885 Greatest Artists

The running commentary begins now. We'll start with one and then lay 'em on ya about fifty at a time. Block out some space on your day planner.

885. Billy Idol

Michael: I thought he was kitschy when he was happening, let alone now, but the frenetic fretwork of Screamin’ Stevie Stevens remains a guilty pleasure, a monument to needless bombast. And his cover of “To Be a Lover” was cool.

Trip: I was big fan of Generation X and despised Billy’s “Mony Mony” cover. But there’s no denying the catchy appeal of Idol’s string of 80’s hit singles. One of the few first wave punk survivors.