Billy Idol's Guitarist Punched by Comedian Sam Kinison on Stage

Idol angered Kinison by interacting with his girlfriend during a Las Vegas show.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rock icon Billy Idol recounted an incident where his guitarist was punched on stage by legendary 1980s comedian Sam Kinison during a joint show in Las Vegas. Idol had gotten playful with Kinison's girlfriend, which angered the comedian and led to the physical altercation. Idol ended up skipping the second show of the night and instead went to see Frank Sinatra perform.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the sometimes volatile nature of the entertainment industry, where egos and personal relationships can lead to unexpected on-stage confrontations. It also serves as a reminder of the larger-than-life personalities that defined the 1980s comedy and rock music scenes.

The details

According to Idol, he and Kinison were performing together in Las Vegas when Idol "got in between" Kinison's two girlfriends who were dressed as showgirls during Kinison's cover of "Wild Thing." Idol said he was "just kind of playing around" but Kinison "got upset" and ended up punching Idol's guitarist who was on stage. Idol decided to skip the second show of the night and instead went to see Frank Sinatra perform.

  • The incident occurred during a joint show between Billy Idol and Sam Kinison in Las Vegas.
  • Idol and Kinison were performing together in Las Vegas in the late 1980s.

The players

Billy Idol

A 70-year-old rock icon known for hits like "Rebel Yell" and "White Wedding."

Sam Kinison

A legendary 1980s comedian known for his high-energy, controversial stand-up style. He died in a car crash in 1992 at the age of 38.

Malika Souiri

Kinison's wife, who survived the car crash that killed him.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was just kind of playing around... but he got upset”

— Billy Idol (Club Random Podcast)

The takeaway

The incident between Idol and Kinison serves as a reminder of the volatile relationships and egos that could sometimes flare up in the entertainment industry during the excess and larger-than-life personalities of the 1980s.