In the early 80s I was emerging into my teenage years and getting into some pretty cool music for a kid my age (led zeppelin, creedance clearwater,beatles etc) now when youre a 13year old girl with hormones in a havoc usually ones attentions are turned towards cute boys, all my friends happened to have crushes on all the members of Duran Duran, wham or other clean cut bands but my head was turned by another, a bad boy if you will who, to me exuded charisma with his elvis like sneer and what I considered then raunchy lyrics. It was no other than Billy Idol, even years after I never considered this guy to be a guilty pleasure or something to be ashamed of when asked who was my first teenage crush (actually he was basically my only one with the exception of old hamster cheeks Kiefer Sutherland who caught my interest briefly with the lost boys and flatliners)
I remember one day cutting out from my older sisters magazine a photo of him bare chested with his hands down his open leather trousers , the article had the emblazoned title 'Sex , Leather & Whiplashes' I cut the photo and title and got clear contact paper and laminated both to my folder carrying it around like a rebelious trophy in my arms from class to class as my fellow students had their dreamy neon clad corn fed boys on theirs. Pretty soon it was noticed by my home ecc teacher, who looked like Ms Prissie from foghorn leghorn cartoons and told I would not be allowed to enter her classroom with that on my folder (Yess!! I thought) The matter was soon sorted out by a prompt letter from my mother who told the teacher in no uncertain terms that it would answer her better to get on with teaching her students then holding back a pupils education over some silly picture and 3 words and if she got offended by it that I would leave my folder in my locker for her class as petty objects seemed to offend her so - good ol mum!
I think I was pretty much infatuated with him for about 6 solid months and then I started to get into other stuff when his music got a bit crappier and his sneer became more annoying but I still held affection for about a dozen or so songs of his right up until this December he crushed the pride I had for him when he brought out 'Billy sings ...' wait for it..... Christmas songs ARghhhh. I suppose I shouldnt really judge it before I hear it but apparently its BAD and I think I would rather remember the Idol I lusted after when I was 14 then have him make me feel decrepid with age and selling out. Billy I'll remember you for the sex god you were to me 22 years ago like this
and not some Aaron knitted cardigan wearing, rocking chair sitting sell out if you dont mind. And if anyone asks who stole my heart at 14 I will answer 'Jack Bauer'..
