Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, host Dave Gebroe talks with the epitome of DIY punk spirit (who can also write a pop hook like the best of ‘em), the great Mark Robinson (of Unrest, Grenadine, Air Miami, Flint Flon, Uncomfortable Police, et al), and together they discuss Billy Joel’s entire recorded output with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. If you’re a long-time listener, then you know that Dave has harbored a long-time hatred of Billy Joel…so why the sudden turnaround in taste? Discograffiti’s Mark Robinson Tackles Billy Joel (But Only Metaphorically) Series dissects every last release Billy Joel’s ever had a hand in creating. Part 4 covers the first couple records that Billy made after becoming a superstar: 52nd Street and Glass Houses. 

Here are just a few of the many things that Mark discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:

• The vibe and feel that Billy Joel was shooting for on the first album he made after becoming a superstar;
• The rock star’s wife about whom he wrote “Big Shot”;
• The song that Billy referred to as “the most bullshit song I ever wrote”;
• A debate over whether “My Life” inspired the sitcom Bosom Buddies or vice versa;
• The beginning of Billy’s struggle to maintain quality across side two of his albums;
• Billy’s wild and wacky swerve from jazz to punky new wave;
• The huge hit whose lyrics he dashed off lightning quick on the car ride to the studio;
• And an in-depth deep dive on every song off 52nd Street and the first side of Glass Houses.

Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti

I support a wife and a six-year-old son with Discograffiti as my sole source of income. 

If you’re a Mark Robinson & Billy Joel superfan like me, The Director’s Cut of this episode is ad-free and features 6 additional minutes of essential material.  Support Discograffiti by opting for this clearly superior version.

Either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Lieutenant or Major Tier, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.

The Director’s Cut: Patreon.com/Discograffiti