Question 1

Does Billy Idol write his own songs?

Accepted Answer

He co-writes almost all of them and finishes very few alone. His name is on 89 of the 110 tracks across nine solo albums, but only 17 have nobody else on the credit. Steve Stevens shares 33, more than anyone.

Question 2

Who wrote "Rebel Yell"?

Accepted Answer

Billy Idol and Steve Stevens. Every one of the nine tracks on the album is theirs together, with no solo credit anywhere on it.

Question 3

Who wrote "White Wedding"?

Accepted Answer

Idol alone, on the 1982 debut. It reached number 36 on the Hot 100 after a re-release.

Question 4

Who is Steve Stevens?

Accepted Answer

The guitarist on the first three albums and again from 1999. He is Idol's longest writing partner, on 33 tracks, and the two were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together in 2026.

Question 5

How many albums has he released?

Accepted Answer

Nine solo studio albums between 1982 and 2025, including a Christmas record in 2006. Generation X, the live albums and the compilations sit outside this catalogue.

Question 6

Who else has written with him?

Accepted Answer

Mark Younger-Smith on 18 tracks through the early nineties, Brian Tichy on 10 for Devil's Playground, Billy Morrison on 6, and Tommy English on 8 for the 2025 album.

Question 7

Which single did best in America?

Accepted Answer

"Eyes Without a Face" reached number 4 on the Hot 100 and "Cradle of Love" number 2. "To Be a Lover" got to 6.

Question 8

Has he won a Grammy?

Accepted Answer

No. He was nominated three times for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, for "Rebel Yell", "To Be a Lover" and "Cradle of Love".

Question 9

What was Cyberpunk?

Accepted Answer

A 1993 concept album about technology, twenty tracks long, written almost entirely with Mark Younger-Smith. It was poorly received and he did not release another record for twelve years.

Question 10

Did he write the Christmas album?

Accepted Answer

Barely. Happy Holidays is seventeen tracks of carols and standards, and only two of them carry his name.