If you follow the site, you know I’m a huge Billy Idol fan and anytime I can find a rare piece that I don’t have in the collection, I jump on it. This time around, I found a bootleg. And I do love my bootlegs. This is my fourth Idol bootleg and this one is from way back in 1990. It was recorded at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California on October 27, 1990. That means this would’ve been in support of his latest album at the time, ‘Charmed Life’ and we get a few from that album in the set list. Be warned, this is not a full show. This is a best of that was broadcast on radio at the time. But still, 10 songs of Billy is better than nothing am I right? Yeah…I am.
The version I have is a European release and was released recently back in 2023. I found it down in Tamp Florida at a store called D&J Records. I like to hit up local record stores when I am on vacation so this one was found back in June earlier this year. And I was thrilled to grab hold. Sadly, you will notice in the band credits, that there is no Steve Stevens on guitar as he and Billy were still on the outs at this time and for many years still to come. Does it impact the show? We will find out shortly.
SIDE A:
The album kicks off with “Eyes Without a Face” and based on the fade in, I’m guess this wasn’t the opening track. I know it isn’t because it would’ve been “License to Thrill” which isn’t on this one. Only three songs are actually missing from the full set. This is is a heavy synthed track and one of my favorite Billy songs ever actually. This version isn’t, I’m only making a statement about the song in general. The crowd noise is great, the quality of the sound overall is actually fantastic. When the guitar kicks in it is pretty good. Mark Younger-Smith does a fine job, but it doesn’t sound like Steve so it is a noticeable difference. Something about Steve’s playing and Billy’s music was special. They need each other. That aside, Billy sounds amazing. He is in his prime and loving every minute of it. He does sound like he enjoys performing.
They then go in to another favorite track of mine and that is the ever-popular, “White Wedding”. Before the go in to the track we do a get a fade out of the last song and fade in to this one and I do think that sucks. Make it sound like a cohesive show at least. The song rocks out, as you know, and it does here as well. Guitars are lacking and I’ll stop saying that as it is a common theme for the most part. They needed to be more in the mix. Billy’s vocal grit is king as always, I can almost see his lip curling while he sings.
Next is the Doors’ cover of “L.A. Woman” and Billy always does this song justice. It is from ‘Charmed Life’. It is sped up and a fast paced track, even faster then the Doors track…a lot faster. Supercharged and blowing the doors off, Billy races through this one with all the power he can muster. Then with a quick shift of gears, he slows it down with “Flesh for Fantasy”. With flashy keyboards and a groovy bass line, the song moves as if a delicious, funky treat. It a musical treat as everyone gets to shine a little.
Lastly, we get back to the fast paced world of “(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows”. And honestly when the song started I wasn’t quite sure it was it, but after a few seconds, it started sounding like the song I really like. A quick, high energy track that is a simple song, but so catchy you can’t help but dig it. And even Mark does a pretty good solo on this one too. A fun track.
SIDE B:
We flip the disc and are hit in the face with “Rebel Yell”. This classic Idol song comes out of the gate swinging with a massive scream from Billy and that famous guitar riff. Billy attacks the lyrics as if his life depended on it with as much attitude and swagger as he can muster. It is Billy at his best. Mark’s guitar work on it isn’t bad. He does those Steve Stevens things that have to be done like the whammy bar thing with the notes and he kept the song sounding like it should. Not bad sir! The crowd is really in to this one.
Next up is the big single from the ‘Charmed Life’ album, “Cradle of Love”. A song that Billy feels is cheesy but he has to play it. He even changes the words to say this song is “cheesy”. But sometimes cheesy is good and this is good. For me, it is a classic Billy song cheese and all. Also, a great guitar solo that Mark actually played on the album so this is his. Some great backing vocals on here as well from Carla Day.
“Sweet Sixteen” is up next and this one sounds a bit chipper and happy. There is a twang to it and sway that will get you moving. The bass line is driving the song forward and setting the pace. Then we get to the crowd favorite, “Mony Mony” which is a Tommy James cover. Billy has made this one his own and when you “Mony Mony parts, the crowd chants, “Get Laid, Get FXXKed”…well…surprisingly the do even if this is on the radio. It is hard to hear them, but they are singing along like they should be. One reason as a kid we loved this song just to do that chant.
The final track on here is “Prodigal Blues” from his latest album at the time. This one goes on for 8 minutes and he milks it for everything it is worth. There is a slow build, some fine finger picking, and an atmospheric vibe, until finally the full band comes in. It never explodes, but Billy comes in and gives a deliberate, sophisticated performance. The tempo rises and they go out on a strong note with this one. This was the third single from the album and well worth being one. Now, the actual encore song was “To Be a Lover”, again, not on here.
And there you have it. It is a strong bootleg despite the fact it isn’t a full show and the songs fade in and out killing the live vibe at times. What is here though sounds fantastic. Billy’s vocals are as strong as ever and the band it is tight. Eventually you forget there is no Steve Stevens and that the band is competent enough to play these songs like they should be played. You can’t go wrong picking this up if you want some Live Idol!! My Overall Score is a 3.5 out of 5.0 Stars. Those two things I pointed out does impact what I score as they aren’t small things. Still worth grabbing though!
THE BILLY IDOL SERIES:
- Generation X – ‘Generation X’
- Generation X – ‘Valley of the Dolls’
- Gen X – ‘Kiss Me Deadly’
- Gen X – “Dancing With Myself” 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Generation X – ‘The BBC Transcription Disc Series No. 126 1978’ (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Don’t Stop E.P.
- Billy Idol – Billy Idol
- Billy Idol – “White Wedding” – 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
- Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 12″ Picture Disc (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile
- Billy Idol – “Sweet Sixteen” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – To Be A Lover – Single Review
- Billy Idol – Vital Idol
- Billy Idol – “Hot In the City” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Mony Mony Live” – 12″ Maxi-Single (Bonus Edition)
- Idol Songs: 11 of the Best
- Billy Idol – Charmed Life
- Billy Idol – “Cradle of Love” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – California FM 1990 (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Cyberpunk
- Billy Idol – “Shock To The System” – CD Single Promo (Floppy Disk)
- Billy Idol – “Speed” (song from the Speed Soundtrack)
- Generation X – K.M.D. Sweet Revenge
- Billy Idol – VH1 Storytellers (Live)
- Billy Idol – Devil’s Playground
- Billy Idol – Happy Holidays
- Billy Idol – The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
- Billy Idol – Icon
- Billy Idol – Kings & Queens of the Underground
- Billy Idol – BFI Live (#RSD 2019)
- Billy Idol – Revitalized
- Generation X – Your Generation (7″ Record Store Day Release)
- Generation X – Generation X Deluxe Edition
- Billy Idol – Rebel Waltz: Live (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Rebel Calling: Live (Bootleg)
- Generation X – ‘Demos 1977’ (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – The Roadside E.P.
- Billy Idol – The Cage E.P.
- Billy Idol – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First
- Billy Idol – The Best and Worst Song From Every Album
- Grant’s Rock Warehaus – Billy Idol Career Retrospective
- Billy Idol – The Collection: Ep. 15 – “Vinyl Idol”
