GENERATION X – WILD YOUTH 7″ – EXC+ UK 1977 PUNK BILLY IDOL

Generation X – Wild Youth
(Chrysalis Records  1977  CHS2189)

Vinyl in Excellent+ condition
(there are quite a few surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality apart from some light pops/crackles – B Side is a bit cracklier and is more EXC/VG)

Sleeve in Excellent/Very Good+ condition
– back cover has some discolouration marking

Generation X (also known as Gen X) were an English punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.

Three members of Generation X were previously in Chelsea, along with lead singer Gene October. They soon broke away from October and selected the name Generation X (after Jane Deverson’s 1965 sociology book, a copy of which was owned by Idol’s mother). Idol switched from guitar to vocal duties, and Bob “Derwood” Andrews joined as lead guitarist after leaving the Fulham band Paradox which included well known local musicians of the time, Gary Claydon and Chris “Noggin” McCullough. Generation X played their first concert on 14 December 1976 at The Roxy (becoming the first band to play at the venue).

Towe was later replaced on drums by Mark Laff (ex-Subway Sect), to complete the ‘official’ line-up, before the band signed to Chrysalis Records and released their first single, “Your Generation” in September, 1977. They played this song on Marc Bolan’s afternoon variety show, Marc, that same month. This line-up of the band would remain through their first two albums, the self-titled, Generation X (1977), followed by Valley of the Dolls (1979).