Ringo Starr - Live at the Greek Theatre - 16. The Stroke (Billy Squier)

August 2nd 2008.

"The Stroke" is a rock song written and recorded by Billy Squier. It was released in May 1981 as the debut single from his 1981 album Don't Say No.

Perhaps his most enduringly popular song, this was Squier's first single, reaching #17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was an even bigger hit at rock radio, hitting #3 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Squier's song even dented the British pop charts, rising to #52. It was named the 59th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.

The song is a reference to the music industry and how musicians are used by an industry wanting more and bigger hits, and the concept of "strokes" from transactional analysis.

Also of note, the drum in the song was accidentally played backwards during the recording of the track. Everyone involved liked the sound better than the drum being played forward and the recording was kept intact.

[Daehawk]

Other than grey hair Billy sounds, plays, and look like he did in the 80's. I'd pay to see him do a concert with a mix of all his old stuff.

[flashy]

Gregg Bisonnette on drums with Ringo. Gregg played with David Lee Roth in 1986 with Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan, and believe me, Gregg and the rest of them were the best band ever created. You can see Gregg with Dave in the "Yankee Rose" and "Goin' Crazy" videos. They were fucking incredible LIVE.

[coalburned]

This is a great version of The Stroke. Billy sounds great. Nice post.

[ben.]

holy cow.. powerful vocals.. billy still sound the same..

[fireyourrocketts]

Ringo Starr with Greg Bissonette playing together!!! Woa what an honor for both of them!!

[gc]

Excellent Musician When Music Rules.. God Bless All..

[YogaArmy]

Everytime I hear this can't help but think of 2 important people behind Billy's sound at that time / album RIP Bobby Chouinard (drummer) and Frank Levi III (sound designer / Marshall mod God) I miss them both :(

[jephbennett]

I can't believe these guys still sound this good... the solos, the vocal tone, even the sampled "stroke" chorus to make it feel like the original recording...wow, if I knew it was this good, I'd have made sure to see them live... :O

[christinapeterpaul]

A great one then and now! Rock on Billy Squier and Ringo! 💋

[jeffreyg]

I was there BECAUSE of Billy :)

Going forward, my wish is for him to take advantage of a deleted concert circuit of Classic Rockers and hit the road for 20 shows or do a residency in Vegas & NYC :)

We go way back and he is another on that list of those I always see on tour! Good times.

[MrObelisk]

How big a star would Billy be today if not for the rock me tonght video

[YogaArmy]

Amazing sound and band ☆☆☆ Billy is even better today! ROCKIN ☆☆☆

[ejsherwood]

Oh my God, Billy Squier is gorgeous! Wow, baby, sexy man and seems really considerate too.

[migbham]

Dammit, this is an amazing version of this song! Billy's voice, in my opinion, is better than it was two decades ago, and if I may say so, he's quite the daddy!

[aguynamedjames]

Dude this guy and mountain seriously blew my mind apart when i was 15

[BiGoit]

to turn back to 1981 ... it was a good time in life!  Especially my brother's Houston visit.  We had our Billy Squier cassettes and each other; that's about all we needed!  Rock and Roll forever. 

[jagchuk]

Ringo is legend. Keeps the backbeat no matter

[davejosephson]

Head east would be more than proud of these kids. What a fantastic job!

[RUSHROCKS]

awsome song, awsome band but the audience depressed me.. they dont deserve to see billy live.

[war]

All star lineup here. Billy with Ringo? And the rest of the band. Absolute killers here. Would love to see this act perform.