LOS ANGELES, CA — Rock singer Billy Idol and his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens performed a free acoustic set on the Spring Street steps of Los Angeles City Hall Friday after Idol was honored with a city proclamation declaring it "Billy Idol Day."
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez led a Friday morning ceremony in the John Ferraro Council Chamber, where Idol and Stevens received special recognitions from the city honoring their careers and contributions to music.
"We are so fortunate to have two incredible rock legends gracing us with their presence on the eve of being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," Rodriguez said. "We are joined by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens, two individuals that have not only made an indelible mark in rock music history, but continue to inspire generations of young people."
The councilwoman emphasized that Idol's impact transcends generations. Rodriguez added that Idol's music remains a staple of rock 'n' roll, and his enduring presence on stages around the world proves that "His rebellious spirit is still as powerful as ever."
Idol thanked Rodriguez and the city for the recognition. He said that he loved living in Los Angeles, where a lot of his albums — a large part of his music — had been made or written.
"The city has helped to dream that up, helped to drum that up," Idol said. "I had a bit of dream when I was a child about 7 years old that I could be a musician, and yeah, be successful and have a life as a musician. And Los Angeles has helped me to fulfill that. So thank you."
Rodriguez also thanked Stevens for his contributions. She added, "Thank you for helping to be part of the music that has shaped a generation."
"What a great day for rock 'n' roll," Stevens said. "It was roughly nine miles from here the first time Billy knocked on my hotel room door and played me his demo of 'White Wedding,' and we literally played it, where it's now known as the Viper Room, but we played that song at the central the next day to make sure we had, you know, all the right ingredients, the tempo and everything."
"I mean, from the moment I met Billy, he gave me a vehicle for these notes on the guitar. I still have an incredible love affair with the instrument. The guitar is the most incredible instrument to express yourself on. But without the songs that he wrote and the partnership and being able to forge a friendship and an understanding and a respect, they're just notes."
After the recognition, the two musicians gave an acoustic performance at 11 a.m. on the Spring Street steps of City Hall.
A day before the festivities, Idol wrote on social media: "Get ready for Billy Idol Day in Los Angeles."
"Looking forward to seeing you there," he added.
Actor and comedian JB Smoove and radio personality Richard Blade joined the celebration as well.
The event comes one day before Idol's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
In October, Idol visited Griffiths Middle School in Downey as part of a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame partnership with Save The Music and iHeartMedia aimed at expanding music education in public schools.
Students welcomed Idol with a performance of his hit "Rebel Yell" and asked questions about his career.
"Every weekend, I'd do a couple of paper rounds so I could go buy an album or I could see a band," Idol told students. "And that's all we did — we went and we saw music, we lived for music."
The initiative seeks to fund at least 25 new music education programs over three years, with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees visiting classrooms to mentor and encourage young musicians.
Idol, 70, rose to prominence in the late 1970s as frontman of the British punk band Generation X before launching a solo career that made him a fixture on MTV in the 1980s.
Born William Broad in England, he found commercial success with his self-titled 1982 album, which included "White Wedding" and "Hot in the City."
His 1983 album "Rebel Yell" produced several of his best-known songs, including the title track, "Eyes Without a Face" and "Flesh for Fantasy."
His live cover of Tommy James and the Shondells' "Mony Mony" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1987.
Stevens has collaborated with Idol for decades, including on many of his best-known songs.
Idol released "Dream Into It," his first full-length album of new material in more than a decade, in 2025. The album featured collaborations with Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett and Alison Mosshart.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Peacock Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Court. The ceremony will be taped and will air in an edited version on ABC and Disney+ in December.
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