Louder: Billy Idol had it all, and then he “lit it with butane”

February 21, 2026

	By Caryn Ganz

It was a tale of three Billys this week: Melena Ryzik profiled Billy Idol, who told a story about the “soft-porn guy” who used to live in his house in the first three minutes of their meeting. (He certainly has stories.) As he prepares for the release of a new documentary about his life, he chronicled the wild years that nearly took him out and how he came up with his biggest hits. (All with a sneer, I have to presume.)

Billy Preston, the beloved Beatles collaborator and artist in his own right, is also the subject of a new doc, albeit one that was extremely challenging to make: Preston, who died in 2006 at age 59, kept crucial parts of his identity hidden (that he was gay, and experienced abuse as a child). Jim Farber tells his story, now that a fuller picture of this brilliant musician and his tragic end are coming to light.

And we lost Billy Steinberg, a songwriter whose hundreds of contributions to the pop canon include collaborations on five incredible No. 1s: Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Heart’s “Alone,” Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional,” Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” and the Bangles’ “Eternal Flame.”

Ariel Fisher for The New York Times

Billy Idol Had It All, and Then He ‘Lit It With Butane’

Last year, the British rocker with the iconic sneer played his biggest tour yet. At 70, he’s revealing how he survived the tough times in a new documentary.

By Melena Ryzik

A shirtless man in a tan coat with an elaborate collar.

Apple Corps

Billy Preston’s Music Was ‘Pure Joy.’ But His Life Ended in Tragedy.

The Beatles’ beloved collaborator died at 59 in 2006. A new documentary, “That’s the Way God Planned It,” explores what he long kept hidden.

By Jim Farber

Two smiling men on a stage together in a still from the documentary “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It.”

Critic’s Pick

‘Billy Preston’ Review: A Unique and Tortured Talent

The Beatles, the Stones and Clapton shared the stage with him. He made solo hits, too. A documentary by Paris Barclay explores his success and his difficult life.

By Glenn Kenny

A black-and-white portrait of Luther Vandross, in a sweater with busy zigzag pattern.

David Corio/Redferns, via Getty Images

Readers Respond: 11 (More) Transcendent Beatles Covers by Black Musicians

Thirteen tracks were just the start. Listen to interpretations of the Fab Four via Luther Vandross, Ella Fitzgerald, Sylvester and more.

By Lindsay Zoladz

SPRING PREVIEW

A production image shows a colorful mix of yellow and purple lights shining on performers who are dancing on a runway set.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

What to See in New York This Spring

Onstage, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” and Adrien Brody in “The Fear of 13.” Plus: Cardi B goes on tour, Lise Davidsen takes on Isolde at the Met, 100 years of Martha Graham and more.

Evan Agostini/Invision, via Associated Press

9 Songs We’re Talking About This Week

U2 released a seething protest song, and Lana Del Rey put out a dreamy ode to her home life.

By Jon Pareles

A black-and-white photo of Peaches against a blue and orange background.

My Ten

Peaches on the Singer Who Is Her ‘North Star’

“There is no better performer in the world,” the electro-glam musician said. “Every song is thought out, but always with an element of spontaneity and sass.”

By Melena Ryzik

MOVIES

A close-up shows a sweaty man with half-closed eyes and a microphone in front of him.

Neon

Elvis in IMAX: How Newly Found Footage Became an Immersive Documentary

While working on a 2022 biopic of the King, Baz Luhrmann learned of unseen footage stored in a Kansas salt mine. That was the start of a winding journey.

By Jason Bailey

In an archival image set in a nondescript space, a man in a white jumpsuit strums a guitar emblazoned with the name “Elvis Presley” as other men look on.

Neon

Documentary Lens

Up Close With the King in ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’

Newly found footage makes for a fun and revealing concert movie from the director Baz Luhrmann.

By Alissa Wilkinson

TRAVEL & STYLES

Crooning and Jamming: Las Vegas Lounge Acts Set the Vibe

On the Strip and beyond, clubs, bars and restaurants spotlight local performers who deliver some of the city’s best entertainment.

By Alex Schechter and Tag Christof

A man in a visor and gold sequin jacket is seen from behind pumping his fist and singing while his daughter looks at him and smiles.

Dad, You’re (So Not) Embarrassing Me at This Concert

Across the country, dads are donning sparkly blazers and purple wigs to bond with their Gen Z and Alpha kids on their own turf, be it the Eras Tour or “KPop Demon Hunters.”

By Ashley Spencer

OBITUARIES

A man in dark glasses and a red-and-green shirt spreads out his arms as a guitar hands by a strap from his neck.

Samir Hussein/Getty Images

Ebo Taylor, Musical Innovator of Highlife and Afrobeat, Dies at 90

Borrowing from jazz and African rhythms, he forged a singular style that helped define music in his native Ghana — and West Africa — for a generation.

By Adam Nossiter

Jerry Kennedy in a sweater leans on an electronics board with a huge array of buttons.

Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

Jerry Kennedy, Who Helped Define Music in Nashville, Dies at 85

A guitarist and record producer, he played a role in creating hits by popular singers like Roger Miller, Roy Orbison, Tom T. Hall and Tammy Wynette.

By Bill Friskics-Warren

A man with white hair plays guitar as he sits in front of an electric-blue background.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame

Billy Steinberg, Hitmaking Lyricist of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin,’ Dies at 75

He co-wrote five pop-rock songs that soared to No. 1 in the 1980s and shared in a Grammy for producing Celine Dion’s 1996 album “Falling Into You.”

By Richard Sandomir

Make a friend’s day: Forward this email!

Get this from a friend? Sign up here.

Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com.

Check out our full range of newsletters and subscribe to The Amplifier here.