One of the things that can be irksome about Gen X or 1980s nostalgia movies is that oftentimes it’s the latter half of the decade with the big hair, technicolor wardrobes, and cartoonish excess that keeps getting reproduced on screen and onstage. But the truth is the earlier half of the ‘80s weren’t quite as crazy. Even in the latter ‘80s, not everyone or everything was like that. That’s why Stranger Things gets props, fantastical elements aside, for showing a more realistic side to the music, fashion, and culture of the time.
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Back in 1998, The Wedding Singer was the first major ‘80s revival movie to come out. It really got the feeling of that time period right without overdoing it. Adam Sandler plays the titular character named Robbie who falls for a waitress named Julia (Drew Barrymore) at a wedding function in 1985. His fiancee soon leaves him at the altar, and she is set to marry an emotionally abusive alpha male named Glenn. Robbie and Julia develop a romance of confused feelings climaxing with him trying to serenade her in front of her angry partner on a flight to her Vegas elopement. It’s a classic Hollywood rom-com setup.
“Billy Idol Gets It!”
What makes the scene so great is ‘80s rock icon Billy Idol is also aboard the flight. For Gen Xers it was a fun and totally unexpected moment. Robbie pours his heart out to some fellow passengers, including the spiky-haired singer whose insight into the situation is played up for an ironic summation coming from an ‘80s rock star.
Billy: Glenn doesn’t deserve her. All he cares about are possessions. Fancy cars, CD players … even women are possessions to him.
Robbie: Billy Idol gets it! I don’t know why she doesn’t get it.
They soon learn that Julia and Glenn are onboard. Idol lends Robbie his acoustic guitar and announces over the intercom there will be some inflight entertainment. Robbie comes out to serenade Julia, and once Glenn sees him he tries to beat him up. But an attendant and then Idol push him back with drinks trays. When Glenn threatens Idol, a large biker steps in and shoves him to the back of the plane. “Don’t you talk to Billy Idol that way!”
Robbie finishes his song, confesses his true love for Julia, it’s reciprocated, and they kiss. But not before Idol tells him he’s going to recommend the goofy ditty he sang to his label. Beyond it being a sweet moment, the best part is Idol really enjoys hamming it up on screen. The audience loved it.
“A Punk Rock Cupid”
“I read the script, and I was just cracking up right from the first couple pages,” Idol told Stereogum in 2001. “I’ve read quite a few scripts, and sometimes you’re left quite cold. The Wedding Singer was just a funny idea. My son was really young, but I was taking him to see Adam [Sandler]’s films, Happy Gilmore and stuff. I’m taking my son to see his films anyway, kind of fantastic to be in one, and then to be the Cupid that’s going to bring the lovers together—that’s almost hilarious. A punk rock Cupid.”
One wonders why Idol didn’t do more movies. He was in strong contention to portray the relentless T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), but his deadly motorcycle accident in 1990 derailed that prospect. He also had scenes in The Doors (1991) and Mad Dog Time (1996), and voice roles in Heavy Metal 2000 and an episode of Horrible Histories. He said he could have had a bigger part in The Doors if it were not for his accident.
An Inspired Cameo
Whoever thought of putting the famous punk rocker in the movie was brilliant. This came along at a time when Idol had been quiet for a few years. His 1993 album Cyberpunk had not fared well on the charts, he suffered a serious drug overdose in 1994, and a reunion with his original guitarist Steve Stevens on the title song for the Speed movie soundtrack was short-lived. He then toured with The Who in 1996 performing Quadrophenia, but no new music or tours were happening throughout most of that decade. In 2000, his music train started rolling again.
Perhaps The Wedding Singer was the catalyst for our renewed interest in the performer, although whenever Idol re-emerges people seem interested. But the timing was right, and it was an inspired cameo. Because if there was anyone who captured the overindulgent and raucous spirit of ‘80s mainstream rock, it was Billy Idol.
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