Tag Archive for: Styx

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Styx- Paradise Theatre- Tommy Shaw, James Young

If I told you that in 1981  one of America's top music acts released a concept album that  identified growing cracks in the foundation of our society and presciently predicted practically everything we find today, who would you guess it was? Bob Dylan? Neil Young? Crosby Stills and Nash? I doubt that Styx would come to mind to many, but that is precisely what "Paradise Theater"  was, part lament, part warning. Current members Tommy Shaw, James Young, & Lawrence Gowan all weigh in as does ex-member Dennis DeYoung on "Paradise Theater" 's forty-fifth anniversary.

Styx- Blue Collar Man- 2120 Michigan Ave, Chicago- 2005

Styx here live in blues legend Willie Dixon's Chicago recording studio at 2120 Michigan Avenue, the site of the original Chess Records, back in 2005 laying down a soul-infused reading of Tommy Shaw's working class musical manifesto "Blue Collar Man".

Styx- Equinox 50th- James Young, Tommy Shaw, Dennis DeYoung

there was high drama and great music before with the third-time's-the-charm "Lady", then 1975's strong Equinox  album containing "Light Up", "Lorelei", and the timeless "Suite: Madame Blue". Band leaders even today James "JY" Young and Tommy Shaw look back on the Equinox  along with the original former co-founding member who wrote and sang all of those songs, Dennis DeYoung

Styx- Big Bang Theory 20th- Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan

Imagine Styx playing your high school prom absolutely nailing The Who's "I Can See for Miles", Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home", Humble Pie's "I Don't Need No Doctor", the improbable "A Salty Dog" from Procol Harum, and simply the most spectacular live version of "I Am the Walrus" ever recorded with my guests Tommy Shaw, JY, and Lawrence Gowan exploring "The Big Bang Theory" 20th anniversary by Styx.

Damn Yankees- Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades, Ted Nugent, Michael Cartellone

The Nineties' first supergroup Damn Yankees actually lived up to the hype in February 1990: containing Styx singer/songwriter/guitarist Tommy Shaw, Night Ranger's singer/songwriter Jack Blades, drummer Michael Cartellone, and whackmaster Ted Nugent, the Damn Yankees  debut sold a whopping two million copies. They're all with me In the Studio.
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Styx- Pieces of Eight- Tommy Shaw, James”JY” Young

focusing on the  1978 release of "Pieces of Eight", former Styx member and co-founder Dennis DeYoung  confesses that, in spite of his major conceptual songwriting role on the band's 1977 breakthrough three million seller "The Grand Illusion", the highly-anticipated follow-up "Pieces of Eight" was not his finest hour. Styx guitarists/ songwriters/ singers Tommy Shaw and James Young stepped up creatively to fill the void on "Pieces of Eight", again selling triple platinum with the muscular "Blue Collar Man","Renegade","The Great White Hope","Queen of Spades", and "Sing for the Day".

Styx- Renegade- Sweden 6-18-19

Styx in June 2019 at the annual "Sweden Rocks" outdoor festival ripping through a spirited performance of "Renegade".

Tommy Shaw of Styx-“Crystal Ball” unplugged Memphis Spring 1981

Tommy Shaw of Styx unplugged doing "Crystal Ball" in Memphis Spring 1981;with an additional verse not on the Styx album!
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Styx- Grand Illusion- Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Dennis DeYoung, Lawrence Gowan

Styx co-founder Dennis DeYoung, lifer James "JY" Young, and then recently recruited Alabama boy Tommy Shaw all join me here with current Styx keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan In the Studio for the early days of being the perennial opening act, saddled with the curse "big in the Flyover States", all the while writing and recording "Fooling Yourself","Come Sail Away","Miss America", "Man in the Wilderness", and "Grand Illusion".

Styx- Mr Roboto- Bossier City LA 2-21-20

Styx was one of the last bands to come off the road when the COVID-19 lockdown silenced the live music industry in early 2020, and Styx was among the very first to re-emerge back in early June 2021. I simply love what the group does live these days with the AI-themed "Mr. Roboto".