Mony Mony

Exactly 25 years ago, Billy Idol hit number one for the only time in his career, when his remake of Tommy James and the Shondells’ “Mony Mony” entered the top spot on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart for a one-week run.  Not only was it Idol’s first and only number one hit; it also made history by following Tiffany’s remake of Tommy James and the Shondells’ “I Think We’re Alone Now” at the top, marking the first time that two remakes of songs originally recorded by the same artist followed one another at number one on the Hot 100 chart.

“Mony Mony” was the third of four top 10 hits that Idol would garner in his career, following “Eyes Without A Face,” which peaked at number 4 in 1984, and “To Be A Lover,” which peaked at numbers 6 in late 1986.  Idol’s final top 10 hit, “Cradle of Love,” would peak at number 2 in 1990.  For more on Billy Idol, who toured in Europe this past summer and played a couple shows in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. last month, check out his official website.