04 May An American Idol

Wait, I’m not ready for Thursday to be over! I have counted down all the days to this beautiful festival of the sun, but now that it’s here, I feel like my heart can’t take it in fast enough! It’s bittersweet the first day of SunFest 2018 is done. But, we have three glorious days left of superb music, delicious food, and dear friends ahead.

Last night, I was most excited to catch the blond, sneering, fierce (and fashionable) Billy Idol for the very first time. This talented English musician, singer, and actor has graced stages across this gorgeous globe, but the timing was never right for me. Until now.

At 8 p.m. sharp, on the Tire Kingdom Stage, the lights lowered and the massive crowd began to murmur excitedly. One by one, Idol’s talented bandmates strutted before fans. These musicians proved to be my first surprise of the evening. I naively assumed Billy Idol would steal the show, but instead he shares the stage with some impressive artists. Stephen McGrath is on bass, Billy Morrison is on guitar. Erik Eldenius commands the drums, and Paul Trudeau (No relation to the Canadian Prime Minister) handles keys. On lead guitar is Steve Stevens.

Whether you are 8 —or 80—years old, you should be familiar with Steve Stevens. This leather-wearing, raven-haired character is a Grammy Award-winning musician and longtime friend of Idol. He helped co-write “Rebel Yell,” “Eyes Without A Face,” and “Flesh for Fantasy,” and has worked with a long list of artists, including Pink, Diana Ross, and Joni Mitchell. It’s important to note that Stevens and Idol share the stage.

Bubbles floated up from The Stand and across the stage. As Stevens stroked his guitar, the crowd grew louder to welcome Idol. The bombastic punk-rock singer soon appeared wearing one of the greatest rock and roll outfits I’ve ever seen. Dressed head to toe in black, Idol’s first jacket featured white studs and bold, giant red crosses. (Later, he would change into a black and white skull jacket that I also need in my closet.) Idol’s black pants were dazzled to look like skeleton bones, and around his neck were heaps of necklaces.

Idol performs with a fervor most young adults can’t muster. He is clearly immune to age and gravity. Idol looks and sounds incredible. The legendary artist launched into “Shock to the System,” and then immediately into “Dancing With Myself.” In the center of the Tire Kingdom stage, the artist had strategically placed amps that he could perch himself on to see his fan base of loyal South Florida rock lovers.

When he wasn’t standing on his sounds, Idol would prowl the front of the stage, raise a fist, and then swing back to let Stevens flood our senses with his guitar magic. The band played “Flesh for Fantasy,” “Eyes Without a Face,” “King Rocker,” and “Blue Highway.”

After peeling off his skull-faced jacket, Idol introduced his “favorite” song, “Rebel Yell.” Snarling, clapping, and throwing his hands to the sky, Idol beckoned louder and louder screams and lyrics from fans. I was beaming from the entire scene.

Of course, I’d heard rumors that Idol would take off his shirt. I waited, and waited, and then before his epic finale, he did! He peeled off his sweat-soaked black Billy Idol shirt and tossed it to the crowd.

“Thank you West Palm Beach, for making my life so f%$#’ing great,” he sneered, in a truly endearing way). “Thank you Steve Stevens, for making my like so f%$#’ing great.”

He leaned back toward his impossibly talented bandmate and friend.

“Show them what a hit song sounds like, will ya?”

The band tore into “White Wedding” and we all sang and sneered along.