It was the early eighties at the Roxy in Hollywood and Idol was working on a solo career. Mario always took good care of us at the front door and got me and the girls backstage where I saw Idol being held up by a leggy model-looking girl dressed in spandex. She was as exotic to look at as he was, though he appeared almost comatose. His legs dragged like there were weights holding him down.
“Hi Billy,” I called out, but he was oblivious to everyone around him, so it seemed. “Can’t wait to hear Rebel Yell,” I chimed as he passed my way. Still, there was no acknowledgement that he even heard me, let alone saw me, though I was practically in his face!
After he was led into a room and the door closed, I feared he would not be able to perform. Would they have to cancel last minute? That wouldn’t have surprised me, seeing how out of it he was.
About an hour later, the lights dimmed and the announcer took the stage. I held my breath in anticipation. I was already filled with feelings of disappointment. There is no way the guy I saw in the hallway could pull it off. I prepared for the worst as the band began playing. Rebel Yell blared through the speakers, and Billy Idol approached his mic stand as the song roared. Seconds passed and then all of a sudden the man woke up and was the guy from the videos. He was the rock star that I hoped he would be. As I sang the lyrics along with him and the audience, my heart pumped out of my chest!
With fists in the air, music booming, the entire room came alive.
~ Brenda Perlin