**Billy Idol Reflects on Near-Fatal Heroin Overdose and Battling Addiction**
British rock icon Billy Idol has candidly recounted his narrow escape from death due to a heroin overdose in the 1980s, shedding light on the darker side of rock-and-roll fame. Idol, now 69, revisited the harrowing episode during the recent premiere of his documentary, *Billy Idol Should Be Dead*, at the Tribeca Festival, where he spoke with raw honesty about his experiences with substance abuse and the toll it took on his life and career.
The incident occurred in 1984 when Idol returned to London to mark his meteoric rise in the United States. What was intended to be a jubilant reunion with old friends soon spiralled out of control as the group indulged in what he now admits was a reckless and dangerous celebration. Idol recalled that the heroin available that night was especially potent, leading to nearly all in the group collapsing. “Everyone took a line or two,” Idol recounted, “and soon enough, the rest had nodded off. Only a mate and I remained awake, continuing to take the drug.”
Matters quickly turned perilous when Idol himself succumbed to the effects. “I was basically dying. I started turning blue,” he said, revealing the desperate measures his friends took to revive him. They plunged him into an ice-cold bath and tried to keep him conscious by walking him around the rooftop. Despite the brush with death, Idol confessed that at the time, he had little appreciation for the risks involved with heroin use.
Idol reflected on the prevailing attitudes towards drugs within the music scene of the era, explaining there was a dangerous romanticism surrounding heroin during that period. “A lot of people we admired were heroin addicts,” said Idol, citing cultural references like Lou Reed’s famous song ‘Heroin.’ “We weren’t thinking about how deadly it was. It almost seemed as if it might lead to some new creative breakthrough,” he added.
Nevertheless, Idol’s near-fatal experience was not an isolated incident. He detailed another dark episode in Bangkok, where, in the throes of addiction, he and a companion caused significant property damage to a hotel—totalling up to $75,000. At the time, Idol’s son Willem was still an infant, a fact that later contributed to his determination to leave drugs behind. Idol recalled blacking out in a hotel lift, coming to as the doors repeatedly opened and closed on him, and even shattering a glass window with a log, a scene which left a visiting Mel Gibson and his family in disbelief.
These incidents, shocking as they were, became turning points for the legendary ‘White Wedding’ singer. Idol has since described heroin withdrawal as “one of the worst experiences imaginable”, echoing the sentiments of fellow musician Boy George, who likened it to feeling as though “your skeleton is trying to break free of your body.” Idol admitted the recovery process was painfully slow, with lasting after-effects even half a year after quitting.
While Idol’s brush with death and subsequent recovery are not unique in the annals of rock music, his willingness to speak openly offers valuable insight into the realities of drug addiction that many in the public eye have faced. By sharing his ordeal, Idol not only highlights the dangers inherent in drug culture but also the resilience it takes to overcome them. He now refers to his sobriety as a hard-won “silver lining” from an otherwise grim chapter.
Idol’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the personal battles waged behind the scenes of fame and is a testament to the enduring strength required to leave addiction in the past. As the documentary finds its audience, his candour may well offer hope and perspective to others contending with similar demons.
The musician’s openness continues to resonate with fans and those impacted by addiction, underscoring the importance of awareness, support, and the difficult but possible road to recovery. With his legacy firmly established, Billy Idol’s latest chapter offers both a cautionary tale and an inspiring message of survival.