William Michael Albert Broad, known professionally as Billy Idol, was born in Middlesex, England on November 30, 1955. In 1975, he went to Sussex University to pursue an English degree, but left after one year to pursue his singing career. He is a rock musician, songwriter and actor. He first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X and then became a soloist. He had numerous hit songs including Dancing with Myself, Rebel Yell, and White Wedding. His autobiography, Dancing with Myself, was released in 2014.