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Dancing with Myself
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
23 posts | 13 read | 21 to read
Chosen by Rolling Stone as one of the 10 Best Music Books of 2014 Thats what Im talking aboutOf all these memoirs, Dancing With Myself was the only one that stimulated my envymade me want to be Billy Idol for five minutes.Hes a genuine romantic, writing in a kind of overheated journalese about his London punk rock rootsand then falling head over heels for America (James Parker, The New York Times Book Review). An early architect of punk rocks sound, style, and fury, whose lip-curling sneer and fist-pumping persona vaulted him into pops mainstream as one of MTVs first megastars, Billy Idol remains, to this day, a true rock n roll icon. Now, in his New York Times bestselling autobiography, Dancing with Myself, Idol delivers an electric, refreshingly honest (Daily News, New York) account of his journey to famefrom his early days as front man of the pioneering UK punk band Generation X to the decadent life atop the dance-rock kingdom he ruleddelivered 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 survivors tale at its heart, this sometimes chilling and always riveting account of one mans 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. 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, Ive put it all down, every bit from the heart. Im going on out a limb here, so watch my back. Billy Idol
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fredthemoose
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyable celebrity musician memoir. He does a great job reading the audiobook. A lot of sex and drugs. He would have been a handful to be close to, but he seemed to come out the other end in a better place and to be pretty self aware with the passage of time. Thanks for the recommendation, @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick !

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick YAY!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Sometimes I think I have strange taste and get reluctant to make a recommendation. I've owned the physical book but since I've been tearing through audiobooks quickly the last few years I had to splurge and hear his voice. I feel like there's no better way to experience Billy's life than with his narration. 2y
fredthemoose @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick the audio for this one was 100% the way to go—it was great hearing it in his voice! 2y
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Djspens
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Super excited to be at his concert tonight!!

DHill Just drove by on way back from IC. Enjoy the show! 3y
SamAnne I‘m seeing him in concert this month. I wouldn‘t have bought tickets but my sweetie‘s son bought us some. It will be a hoot!!! 3y
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Pickpick

Fun Fact: I share my birthday with Billy Idol. Ever since I saw his birthday listed in a tabloid in the early '80s, I felt a strong affinity for the rebellious rocker. It must be that wild Sagittarius spirit and I am so glad to finally have gotten around to the book. I splurged on the audiobook honestly because his low, gravelly voice just sounds good.
Earlier in May I listened to Lenny Kravitz tell his story (well, the first 25 years of it) ⬇️

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick and if he was the good guy, Billy was the bad boy. This is a memoir of excess: sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. However, it is also the story of a self-proclaimed voracious reader who was interested in being in the forefront of musical revolutions. From Punk to MTV Pop Rock to EDM before it was big, Billy shares stories of his youth in England, his early days in New York City, the motorcycle wreck that turned his life around (somewhat). Honestly ⬇️ 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Bad boys are gonna bad boy! Then we go up through his more contemporary life in LA, dabbling in Hollywood and enjoying his children.
A few highlight stories/anecdotes:
🎸Billy's first foray to the NYC grocer to pick up milk
🎸The significance of Mony Mony in his life
🎸The Rebel Yell inspiration
🎸Going to court for sexual deviancy
Some of the accounts shared here are what you would expect from a world-famous musician but ⬇️
3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Billy is also reflective and speaks fondly of many people who have come in & out of his life. Whether you're a huge fan or just dance along when Cradle of Love is played on the radio, there's something here to appreciate.
May review backlog #MemoirMay #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #Education21 #MaleBiography @Velvetfur (I swapped May & July)
#Pop21 #SharesATitleWithASong #52books #1stChapterEndsOnOddPage
3y
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5feet.of.fury That sounds like a lot of fun! I love Billy Idol! 3y
TiminCalifornia Billy Idol was my first rock concert. Saw him at Red Rocks! 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @TiminCalifornia I'm jealous! I've seen lots of acts live but never Billy. Not yet, anyway. 🤞😁 3y
OriginalCyn620 I love Billy and loved reading more about his life! It‘s cool you share a birthday with him. I share mine with Nicole Kidman and John Taylor from Duran Duran! Another fun fact. Not that anyone cares, but I love FFs. 😂 (edited) 3y
SamAnne My stepson bought us tickets for a concert this summer! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 3y
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TK-421
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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FINALLY getting in some listening time & enjoying #audiocrocheting again! This is my first time making a project for a local group that donates handmade blankets & toys to animal rescue shelters.

Moonprismpower Pretty colors. You got skill😀 and generosity. 4y
TK-421 @Moonprismpower Thanks! 😊 4y
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SkeletonKey
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Current audiobook 😁

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TK-421
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Enjoying some #audiocrocheting with my snoozing #readingbuddy on a frosty Sunday morning

kspenmoll Sweet! 4y
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Cinfhen
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Pickpick

“I was seen as a bonafide rock star but honestly I was a junkie and a barely functioning alcoholic”
This was a really in depth deep dive into the makings of Billy Idol ~ Punk Rock Superstar 🙌🏻 Listening to Billy share his humble beginnings and long road to stardom was actually enjoyable & entertaining.
He shares inspiration behind some of his most famous songs like White Wedding, Rebel Yell & Eyes Without A Face.👇🏼

Cinfhen I loved this much more than I thought I would. Massive respect for Billy, who turns out to be a real mensch😜
#PoP21 #SongTitle
#NonFictionChallenge2021 #AboutOverComing
4y
Cinfhen Also using this for #ReadingAsia2021 as Billy goes into a very detailed raunchy account of his visit to #Thailand. He takes us to some seedy clubs, a crazy 3 day drug fueled heroin binge and being escorted to the airport by the Thai police after being tossed out of the Oriental Mandarin Hotel. @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB 4y
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Cinfhen Also @Soubhiville you should definitely listen 🤟🏼 4y
Librarybelle That‘s awesome! And bonus find for #ReadingAsia2021 ! 4y
BarbaraBB What @Librarybelle says! 🇹🇭 4y
Moonprismpower Soooo yeah I‘m gonna say it. On Buffy the tv show Spike said Billie Idol stole his look. Anyone a Buffy fan? Anyone? *crickets* Now I want to read this. Sounds really good. 4y
Cinfhen I‘m not a Buffy fan but i think I can recall that character 🦹🏼audiobook is SO GOOD @Moonprismpower @BarbaraBB YOU need to listen 🎧 it was a BONUS @Librarybelle 🖤 4y
ElleSkel @Moonprismpower ❤️Buffy!! And agreed, Spike was at the very least fashioned after Mr. Idol. 4y
ElleSkel Oh and @Cinfhen I can‘t wait to listen to this now! You sold me with the last post but bonus materials too !! 🙌🏽🎧 4y
Cinfhen Yay @Elle_Skeldon ♥️ @TK-421 found it on Libby and I borrowed it from #Scribd 4y
KarenUK @Moonprismpower Definitely a fan! Love Spike 👍💕😊 4y
KarenUK This sounds like a fun one! @Cinfhen 4y
Moonprismpower @KarenUK @Elle_Skeldon omg thank you. My bf and I prefer Spike because he fought for Buffy. Got himself a soul. Yes not for the best reasons and not the healthiest relationship but still. Actually none of Buffy‘s relationships were healthy. Hmmm. (edited) 4y
TrishB Oh I love Eyes Without a Face! A brilliant song 💜 4y
Cinfhen I definitely peg you for a Billy Idol fan @TrishB 🖤😘 4y
TrishB I do have a soft spot for him. There‘s a great version of Rebel Yell with Billy and Miley Cyrus on YouTube! 4y
Cinfhen What a lovely duet couple @TrishB 😄😂😂I‘m going to have a look 👀 4y
Cinfhen That was no Hannah Montanna performance @TrishB 😉and it was so surreal to watch a live music event. All I could think of was ALL THOSE germs .... I hope we‘ll be able to one day enjoy MASSIVE events like that ~ packed arenas , no masks 4y
TrishB Yeah, me too. Miss live music so much. 4y
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Cinfhen
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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I‘m loving Billy‘s early memories of meeting a “platinum blonde with massive balls” ( Madonna) and a “skinny bird with the most soulful eyes and voice” (Prince)
Billy reminisces about “this new Irish band” (U2) and “the inauguration of MTV”
This memoir is SO FUN!!!!
And his voice is super sultry 🙌🏻💕🎧🎶

TK-421 I really want to read this! 4y
Cinfhen I was able to borrow it through #Scribd @TK-421 maybe your library system might have it...it‘s an “older” release 4y
TK-421 Found it on Libby! 🤘😁 4y
Cinfhen Yay @TK-421 🤟🏽 4y
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Cinfhen
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Jumping right into this audio narrated by Billy Idol 🙌🏻♥️My brother tells me I‘m in for a rollicking ride through some musical decades and #MrTrishB was a fan too!!! For some reason “rock the cradle of love” is my morning 👂🏼🐛🎶
#pop21 #BookTitleIsSongTitle

BarbaraBB Isn‘t he an old man by now? I used to love his Sweet Sixteen song (when I was about that age) 🎶 4y
Cinfhen Ouch...you‘re mean @BarbaraBB 😜😘😘xxxx he‘s 65!!! But I know what you mean...he‘s been around forever 🦖🦕🦖🦕 4y
BarbaraBB He looks so young on that picture 👶🏻 😀 4y
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Cinfhen Yeah, I have a feeling this photo might have been taken 10/15 years ago @BarbaraBB 😁 4y
Megabooks I loved that video!! I was so young and it was so scandalous. I think I was 9. We also had a cheer at my high school to MONY MONY. 😂😂 4y
Cinfhen Hahaha @Megabooks that‘s hilarious 😂 I can only imagine the choreography 📣 4y
82 likes6 comments
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OriginalCyn620
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this memoir as I was a huge fan of his in the 80s. I learned a lot about Idol that I didn‘t already know.
#popsugarreadingchallenge #bookbyamusician

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OriginalCyn620
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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🖤🖤🖤

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OriginalCyn620
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Billy Idol is just wise. 🖤

kspenmoll Great visual! 5y
OriginalCyn620 Thanks @kspenmoll! It‘s from Typorama! 5y
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OriginalCyn620
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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🖤🖤🖤

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monalyisha
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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1. Pumpkin pie. Stuffing.
2. Indian food (esp. anything with paneer or a wickedly spicy, tomato-based sauce).
3. Duncan Trussell - comedian/podcaster; Andrew WK - musician/motivational speaker/head of the political Party Party; Billy Idol - musician (sort-of; I was 16 & very into 80‘s music at the time. I mostly just stared & quivered more than I “met” him 😆).
4. The Golem & the Jinni 🔥
5. @whippoorwill815 @MeganAnn @Jess_Franzino
#friyayintro

kishore_kk Paneer is my favourite too, especially with butter naan. 💚🍲 6y
MeganAnn Mmm pumpkin pie! I still need to get that book! Every time I see someone post about it I think I better read it soon but I have yet to add it to my shelves... 🤷‍♀️ (edited) 6y
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GripLitGrl
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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TommieMarie74 Love!! ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
TK-421 Love it! I really want to read this book but haven't found a copy yet 7y
GripLitGrl @TommieMarie74 ❤❤Billy Idol 7y
GripLitGrl Thanks @TK-421 hard to find books like this is why i miss the old music stores that always had these type of books for sale. Like Sam Goody, Tower Records, ETC. 7y
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LinaLovesLit
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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cathysaid Yup. Same over here 🙋🏼 7y
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JackOBotts
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Pretty much sums it up. I love Autumn 🍂 🍁 #sweaterweather #LoveMyCardigans
(Instagram 📷: 80skidsrule).

Redwritinghood Love this! ❤️❤️ 7y
LeahBergen 😂😂 7y
31 likes2 comments
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TrishB
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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#whitewedding #rockinmay
@Cinfhen
The larger than life Mr Idol 😀👍

Cinfhen Hubby's shelf?! 😉 7y
TrishB @Cinfhen of course 😂 7y
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Balibee146 Ooooo wanna read this! 7y
TheLudicReader I enjoyed this book. 7y
MimiLovesToRead Yes!! My next Audible purchase! 7y
TrishB @MimiLovesToRead does he narrate it? 7y
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TheLudicReader
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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Any other Idol fans out there?

SuperPunkNinja Yeaaahhhh!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘 8y
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JacqMac
Dancing with Myself | Billy Idol
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We have a house full of #musicbooks, but none of them are mine. My husband loves music the way I love books. These are two from his bedside bookshelf, since I refuse to get out of my messy, comfy bed just now. #augutofpages #augustphotochallenge