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WINNIPEG - Man, was it hot in the city last night -- considering yesterday was so damp and dreary.
Actually, that's a lie.
Truth is, the cool weather continued into the night. Billy Idol was the hot one.
Even at 49, the British punk-rocker's bod is ripped enough to be honoured the Paris Hilton "That's hot" seal of approval, and his signature sneer would send many of today's Top-40 punk acts crying to their mommies.
The platinum, spiky-haired punk icon and his 3-piece band -- including longtime sidekick and guitar virtuoso Steve Stevens -- opened the show abruptly at 8:30 p.m. with his new album Devil's Playground's first track, Super Overdrive.
While Idol's pecs glistened in the spotlight, the 3,500 fans who showed up to see their favourite rebel also broke a mean sweat, dancing around and trying to catch Frisbees that Idol tossed to them partway into his second tune, '82 hit Dancing With Myself.
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Although he'd already lost his black leather jacket, Idol got down and dirty for a sensual version of Flesh for Fantasy, teasing his adoring female fans as he removed his black overshirt.
But it wasn't until song six that Idol dished out the full strip-show.
Well, close.
"I think you want to scream, do you want to scream?" Idol shouted as he introduced sexed-up Devil's Playground single, Scream.
He proceeded to remove his T-shirt and, indeed, they screamed. But Idol was more than just eye candy. His voice hasn't lost its strength, and he delivered the hits with all the might of his '80s prime.
And, of course, it didn't hurt that he had trusty Stevens strumming at his side.
While Stevens usually leaves the spotlight to Idol, he shone during 1983 ballad Eyes Without a Face, introducing the tune with a few notes from his beloved flamenco guitar, then switching back to his electric with a vengeance.
Idol was also joined onstage by drummer Brian Tichy, bassist Stephen McGrath and keyboardist Derek Sherinian.
Other song highlights include new tracks Plastic Jesus -- for which Idol pulled out his acoustic guitar -- and Cherie. Their easy-listening rock melodies show Idol has dropped the dance-pop for a more mature sound.
At press time, Stevens was tearing through a mind-blowing flamenco number.
Still to come were chart-toppers Rebel Yell, Hot in the City and Generation X dance-rock anthem Mony Mony.
Winnipeg-bred punk queen Bif Naked opened the show with a half-hour set of boisterous pop hits like Spaceman and I Love Myself Today, also tossing in a Bic-flicking version of Metallica's Nothing Else Matters.
Sauntering around the stage in sky-high heels and a mini-dress, the tattooed temptress' raspy vocals and confident demeanor foreshadowed the headlining act to come.