Piper (Uk) [CD], Piper, CD

Piper was a New York City based pop rock/power pop band from 1975-1978. They released two albums for A&M Records: a self-titled debut in 1976 that was followed by 'Can't Wait' in 1977. After touring with Kiss during the Love Gun tour, but receiving little airplay, the group then dissolved. Lead singer/guitarist Billy Squier went on to become a successful solo artist in the early 80s. Drummer Richie Fontana went on to play drums on Paul Stanley's 1978 platinum solo album and later with Laura Branigan. Today, they have an underground following among fans of obscure oldies rock. In the mid-1970s, Squier encountered his first real experience with the music industry after striking a record deal with his new band Piper, which went on to release two studio records, Piper and Can't Wait. The band was praised by critics: reviewing the self-titled album, Circus magazine touted it as "the greatest debut album ever produced by a US rock band". Piper was managed by the same management company as Kiss and opened for them during their 1977 tour, including two nights of a sold-out run at New York's Madison Square Garden. Squier served as both main songwriter and frontman of the group.