Billy Idol Reveals the One Major Change That Completely Transformed His Live Shows

Billy Idol admits this one personal choice has completely changed his live performances.

The singer opened up to Peopleabout his experience as a musician after getting sober.

"I don't go on stage high or anything like that," he said. "There was a time when I used to go on stage a little high, or I would drink a massive glass of a screwdriver halfway through."

At 70 years old, the "Dancing with Myself" singer has a new approach to starting a show.

"Nowadays… I go on completely normal and completely straight, and I think that's the way to do

it because the music itself is a high," he said. "You can get that anytime you play. That is the high."

Idol shared that he limits his drug and alcohol intake both during performing and in his everyday life.

"I can have a glass of wine every now and again," he said. "I don't have to do nothing. But at the same time, I'm not the drug addict that I was in the peak '70s, '80s."

The "Eyes Without a Face" singer added that he mostly keeps the company of sober people, which "helps a lot."

One of the reasons Idol decided to reduce his drug and alcohol consumption was because of a traumatic motorcycle accident in 1990, where he almost lost his leg.

"I really started to think I should try and go forward and not be a drug addict anymore and stuff like that," he said. "It took a long time, but gradually I did achieve some sort of discipline where I'm not really the same kind of guy I was in the '80s. I'm not the same drug addicted person."

Billy Idol is currently on his North American summer tour, "It's A Nice Day To… Tour Again!"

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available 24 hours a day through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.

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This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 5:47 PM.