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The Stranger didn’t simply mark Billy Joel’s essential breakthrough, however the starting of a decade-long inventive partnership with producer Phil Ramone. Collectively, the 2 would create among the most lasting songs in music, and all of it started with these first classes in the summertime of 1977.

Joel had a particular imaginative and prescient for what could be his fifth studio album, and that meant discovering the fitting individual to work the boards. And he was lifeless set on discovering the proper individual; not even Fifth Beatle George Martin met his requirements. It wasn’t till Ramone — recognized then for hits like “It’s My Get together” within the ’60s and dealing with Paul Simon within the ’70s — expressed his enthusiasm for working with Joel’s touring band that the Piano Man knew he’d discovered his producer.

Collectively, they labored on capturing the power of a Billy Joel live performance on tape. With Joel’s band pounding away stay in studio — resulting in totally in-the-room sound leakage — and Ramone using his progressive recording methods, they have been capable of totally notice the sound that had all the time been in Joel’s head. It was a collaborative surroundings that allowed the very best of everybody to return out, and it led to top-of-the-line albums within the historical past of music.

Coming from Consequence Podcast Community and Sony Legacy, Episode 2 of The Opus: The Stranger explores how working with Ramone helped Joel ascend to a brand new degree of stardom. Along with archival interviews from the 2 icons themselves, this episode options host Adam Unze talking with Ben Folds, Joel’s drummer Liberty DeVito, Arkells’ Max Kerman, Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness, and Rozzie.

Hearken to the episode above, and sustain with the remainder of Season 19 by liking, reviewing, and subscribing to The Opus wherever you get your podcasts. For extra of Joel and The Stranger, stream or obtain the album right here. You may also take a look at the just lately launched Reside at Yankee Stadium, capturing Joel’s 1990 two-night stand at famed stadium.

Followers of The Opus podcast can even decide up an official Opus hoodie or T-Shirt on the Consequence Store or by utilizing the buy-now buttons beneath. You may also snag tickets to Joel’s upcoming concert events, together with a 2023 co-headlining tour with Stevie Nicks, right here.