November 16, 2020

1983 - November: Billy Idol ”Rebel Yell”

40 minutes

Did the artists make MTV, or did MTV make the artists? There is no doubt about the complementary relationship between the then-new music video channel and rocker Billy Idol. He had exploded on the scene with his debut solo album featuring hits such as "White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself." His popularity would continue with his second studio album, Rebel Yell.

Born as William Michael Albert Broad, Billy Idol found his studio name in a schoolteacher's derogatory description of him as "idle." Billy Idol got his start in the punk scene. He started performing with a retro-rock band called Chelsea in 1976, but quit after a few weeks to co-found a punk band called Generation X. While the music was punk, the image Idol created was more 1950's Elvis-styled rocker with a dash of glam rock thrown in.

Billy Idol was a prominent member of the "second British invasion" on MTV in the early 80's, and would see mainstream success with Rebel Yell. Singles like the title track and "Eyes Without a Face" got heavy airplay on rock stations in the US. Idol's iconic look and "whiplash smile" was especially appealing to the new media of music videos shown prominently on MTV but also on other stations both on cable TV and the airwaves.

If you enjoyed music videos back in the day, this episode will leave you saying "more, more more!"

Daytime Drama

This slower and deeper cut was the second track on the album and was not released as a single. It compares life and relationships to a soap opera. "Beautiful star of my daytime drama...you're my hope for a future."

Blue Highway

A faster rocking song, this track was also not released as a single. However it was the B-side to the single "Flesh for Fantasy," and it did get significant airplay on rock stations at the time.

Flesh for Fantasy

This track was the third single from the album and a significant hit, peaking at 29 on Billboard's Hot 100. It is heavily produced, and while a rock song it also was played in dance clubs as well. "Face to face and back to back, you see and feel my sex attack. Sing it!"

Catch My Fall

Perhaps less popular than other album singles, this was the fourth single from the album. It has a new wave feel as well, and continues to have a dance beat. The saxophone is played by Mars Williams.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

"Bob's Major Award" (from the motion picture “A Christmas Story")

This now-classic Christmas movie was surprisingly not that successful as a first run movie in 1983. This song gets its title from the "leg lamp."

STAFF PICKS:

“The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats

Rob's staff pick spent 4 weeks at number 3 on Billboard's hot 100, and was another big hit from MTV. The song was meant to be a statement about people "pogoing" - flailing around on the dance floor in a way that could cause people to get hurt.

“Mean Streak” by Y&T

Wayne features a heavy metal song from a group originally known as "Yesterday & Today." Y&T formed in 1974 in Oakland, and opened for a number of bands like Wild Cherry and Kiss. The lead singer is still performing with the group, but unfortunately all other members have died. Lars of Metallica credits Y&T with inspiring him to become a musician.

“Mama” by Genesis

Bruce's staff pick is the opening track to Genesis' self-titled album. This dark song is about a young man with a mother fixation towards an older prostitute. Mike Rutherford wrote the electric drum machine parts that start the song and continue throughout the piece.

“This Time” by Bryan Adams

Brian closes out the staff picks with the lead track from Adam's "Cuts Like a Knife" album. Bryan Adams was another beneficiary of MTV's influence, and this album was his breakthrough hit.

LAUGH TRACK:

Jim Carrey premieres on Johnny Carson

This month marked the first time Canadian Jim Carrey appeared on American television on "The Tonight Show." He would go on several years later to fame after his stint on the television show "In Living Color"

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

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