Rock singer Billy Idol, known for hits including “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell,” is set to visit a Downey middle school on October 22. Organizers announced Thursday that Idol will meet with students at Griffiths Middle School as part of a nationwide effort to promote music education. This visit is linked to a multiyear partnership between the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Save The Music.
During his stop at Griffiths Middle School, located at 9633 Tweedy Lane in Downey, students are scheduled to perform for the iconic musician, organizers said. Following the performance, Idol will participate in a question-and-answer session with the young musicians.
The initiative, which brings Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees into classrooms, is designed to mentor and encourage young musicians across the country. According to organizers, the partnership between the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Save The Music aims to expand music education in public schools. This specific program is set to fund at least 25 new music education programs over three years.
Save The Music is the first recipient of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation’s grantmaking initiative. Organizers stated that programs are already planned for several communities, specifically naming the Los Angeles and Compton areas, indicating local impact. The broader partnership intends to equip schools with musical instruments, technology, and educational resources, alongside connecting students with professional musicians like Idol.
Idol, who is 70, is among the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2026 inductees. He first gained prominence in the late 1970s as the frontman for the British punk rock band Generation X. Born William Broad in England, he transitioned to a successful solo career, becoming a familiar face on MTV during the 1980s.
His 1982 self-titled album featured commercially successful tracks such as “White Wedding” and “Hot in the City.” The subsequent 1983 album, “Rebel Yell,” produced several of his most recognizable songs, including the title track, “Eyes Without a Face,” and “Flesh for Fantasy.” Idol’s career has also included a decades-long collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens. In 2025, he released “Dream Into It,” his first full-length album of new material in over ten years, which featured collaborations with artists like Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett, and Alison Mosshart. His journey is also documented in “Billy Idol Should Be Dead,” a film that explores his punk roots, rise to fame, and career challenges.
Southern California residents will have another chance to celebrate Idol’s career soon, as his official induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is scheduled for a November 14 ceremony. That event will take place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.