The core members of Generation Xwere vocalist Billy Idol(whose since maintained a remarkable 25+ year solo career) and bassist Tony James(later of Sigue Sigue Sputnikand for a spell The Sisters of Mercy). Generation X was formed in 1976 after guitarist Billy Idol (aka William Broad) and bassist Tony James decided to go out on their own, leaving Gene October, the leader of their then band Chelsea. In December of 76, they played the first punk gig at mecca club The Roxy in London's Covent Garden neighborhood with friends from "the Bromley contingent" Siouxsie and the Banshees, a band featuring a young Sid Vicious. The blatantly image conscious group soon secured management, fired their first drummer, and auditioned over 50 drummers before settling on of Subway Sect. They were photogenic and signed a worldwide long term deal to Chrysalis (also home of Blondie) and had popsmith Phil Wainman, producer of Bay City Rollersand Sweetmix their debut album.
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Paradise West Lyrics

Generation X

A sixteen hundred
packed with angry young men
Came burning down mainstreet
I touched the epiphone that hung on my hip
It knew the sound of my heartbeat
But turning the corner
In a twisted heap
They pulled some bodies
From an upturned Ford
Some kid looked at me and said it's only life
Might as well use it while we're young,
Might as well use it while we're young

I queued with some friends
outside the ABC one
To see THE KILLER WITH NO NAME
Yeah De Niros so great, and you know last week
I saw the universe in flames
But it's always the same like Citizen Kane
Y'end up with nothing and you leave for home
Talking and kicking coke cans in the street
As Fu Manchu Looks on,
As Fu Manchu Looks on

And I thought they must think I'm crazy
The things I'll see for fun
Then in my mind I saw the enemy
And I wasted him with my gun

I thought of my brother working Heathrow
Flying engines in the night
Learning every part he'll be through in years
When I'm signed on for life
Lying here waiting for a hero to rise
But a lazy man lies back instead
No one hears the young man when he's alone
Planning to kill someone,
Planning to kill someone

And I thought it must be me who's crazy
The things I'll do for fun
Choosing poison to get to paradise
Paradise west one
And I thought it must be me who's crazy
The things I'll do for fun
Choosing poison to get to paradise
Paradise west one