Which producer began a long run with Billy Joel on The Stranger?

Phil Ramone began his long producing partnership with Billy Joel on The Stranger. Released in 1977, the album was their first collaboration and became the breakthrough that established Joel as a household name.

Ramone's involvement followed an important change in Joel's recording plans. Joel had wanted to work with George Martin, but Martin declined after seeing Joel perform because he was not interested in producing the album with Joel's touring band. Joel's then-wife, Elizabeth Weber, contacted Ramone, who attended Joel's Carnegie Hall concert in June 1977 and was impressed by the performance.

The partnership proved unusually productive. Ramone produced all seven of Joel's studio albums released from 1977 through 1986, including 52nd Street, Glass Houses, The Nylon Curtain, and An Innocent Man. The Stranger's polished but energetic sound helped showcase Joel's songs without replacing the character of his touring musicians. George Martin and Quincy Jones are famous producers, but neither began this defining Joel run.