Mr JY Roboto wrote:1
2. Was Dennis mostly absent during the recording/creation of Crystal Ball and Pieces of Eight? YES. He had health issues during Crystal Ball and brought little to the table for Pieces of Eight.
3. Was Dennis the main reason this group went separate ways in 1984? YES. While Tommy did struggle with substance abuses, Dennis basically closed the door creatively for Tommy.
4. Did Tommy and JY mainly handle the promotion side (radio, print) during the big years and Dennis wanted nothing to do with it? YES
5. Dennis was the main cog in the Styx wheel? NOT QUITE. This was a BAND and always has been a BAND!!
I'd like to take each of these one by one as they are really priceless...
"While Dennis wrote the most hits, did the fans who attended the shows equally want to see/hear Tommy? YES. For the most part, between the years 1977 and 1981, Dennis and Tommy shared the spotlight during the shows."
Top 10 Singles 1977-1981 - Dennis 3, Tommy 1 - DDY also brings GI, Queen of Spades, Why Me, Borrowed Time, First Time, Rockin The Paradise, co writes Snowblind to the table Tommy brings BCM, Renegade, and Foolin Yourself
"Was Dennis mostly absent during the recording/creation of Crystal Ball and Pieces of Eight? YES. He had health issues during Crystal Ball and brought little to the table for Pieces of Eight."
Don't try to use CB in an arguement - the least successful of any of the A&M albums and a real step back for the band after a promising start on Equinox. I guess you think that Queen of Spades, Pieces of Eight, and I'm Okay just suck. Where exactly was Tommy during Cornerstone (no singles or hits) and Paradise Theatre? "Writers block" and contributed only 2 songs to the album...I think writers block may be another term for cocaine addiction, but whatevere.
"Was Dennis the main reason this group went separate ways in 1984? YES. " uhhh NO!
While Tommy did struggle with substance abuses, Dennis basically closed the door creatively for Tommy.
No Tommy's hardcore drug taking (if not trafficking) were what closed the door. Love how some of you like to give him a free pass on this one. He himself closed the door on his creativity and did what he always did - acted like a big baby when he didn't get his way....
"Did Tommy and JY mainly handle the promotion side (radio, print) during the big years and Dennis wanted nothing to do with it? YES"
Once again wrong!! Dennis did as much or more during that time...obviously you've never read the Rick Kogan stuff in the Chicago Times that was personally arranged and executed by DDY.
Once again facts prove your argument moot.