Introduction

William ""Billy"" Haislip Squier (born May 12, 1950) is an American rock music icon who has been entertaining audiences with his unique sound for decades. He is best known for the 1981 song ""The Stroke"" from the album release of Don't Say No, which reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Billy Squier has also had success with singles such as ""My Kinda Lover"", ""In the Dark"", ""Lonely Is the Night"", and ""Everybody Wants You"".

Early Life and Career

Billy Squier was born in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, to a musical family. His father was a well-known jazz musician and his mother was a singer. He began playing guitar at a young age and was heavily influenced by musicians such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix. After high school he attended Boston University and studied philosophy. While in college he played in several local bands, including The Sidewinders.

Rise to Fame

In 1976, Billy Squier signed with Capitol Records and released his debut album, Tale of the Tape. The album was met with critical acclaim, particularly for its single ""The Big Beat"", which reached #68 on the Billboard Hot 100. His subsequent albums Don't Say No (1981) and Emotions in Motion (1982) were both certified platinum and spawned several hit singles. During this time he also toured extensively with other popular rock bands such as Cheap Trick and The Cars.

Later Career

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Billy Squier continued to release albums but they were not as commercially successful as his earlier releases. He also ventured into acting during this time, appearing in several TV movies and shows. In 1999, he released a compilation album called Live in the Dark which included live versions of some of his most popular songs. He continues to tour occasionally and has performed at various music festivals around the world.

Legacy

Billy Squier's influence on rock music can still be felt today. His songs have been covered by many modern artists such as Foo Fighters, Def Leppard, Fall Out Boy, and Papa Roach. His influence can also be heard in the work of modern guitarists such as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.