Billy Idol has plenty to celebrate this year.
The “Rebel Yell” singer, 70, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday, May 25. Ahead of the ceremony, Idol exclusively told Us Weekly what the tribute meant to him.
“It’s kind of fantastic. It’s just my 50th year. I started in 1976,” the English musician said on the red carpet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday. “It’s kind of fantastic to get these honors this year. I mean, it’s kind of incredible. I couldn’t have imagined this when I started out. I couldn’t have imagined being here 50 years later.”
As for how he planned to celebrate the achievement, Idol said he would be visiting his grandchildren. (Idol’s son Brant, 41, and daughter Bonnie, 36, each have two kids. Idol is also a dad to son Willem, 37.)
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During the ceremony on Monday night, Idol was joined by longtime songwriting collaborator and guitarist Steve Stevens as the pair performed a medley of hits, including “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing With Myself.” The iconic rock singer also delivered an empowering speech upon accepting his award.
“When I started out in punk rock back in 1976, we thought it may only last about six months — let alone 50 years,” Idol said. “We were doing it for the love. We were doing it for the love and because music was the only thing that gave us a sort of feeling of freedom, a sense of freedom. We believed in what we were doing and we thought maybe if we just dreamed into this life and gave it everything we had, it would give it all back to us in spades. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Idol continued by sharing a message to aspiring young artists.
“So to any kid out there who loves rock ‘n roll, or any music of any kind, as much as Leon [Thomas] and I do, if you’re inspired to create that sense of freedom and pursue a life of art, all I can say is, pick an instrument, find out who you are and be it,” he concluded. “Thank you for rock ‘n roll. Thank you to everyone.”
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While Idol, who led the 70s punk rock band Generation X before embarking on a successful solo career, has inspired many fellow musicians, he told Us that he’s also found inspiration in a few younger artists.
“I did just do a show with Sombr. I just ran into him on the red carpet,” he shared. “A lot of people seem to be having a lot of fun with music, and that in itself is inspiring. Because you see people still enjoying it, finding something in it that makes them sort of want to dance or go crazy or think about something serious. So, music touches me in all those ways. I’m glad to see it’s still doing that for others.”
As for who he’d like to collaborate with next, Idol said he’s on the lookout for talent as he works on new music.
The Lifetime Achievement Award isn’t Idol’s only milestone of late. He celebrated his 70th birthday back in November 2025 and exclusively told Us how he plans to spend the next decade of his life.
“I’m going to use every bit of time I’ve got, because you never know what’s going to happen,” he revealed. “You just got to use your time and live it.”
