Page 45 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 98

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BILLY IDOL / THE PROFESSIONALS – BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY, 21.06.18
Billy Idol has been rocking out since the 70s. Over 40
years later, he is still selling out venues and is idolized by
many. Following a couple of European performances he
headed to the UK for a small three-date UK session, be-
fore venturing back to mainland Europe for more shows.
The Professionals open
the show – the band formed by
Sex Pistols members Paul
Cook and Steve Jones in 1979.
After a few years they dis-
banded, but reformed in 2015.
Steve Jones, however, is no
longer in the band, the current
line-up seeing Tom Spencer on
vocals and guitar, Chris McCor-
mack on guitar and Paul Myers
on bass joining Cook on drums.
Their punk rock ‘n’ roll goes
down well. The raw and ready
‘Going Going Gone’ and
‘Rewind’ are upbeat, impas-
sioned and packed with old
school punk rock attitude. All
four members are long time
rock n’ roll reprobates and the
audience most definitely ap-
proves.
Opening with ‘Shock To
The System’, tonight Billy Idol
shows that he has hit after hit
after hit in his pocket and he’s
not afraid to knock you out with
them one after the other. It’s an
immaculate performance with a
superb sound and Billy’s voice
is still in fine form after all these
years. We’re very happy to
hear ‘Flesh For Fantasy’ early
on in the set, while ‘Eyes With-
out A Face’ sees the mes-
merised room being
transported up to heaven.
Steve Stevens interjects some
killer solos and even plays his
guitar behind his head during
‘Dancing With Myself’, while
everyone’s favourite, ‘Rebel
Yell’, hits the spot, sounding
like a glistening diamond. Billy
Morrison, Stephen McGrath
and Erik Eldenius help provide
the backing foundation and
keep the unit solid. Billy informs
the crowd that his dad’s from
Birmingham and thanks both
the crowd and then Steve
Stevens for making his life so
great. “And Steve, show them
what a hit song sounds like, will
ya?” he says, before Stevens
strums the opening bar to the
classic ‘White Wedding’, before
the night is rounded off with
‘Mony Mony’, which really turns
the room into a party. Billy Idol’s
timeless tunes all sound as
good as they did back when
they were released and newer
songs like ‘Can’t Break Me
Down’ stand their ground too.
You definitely can’t break Billy
down and hopefully he’ll con-
tinue for many years to come.
YYYYY
SBV
Billy Idol Photos By Shari Black Velvet
Inset: Billy Morrison & Steve Stevens
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