I was very happy to see this thread was up, and for obvious reasons.
Billy Idol was such a huge hit because he was a performer. Because at 50 years old (i think?) he can still sing just like he could back when he made amazing albums like rebel yell and whiplash smile. And at the same time, he can conform to modern music with an album like devil's playground. the only flop would obviously have been cyberpunk (i mean, come on billy, techno?) but yes, seeing him live must be an amazing thing. I have to check out a concert of his sometime, I'm just waiting for the chance. He was obviously a huge hit with the ladies and could pick any one of them off the street instantly and bang them. At the same time his voice was awesome, and his guitarist, steve stevens is probably one of the better ones out there in the punk rock world.
in short, yes, billy idol is god, and always will be. he does need a better publicist.