Styx (band)
Styx | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Genres | |
Discography | Styx discography |
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Members | |
Past members | |
Website | styxworld |
Styx (/ˈstɪks/) is an American rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1972. They are known for blending melodic hard rock guitar with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre.[6] The band established themselves with a progressive rock sound during the 1970s, and began to incorporate pop rock and soft rock elements in the 1980s.
The original line-up comprised Dennis DeYoung, James "J.Y." Young, John "J.C." Curulewski and brothers Chuck and John Panozzo. Debuting with Styx in 1972, the band usually released an album every year throughout the 1970s. Styx II (1973) had the sleeper hit "Lady", a power ballad, which reached No. 6 in the US, helping the album make the top 20. "Lady" was also a top 20 hit in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Equinox (1975) and Crystal Ball (1976) reached the US top 70 with Equinox featuring "Lorelei", a No. 6 hit in Canada. Crystal Ball was the first album with Tommy Shaw, who replaced Curulewski in late 1975.
Styx's commercial breakthrough in North America came with
In 1981, Styx's Paradise Theatre was a No. 1 album in the US and Canada, while also reaching the top 10 in Scandinavia and the UK (their biggest album there) and the top 30 in Australia and New Zealand. "The Best of Times" from the album reached No. 1 in Canada, No. 3 in the US, and the top 30 in several other countries, while "Too Much Time on My Hands" was also a top 10 hit in North America. Kilroy Was Here (1983) was Styx's last major hit album, reaching the top 3 in North America and the top 10 in Scandinavia, although it was less successful elsewhere. Its lead single, "Mr. Roboto", became Styx's third chart-topper in Canada, was a No. 3 hit in the US, and was their biggest hit in Germany (No. 8). After a six-year break, Styx returned with Edge of the Century (1990), which reached No. 63 in the US with its single, "Show Me the Way", becoming a top 3 hit in North America in early 1991.[citation needed]
Overall, Styx had eight songs that hit the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as 16 top 40 singles. Seven of their eight top 10 singles were written and sung by founding member and lead singer Dennis DeYoung, who has not been part of the band since 1999. Styx sold over 20 million records for A&M between their signing in 1975 and 1984.[7]
History
Band formation and the Wooden Nickel Years (1961–1974)
In August 1961, at 12 years of age, twin brothers
In 1972 the band members decided to choose a new name when they signed to Wooden Nickel Records after being spotted by a talent scout at a concert at St. John of the Cross Parish in Western Springs, Illinois (Young's hometown). Several suggestions were made and, according to DeYoung, the name Styx was chosen because it was "the only one that none of us hated."[13]
The band released four albums with Wooden Nickel:
Early A&M Years and addition of Tommy Shaw (1975–1978)
On the heels of its belated hit single, Styx signed with
Crystal Ball (1976), the first album to feature Shaw, was moderately successful, but was overall a disappointment, failing to achieve the sales of its predecessor. The album showcased the band's newest member, as Shaw's "Mademoiselle" reached No. 36.
Styx's seventh album,
Through the late 1970s and early 1980s, the band enjoyed its greatest success. Their 1978 album
1980s and Superstardom
Their 1979 album
With the success of "Babe," DeYoung's push for a more mainstream direction gained momentum, while Shaw and Young favored a more rock oriented approach. This arguing over musical direction led to ongoing tension in early 1980 after Shaw objected to the ballad "First Time" being released as the second single from Cornerstone. Although the song was generating substantial airplay in some major markets, A&M pulled the plug on the single's official release, replacing it with "Why Me". The argument resulted in DeYoung being briefly fired. However, things were quickly smoothed over.
An ambitious year long world tour commenced in 1981 in support of the album and was one of the top-grossing tours of the year. The tour had numerous Broadway and movie infused elements, including a dramatic opening featuring a theatre sweep and DeYoung by himself next to a player piano and the show ending with traditional movie credits. Throughout the tour and throughout the 1980s and beyond, the band would open their shows with "Rockin' the Paradise", the opening track from Paradise Theatre which charted at No. 8 on the Top Rocks Track Chart and aired on the MTV cable channel.[citation needed]
The band was accused by a California religious group and later the Parents Music Resource Center of backmasking Satanic messages in their anti-cocaine anthem, "Snowblind".[9][19] James "JY" Young has denied this charge during his introduction for "Snowblind" when played live. Dennis DeYoung has denied the accusation as well, joking on the In the Studio with Redbeard program "we had enough trouble to make the music sound right forward." Also, Young quotes, "If we were going to put some message in our songs, we would have put it so it was in the song forward. Not so you would have to buy some $400 tape recorder to hear it."
Kilroy Was Here and first disbandment (1983–1984)
The band continued to follow DeYoung's lead with their next project, Kilroy Was Here (1983), another more fully realized concept album, embracing the rock opera form. It is set in a future where performing and playing rock music has been outlawed due to the efforts of a charismatic evangelist, Dr. Everett Righteous, played by James "JY" Young. Kilroy Was Here featured DeYoung in the part of Kilroy, an unjustly imprisoned rock star. Tommy Shaw played the part of Jonathan Chance, a younger rocker who fights for Kilroy's freedom and the lifting of the ban on rock music. This future society is served by robots. Called Robotos, these automatons perform many jobs and several serve as Kilroy's prison guards.[citation needed]
Part of the impetus for the Kilroy story was the band's reaction to the backmasking accusation.[9] The album included Young's song "Heavy Metal Poisoning", which includes lyrics sarcastically mocking the allegations against the group. Its introduction intentionally included a backward message, the Latin phrases, "annuit coeptis" and "novus ordo seclorum", from the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States. Referring to the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, these are translated, "Annuit cœptis - He (God) favors our undertakings, and Novus ordo seclorum - A new order of the ages."[20] Both choices also served the Kilroy story because the villain is an evangelist that seeks to expand his Vision of Morality movement via mass demonstrations.
The album Kilroy Was Here went
In 1983, the band mounted an ambitious stage show in support of Kilroy Was Here[9] featuring theatrical presentations of three songs utilizing instrumental backing tracks, including "Mr. Roboto", which featured DeYoung singing live while disguised as a Roboto, "Heavy Metal Poisoning" with Young as the evangelist Dr. Righteous singing while the Panozzo brothers acted as his henchmen on stage and "Haven't We Been Here Before" with Shaw as Jonathan Chance and DeYoung (as Kilroy in Roboto costume) duetting. The elaborate show was expensive to produce and was not as profitable as previous tours.
Kilroy Was Here brought the creative and competitive tensions within the band beyond the breaking point; this was further exacerbated following the band's performance at that year's Texxas Jam. Shaw departed the band for a solo career at the conclusion of the tour. In 1984, the band released its first live album, Caught in the Act. The project featured one studio track, "Music Time", which became a Top 40 hit. The concert was also filmed and released on VHS under the same title (and on DVD in 2007). By the time of the album's release, they had already parted ways.[citation needed]
Reformation, Edge of the Century, second disbandment and reformation (1990–1996)
Styx reformed in 1990, bringing in Glen Burtnik as a new guitarist since Shaw was by then committed to Damn Yankees.[22]
The new line-up released one album,
A follow-up single, “
Styx toured across the US in the spring and summer of 1991 but their success was short-lived as they were dropped after A&M Records was purchased by
The band reunited once again in 1995, with guitarist Tommy Shaw returning to the fold to re-record "Lady" for
The 1996 "Return to Paradise" tour, with Sucherman as a full member, was successful. The reunion tour was documented with a two-disc live set, 1997's
Brave New World and departure of DeYoung (1999–2000)
Two years later, in 1999, the band released its first new studio album in almost a decade: Brave New World. DeYoung was replaced by Lawrence Gowan, a classically trained pianist, who had achieved platinum success as a solo act on Sony Canada.[25] Gowan's 1985 solo hit "A Criminal Mind" was incorporated into their tour set list and was still performed into the 2010s.[26]
Bassist Chuck Panozzo was sidelined in 1999 due to health problems related to his battle with
On June 6, 1999, the group reunited briefly to perform for the Children's Miracle Network Telethon as DeYoung's final performance with the band. Glen Burtnik filled in for Chuck Panozzo on bass.[citation needed]
On June 9, 2000, Styx appeared with
Cyclorama and Big Bang Theory (2003–2009)
Styx's new lineup released several live albums and released the studio album Cyclorama in February 2003, which reached No. 127 on the Billboard 200 album charts. A single "Waiting for Our Time" hit No. 37 on the Billboard mainstream rock chart for 1 week. Styx toured extensively during this period and released additional live albums. Styx also was part of the Super Bowl pre game entertainment in San Diego prior to the Oakland Raiders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They played a short set in the parking lot, as well as on the field right before the game, playing Queen's "We Are the Champions".[citation needed]
Burtnik left Styx in September 2003, to spend time with his family and to pursue a solo career and release the album Welcome to Hollywood. He was replaced by Ricky Phillips, formerly of the Babys and Bad English. Panozzo remains in the band but is featured in concerts playing bass on about four songs, including a duet with Lawrence Gowan. Burtnik would go on to join up with DeYoung for numerous tour dates over the next several years.[citation needed]
On June 5, 2004, Styx participated in Eric Clapton's
In 2005, Styx released an album of cover tunes, Big Bang Theory, which reached the Billboard Top 50 on the album charts, their highest-charting album since 1990. Their version of the Beatles song "I Am the Walrus" received some radio play, and a video was made for the song.
As of April 21, 2006, according to the
Continued touring, The Mission, and Crash of the Crown (2010–present)
On February 21, 2010, the current incarnation of the band performed before the
In November 2010, Styx announced that they would be filming their concert in Memphis on November 9 for a DVD.
In early April 2011, it was announced that Styx would join up with
The summer of 2014 found the band back on the road in a new touring package called Soundtrack of Summer, with Foreigner and ex-Eagle Don Felder. Styx's 2015 summer tour saw them re-uniting with Def Leppard. Along with Tesla, the groups played outdoor venues across the United States. In 2016, Styx announced a series of performances to be held at the Venetian in Las Vegas in early 2017 with Felder.[37]
In February 2017, it was announced that Styx and REO Speedwagon would join forces in a tour entitled "United We Rock" with special guest Felder, which was in large concert venues throughout the US. On April 21, 2017, Styx announced a studio album entitled The Mission, simultaneously releasing the single "Gone Gone Gone".[38] The album was released on June 16, 2017, and is a concept album about a mission to Mars.[39][40]
On April 7, 2021, Styx announced via social media that they would be releasing an EP titled The Same Stardust EP, which would feature two new tracks, as well as some live recordings. The EP was released on vinyl on June 12, 2021, exclusively in indie record stores as a part of RSD Drops for Record Store Day 2021. This is the first Styx release to use their original band logo since The Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings in 2005.[citation needed]
From April 30, 2021, through May 5, 2021, Styx posted artwork on social media that included a countdown in the corner that would eventually lead to the revealing of their new album Crash of the Crown, revealed on May 6, 2021. With the reveal, they released the album's title track on streaming platforms. The Prog Report reviewed the album saying it "stands as one of the very finest in their catalogue."[41]
Despite positive reviews, Crash of the Crown only charted on the Billboard 200 for 1 week, peaking at 114.[42]
After first producing The Mission and Crash of the Crown and joining Styx on stage in Las Vegas to play The Mission in its entirety on January 23, 2019, guitarist Will Evankovich joined Styx for their 2021 summer tour that found them back on the road.[43]
On June 5, 2022, Styx was inducted into the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum Hall of Fame. That same night Dennis DeYoung was additionally inducted as a songwriter.[44]
On March 20, 2024, it was announced via social media that Ricky Phillips would he leaving the band to spend more time at home and away from the road.[45] On March 22, 2024, Lawrence Gowan's younger brother Terry debuted as the new touring bass player for Styx at their show in Wallingford, CT. [46]
Band members
Current members
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Former members
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Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
- Styx (1972)
- Styx II (1973)
- The Serpent Is Rising (1973)
- Man of Miracles (1974)
- Equinox (1975)
- Crystal Ball (1976)
- The Grand Illusion (1977)
- Pieces of Eight (1978)
- Cornerstone (1979)
- Paradise Theatre (1981)
- Kilroy Was Here (1983)
- Edge of the Century (1990)
- Brave New World (1999)
- Cyclorama (2003)
- Big Bang Theory (2005)
- The Mission (2017)
- Crash of the Crown (2021)
Consecutive multi-platinum albums
From 1977 to 1981, Styx released four consecutive albums that have been certified Multi-Platinum, for at least 2 million units sold apiece, by the
A longstanding, oft-repeated claim in the music industry and the mainstream press is that Styx was the first band to release four consecutive Triple-Platinum albums, signifying at least 3 million units sold.[34][48][49][50][51][52] During the period when these albums charted, the RIAA's only certifications were for Gold (500,000 units sold) and Platinum (1 million). Multi-Platinum awards were introduced in late October 1984.[53] Following this development, record companies submitted their most popular artists' sales records to accountants in order to achieve the new thresholds. Styx did score three Triple-Platinum albums—The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978) and Paradise Theatre (1981)—and one Double-Platinum album—Cornerstone (1979)—on the same date, November 14, 1984. Complete and detailed historical sales figures for record albums are not readily available to the public, but the certifications, which can be found at the RIAA site, show that the feat the band actually achieved was being the first group to be awarded four consecutive Multi-Platinum albums with three of those ranking better than Double Platinum. Styx achieved another Double-Platinum album—Greatest Hits (Volume I)—on August 23, 2005.
See also
References
- ISBN 978-0-472-03470-3.
- ISBN 978-1573444057.
- ^ a b Prato, Greg. "Styx – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
- ISBN 9781843531050.
- ISBN 978-1846090912.
- ^ "Home - Styx World". Styx World.
- ^ "Styx".
- ^ Dennis DeYoung interview on 'Behind the Vinyl' (boom 97.3 Toronto, uploaded Jun 7, 2016)
- ^ a b c d e f g Clark, Dick (March 29, 1983). "Styx and stones...". Times-News.
- ISBN 978-0814409169.
- ISBN 978-1419653537.
- ^ Mayne, Mya (April 22, 1986). "His band breaks up temporarily, but James Young 'Styx' to music career". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
- ^ "In Sickness and in health, Styx take no prisoners on their romp to the top". Circus (50). December 11, 1979.
- ISBN 9780738561943.
- ^ Professor of Rock. "Dennis DeYoung on Story of Styx 70s Hit Lady | Revelations | Professor of Rock". Archived from the original on December 11, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "everyHit.com - UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts". Everyhit.com. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- ^ Chris Jones. "From Styx to stage". Chicagotribune.com.
- ^ VHI Behind the Music Remastered
- ^ "wazzontv.com". January 10, 2016. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016.
- ^ "The Great Seal of the United States on Paper Currency". US Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
- ^ "Every show, every winner, every nominee - The Envelope - LA Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- ^ "Styx Newcomer Burtnik Feels He Fits Right in". Worcester Telegram Gazette. May 26, 1991.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs - Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.com. September 12, 2008.
- ^ "John Panozzo - Styx Drummer". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. July 16, 1996.
- ^ Waddell, Ray (August 4, 2001). "Touring like never before". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 31. p. S8.
- ^ Go, Justin (July 10, 2012). "Styx singer Lawrence Gowan is still a strange animal". National Post. Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ^ Panozzo, Chuck (2007). The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life With Styx. AMACOM,2007, p. 185.
- ^ "Crossroads Guitar Festival : June 4–6, 2004 : Dallas, TX". zrock.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - March 28, 2010". Riaa.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- ^ "Foreigner, Styx and Kansas United in Rock Tour". Antimusic.com. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ "STYX Re-Record Six Songs for New Album, Brand New Song Available for Free Download". Bravewords.com. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ "STYX to Launch The Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight Tour Performing Both Album in Their Entirety; EP of Re-Recorded Classics/ New Track for Sale at Shows". Bravewords.com. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ a b "Welcome to StyxWorld.com". Styxworld.com. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ a b "Styx, 'The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight': Landmark Concert to Air on TV". Noisecreep.com. January 1, 2013.
- ^ "Improv-Ice: Improvising on Ice Show | Pandora NBC Skating Series". Dissonskating.com. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
- ^ "Styx and Don Felder Announce Las Vegas Concert Residency". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ Graff, Gary (April 21, 2017). "Styx Flies to Mars with New Album 'The Mission': Exclusive Premiere of 'Gone Gone Gone' Track". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ Lifton, Dave (April 21, 2017). "Styx Set to Launch 'The Mission,' First New Studio Album in 14 Years". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ Munro, Scott (April 24, 2017). "Styx detail new album The Mission". Teamrock.com. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ "Styx - Crash of the Crown (Album Review)". Progreport.com. June 11, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ 2023 "Styx - Billboard 200 chart history". Billboard.com. July 3, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
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value (help) - ^ Mettler, Mike. "SoundBard – Keepin' It Styxy: My Exclusive Interview With Styx Producer Will Evankovich". Soundbard.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66". Roadtorock.org. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "Facebook: Ricky Phillips announces his departure from Styx". www.facebook.com. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ "Styx Setlist at Toyota Presents the Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford". setlist.fm. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum - August 08, 2008". RIAA. Archived from the original on June 26, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ "Cumberland Times-News - Styx, Kansas Concert, August 11". Times-news.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ "Styx, Foreigner and Foghat coming to Ford Amphitheatre". Tampa Bay Newspapers. September 7, 2006. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ "Behind The Music : Styx | VSPOT Video Clips, Photos, Episodes and Online Message Boards from the Reality TV Show". VH1. Archived from the original on February 10, 2003. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (March 20, 2007). "Styx (USA)". Rock Detector. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ^ liveDaily Interview: Tommy Shaw of Styx Archived October 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Gold & Platinum - August 08, 2008". RIAA. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2011.