Dancing with Myself

By: Billy Idol

Narrated by: Billy Idol

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

"I am hopelessly divided between the dark and the good, the rebel and the saint, the sex maniac and the monk, the poet and the priest, the demagogue and the populist. Pen to paper, I've put it all down, every bit from the heart. I'm going out on a limb here, so watch my back." (Billy Idol)

An early architect of punk rock's sound, style, and fury, whose lip-curling sneer and fist-pumping persona vaulted him into pop's mainstream as one of MTV's first megastars, Billy Idol remains, to this day, a true rock 'n' roll icon. Now, in his long-awaited autobiography, Dancing with Myself, Idol delivers an electric, searingly honest account of his journey to fame - from his early days as front man of the pioneering UK punk band Generation X to the decadent life atop the dance-rock kingdom he ruled - delivered with the same in-your-face attitude and fire his fans have embraced for decades. Beyond adding his uniquely qualified perspective to the story of the evolution of rock, Idol is a brash, lively chronicler of his own career. A survivor's tale at its heart, this sometimes chilling and always riveting account of one man's creative drive joining forces with unbridled human desire is unmistakably literary in its character and brave in its sheer willingness to tell. With it, Billy Idol is destined to emerge as one of the great writers among his musical peers.

©2014 Billy Idol (P)2015 Simon & Schuster Audio

Brilliant Billy Idol

Smart honest witty and strong.
Billy Idol is an icebreaker pushing through the permafrost. Soulful and fearless Billy Idol is respectable and intelligent on his own terms. All the while tangoing with Death Mr Broad bravely remains a sensitive Punk.
Loved the book and was left wanting to shake William's in thanks for the no doubt at times excruciating effort put forth documenting his journey through hindsight 20 20 prism.
Thank you Billy

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Brutally Honest

Billy really didn't pull any punches or gloss anything over in this interesting autobiography. Having grown up listening to him, I was enchanted with the stories behind the songs and the little trivia you'd probably never know about otherwise. But it's raw for sure. While I know about the whole "sex, drugs, and rock n' roll" thing, I never imagined what a junkie he was. It made me kinda sad, in a way.

He does a great job reading it in his low, gravelly (and dare I say, sexy) voice, and it almost feels like you're kicking back, listening to him on the phone or something. It moves a bit slowly in some places, and some of his descriptives were a bit over-the-top, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Totally recommended.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

no one could tell it better than Billy himself

absolutely love it, if you love Billy Idol then get the book Dancing with myself

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Now I know !

Rare treat to hear Billy read the book...his words,with his emotion. huge fan since Genx.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Great Memoir! Yeeeeeeah!!!!

It was very interesting to hear his life story told by him in his iconic gravelly voice - although it did definitely dip into the “too much information” zone for me, good for him for being honest!

When I was a teenager, I was IN LOVE with Billy Idol. I had all the cassettes, then the CDs, posters, calendars, T-shirts, you name it! Picking up this book was a no brainer… what took me so long?!

In 1990, I lived one of my most HUMILIATING moments right in front of him. A friend and I got tickets to his Charmed Life concert in Montreal, and before it started we went out to the back of the stadium where the tour busses were parked (surprisingly there were very few people there) and low and behold, at that moment he walked off the bus!!! Curled lip smile and spiky blond hair… he was so close I could touch him!!!!! My friend tried pushing me forward for an autograph, although I had no pen nor thing to sign, but I was SO nervous and SO SO SO SO SO giggly that I just peed myself. OMG. I wanted to melt into the floor. So embarrassing! Almost 30 years later I cringe in total humiliation whenever I think about it. If he even noticed me, he must have just blown me off as a lunatic nut-job.

I got a chance to redeem myself in 2003 when I saw him again at a small venue in Ottawa. (or was it 2002? 2004? I forget now). It was SO SMALL I was shocked - it was like a retrofitted conference room. I kind of felt bad for him because it felt to me like the crowd just wanted to bask in the fun of his (by then) retro hits, but when he started playing his new stuff it was almost embarrassing - nobody seemed to care and barely paid attention. When he started playing just a few familiar chords, the room ERUPTED into a frenzy and since the room was so small it felt like we were just all hanging out together with Billy, it was great.

I left feeing sad for him – like he had just been disrespected.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

it was a heartfelt, intelligent story !

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the narration. what an amazing life! Billy is way more intellectual that I would have originally guessed (sorry) and his insights were powerful. wonderful story!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Cool Billy idol

There is hope for me.
Good book performance is great if you like sex drugs and rock, hard rock and roll!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great story of a life lived to the fullest

Good to listen while driving long distance. As a fan this gave much insight into his music and on his diy attitude which are the reasons most likely why I'm such a big fan of Billy Idol.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Billy Rock's

He is a true success and a Biker he is a great son and father. I like the fact he narates he's own book much better for a memoir. Billy you Rock going to see you in Vegas in May. Paul Corrado

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sex, drugs, rock 'n roll - all in excess

Sex, drugs, rock 'n roll - few have done it to excess the way Billy Idol has. Very well written and reveals enough to give me a new found increased appreciation for what he has accomplished in his career. It's also amazing that he is still alive to tell the story. Some of the big surprises are how well-read he is as well as his songwriting process. He really had a solid vision of what he wanted to achieve and pulled it off.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A book for all seasons!

What made the experience of listening to Dancing with Myself the most enjoyable?

The fact that Billy himself read the book, that was a pleasant surprise when I saw they finally had made the audio version. It's great to read a book where I remember key times in his career and can now know what was happening in his life. Stories in the book have made me look back at some videos and listen to the albums with a new context.

What did you like best about this story?

It's honesty, at times shocking (but not surprising!) life events, but ultimately sad reflection and regrets on mistakes made in the past and the pain caused to those close to him.

What does Billy Idol bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

There is feeling and a sense of real intelligence. Billy Idol is underestimated, and this book helps to redress the balance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Lots, particularly moments where he messes up yet again. Unfortunately there are many, but it's amazing he made it through to write this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Always knew this Gent was different - now I know!

What did you like most about Dancing with Myself?

Open and Honest - Extraordinarily insightful and self analyzing - somehow without passing judgement, except when it's relevant to the rest of the "story".
Left me with a sense of having gotten to know parts of the William that is Billy that perhaps others hadn't been around to seen.

What did you like best about this story?

The life itself is extraordinary, it's immediacy (some could argue short-sightedness?), intermixed with genuine balls, guts, and bravado to make sure you're in a position to take what you want in a world where there's generally just one person standing up for you..

The listener gets a real sense of the Authors emotional state as the experiences are being relived. A times it's subtle, but the emotions are there on display. It's surprisingly strong stuff if you're able to pick up on it.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Cyber Punk is brought up a few times - it's great record. I have had to buy it 3 times, as a result of friends wanting to own it after hearing mine.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship developments that happen as William moves through life are very pronounced. Having said that it's evident that William always had a great sense of loyalty and "doing right" by those that do right by him.
Obviously the emotional scenes towards the later chapters are tough to even listen to, and it evident that they were hard to write and read back,.Living them must have been hard on everybody involved.

Any additional comments?

Even if you're not a fan of Billy Idol, this makes a great insight into the scene at the time, and personal circumstances of a member right at the front of wave 1.
If you, like me, have been a fan through the earlier years - and loved Cyber Punk as well.. This book will blow your mind with rawness, honestly and insight.

A remarkable share.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Full of Punk Attitude

This book is insightful, hilarious, dark and heartfelt. William is a wordsmith and his delivery has a snarl. I love the DIY attitude of Punk and I really think this is how Mr Broad has survived. The book is awesome. It took a while to listen to though. Every time he mentions an album or a project, I paused the book, went to YouTube or Spotify and listened to the music. It helps get a better perspective on what he is talking about. One of my favourite parts was during the acknowledgements at the end. Maybe that’s just my small mind hey. Well done William, your chemistry teacher was a twat.

Bored bored bored

Got as far as chapter 10 and that was a struggle. Boring. Idol hasn't the best voice for delivering a story (unless it's a bedtime one) and the content was dull - read like a diary with the odd cringy sex story.

Good punk history, a bit slow sometimes

What did you like most about Dancing with Myself?

Billy Idol's iconic voice and he doesn't hold back with a few stories I certainly wouldn't want my Mum to know about!

Would you recommend Dancing with Myself to your friends? Why or why not?

It's a bit overly descriptive sometimes - which gives it a slow feel sometimes.

Idol by name, Idol by nature!

Absolute joy to the ears. No sugar coating. Billy tells it as it is and was!

Truly excellent audiobook. Crazy and shocking!

Really enjoyed this audiobook. Billy Idol reads this book passionately and details very personal experiences which can be darn right crazy! What a wild character and life led. One of the best audiobooks Ive had the pleasure of listening to. Shame it's over. Well done Billy

Vital Idol

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would thoroughly recommend this memoir as it is read by Billy himself and he is bracingly honest as he reflects on his life. It is mostly about his musical development and his life as a rock star. It is not an ego fest and is very funny in parts with poignant moments too especially when referring to his relationship with his parents.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Billy of course!

Have you listened to any of Billy Idol’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes, his musical performances. In this memoir he comes over as a genuine 'geezer'.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he talked about his father's illness and when he asked him about his choice to become a musician.

Any additional comments?

If you grew up in the UK listening to punk then this is the story of one of the great artistes behind the soundtrack of your life.

Ready Steady Go

A rock n roll life lived to the full, all laid bare before us, in this well written book and read to us perfectly by the author himself. Sometimes you want to pat him on the back and say good for you Billy boy, then in the next chapter grab him by the lapels and shake some sense into him.
I first saw Billy in Generation X in 1977 at Huddersfield Poly and been a fan ever since, but you don't need to be a fan to enjoy this book, just to be a fan of rock n roll in general will I am sure keep you enthralled to the end.

Punk Rock Legend!

What made the experience of listening to Dancing with Myself the most enjoyable?

I was drawn to the book because the great man himself was reading it. That said initially I was unsure as I thought listening to Billy's raspy gravelly voice might be wearing but it wasn't so. In fact when he recalls some of his more colourful moments from his past you can hear his cheeky grin as he is reliving those moments which adds to the experience.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dancing with Myself?

The bit where he does the rolling stone interview, won't spoil it but made me laugh out hard and loud!

Which character – as performed by Billy Idol – was your favourite?

There is only one William Broad, err I mean Billy Idol, listen to the man and admire the man. Its easy to look at someone like Billy with the swagger and presence and think..dick! But here is a guy who is intelligent and very well read.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not especially if I'm honest, as mentioned below I wanted to crack out some Idol tunes in between listening to him

Any additional comments?

I am a Bill fan, if you grew up in the original punk era listening to the Damned, Pistols, Buzzcocks, Skids etc. then I'm sure you will love this book, not just because Billy's life story is fascinating but because he lived that era and intertwines with alot of the people and events of that time so its great to reminisce.For me Billy is in a tiny tiny group of mortals who were born to be front men. You know who they are and you can probably count them on one hand. Add to that the fact he is a true rock star who's taken enough drugs to put a rhino to sleep, bedded more women than a 1000 men put together and drank enough booze to sink a ship, and live through it means for me with the personality, swagger and lifestyle he is a true punk rock icon/god.One other thing to note, make sure you have some GenX, Idol music on standby as I defy you not to listen to some of the audio book then have to crank out some King Rocker or White wedding! Billy, you sir, are a legend, and I err, love you!