We all know Miley Cyrus can dominate the pop charts, but at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival, she tapped into her inner punk rocker — and left no doubt that she can go toe-to-toe with the legends. Sharing the stage with none other than Billy Idol, Miley joined forces with the punk icon for a blistering rendition of his classic anthem, “Rebel Yell.”
The crowd erupted as Idol opened with his signature snarl, setting the tone for a night dripping in rock nostalgia. When Miley jumped in, the energy soared. Her performance was a masterclass in vocal dynamism — sliding from smoky, sultry lows to fierce, rebellious highs that echoed through the arena.
Their chemistry was electric. Idol and Cyrus traded lines like longtime bandmates, blending old-school punk with a modern rock edge. While Idol’s vocals may have taken on a slightly more polished tone over the years, his trademark grit, swagger, and scream were all still very much alive. And Miley? She wasn’t just keeping up — she was leading the charge.
Backing this powerhouse duo was the legendary Steve Stevens, Idol’s longtime guitarist and the man responsible for some of the most iconic riffs in rock. With his wild solos and unmistakable stage flair, Stevens tied the whole performance together, transporting fans straight back to the golden era of punk and glam rock.
The moment wasn’t just powerful — it was viral. The performance lit up social media, racking up over 14 million views and a sea of praise from fans old and new. Comment sections flooded with awe at Cyrus’s raw talent and Idol’s timeless cool. One fan summed it up perfectly: “This is what happens when two legends from different generations truly vibe. Pure fire.”
If that taste of rock Miley left you wanting more, check out her now-famous 2020 live cover of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” Her gravelly, soulful take proved once again that she’s not just genre-fluid — she’s genre-defiant.
Cyrus and Idol’s collaboration wasn’t just a performance — it was a celebration of rock’s enduring power, and a reminder that great music knows no era.
