Before becoming an MTV icon, Billy Idol first broke out as frontman of London punk band Generation X, helping bridge punk’s underground edge with pop stardom. Today, he’s known for classics like “White Wedding,” “Rebel Yell,” and “Eyes Without a Face,” and remains one of rock’s most recognizable voices.

Now nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a second consecutive year, Idol is also behind the 2025 album Dream Into It and the Hulu documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead. Billy joined KCRW DJ and “Mornings Become Eclectic” host Novena Carmel at the Wrensilva Showroom in Los Angeles to discuss the records that shaped his life and career.

From Buddy Holly and the Stooges to early punk and reggae influences, Idol reflects on the sounds and stories behind his record collection.

Watch the full interview above.

Below are the records Billy Idol shared with us:

Buddy Holly ‘The Complete Buddy Holly’: https://www.discogs.com/master/440807…
The Human League ‘Dare’: https://www.discogs.com/master/669-Th…
The Velvet Underground ‘White Light/White Heat’: https://www.discogs.com/master/35320-…
The Stooges ‘Fun House’: https://www.discogs.com/master/38209-…
Dennis Brown ‘Wolf & Leopards’: https://www.discogs.com/master/135043…
James Brown ‘James Brown Soul Classics Vol. III’: https://www.discogs.com/master/338846…

For this edition of the Discogs Listening Room, the following equipment was used: Wrensilva M1 Console and Ortofon 2M Bronze Cartidge.

Hosted by Novena Carmel (KCRW 89.9 DJ/Host of “Mornings Become Eclectic”)

00:00 Intro
00:50 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Nomination
01:23 “Billy Idol Should Be Dead”
02:50 The Early Influence Of Buddy Holly
06:09 Discovering The Origins Of Rock Music & “The Bo Diddley Beat”
07:45 The Human League & The Meaning Behind “Seconds”
10:02 The Softer Side Of The Velvet Underground
11:12 Billy Discovering “Speak-Singing”
11:41 The Importance Of Records & Discovering The Stooges
14:04 “The Pogo”
14:38 Acid
15:55 The Influence of Reggae and Dub Music On Billy Idol & “Eyes Without A Face”
20:11 Billy’s Love For James Brown And Soul Music
22:49 Which Records Would Billy Idol Play For His Grandchildren?