Billy Idol "Rebel Yell"

Rebel Yell is the second studio album by English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 10 November 1983 by Chrysalis Records. After the release of his 1982 eponymous debut album, Idol continued his collaboration with producer Keith Forsey and multi-instrumentalist Steve Stevens. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Initially recording without a drummer, utilizing only the electronic drum machines LinnDrum and Roland TR-808, Forsey and Stevens later decided to hire Thommy Price to play drums on some of the songs. Musically, Rebel Yell is a new wave album with strong pop rock and hard rock influences. The cover sleeve and images were shot by Brian Griffin. Idol got the idea of the album's title after attending a party with the Rolling Stones and drinking Rebel Yell bourbon.

The album reunited the hit-making team of Idol, Steve Stevens and Keith Forsey after their success with Idol's 1982 solo debut, Billy Idol. Idol got the idea to name the album "Rebel Yell" after attending a party with the Rolling Stones. He explained on VH1 Storytellers that people were drinking Rebel Yell bourbon and he thought that would be a great title for an album. The title track was recorded in only three days at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

Working with Forsey were guitarist Steve Stevens, bassist Phil Feit and later Steve Webster, drummer Gregg Gerson, and keyboardists Judi Dozier and Jack Waldman. Drummer Thommy Price was brought in towards the end of the recording sessions.

Idol was battling Chrysalis Records over creative control, and decided to steal the master tapes; he eventually returned to the studio victorious. Forsey then informed him that he had taken the wrong tapes.

All of the singles, but particularly "Rebel Yell", "Eyes Without a Face" and "Flesh for Fantasy", would eventually have successful music videos on MTV. Idol's longtime girlfriend Perri Lister can be seen in the front row during the "Rebel Yell" video.

Upon its release, Rebel Yell received positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success. In the United States, it peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and also peaked into the top ten in other countries, such as Canada, Germany, and New Zealand. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it double platinum for shipment of two million copies across the United States. Four singles were released from the album. The accompanying music videos for all singles received heavy airplay on television channel MTV.

In 1999, EMI Music reissued 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 reissued a 24-karat CD remastered in HDCD by Steve Hoffman.

Track listing

All tracks are 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 3:42
7. "Crank Call" 3:56
8. "(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows" 3:10
9. "The Dead Next Door" 3:45

Total length: 38:00

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

Stephanie Tudor – production co-ordination

Bob Norberg – mastering (1999 expanded edition)

Kevin Flaherty – compilation (1999 expanded edition)