Billy Squier is an American rock musician who rose to fame in the early 1980s with a string of hit songs and albums. His songs “The Stroke,” “Lonely Is the Night,” “My Kinda Lover,” “Rock Me Tonite,” and “Everybody Wants You” are among his best-known works. He has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has been cited as influential by many artists, such as Nirvana, The Strokes, and Muse.
Billy Squier Early Life and Career
On May 12, 1950, Billy Squier was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He started playing piano and guitar at a young age and was inspired by blues and rock music. He formed his first band, The Reltneys when he was 14 and later attended Berklee College of Music briefly. He played in various bands in the 1970s, such as Magic Terry & the Universe, The Sidewinders, and Piper. He also auditioned for Kiss and Aerosmith but was rejected by both.
In 1980, Squier signed a solo deal with Capitol Records and released his debut album, The Tale of the Tape. The album featured the song “The Big Beat,” which became one of hip-hop’s most sampled drum breaks. His breakthrough came in 1981 with his second album, Don’t Say No, which reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over three million copies in the US. The album spawned four hit singles: “The Stroke,” “In the Dark,” “Lonely Is the Night,” and “My Kinda Lover.” Squier became popular on MTV and radio and toured extensively with bands like Queen, Foreigner, and Def Leppard.
Squier continued his success with his third album, Emotions in Motion, released in 1982 and sold over two million copies in the US. The album featured the songs “Everybody Wants You”, “Emotions in Motion,” and “Learn How to Live.” Squier also collaborated with Freddie Mercury on the song “Love Is the Hero” for his fourth album, Signs of Life, which came out in 1984. However, Squier’s career took a downturn after the music video’s release for “Rock Me Tonite,” which was widely criticized for its effeminate imagery and choreography. Squier later blamed the video for ruining his image and credibility as a rock star.
Later Years and Legacy
Squier’s popularity declined in the late 1980s and 1990s, as he released several albums that failed to match his previous sales or chart performance. His albums during this period include Enough Is Enough (1986), Hear & Now (1989), Creatures of Habit (1991), Tell the Truth (1993), and Happy Blue (1998). Squier also faced legal issues with his former manager over unpaid royalties and sued Capitol Records for breach of contract. He stopped recording music after 1998 but continued to perform live shows occasionally. He also collaborated with artists such as Alice Cooper, Ringo Starr, Joe Bonamassa, and Brian May.
Squier’s music has been rediscovered by new generations of fans and artists who have sampled, covered, or paid tribute to his songs. His song “The Big Beat” has been used by hip-hop artists such as Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Dizzee Rascal, Run-DMC, and UTFO. His song “The Stroke” has been sampled by Eminem, Beastie Boys, Billy Idol, and Kanye West. His song “Lonely Is the Night” has been covered by Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Green Day, and Shinedown. His song “Everybody Wants You” has been featured in movies such as Billy Madison, Zoolander, Crank: High Voltage, and Hot Tub Time Machine. Squier has also been inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and received a Boston Music Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Billy Squier Personal Life
Squier has been married twice. His first marriage was to model/actress Gail Jensen from 1981 to 1992. His second marriage is to soccer player Nicole Schoen since 2002. Squier has no children from either marriage. He lives in New York City and owns a farm in Connecticut. He is an avid collector of guitars and art. He is also involved in various charitable causes, such as animal rights, environmental protection, and music education.
Billy Squier Net Worth
Squier net worth is estimated at $40 million as of 2021. He has earned most of his wealth from his music career and from royalties, licensing, and merchandising.
Wiki
Squier‘s wiki page can be found on Wikipedia, where you can learn more about his biography, discography, awards, and trivia.
Age & Height
Squier’s age is 73 years old as of 2021. He was born on May 12, 1950.
Squier’s height is 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm).
More
Squier’s career spans over five decades, from the 1970s to now. He has released nine studio albums, two live, seven compilations, and 24 singles. He has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has been cited as an influence by many artists. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of arena rock and power pop genres.
Also Read…
Amaury Guichon Net Worth
Alica Schmidt Net Worth
Ashley Flowers Net Worth
