On Nov. 14, Billy Idol will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2026 in Los Angeles, along with his longtime co-writer, guitarist and friend Steven Stevens.
The timing is especially meaningful for Idol: 2026 marks 50 years since the British rocker started making music in punk band Generation X in 1976. He later went solo and became a global superstar with blistering, sneering Hot 100 hits such as “White Wedding,” “Rebel Yell” and “Cradle of Love.”
Ahead of the induction ceremony, the City of Los Angeles has declared Nov. 13 Billy Idol Day; to mark the occasion, Idol and Stevens will play a free acoustic show at the very un-rocker time of 10 a.m. Performing, no matter the time, continues to be a thrill. “We’re going to do it while we can,” says Idol. “Rocking till we drop.”
Idol, 70, talked to Billboard about what the Rock Hall honor means to him and what’s next.
What did you think when you heard you got in?
It’s incredibly wild. I fell in love with rock’n’roll when I was 7 years old, so I started to dream about being in a group and writing songs and making music from [then on].
Why do you think this year was your year after not getting elected last year?
I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because there’s a number of other English people going in this year: Phil Collins, New Order, Joy Division, Oasis. I know sometimes it does take a couple of years.
Who are you most excited to hang out with?
It’d be great to see Noel [Gallagher from Oasis]. He came and saw us in South America when we played. I did a charity [version of The Who’s] Tommy with Phil Collins in 1989. He was [Uncle Ernie], I was Cousin Kevin.
What does it mean to you that Steve is going in with you?
That’s the icing on the cake, really, because he’s so great. He’s always been there for me. It just made it for me when they said we’d go in together.
Are there artists already in the Hall that you can’t believe you’re joining?
Yeah, The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones. So many. The New York Dolls should be in. That’s the only problem. Come on, you know they should be in.
You’re more popular than you’ve ever been.
It’s all a gift and an incredible one. Most people don’t get to live their dreams. There’s ups and downs, but there’s more ups than downs. Just the fact I can still be making music and the fans are enjoying it, I would never have imagined this. I would have thought I wouldn’t even be here, let alone rocking! (Laughs.)
How much longer do you see it going on?
We’re going to do it while we can. Never sure how long things can go so we’re doing it while we can. Rocking ‘til we drop.
How’s the new album coming?
It’s got a little bit more electronica in there, but it’s still super ‘80s, still super Billy Idol. It’s still super rock n’ roll. We’re just adding colors that we haven’t used for a while.
In terms of performing, what do you appreciate more than you used to?
The thing about doing it for a long time is that you have sort of got hold of what you’re doing. You’re more in touch than ever with your artistry. The energy, the intent, is the same as when I was 20. I’m not pulling my punches on stage or anything. I mean a little bit in terms of I can’t jump down. Some things I can’t do. (Laughs.) But apart from that, there’s no lack of bringing it in terms of attitude and everything. That’s very similar to what you were like when you’re starting out.
As part of your induction, the Rock Hall took you to a high school in Downey, Calif., with Save the Music, which donated $55,000 worth of instruments. Maybe some student will become the next Billy Idol from that!
That’s a fantastic side to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in that we’re working with Save the Music. It made me appreciate even more getting into the Rock Hall because we’re touching people; we’re not just lionizing ourselves. I love that we’re helping other young people because music gave me something to concentrate on. It gave me something to believe in. It gave me a vocation. It gave me the life I was looking for.
A version of this story appears in the Nov. 7, 2026, issue of Billboard.
