Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Multiple generations of pop/punk/hard rockers wouldn’t be in business if it wasn’t for Billy Idol paving the way, who ever since fronting Generation X in the late 1970s, carved out a fist-pumping path to superstardom.

With bleached blonde hair, an open leather jacket and dangling chains, he not only became the face of MTV throughout the ‘80s into the ‘90s, but ruled the airwaves so regularly, he remains revered by tons of today’s chart-toppers.

A significant reason as of late is the return-to-form record “Dream Into It,” his first long-player in nearly a decade, which prompted a headline run of gigantic places like the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.

Even such a spacious, pretty full pavilion couldn’t contain the charisma of this age-defying 69-year-old, who believe it or not, continues to be at the peak of his performance powers.

Along with a dynamite band, led by longtime guitarist Steve Stevens (Michael Jackson, Robert Palmer, The Cars’ Ric Ocasek, Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil), Idol entered to the aggressive onslaught of the current “Still Dancing,” straight into the classics “Cradle Of Love” and “Flesh For Fantasy.”

For roughly 90 minutes, he juggled several periods, from the fresh “77” to fellow original “Eyes Without A Face” and a textbook cover of Tommy James & The Shondells’ “Mony Mony.”

The man who lead the “Second British Invasion” was the first to proclaim he was having “Too Much Fun,” plus monstrously mashed-up the bustling “Blue Highway” and Stevens’ immortal “Top Gun Anthem.”

The iconic cuts carried on thanks to the roar of “Rebel Yell,” the playful “Dancing With Myself” and the sultry “Hot In The City,” in addition to the family-focused newcomer “People I Love.”

Naturally, “White Wedding” was the final flower in the gothic bouquet, but not before taking everyone to the altar of an electrifying scream-a-long that suggested “It’s A Nice Day To…Tour Again!” indeed.

For additional information on Billy Idol, visit BillyIdol.net.

Upcoming concert highlights at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre include Kidz Bop Live (Aug. 15); The Offspring (Aug. 16); $uicideboy$ (Aug. 17); Volbeat (Aug. 22); Styx, Kevin Cronin and Don Felder (Aug. 23); Lil Wayne (Aug. 24); Jonas Brothers (Aug. 26); Falling In Reverse (Aug. 30); Junior H (Aug. 31-Sept. 1); The Doobie Brothers (Sept. 10); Jason Aldean (Sept. 13); Conan Gray (Sept. 14); Twenty One Pilots (Sept. 24); Papa Roach and Rise Against (Sept. 27); Parker McCollum (Oct. 4) and Judas Priest and Alice Cooper (Oct. 5). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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