Iconic Albums Billy Joel The 52nd Street Era (1978)

Billy Joel had finally become a superstar. Now he had to prove that The Stranger was no accident.

Released in 1978, 52nd Street arrived barely a year after the album that had transformed Billy Joel's career. Rather than simply repeat the formula, Billy and producer Phil Ramone expanded it - bringing jazz, soul, Latin influences and increasingly ambitious arrangements into the sound of one of America's fastest-rising recording artists.

The result became Billy Joel's first No. 1 album.

52nd Street produced three major American hits: "My Life," "Big Shot" and "Honesty," while deeper tracks such as "Zanzibar," "Stiletto," "Rosalinda's Eyes," "Half a Mile Away" and "Until the Night" revealed just how broad Billy's musical ambitions had become.

This book explores the complete 52nd Street era, from the enormous expectations created by The Stranger to Billy's continuing partnership with Phil Ramone and the increasingly important role of his touring band. It examines the jazz history behind the album's title, the appearance of legendary trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, the stories and influences behind each song and Billy's transformation from successful singer-songwriter into arena-filling superstar.

The story continues through the album's chart-topping success, three major singles, Billy's appearance at Havana Jam and the Grammy triumph that saw 52nd Street named Album of the Year.

But success creates another problem.

As Billy becomes associated with sophisticated production, polished arrangements and piano-driven pop, a new generation of punk and new wave performers is changing the musical landscape. Rather than remain comfortable, Billy prepares to respond with something harder, leaner and more aggressive.

The glass is about to shatter.

Featuring 35 chapters covering the songs, recording sessions, musicians, singles, touring, commercial success and cultural impact of one of Billy Joel's defining albums, this is the story of the era that proved The Stranger was only the beginning.