DDY Interview

[sadie65]

http://www.inweekly.net/article.asp?artID=1977

Styx & Stones
MUSIC | Vol. 5, No. 40, October 20, 2005
(Pensacola State (Un)Fair)
by Sam Baltrusis


'COME SAIL AWAY' WITH DEYOUNG

What: Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28
Where: Pensacola Interstate Fair, 6655 Mobile Hwy.
Cost: $9
Details: 444-4500 or www.pensacolafair.com

Dennis DeYoung, former lead singer of the rock band Styx and an accomplished solo artist, is a laid-back fella. However, ask him about the VH1 "Styx: Behind the Music" episode shot in 2000 that chronicles the rise and fall of his iconic group—and the 58-year-old's laugh-a-minute tone transforms.

The wounds still hurt. Well, kinda sorta.

"I can't look at that as past demons," he says, phoning from Orland Park near Chicago. "That's just a bunch of sissy boys who can't get along. Let's face it, what rock band you know didn't break up? Most all of them do."

Recording on his own as early as 1984, DeYoung produced a string of solo hit records before briefly reuniting with Styx in 1990. The accomplished performer, who continued to create his own material, gave it another try in 1996 on Styx's "Return to Paradise" comeback—only to pull out after contracting a serious viral illness that caused him to bow out of a national tour. By the time DeYoung recuperated, Styx had replaced him with Lawrence Gowan.

So when DeYoung and his former Styx brethren recorded the "Behind the Music" episode four years later, the scars were still raw.

"If you went in with a camera and some questions in a middle of divorce," he says, trying to put the explosive show into perspective, "would it be a different story if you had gone in two years earlier, or two years later? I think it would have been."

The first group to ever have four consecutive triple platinum albums, Styx's "Behind the Music" episode emphasized the tug-of-war of the band's stylistic direction with DeYoung pushing for a more melodic/theatrical sound and Tommy Shaw pushing for balls-to-the-wall rock 'n' roll.

"If you were to play that program today and you look at my responses, I defy anyone to say that I say a bad word about anyone," he argues. "It was really, really hurtful when I watched that show because I saw it cold like everybody else."

DeYoung continues: "I couldn't fathom the hostility toward me. They were determined to prove to the world that they didn't need me. That's what they were trying to do. And I didn't understand that. I was the leader of the band and whenever you're in a role of leadership, you're going to make decisions that aren't popular."

The Chicago-based artist licked his wounds and soldiered on with his solo career. DeYoung's latest CD, "The Music of Styx Live With Symphony Orchestra," is an orchestral interpretation of his eclectic hits, including "Mr. Roboto," "The Grand Illusion" and, of course, "Come Sail Away."

Has DeYoung ever considered dropping the Styx songs from his performances to wipe the slate clean?

"No, I don't have a death wish," he says with a laugh. "That's like saying to Michael Jordan 'hey, try to have a career without shooting a basketball.'"

The musician shifts from laughing to a more serious tone.

"I still have a reverence and joy for the songs we made together," he says. "Sure, some we did were better than others. But I don't have bad feelings about the songs—or the guys—in Styx. I never will."


sam@inweekly.net

[swwskj]

I wonder if Dennis can arrange to have a bottle of the stuff he's on delivered to JY. It would have to be Reluctant Legend strength of course.

Seriously, that is the kind of response I would like to see from all parties involved.

Scott

[bugsymalone]

I wonder if Dennis can arrange to have a bottle of the stuff he's on delivered to JY. It would have to be Reluctant Legend strength of course.

Seriously, that is the kind of response I would like to see from all parties involved.

Scott

Well put, Scott. Dennis certainly knows how to behave in a positive manner in public.

He also has a very realistic approach to the music he performs.

Thanks for posting that one, Sadie.

Bugsy

[Monker]

""That's just a bunch of sissy boys who can't get along"

Yeah, real classy, sure it is.

If JY said that about Dennis or the old Styx, you people would have blown a gasket.

[swwskj]

I believe he was including himself as one of the sissy boys. After all, if you take him out of the equation, they get along...right?

He later says, "But I don't have bad feelings about the songs-or the guys-in Styx. I never will."

Perhaps you should read the whole article not just the snipet you're looking for to back up your bias.

Scott

[bugsymalone]

""That's just a bunch of sissy boys who can't get along"

Yeah, real classy, sure it is.

If JY said that about Dennis or the old Styx, you people would have blown a gasket.

The difference is, he included HIMSELF in that obviously humorous remark. Even the interviewer "got it."

Bugsy

[bugsymalone]

JINX, Scott! We posted at the same time.

Bugsy

[sadie65]

There will always be people who find fault with whatever the various band members say. That some consistently only see good or bad is sad, but hey, that's their problem.

[Monker]

Perhaps you should read the whole article not just the snipet you're looking for to back up your bias.

And, when a new JY article is posted, I expect you to say the exact same thing to all of the Dennis fans here as they jump on the hate bandwagon.

When you don't, and I know you won't, we'll have a repeat of this very conversation.

I did read the whole article and had a 'so?' feeling about it. It does nothing but talk about things from years ago. Nothing new, nothing that I didn't already know. It's starting to remind me of when Steve Perry would do interviews and he would do nothing but talk about his mother's death, breaking up with Sherrie, and re-entering the atmosphere. With Dennis it is nothing but the BTM, leaving Styx, and what it was like in 1978-1983. Why not talk about RECENT history, or the future, instead of repeatedly mentioning things that happened up to thirty years ago?

[sadie65]

And, when a new JY article is posted, I expect you to say the exact same thing to all of the Dennis fans here as they jump on the hate bandwagon.

All of the Dennis fans? Rather presumptuous of you. The hate bandwagon. A rather strong word to use, not always inappropriate though.

When you don't, and I know you won't, we'll have a repeat of this very conversation.

Oh please do...I'm sure you will do your level best to remind people. You excel at it.

I did read the whole article and had a 'so?' feeling about it. It does nothing but talk about things from years ago. Nothing new, nothing that I didn't already know. It's starting to remind me of when Steve Perry would do interviews and he would do nothing but talk about his mother's death, breaking up with Sherrie, and re-entering the atmosphere. With Dennis it is nothing but the BTM, leaving Styx, and what it was like in 1978-1983. Why not talk about RECENT history, or the future, instead of repeatedly mentioning things that happened up to thirty years ago?

Perhaps that's because that's what he and the other members of the band get asked about. That you found it boring and the same old rhetoric is your prerogative certainly, but I'd take this response over the same old rhetoric JY spews. It's a matter of what you (the reader) value. I can respect that.

[The_Noble_Cause]

As usual, Dennis is a class act.

[LordofDaRing]

I watche BTM again not to long ago, and Dennis is absolutely right, he doesn't say anything negative at all about any of them. I have also never heard him say that his guitar player in his current band can play "circles" around JY, which he might be able to. I am sure the guy can sing better.
I have read many TS interviews, and I have yet to remember a negative swipe at Dennis. Maybe JY could learn a thing or two from him as well.

[ek88]

Objectively speaking, I think most observers of the whole Styx soap opera would feature Dennis as the one who got wronged in all this, so I wonder if sometimes JY goes off like he does to validate the ousting, and if Dennis toes the straight and narrow to garner sympathy. Just wondering; I'm certainly no expert!

[styxfanNH]

I watche BTM again not to long ago, and Dennis is absolutely right, he doesn't say anything negative at all about any of them. I have also never heard him say that his guitar player in his current band can play "circles" around JY, which he might be able to. I am sure the guy can sing better.
I have read many TS interviews, and I have yet to remember a negative swipe at Dennis. Maybe JY could learn a thing or two from him as well.

Let's be real. They have all taken shots at one another at one time or another.

[LordofDaRing]

I am being real and honest. As a huge fan of this band and one who reads all of the interviews of all members past and present, I can also note that JY's story continues to change even in recent articles where he tries to convince us and maybe himself that they have made the right move.

[styxfanNH]

If the goal for JY was to tour regularly and make some type of effort to bring some new music to the table, then they did make the right move.

Because we all know Dennis was never or is he now going to tour 150+ days.


It depends on what you consider success for the band today.