Rebel Yell (album)

Rebel Yell is the second album by British punk rock artist Billy Idol, released in 1983. It was very successful with four singles on the U.S. Hot 100 charts, while the album reached #6 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album charts. The album has been certified by RIAA 2x platinum and by BPI silver.

History

The album reunited the hit-making team of Billy Idol, Steve Stevens and Keith Forsey, after their success with Idol's 1982 solo debut, Billy Idol. The title track was recorded in only three days at the Electric Lady Studios in New York City.^[4] According to the VH1 show Bands Reunited, Scandal drummer Thommy Price was playing in a nearby studio during this time and was recruited by Idol and Stevens to record on this album. Price subsequently left Scandal to join Idol's band.

All of the singles, but particularly "Rebel Yell," "Eyes Without a Face," and "Flesh for Fantasy" were hit music videos on MTV.

In 1999, EMI re-issued the album as part of their "Expanded" series. The new version of the album included previously unreleased bonus tracks and expanded liner notes. In 2010, audiophile label Audio Fidelity re-issued a 24-karat CD, remastered in HDCD by Steve Hoffman.

Track listing

Original 1983 release

All songs written by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens, except where noted.

1. "Rebel Yell" – 4:45
2. "Daytime Drama" – 4:02
3. "Eyes Without a Face" – 4:58
4. "Blue Highway" – 5:05
5. "Flesh for Fantasy" – 4:37
6. "Catch My Fall" (Idol) – 3:57
7. "Crank Call" – 3:56
8. "(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows" – 3:10
9. "The Dead Next Door" – 3:45

1999 Expanded Edition

1. "Rebel Yell" – 4:45
2. "Daytime Drama" – 4:02
3. "Eyes Without a Face" – 4:58
4. "Blue Highway" – 5:05
5. "Flesh for Fantasy" – 4:37
6. "Catch My Fall" – 3:57
7. "Crank Call" – 3:56
8. "(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows" – 3:10
9. "The Dead Next Door" – 3:45
10. "Rebel Yell (Session Take)" – 5:27
11. "Motorbikin' (Session Take)" – 4:16
12. "Catch My Fall (Original Demo)" – 4:11
13. "Flesh for Fantasy (Session Take)" – 5:09
14. "Blue Highway (Original Demo)" – 5:00

Chart performance

Singles

1. "Rebel Yell" (1/1984 - IDOL 2)
2. "Eyes Without a Face" (6/1984 - IDOL 3) - #4 U.S.
3. "Flesh for Fantasy" (9/1984 - IDOL 4) - #29 U.S.
4. "Catch My Fall" (1984) - #50 U.S.
5. "Rebel Yell" (UK re-release) (9/1985 - IDOL 6) - #46 U.S.
6. "Catch My Fall" (UK re-release from Vital Idol) (8/1988 - IDOL 13)

The 1985 remix album, Vital Idol included remixes of the singles "Flesh For Fantasy (Below The Belt Mix)" and "Catch My Fall (Remix Fix)".

Certification

Personnel

• Billy Idol - Guitar, Arranger, Vocals, Liner Notes
• Steve Stevens - Synthesizer, Bass, Guitar, Arranger, Keyboards, Casio
• Sal Cuevas - Bass
• Steve Webster - Bass
• Judi Dozier - Keyboards
• Jack Waldman - Keyboards
• Thommy Price - Drums
• Gregg Gerson - Drums
• Mars Williams - Saxophone
• Perri Lister - vocals, background vocals
• Keith Forsey - Producer
• Michael Frondelli - Engineer, Mixing
• Dave Wittman - Engineer, Mixing
• Gary Hellman - Engineer
• Steve Rinkoff - Engineer
• Pete Thea - Engineer
• George Marino - Mastering
• Brian Griffin - Photography
• Michael MacNeil - Cover Design
• Kevin Flaherty - Compilation
• Stephanie Tudor - Production Coordination

References

• Discogs.com - Billy Idol discography