The original double LP was recorded at October 1978 shows in Chicago, Illinois, and Louisville, Kentucky.

Guitarist Michael Schenker left the band during the tour and was replaced, for a second time, by Lone Star's Paul Chapman.

It has been rumoured that Schenker refused to record overdubs for the album,[6] which would make this an accurate account of his live guitar work.

[11] Slash, guitarist for Guns N' Roses, hailed it is his favorite live album.

[13] The faces on the album's artwork were, said Pete Way, "people from [design company] Hipgnosis, I think.

[16] In 1999, EMI reissued Strangers in the Night as an expanded edition featuring two bonus songs, "Hot 'n' Ready" and "Cherry".

"Mother Mary" and "This Kid's" are studio tracks with crowd noise added, as outlined in the 2008 remaster booklet.