10th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Rebel Yell, the second full-length solo studio album from Billy Idol. This one went to number 36 in the UK, number 16 in Australia and Switzerland, number 8 in Canada, number 6 on the US Billboard Album chart, and number 2 in Germany and New Zealand.

Billy Idol - Billy Idol (30th anniversary)

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the self-titled album Billy Idol.

For my review of this album, please click here.

So, spike up your hair, crank up the stereo and get ready to thrust your fist in the air in defiance.

Billy Idol - Billy Idol

Happy fifty-sixth birthday today (November 30th) to Billy Idol.

After his four song debut EP Don’t Stop (click here for that review) in 1981, rocker Billy Idol was ready to release his first full-length solo album. In July of 1982, the ten song album Billy Idol was released. The record reached number 45 on the US Billboard 200, becoming a gold seller. It also generated a pair of top selling singles.

Billy Idol - Don't Stop

In 1981, Billy Idol left behind his position of lead singer for Generation X and struck out on his own solo career. Don't Stop was his first release, a four song-EP that helped put him firmly on the 80's music map. Idol even penned three of the four songs on this record.

"Mony Mony" is a cover of the 1968 hit by Tommy James and the Shondells. His version was a huge dance hit back in the day. Everyone got out on the floor, bouncing up and down, thrusting their fists into the air and chanting some rather interesting things in-between Billy's lyrics. It was always a highlight of the night. Brings back lots of great memories. The song had such staying power that a live version of the song hit number 1 on the Billboard charts in 1987, six years after the original release.

"Baby Talk" continues to show Idol's love of classic rock and roll. This song has the feel of a song from decades before, with the punk/new-wave attitude to give it an equally modern feel. A perfect balance.

"Untouchables" slows things down a hair, but still maintains that rocking edge. I find it to be a solid song.

"Dancing With Myself" surprisingly never charted, but it is probably one of the songs folks immediately think of when they think of Billy Idol. It has appeared in a number of movies over the years, and they even covered it on season 1 of Glee. Again, this is another dance favorite - having "dancing" right there in the title. It was first recorded by Generation X in 1980, and Billy released it again on his self-titled album in 1982.

If you're not familiar with Billy's catalog, this is a good place to start.