Rebel l Rebel

From page 102 of Classic Rock Magazine October 2001



Cover of October 2001 issue.
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Billy Idol

Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH

7 August, 2001 'Cradle of Love'PDancin' With Myself/Flesh For Fantasy/Don't You (Forget About Me)'/'Walk the Monster/Fire Song'/'White Wedding' /'Sweet 16'/'Got To Be A Lover'/'Eyes Without A Face'/'Don't Need A Gun'/' Blue Highway/Ready Steady Go'/'Rebel Yell'PMony Mony'/ 'L.A. Woman'

B ILLY IDOL STRUTTED INTO THE casino ballroom at 9pm sharp, strolled onto the stage and proceed to the deliver one of the best shows I've seen in years. My

suggestion is to catch Billy in the cosy bar setting while you can, because this time next year he'll be playing summer sheds or arenas. The sneer, the attitude, the pipes, the songs, thrillingly, it's all there and more.

Billy's backing band this time around includes (his former partner in crime) Steve Stevens and (Ball drummer) Brian Tichy (who was Ozzy's drummer for last year's Ozzfest). With Stevens back in the fold, Billy's songs sound, once again, sharper and fresher. From the acoustic version of 'White Wedding' to the snarling rockabilly of 'Got To Be A Lover', Idol sounds pertinent and fiery. Simply put — the magic is back. Like Kiss, Van Haien, or Coke there seems to be a certain magic when the original formula is untouched. Other versions may satisfy a craving, but you can't beat the real thing. Until David Lee Roth rejoins Van Haien, the Stevens/Idols rekindling may be the best things to happen to reunions since Black Sabbath got back together.

The only anomaly of the night was watching Billy signing t-shirts and CDs during his set while still singing. A decade ago you'd have been lucky to get a mic stand in the face and be thankful for it, but maybe 2001 finds a kinder gentler Billy Idol? A man who's realised that his climb back to the top will be done by winning back one fan at a time and for tonight at least, it's mission accomplished.

Mitch Lafon

From The Vaults
A rare vintage






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