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Billy Idol - Rebel Yell - Guitar Lesson

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Billy Idol - Rebel Yell - Guitar Lesson

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Billy Idol - Rebel Yell guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

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Billy Idol Rock E minor
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Rebel Yell

"Rebel Yell" is a hard rock track by Billy Idol, released as the lead single from his second studio album of the same name in January 1984 via Chrysalis Records. Though its initial chart performance was modest, a 1985 re-issue pushed it to No. 6 in the UK. For electric guitarists, the song offers a driving, aggressive rhythm part and memorable lead work that captures the raw energy of early 1980s hard rock.

  • The song was ranked the 79th best hard rock song of all time by VH1 in 2009, based on a public vote.
  • Despite its iconic status, 'Rebel Yell' only reached No. 46 in the US and No. 62 in the UK on its original 1984 release.
  • The track is the title song of Billy Idol's second studio album, released in 1983 by Chrysalis Records.
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Steve Stevens used a 1959 Les Paul Junior on Billy Idol recordings for its bright, punchy single-coil character that cut through dense production. The offset tonal profile complemented his thick Marshall-driven crunch while maintaining clarity for his signature fast runs.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Les Paul Custom's thicker body and dual-humbucker setup would deliver the warm, saturated tones Stevens achieved with his Hamer and Jackson guitars. Its robust construction supports the aggressive tremolo abuse and hard playing style essential to Idol's punk-metal aesthetic.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Stevens pushed these heads hot for natural tube saturation, creating the raw, punchy midrange crunch that defines Billy Idol's guitar sound. The JCM800's responsive gain structure made his Seymour Duncan JB pickup sing with clarity even at extreme distortion levels.

Seymour Duncan JB
Pickup

Seymour Duncan JB

This overwound pickup delivers 13-16k ohms output to naturally push the Marshall into saturation while preserving note definition for Stevens' fast pinch harmonics. The JB's aggression perfectly matches the intensity and clarity required for Idol's anthemic rock sound.

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Pedal

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Stevens used digital delay for slapback and rhythmic repeats adding space to solos and clean passages. The DD-3 provided the tonal shimmer complementing his Boss CE-1 chorus on tracks like 'Eyes Without a Face.'

Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Pedal

Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive

Stevens deployed this pedal as a solo boost to add extra push and sustain to his already-saturated Marshall tone. The SD-1's transparent overdrive stacked perfectly with his natural tube distortion without muddying the midrange definition.

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