Billy Idol and Steve Stevens Rock Arizona Bike Week

Billy Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens rocked out a huge crowd at Arizona Bike Week. If you think these guys are slowing down, forget it! Idol’s voice is as sharp as it’s ever been, singing a list of hits that seems to never end. And like fine wine, guitarist Steve Stevens just gets better with time.

Idol is starting a new tour, and some would call the first stop a warm-up show. Nope, not this time. The boys were firing on all cylinders. Billy brings his charismatic personality and chops, while Stevens brings the powerful guitar licks.

Billy Idol performs on March 30, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rick Scuteri)

Idol kicked things off with three of some of his biggest hits: “Dancing with Myself,” “Cradle of Love,” and “Flesh for Fantasy,” which set the mood for the night. “Cage,” the title tune from Idol’s recent EP, followed. He later performed two more from the EP: “Running from the Ghost” and “Rebel Like You.” Billy went on to perform “Speed,” yet another hit written with Steve Stevens and the main song from the box office hit starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.

A bunch more hits – including “Rebel Yell” and “Hot in the City” – and a couple of surprises later, and this turned out to be one hell of a show.

Stevens has been with Idol for over 30 years, and has collaborated with a lot of the songs in Billy’s library. Steve has cut solo albums and has played guitar on many side projects as well. One of things that stand out is his flamenco-style album he cut called Flamenco A Go-Go, as well as solo concerts to back the album. So, the highlight of the night was when the band took a break and left the stage leaving Stevens all alone, giving him a chance to perform a ten-minute guitar solo flamenco style. This left most speechless, and I saw a lot of smiles and high fives among the crowd. I really think this was worth the price of admission, as I didn’t expect this at an Idol show.

Stevens followed it up with a Led Zeppelin teaser, “Over the Hills and Far Away” into “Stairway to Heaven,” finishing strong with a guitar solo only Steve could muster up. The band came back out and continued to rock the house with “Mony Mony,” a fan favorite for sure. But Stevens wasn’t done yet, another solo that melted into the beginning of “Blue Highway,” and halfway through this monster hit is when Steve took over yet again, performing the anthem to the movie Top Gun, which he wrote for the Tom Cruise smash back in the day. It was fun to watch everyone’s expressions as he belted it out.

Idol has just started this tour, and I hope Stevens continues to be a big part of it. They are made for each other, and the chemistry the two have is uncanny.

Check out more tour dates for these rock legends here.