If he doesn't someone will
Rock Rap – Volume 3 No. 1
March 1985
Dennis DeYoung: Shoots The “(Desert) Moon!”
As lead singer/songwriter/keyboardist for Styx, Dennis DeYoung spent twelve years immersed in group projects that have resulted in hits like “Lady,” “Best of Times,” “Mr. Robot” and “Don’t Let It End.” But this year, during the band’s hiatus, he released his very first solo effort: Desert Moon. The album, it’s title cut, and the single’s video have all showcased Dennis’ talents and made him a star in his own right. While in New York to make plans for a solo concert tour, Chicagoan Dennis visited with Rock Rap editor Susan Mittelkauf.
Rock Rap: Are you surprised that the album and single have been so well received?
DENNIS: I’ll be honest with you. I thought I made a good record; there was no reason to release a record if it wasn’t good. Who needs that?
Rock Rap: Had you been planning a solo project for a while?
DENNIS: No. As matter of fact, I never thought about doing a solo album until June or July of 1983. When the group planned to take a year off, I figured it would be a good time to do it.
Rock Rap: Was it frightening to strike out on your own?
DENNIS: I’m afraid of the dark, but I’m not afraid of making records! I had a lot to do with the production of Styx’s albums, have written 60-70 songs and have recorded twelve albums. So I went back to the same recording studio that I’ve been familiar with for the last four or five records. It was real spooky! The studio I was working in is called Pumpkin, and everytime something went wrong with the board we called it “Pumpkin-geist.” But that was the scariest thing that happened.
Rock Rap: Did working with different musicians force you to make any adjustments?
DENNIS: I didn’t even know any of these guys, but strange as it may seem, there were no adjustments. I said, “Here are the songs,” and got this young guitar player and worked out the arrangements. I wish I could tell you it was a monumental experience. The food bills were less; there are more guys in Styx!
Rock Rap: What makes this album different from the ones you did with Styx?
DENNIS: There are girls on this album; I don’t think that would have been possible on a Styx album. There’s a female duet. And the song “Boys Will Be Boys” would not be on a Styx album.
Rock Rap: That song sounds like a response to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” What was the inspiration for it?
DENNIS: It was based on an experience I had when I was 17 years old. My parents went away for two weeks and left me home alone. They said to me, “Dennis, do you think you can handle it?” My experience was like Animal House. We went through a lot of beer! So the song is about driving around and acting like a jerk, which is something every 13-19 year old guy should do. It was my job and I did it well!
Rock Rap: When did you realize those wild days were over? Or did you ever realize those wild days were over?
DENNIS: I calmed down in my mid 20’s, after being on the road. I never became a musician to get girls. I always did it to be a musician!
Rock Rap: What’s been the most surprising thing you’ve learned since becoming a successful musician?
DENNIS: The biggest surprise to me was that success did not change my life. It’s not as if suddenly you open a door and there’s the Land of Oz. You’ve earned the right to be there. It’s important to have dreams, but you also have to dedicate yourself and make sacrifices. Just because you work hard everyday and brush your teeth does not mean your dream’s going to come true. I was one of the lucky ones.
Rock Rap: Of all the things you do – songwriting, performing, playing an instrument – which gives you the most satisfaction?
DENNIS: Songwriting. The communication process between saying something you feel and having people respond. When someone comes up to you and says. “That song, it’s my life!” it’s really special.
