Singer Billy Idol received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billy Idol AMAs ceremony in Las Vegas on May 25.
The 70-year-old punk rock artist was honoured at the 52nd American Music Awards, hosted by Queen Latifah and broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The award recognised Idol’s career, body of work and contributions to music.
We ❤️ you @billyidol! Congratulations again on your Lifetime Achievement Award!
The #AMAs are almost over ➡️ tune in NOW on @cbs and @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/VrhID3z7xw
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) May 26, 2026Leon Thomas presented the award. Idol thanked fans in his speech and urged young musicians to “pick an instrument, find out who you are, and be it.”
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Idol also made his first American Music Awards performance. He performed a medley that included “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing with Myself,” joined by longtime collaborator Steve Stevens.
.@Billyidol is a rock and roll ICON and he's our #AMAs Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient! pic.twitter.com/MPK1E83mzh
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) May 26, 2026The singer reflected on his punk beginnings in 1976. He said the genre had once been expected to last “six months,” not 50 years, and credited music with giving him a sense of freedom.
BILLY IDOL FOREVER 🖤
Watch the #AMAs LIVE on @cbs and @paramountplus! pic.twitter.com/avWucdnzlQ
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) May 26, 2026The honour came ahead of Idol’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in November. It also followed his 2025 album “Dream Into It” and the 2026 documentary “Billy Idol Should Be Dead.”
