One of the most eye opening things I took away from reading Dancing With Myself was just how intelligent Billy Idol really is. For obvious reasons, the media never portrays him in that light because he is a 'Rock Star' and with that comes certain connotations and expectations. It's a bit unfair to Billy that this is just the way it is. But the book goes a long way in correcting this. As for the book itself, it's all there. Well, mostly there. A good chunk of the book is devoted to his Generation X years as well as the bedlam surrounding his Self-title debut, Rebel Yell, Whiplash Smile and Charmed Life, going into great detail of how some of his biggest hit songs came to be. I found this to be fascinating. Also cool and was getting to hear somone else's take on his manager Bill Aucoin. As a long time KISS fan, we all know about him basically being the 6th member of KISS (after Sean Delaney who is consider the 5th member). Up until this book, all the stories that I know about Bill have come from KISS books. So, to hear what Billy had to say was very interesting to say the least. FYI, it's basically the same situation that he had in KISS and the fall out from his drug use. Billy wasn't immune to his ways either and goes into great detail about his own spiraling addiction.

The book isn't perfect. One of the things that I was really looking forward to was hearing what exactly happened between Billy and Steve Stevens and why their partnership dissolved prior to Charmed Life. Billy mentions a shouting match and how they came to blows once with Steve getting the better of him, but I still didn't come away knowing anything substantial beyond what has been rumored or speculated over the years. I do think Billy was holding back something else and just didn't want to go to deep with it. Just glad that Steve is back in the band (has been for a long time). As for the rest of the book, it's a fast and easy read. Definitely worth checking out from the Library. One last thing, reading the last few pages will leave tears in your eyes when Billy talks about his Mum and Dad.