No Stranger to Danger 1982 Album

Payolas

Payola$ were successful in Canada, but never broke through in the U.S., possibly because of the past connotations the band name carried. Joining lead singer Paul Hyde was guitarist Bob Rock - yes, the very same Bob Rock who would go on to produce Motley Crue and Metallica - and former glam-rock guitar God Mick Ronson produced No Stranger to Danger as well. The record contained a curious cross between jangly power pop, U2-like New Wave exercises, and atmospheric reggae-lite jams like "Eyes of a Stranger", which relied on Hyde's screeching vocals as the hook. Rock may have been cut out of stardom here, but would get his revenge many times over starting as early as the late 1980's.