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The Stranger, the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, was released on September 29, 1977, by Columbia Records. It marked the beginning of a collaboration between Joel and Phil Ramone, who would work together on five subsequent albums. This album propelled Billy from regional east coast stardom to global stardom.

Joel’s previous album, Turnstiles (1976), had sold modestly, peaking at only #122 on the US Billboard 200 charts. This prompted Columbia to consider dropping him if his next release failed to perform well. Joel wanted the new album to feature his touring band, formed during the production of Turnstiles. The band consisted of drummer Liberty DeVitto, bassist Doug Stegmeyer, and multi-instrumentalist Richie Cannata, who played the saxophone and organ. Seeking a new producer, Joel initially approached veteran Beatles producer George Martin but eventually settled on Ramone, whom he had noticed on albums by other artists like Paul Simon. Recording took place over three weeks, with DeVitto, Stegmeyer, and Cannata performing on the album. Additional studio musicians filled in as guitarists on various songs.

The Stranger, released after a six-week stint at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart, marked Joel’s critical and commercial breakthrough. Four singles were released in the US, all of which achieved Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “Just the Way You Are” (No. 3), “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”, “She’s Always a Woman” (both No. 17), and “Only the Good Die Young” (No. 24). Other songs, such as “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” and “Vienna”, have become integral to his career and are frequently performed in his live shows.

The album won two awards at the 21st Annual Grammy Awards in 1979: Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Just the Way You Are". It remains his best-selling non-compilation album to date and surpassed Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge over Troubled Water (1970) to become Columbia's best-selling album release, with more than 10 million units sold worldwide. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album number 70 on its 2003 list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", repositioned to number 169 in a 2020 revision.[6][7] In 2008, The Stranger was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

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On this episode of Let’s Talk Vinyl, we sit down with legendary bassist Rick Price, whose musical journey spans some of the most iconic (and underrated) corners of rock history. From the edgy new wave pulse of The Brains ("Money Changes Everything") to the Southern rock swagger of The Georgia Satellites, and his current project Tangled Oaks, Rick shares stories from the road, the studio, and everywhere in between.

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Dream Into It,” Billy Idol’s ninth studio album, was released on April 25, 2025, by Dark Horse Records and BMG. It marks his first album in over a decade, following 2014’s “Kings & Queens of the Underground,” and his first new songs since 2022’s EP “The Cage.” This concept album, the shortest of his career, clocks in at just 34 minutes and 50 seconds. While primarily a rock album, it incorporates elements of pop, electronic, country, and even grunge. Notable guest appearances include Avril Lavigne, Alison Mosshart, and Joan Jett.

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Wild in the Streets,” a 1968 American dystopian comedy-drama film, stars Christopher Jones, Hal Holbrook, Richard Pryor, and Shelley Winters. Directed by Barry Shear, it’s based on Robert Thom’s short story “The Day It All Happened, Baby!”. Distributed by American International Pictures, the film, described as both “ludicrous” and “cautionary”, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film Editing and became a cult classic of the 1960s counterculture. A soundtrack was released on Tower Records and became successful, peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard charts. Taken from the soundtrack and film, "Shape of Things to Come" (written by songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil) and performed by the fictional band Max Frost and the Troopers, was released as a single (backed with "Free Lovin' ") and became a hit, reaching No. 22 on Billboard.

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We’re talking about the brand-new record from Kaiser Chiefs—Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album. That’s right, the Leeds lads are back, and this time they’ve teamed up with none other than Nile Rodgers for a slick, funky, and very unexpected sound that still keeps that indie-rock edge we know and love.

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The Police disbanded in 1986, but a new version of their classic song, “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” was recorded during a brief reunion for their first compilation album, “Every Breath You Take: The Singles,” released in October 1986. This new version departed from the reggae style of the original and embraced a new wave, melancholic sound. It was released as a single and reached No.24 in the UK, becoming the band’s final single of the 1980s.Tragically, Stewart Copeland, the band’s drummer, broke his collarbone the night before they were scheduled to record their sixth album, which unfortunately never materialized. This setback left the band in a precarious situation, as Copeland was unable to play the drums. Amidst this uncertainty, a heated argument ensued over whether to use a Synclavier or Fairlight CMI to program the drums.Musically, “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” stands out for its minimalist yet effective arrangement. The Police, known for their unique blend of rock, reggae, and punk elements, crafted a sound that is both distinctive and easily accessible. The song begins with a haunting synthesizer riff that sets a somber tone, followed by Andy Summers’ sharp, staccato guitar chords and Stewart Copeland’s precise drumming. Sting’s evocative vocal delivery adds to the song’s tension and emotional depth.The production of “Zenyatta Mondatta,” and particularly this song, exemplifies The Police’s signature style: a tight, polished sound that never compromises emotional depth. The harmonious interplay between the instruments and Sting’s voice creates an immersive atmosphere, drawing listeners into the song’s narrative.

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A Night at the Opera,” the fourth studio album by the renowned British rock band Queen, was released on November 28, 1975, by EMI Records in the United Kingdom and Elektra Records in the United States. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen themselves, it was reportedly the most expensive album ever recorded at the time of its release. Named after the Marx Brothers’ film of the same name, A Night at the Opera was recorded over a four-month period in 1975 at various studios. However, due to management issues, Queen had received almost none of the money they earned for their previous albums. Theme music by Mike Fox and Eugenio Schraier. Voiceover by Catherine Divaris.

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The Basement Tapes are a collection of songs recorded by Bob Dylan and The Band (then known as The Hawks) in 1967, largely at a house in West Saugerties, New York, known as Big Pink. These sessions, conducted while Dylan was recovering from a motorcycle accident, are known for their loose, rootsy style, blending folk, rock, blues, and Americana. The recordings captured a spontaneous, experimental spirit, reflecting Dylan’s retreat from the pressures of fame and his exploration of American musical traditions. Although many tracks were initially only circulated as bootlegs, they became legendary, influencing the development of roots rock and Americana. An official version, The Basement Tapes, was finally released in 1975, followed by The Basement Tapes Complete in 2014, offering a more comprehensive view of these landmark sessions.

Theme music by Mike Fox and Eugenio Schraier. Voiceover by Catherine Divaris.