BILLY IDOL – WHIPLASH SMILE LP – Nr MINT A1/B2 UK 1986 ROCK PUNK GENERATION X

Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile
(Chrysalis Records  1986  CDL1514)
Matrix No’s: A1/B2 – UK Pressing

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
(there are some light surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality)

Sleeve in Nr MINT/Excellent+ condition
– name written in top right corner
Inner Sleeve in Nr MINT condition

William Michael Albert Broad (born 30 November 1955), known professionally as Billy Idol, is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He first achieved fame in the 1970s as a member of the punk rock band Generation X. Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career which led to an international recognition and made Idol one of the lead artists during the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” in the United States.

Idol began his career in late 1976 as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea. However, he soon left the group and along with his bandmate Tony James formed Generation X with Idol being the lead singer. The band achieved success in the United Kingdom and released three albums on Chrysalis Records before disbanding. In 1981, Idol moved to New York City to pursue his solo career in collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens. His debut studio album Billy Idol (1982) was a commercial success and with music videos for singles “Dancing with Myself” and “White Wedding” Idol soon became a staple of then newly established MTV.

His second studio album Rebel Yell (1983) was a major commercial success with hit singles “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face”. The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipment of two million copies across the United States. He followed with a number of successful albums, including Whiplash Smile (1986), Charmed Life (1990) and Cyberpunk (1993). Idol spent the second half of the 1990s out of the public eye focusing on his personal life. He made a musical comeback with the release of Devil’s Playground (2005) and again with Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014).

Whiplash Smile is the third studio album by the English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 20 October 1986 by Chrysalis Records. After his successful studio album Rebel Yell (1983), Idol continued his collaboration with producer Keith Forsey and guitarist Steve Stevens while writing and producing songs for the album. The album utilizes Stevens’ characteristic guitar work, dance beats, and synth-heavy production.

• Billy Idol – vocals, guitars, bass
• Steve Stevens – guitars, keyboards, programming, bass
• Phillip Ashley – keyboards
• Harold Faltermeyer – keyboards
• David Frank – keyboards
• Richard Tee – keyboards
• Marcus Miller – bass
• John Regan – bass
• Jocelyn Brown – backing vocals on “To Be a Lover”
• Connie Harvey – backing vocals on “To Be a Lover”
• Janet Wright – backing vocals on “To Be a Lover”

• Keith Forsey – producer
• Dave Concors – engineer
• Neil Dorfsman – engineer
• Dave Wittman – engineer
• Debi Cornish – additional engineer
• Moira Marquis – additional engineer
• Bill Miranda – additional engineer
• Steve Tjaden – additional engineer
• Gary Langan – mixing at The Hit Factory (New York, NY)
• Craig Vogel – mix assistant
• George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
• Bobby Deluca – production coordinator
• Jon Dworkow – production coordinator
• Artie Smith – production coordinator
• Billy Idol – art direction, illustration
• Frank Olinsky (Manhattan Design) – art direction, illustration
• Pat Gorman (Manhattan Design) – art direction, illustration
• Albert Sanchez – front cover photography
• Carolyn Greyshock – photography
• Herb Ritts – photography
• John Peden – photography
• Gary Allen – wardrobe stylist
• Freddy Demann – management
• Brigid Waters – management