Billy Idol’s Documentary Premieres at Tribeca

A new documentary titled “Billy Idol Should Be Dead” made its debut at Tribecafe Stability in New York City on Tuesday night.

Idol, who became an MTV sensation with tracks like “Dancing with Myself” in 1984, faced a harrowing experience when he nearly overdosed on heroin. He recalls how the space was buzzing with a heavy drug culture, especially during a trip to London.

“There was a time when everything felt right,” he reflects, reminiscing about his early days after moving to New York in 1981. “We met a ton of peers and… well, we got into the scene,” he explains. “I think they had some intense stuff going around, and while others were getting lost in it, I just went along for a while.”

That experience nearly cost him his life. “I was practically dying, turning blue,” he remembers. “They tossed me in an ice bath and walked me around hoping I would wake up.”

It’s clear that as a rock icon of the ’80s, Idol was drawn into the dark allure of drugs. “It was rampant back then. So many were in the same boat,” he adds. “You were thrown right into it.”

At 69 years old, Idol has survived a battle with addiction and continues to perform. After a five-song set featuring hits like “Dance with Myself,” “White Wedding,” and a new track called “People I Love,” he looks energized.

Inspiration for “Dancing with Myself”

He reminisces about how “Dancing with Myself” was inspired by a night out at a Japanese club, observing someone lost in their dance. “Tony James, my bandmate, and I just turned that moment into a song,” he recounts.

Struggles with Addiction

While trying to quit heroin, Idol found himself turning to crack. “I was at the Park Meridian Hotel, trying to get clean, and it just spiraled from there,” he shares. Eventually, his father flew in to help get him back on track.

A Turning Point in Bangkok

Idol describes a tense moment during a trip to Bangkok in 1989 with his friend. They initially aimed for a drug-free vacation, but things took a turn. “We wanted something to take the edge off and ended up scoring heroin,” he explains. A chilling experience led him to ultimately leave that life behind.

A Near-Fatal Motorcycle Accident

Idol also endured a serious motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his leg and a coveted role in “Terminator 2.” “After I got hit by a car, I was in pretty rough shape,” he recalls. “I just couldn’t do the running needed for my part, and I often think about how different my life might have been.”

Unexpected Family Discoveries

In a twist, Idol recently found out he has another son named Brandt, who is now 39. This revelation came about through a DNA test conducted by his daughter. “It was so surprising. I had to process it all pretty quickly,” he shares. The discovery has certainly added a new layer to his family dynamics.