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Billy Idol: The Epitome of Cool [MMRBQ Interview]

Before Billy Idol took the MMRBQ stage by storm, he spent time with Pierre Robert backstage to talk motorcycles, music and more

Billy Idol

Billy Idol interacting with the crowd at MMRBQ 2023

Digital Noise Mag

This year's MMRBQ had so many highlights, but one of the standout moments was watching Billy Idol on the FM Pavilion stage. He was a vision of rock n' roll cool in his leather jacket and chains, playfully taunting the crowd with his trademark sneer as they danced to every hit - and Billy's racked up plenty of those in a career spanning almost five decades.

He sat down with Pierre Robert backstage before the show. They talked about his dual citizenship in the UK and the US and touched on how British rock has influenced the music we love so much, plus they discuss his near-death experience with a motorcycle accident, and his chemistry with longtime guitarist Steve Stevens. Billy also touched on his autobiography, and revealed which chapter made him break down in tears when he was recording the audiobook version.

We also got a surprise in this chat when he dropped one new song title from his upcoming project: "Pissing Off People I Love" - now that's a title we want to intro live on the radio!

In honor of Billy Idol's birthday today (11/30) check out the entire interview below.

Big thanks to Neumann University for capturing the backstage magic on video. Check out photos from the day by Digital Noise Mag below, and keep an eye on MMRBQ HQ for a 2024 show announcement...

MMRBQ 2023: Performances & Party Photos

MMRBQ 2023: Photos

Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on the Camden Waterfront

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Photos by Bill Raymond/Digital Noise Mag

Another MMRBQ is in the books. A packed house at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on the Camden Waterfront enjoyed an incredible day of Rock & Roll and a memorable celebration of the best rock station in Philadelphia.

The star-studded lineup rocked the main stage beginning at 1 pm on a beautiful day in Camadelphia. The list of performers included:

    MMRBQ Performances

    MMR’s Local Shots artist of the month Vixen77 got things started on the main stage inside the amphitheatre. They followed it up with an excellent interview with Brent Porche at the MMR broadcast tent on the Ben Franklin Bridge side of Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

    Tigercub, Finger Eleven, Dirty Honey, Ayron Jones, and Larkin Poe gave the crowd their money’s worth with a marathon of excellent performances throughout the afternoon.

    Billy Idol looked lively as ever when he led off with “Dancing With Myself” as the penultimate act, and MMRBQ headliner Shinedown didn’t disappoint with the peak of the night.

    The Preston & Steve Side Stage

    The return of the Preston & Steve side stage gave the loyal listeners of 93.3 WMMR a chance to get involved in MMRBQ 2023. Some excellent karaoke fired up the crowd at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

    Victoria sang a head-banging rendition “Zombie” by the Cranberries that would’ve made Dolores O'Riordan proud. L.J. sang “The Rooster” by Alice in Chains with authority that you certainly won’t see from many other 16-year-olds. "In The End," "Separate Ways," "Livin' On A Prayer," and "What's Up" were some other crowd favorites.

    MMRBQ 2023

    Make sure you remember to check WMMR.com and all the 93.3 WMMR social media channels for the release of exclusive backstage interviews with members of each band, more MMRBQ 2023 photos, and other great content from the station.

    MMRBQ 2023

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    The Marquee outside the venue perfectly showed off what we had to offer for the day.


    Shinedown

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    Shinedown took the stage last, capping off a perfect day.


    Billy Idol

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    Billy Idol letting out a "Rebel Yell." He totally rocked it.


    Ayron Jones' Bassist Bob Lovelace

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    Rocking the official MMRBQ tee!

    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Dirty Honey

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    The members of Dirty Honey have really good hair.


    Fans at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

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    The crowd was absolutely stellar. The lawn is a great place to sit.


    Dirty Honey

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    Jacky gives support to Marc from Dirty Honey as he goes on stage.


    Ayron Jones

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    Ayron Jones brought the heat for MMRBQ Act 2.


    Dirty Honey

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    Dirty Honey looks like a group of true rock legends.


    Ayron Jones

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    Big jump for Ayron Jones' bassist.


    Brent Porche

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    Brent Porch took the Main Stage to announce an MMRBQ Featured Artist.


    Vixen77

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    Vixen77 started the day with an absolute bang.


    Jacky Bam Bam

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    Jacky BamBam brought another band up on stage, hyping up the crowd.


    Dirty Honey

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    Dirty Honey let us know that "California Dreamin'" is a way of life.


    Vixen77

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    Vixen77's drummer gives a smile!


    Billy Idol

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    Billy Idol interacting with the crowd at MMRBQ 2023


    Dirty Honey

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Sara and Ryan on Stage

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    The Amphitheater at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Vixen77

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    Vixen77 started the day with an absolute bang.


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Vixen77

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    Vixen77 started the day with an absolute bang.


    Ayron Jones' Bassist Bob Lovelace

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    Rocking the official MMRBQ tee!


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Dirty Honey

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Ayron Jones

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Vixen77

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Dirty Honey

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Billy Idol

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Dirty Honey

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Tigercub

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Vixen77

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    Vixen77 started the day with an absolute bang.


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Ayron Jones

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Dirty Honey

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Vixen77

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    Vixen77 started the day with an absolute bang.


    Billy Idol

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    Strike a pose! Billy Idol rocked it.


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Pierre Robert with Billy Idol

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    Pierre Robert got to interview Billy Idol before his set.


    Dirty Honey

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Ayron Jones

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Billy Idol

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    Billy Idol letting out a "Rebel Yell." He totally rocked it.


    Billy Idol

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Dirty Honey

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Vixen77

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Sara on Stage

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Billy Idol

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Shinedown

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Billy Idol

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Billy Idol

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag


    Ayron Jones

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    MMRBQ 2023 | Photo by Digital Noise Mag

    More from the Pierre Robert Show

    From roughly 10:30am to somewhere around 3 (we call it Pierre Standard Time) weekdays Philadelphia rocks with (and loves) Pierre Robert on WMMR. Pierre Robert began his illustrious career at the pioneering progressive rock station KSAN, in his hometown San Francisco, but it’s through his uninterrupted 42-year tenure at Philadelphia‘s legendary WMMR that he’s made his mark. One of the city’s most recognizable celebrities will write about being at the center of its live music scene and greeting his legions of fans as if personal friends in the smallest clubs and largest stadiums.