In fact, the album 'Can't Wait', are still one of my favorites, ever, and if I had to make a list of my all time best 10 albums, it would be high up there. I find it impossible to make such a list anyway, so instead I often say about an extremely good album that 'it's among the 20 albums of my All Time Top 5'.
Later, I got hold of their first album too, 'Piper', released one year earlier, 1976. I liked that one too, but it never got the place in my heart&ears as 'Can't Wait'.
Then the front man, writer, singer & guitarist went solo, and got a great career on his own, Billy Squier. But that's another story.
So, I will share these gems with you, as a start on this blog. And this share leads to my next share, the album I've used most years to get hold of a copy of, Sean Delaney's solo album 'Highway' from 78/79, ofcourse released on Casablanca Records. Looking for that one more than 25 years. But, that comes later...
But first, Piper...
They were pieced together by ex-Sidewinders man Billy Squier, PIPER was managed by Bill Aucoin, the man behind KISS and Starz and were a strictly rootsy Rock band. The debut album featured a cover of the Rolling Stones 'The Last Time'.
1st press photo(L-R) Tommy Gunn (bottom left), Alan Nolan, Billy Squier, Danny McGary, Richie Fontana.Richie played drums as well as percussion and backing vocals in this five piece band which featured Billy Squier.
Moments after their performance at Boston Garden with Electric Light Orchestra(L-R) Alan Nolan, Danny McGary, Richie Fontana, Billy Squier, Tommy Gunn.Squier split PIPER in 1979 in order to go solo, releasing 'Tale Of The Tape' in 1980 and going on to enjoy sustained chart success. Drummer Richie Fontana joined the Casablanca signed disco project SKATT BROS. fronted by Aucoin employee Sean Delaney. Fontana had previously made an appearance on KISS man Paul Stanley's solo album in 1978.
Read more about the forming of Piper at the drummer, Richie Fontanas website:
http://www.richiefontana.com/
And Billy Squier's webpage:
http://www.billysquier.com/
Piper - "Piper"
1976 A&M Records, Inc. Produced by John Anthony
Billy Squier: lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion
Alan Nolan: guitars, backing vocals
Tommy Gunn: guitars, backing vocals
Danny McGary: bass, backing vocals
Richie Fontana: drums, percussion, backing vocals
Mixed by Eddie Kramer for Remarkable Productions, Inc.
Arranged by Piper
Recorded at Eastern Sound - Toronto
Engineer: Ken Friesen
Assistant Engineer: Dana Marks
Mixed at the Record Plant, N.Y.C.Additional Mixing by Corky "Stunt Man" Stasiak
Mastered at A&M Recording Studios, Hollywoodby Bernie Grundman
Design: Dennis WolochFront Cover Photo: Eric Stephen JacobsBack Cover Photo: Tony Loew
All songs written by BILLY SQUIER,except "42nd Street" (SQUIER / McGARY) and "The Last Time" (Jagger / Richard)
1. Out Of Control
2. Whatcha Gonna Do
3. The Road
4. Sail Away
5. Who's Your Boyfriend? (I Gotta Feelin')
6. Telephone Relation
7. The Last Time
8. 42nd Street
9. Can't Live With Ya... Can't Live Without Ya
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YI2EHQHX
Piper - "Can't Wait"
Billy Squier: lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion
Alan Nolan: guitars, backing vocals
Tommy Gunn: guitars, backing vocals
Danny McGary: bass, backing vocals
Richie Fontana: drums, percussion, backing vocals
Arranged by Piper and Sean Delaney
Horn and String Arrangement on "Now Ain't The Time" by Ron Frangipane
Recorded and Mixed at Electric Lady Studios, New York
Engineer: Chris KimseyAssistant Engineer: Neil DorfsmanTape Editor: Neil Teeman
Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York by George Marino
All songs written by Billy Squier, except "Can't Wait" (Squier / Isaacs), and "Drop By And Stay" (Squier / Sartori)
Design and Photography: Ed Caraeff
Direction / Management: Aucoin, 645 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022
1. Can't Wait
2. Drop By And Stay
3. See Me Through
4. Little Miss Intent
5. Now Ain't The Time
6. Bad Boy
7. Comin' Down Off Your Love
8. Anyday
9. Blues For The Common Man
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZT1DUFD2
That's all for now. Hope someone out there'll appreciate this band & it's music as much as I did, and still do.
Until next time, ROCK ON!
