When you think of Billy Idol, images of spiky blonde hair, snarling vocals, and punk-fueled anthems like Rebel Yell or White Wedding come to mind. Given his ties to the Sex Pistols and the late-1970s punk explosion, one might assume his biggest inspirations came from Sid Vicious or Johnny Rotten.
But Idol’s musical journey started much earlier—in the 1960s, with the arrival of The Beatles.
From Drummer to Guitarist
Born in 1955 as William Broad, Idol grew up at the tail end of the American R&B boom and the dawn of the British Invasion. At age seven, he took up drums, fascinated by rhythm and percussion.
However, by the time he turned ten, he had discovered John Lennon and Paul McCartney—and everything changed.
In an interview with Classic Rock, Idol recalled:
“I started out trying to play the drums when I was about seven years old. Then I realised John Lennon and Paul McCartney were at the front, writing the songs, playing the guitars, so I started teaching myself the guitar at ten, to have something to sing along to.”
Idol’s Lennon & McCartney Moment
For young Idol, the decision wasn’t just about music—it was about the spotlight. Watching Lennon and McCartney capture the attention of screaming fans, especially women, convinced him that the front of the stage was far more exciting than Ringo Starr’s place behind the drum kit.
That revelation pushed him to teach himself guitar, setting him on a path toward songwriting, performance, and eventually punk stardom.
The Beatles and the 1960s Explosion
Looking back, Idol also praised the diversity of the 1960s music scene. The Beatles and their contemporaries sparked new genres and sounds, but it was punk rock—a decade later—that gave Idol and his peers the attitude and freedom to fully express themselves.
As he put it, the punk movement gave him “the tools and confidence” to chase the dream that began when Lennon and McCartney first lit a fire in him.
Conclusion: The Beatles’ Lasting Impact
Though Billy Idol became a face of punk rebellion, his earliest inspiration came from The Beatles. Without Lennon and McCartney showing him the power of songwriting and front-stage charisma, Idol might have stayed a drummer instead of becoming one of rock’s most recognizable frontmen.
It’s another reminder of how The Beatles didn’t just shape a decade—they shaped entire generations of musicians, from pop stars to punks.
