Why? A Few Tommy Shaw Questions

[bugsymalone]

After reading how Tommy kept his solo work, and his name recognition, alive by touring, it appears, fairly extensively, in the years after he left Styx and the band broke up in the 80’s, I have a few “whys”.

Why, when he did keep his name out there, and was still touring to promote his albums, does he not have a Greatest Hits or Ultimate Collection as does Dennis, who did not tour at all to promote his solo recordings and only had one big hit from 3 solo albums?

Both Tommy and Dennis made a number of videos played on MTV and VH1 in the 80’s. Only Desert Moon was played in heavy rotation for Dennis. Why does Dennis have a 20th Century Masters DVD of 4 of his 5 videos and Tommy does not?

Lastly. A “would he” question. If Tommy left Styx, started touring solo, used his connection with Styx as Dennis does, would he have the success as a solo performer that Dennis is having?

Just asking….

Bugsy

[jrnyman28]

I think DDY has all those products out because he almost "has" to promote himself solo now (and it is always easy for the vocalist who goes solo to promote his name. It is usually the one name everyone knows from a band). Sure, he uses the Styx material and name, but maybe all these products got started while he was fighting with Styx or feeling betrayed by Styx. He might not have wanted to associate with the name Styx for a while due to the circumstances. On the flipside, Tommy is still highly associated with Styx so he does not feel the need to push his name solo. Add to that all the other projects Tommy's name is attached to and there is not much "need" to push additionally with his solo material now.

Just guesses, I really do not know much about what Dennis has done...

And I do not think Tommy has to worry about 'going solo'. He has all those other projects. I am sure there are always Styx songs involved but I don't think there is any need for Tommy to "feature the music of Styx".

[NoMoreTails]

You would think that Dennis had the same management and record company that put out Steve Perry's "Greatest Hit And Two Minor Hits and Some Other Stuff + 5 Unreleased."

[styxfanNH]

After reading how Tommy kept his solo work, and his name recognition, alive by touring, it appears, fairly extensively, in the years after he left Styx and the band broke up in the 80’s, I have a few “whys”.

Why, when he did keep his name out there, and was still touring to promote his albums, does he not have a Greatest Hits or Ultimate Collection as does Dennis, who did not tour at all to promote his solo recordings and only had one big hit from 3 solo albums?

His albums are on different labels that are not owned by the same parent company.

Both Tommy and Dennis made a number of videos played on MTV and VH1 in the 80’s. Only Desert Moon was played in heavy rotation for Dennis. Why does Dennis have a 20th Century Masters DVD of 4 of his 5 videos and Tommy does not?

20th Century Masters is a Universal series name. They don't own the right to all the videos.

And I honestly don't know how many videos were made for Girls with Guns, but tagging them onto the Notre Dame Concert would be nice.

Lastly. A “would he” question. If Tommy left Styx, started touring solo, used his connection with Styx as Dennis does, would he have the success as a solo performer that Dennis is having?

Just asking….

Bugsy

Probably, as a solo artist he would be highlighting his solo work as well as a wider run of his music including the balads that he runs away from today. In my opinion his songwriting styles are the broadest of the three song writing members of Styx. As a solo act he would also do an acoustic set that many fans long for. Tommy does love his 12 string.

[bugsymalone]

Probably, as a solo artist he would be highlighting his solo work as well as a wider run of his music including the balads that he runs away from today. In my opinion his songwriting styles are the broadest of the three song writing members of Styx. As a solo act he would also do an acoustic set that many fans long for. Tommy does love his 12 string.

Thanks for that info, NH. I really was wondering. You have provided my answer.

I do believe this is how he would tour as well, in smaller venues would be my guess. Personally, I think this would be a really nice show if Tommy chose to do it. Just his acoustic guitar work alone would be worth the price of a ticket.

Bugsy

[Ash]

Dennis has been on just as many labels as Tommy.... or at least close.

Tommy was on A&M, Atlantic and that one indie label Styx was signed to.

He was also on Warner Brothers Records with Damn Yankees and Shaw/Blades.

Dennis was on A&M, MCA, Atlantic and Hipp-o (greatest hits) plus this new record company.

If Tommy went solo - he'd have to work at it has hard as Dennis has... and I believe Dennis has put a lot of work and investment of his own money to get his name out and make a solo name for himself.

[yogi]

Someone ought to try and fire up Wooden Nickle again.

You gotta love the name, plus the heads/tails on Styx albums was CLASSIC. I wonder whose idea that was????

Maybe it was Yaz's along with his motorcycle stunts????

Then again when did Yaz come along???? He might of been an A&M guy.

At any rate BRING BACK WOODEN NICKLE!!!!!!!!!

[spaceace02038]

hey they could start up WOODEN NICKEL RECORDS too




just teasin ya buddy

[styxfanNH]

Wooden Nickel is currrently owned by Sony-BMG

Atlantic is owned by Warner Bros Music

MCA is owned by Universal

A&M is owned by Universal

Hipp-O is Owned by Universal


As it Stands now, Dennis' body of works is owned by Universal or its subsidiaries making it easy to produce the collections like Ultimate and 20th century masters video.

Tommy's solo stuff is still split over three companies. Makes it a little bit more challenging.

It's not the number of labels, but who actually owns them.