Billy Idol and his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens appeared alongside Mexican rock band The Warning for a two-song medley during the event “A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music” that aired Sunday night on CBS and Paramount+.
The musicians came together to play “La Bamba” — the Mexican folk song famously adapted by Richie Valens for a US Top 40 hit in 1958 — as well as the classic rock ‘n’ roll anthem “Twist and Shout” that was a hit for The Isley Brothers and The Beatles.
After The Warning kick things off with a crushing, cymbal-filled rendition of “La Bamba,” Idol makes his appearance, belting out the chorus to “Twist and Shout” as the Villarreal sisters lend tandem backing vocals. Then, as the medley shifts back into “La Bamba,” The Warning’s Dani Villarreal takes over lead vocals again during the Spanish verses while Idol adds the accompaniment, with a nifty guitar solo by Stevens in the middle of the performance.
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It was one of the heaviest moments of the night, with the rest of the concert event featuring performances by Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Prince Royce, Jon Secada, Robin Thicke, and many more. Billed as a celebration of the “the lasting impact and widespread influence of Latin music in the United States,” the special aired in the wake of MAGA’s uproar over Bad Bunny being chosen for the upcoming Super Bowl LX halftime show in February.
Idol capped off a huge year that saw him nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2025 class. He also released a new album, Dream Into It, back in April, and embarked on an acclaimed tour with fellow rock legend Joan Jett.
Meanwhile, The Warning’s star continues to rise, as the band embarked on its own headlining US run this past summer, after supporting Halsey on an amphitheater tour in the spring.
Below you can watch his performance alongside Steve Stevens and The Warning. Stream the full concert special via Paramount+.
