Billy Squier is an American musician, particularly in the rock and pop genres. He became a household name in the 1980s with songs such as The Stroke, Lonely is The Night, The Big Beat among others. Stardom was both a blessing and a curse to him.
His star began waning while he was reeling in the euphoria of his success. Billy Squier never attended that level of success again in his career.
A Close look at His Biography
Born William Haislip Squier on May 12, 1950, in Wellesley, Masachussets. At a young age, his grandfather taught him how to play piano but he was not serious about music till he discovered John Mayall and the Bluesbreaker. He bought his guitar from a neighbor who sold it to him for $90.
He completed his education at Wellesley High School in 1968 and Berkeley College of Music In 1971.
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Net Worth
With a music career spanning decades, Billy Squier has been able to set aside something considerable. He is estimated to have a net worth of $40 million.
He may be able to add to his net worth as he still engages in small gigs and is on the radio.
9 Unknown Facts About Billy Squier
1. He Formed His First Band At 14
He formed his first band the Reltneys in his formative years which did not last long. He was in other bands before he went solo in 1979.
His first performance was at the Psychedelic Supermarket, a nightclub where he met Eric Clapton(and the band Cream).
2. He Had A Career Fall Out With The 1984 Music Video
The music video of Rock Me Tonight marked the beginning of a downward spiral in his career. Generation X mostly thought the video was a raw depiction of his being gay, especially in a time when the subject of being gay was considered taboo.
Who knows, if this video is to be judged by the Millenials, it may just be another video except for the pink that seems to be much in the video.
3. He Bridged The Gap Between Pop and Hardrock
His 1980 debut album tale of tape was a hybrid of pop and rock and marked a cross-over between the two genres of music. It was met with minimal success.
4. Other Musicians Have Sampled His Songs
Billy Squier has recorded some of the most phenomenal songs that transcended the spirit of the time, these songs contain some of the best drum breaks.
Musicians like Run DMC, Alicia Keys, and Jay-Z have sampled the 1980 song The Big Beat while Eminem’s 2013 hit, Berzerk sampled The Stroke.
5. Is Billy Squier Gay?
His orientation has always been questioned probably due to the depiction of what is seen as being gay in the 1984 video of Rock Me Tonight.
From way back, rumors keep being pedaled as to his sexual orientation, however, he is not gay as he has a history of being in relationships with women.
6. Billy Squier Is Married
In 2002, he tied the knot with Nichole Schoen, a professional footballer from Germany. They seem to be waxing strong since no rumors have been heard of fractures in their home.
He does not have children.
7. He Has Not Being Inducted Into The Hall Of Fame
He made a lot of waves in the first half of the 1980s with hit songs and an RIAA gold-certified album-Don’t Say No(1981). The album went Platinum two months later. The lead single, The Stroke, for the album Don’t Say No was a huge smash reaching no.5.
The Don’t Say No Album reached the Top 5 where it stayed for two years. Emotions in Motion was another hit album reaching the Top 5 spot on the Billboards.
Signs of Life was his third platinum album with the hit song Rock Me Tonight making a pop statement. Later albums were not hits like the earlier ones.
He is perhaps among those whose fans keep contesting their induction into the Hall of Fame due to their music. Who knows what the coming years will yield, he may just be inducted.
8. Don’t Say No-A Classic Rock Album
The longevity of the songs on the Don’t Say No album is a rarity, Rock radio stations still consider them ‘Classic Rock’.
9. Where Is Billy Squier Now
He is alive and engages in small gigs with lesser crowds. He writes screenplays and engages in gardening. He is a volunteer for the landscape conservation at Central Park close to his home.
