BILLY SQUIER
1959–1961: introduced to classical piano lessons—and the fine art of bribery—by his grandfather
1963: buys Danelectro guitar and Supro amp from neighbor (his first)—cost $90
1966: turned on to John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton when a friend brings the lp home after a trip to UK…begins playing for keeps
1967: witnesses Clapton and Cream’s string of appearances at Boston’s Psychedelic Supermarket, also Butterfield in Harvard Square
1968: after high school, lands gig as house band at Psychedelic Supermarket, playing with such diverse acts as the Grateful Dead, Steve Miller, and the Moody Blues
1969: moves to NYC to collaborate on the musical poetry endeavor “Magic Terry & The Universe”…records for Atlantic and Columbia…signs to Premier Talent Agency…MTU implodes after initial show at Boston Tea party exposes philosophical differences between band leaders…plays with Hendrix as the latter forms Band of Gypsies, chauffeurs Steve Paul as the latter brings Johnny Winter to the masses…and has a torrid affair with Jim Morrison’s common-law wife
1971: Berkeley School of Music (brief diversion), Boston
1972: returns to NYC…forms Kicks with Jerry Nolan, who later joins the NY Dolls
1973: joins power-pop band “The Sidewinders” in Boston…quits a year later to pursue his developing vision for songs that would merge the pop elements of his youth with the hard-edged reality of his street experiences
1976–1977: teams up with KISS manager Bill Aucoin, who signs his band Piper to A & M Records…cuts two lp’s: “the most articulate, emotionally intense rocker the 70’s has produced to date.”
1979–1980: after assuming an unabashed solo stance, signs with Capitol Records…releases “Tale of the Tape”…”You Should Be High Love” spends six weeks as the nation’s most requested rock track…tours with Alice Cooper
1981: releases “Don’t Say No”…102 weeks later, lp is still in the US top ten, spawning three hit singles and launching Squier’s career in earnest…tours with Foreigner, Journey, and Pat Benetar before headlining his first string of shows at year’s end
1982–1983: “Emotions In Motion” released in conjunction with major States tour with Queen…lp is top 5…Squier tours for nine months thereafter…brings Def Leppard to US, helping them break “Pyromania”: “The reaction to Squier was a set-long, deep-throated roar of the kind usually only heard at Springsteen shows.”
1984: produces “Signs of Life” with Jim Steinman…lp is top ten…tour follows
1985: spends two months in Asia…first helicopter ascent of Mount Everest…begins work on “Enough is Enough” with Peter Collins
1986: “Enough…” is completed after nearly a year’s work…Freddie Mercury contributes to two songs in London…following a surprising lack of support from Capitol, decides not to tour
1989: long-delayed release of “Hear and Now”… tour of US markets
1991: “Creatures of Habit” lp and tour
1993: “Tell the Truth” is final lp for Capitol, prompting a less than harmonious breakup…turns his back on the music business
1994–1995: climbing and exploring in the Karakoram and Nepalese Dolpo
1996: “Reach For The Sky” anthology released on PolyGram
1997: King Biscuit releases “Billy Squier Live in Concert”
1998: releases “Happy Blue,” a solo acoustic record which he records live without overdubs…tours book and record stores, as well as several large venues…”Big Beat” (from “Tale of the Tape”) is most sampled song in hip-hop history
2001: the “8101” tour visits 42 cities between May 10–July 15
2004: awarded a Grammy for JayZ’s 99 Problems…dubbed the King of Hip-Hop by an over-zealous press corp
2006: first tour of duty with Ringo’s All-Starr Band…it doesn’t get much better than this
2007: performs at the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame to raise money for educational programs…participates in (soon to be released) anthology devoted to the life and music of Delta bluesman Eugene Powell
2008: the All-Starrs are back!
2008: recorded his first new collection of songs since 1998 following the Ringo tour.
2009: first major solo outing since 1991
2010: several blues dates with James Montgomery, the Uptown Horns and blues legend James Cotton…special guest at “James Cotton’s Blues Summit” at Lincoln Center, with Taj Mahal, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins and other blues luminaries.
2011: more blues dates with James Montgomery and James Cotton…featured performer at the Little Kids Rock benefit in NYC, which included Little Steven and Lady Gaga (October)…featured performer at his high school’s closing ceremonies (November).
2012: guest appearances at New Orleans Jazz Fest…continues charity activities on behalf of Little Kids Rock…headlines fund-raiser for PBS documentary on legendary rock radio station WBCN-Boston.
2013: surprise guest appearance with Joe Bonamassa at New York’s Beacon Theater…plays full-length solo show at Great South bay Music Festival (LI)…scheduled to perform at Voodoo-Fest (NOLA) in November.