October 12, 1978 Billy Joel released his sixth album, "52nd Street." The follow up to his breakthrough album "The Stranger," it was a huge success winning two Grammys, including Album of the Year.
Billy describes the album as having a kind of funky, jazz vibe, that captures the hustle and grime of New York City in the seventies with songs about a Puerto Rican street punk (“Half a Mile Away”), a social climber (“Big Shot”), a sexual bitch (“Stiletto”), a barfly sports fan (“Zanzibar”) and a Cuban guitarist (“Rosalinda’s Eyes.”)
Even the cover is grimy, with Billy standing outside the dirty entrance to the studio he recorded the album in, A&R Studios on 52nd St. and 7th Avenue.
Which song is your favorite?
- Big Shot
- Honesty
- My Life
- Zanzibar
- Stiletto
- Rosalinda's Eyes
- Half A Mile Away
- Until The Night
- 52nd Street