Styx News

[ChicagoSTYX]

This is from the Styx website..........

In honor of Styx performing within the city limits of their home town of
Chicago for the first time since 1983 (all shows since then have taken place in
Suburban venues), Styx has chosen to record a delta blues version of "Blue
Collar Man", at the legendary Chess Studios at 2120 S. Michigan Ave in Chicago.

"Blue Collar Man", originally released in 1978 on the Styx LP "Pieces of
Eight", is a song about the trials and tribulations of the unemployment line, and
most certainly is a song for 2004 as well.

Joining Styx on this recording will be Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (and Chuck
Berry piano player) JOHNNIE JOHNSON. It is said that Chuck Berry wrote the
song "Johnnie B. Goode" about JOHNNIE JOHNSON. "Johnnie B. Goode" is one of the
most famous songs to have been recorded at 2120 S. Michigan. As irony would
have it, April 28th, the day of the upcoming session, is the date in 1958 when
"Johnnie B. Goode" first charted.

2120 S. Michigan was declared a Chicago Landmark in 1990, and subsequently in
1997 became the permanent home of Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation. The
last time someone recorded there was John Mellencamp in 1990.

It is comtemplated that one or two Willie Dixon songs will be recorded that
day as well, possibly "You Can't Judge a Book by Lookin' at the Cover" and "It
Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)". The Styx guys also have a jam tune
in mind for Johnnie to show off on, tentatively titled "Hey, Mr. Johnson".

All profits from these recordings will go to Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven
Foundation.

This seems like a proper way for Styx to thank the city that has supported it
from the beginning of its career, and to pay homage to the influence that the
music recorded at 2120 has had on Styx members as well as rock music in
general.

In fact, those of you who have read biographical info on me will know that
the first LP I ever purchased was released by Chess Records. "Bo Diddley's a
Gunslinger" was purchased by me around 1964. I'm hoping in the future that Bo is
going to join us at 2120.

We'll be coming to play in your town soon!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I read this too.

"Their" home town as in the band named Styx or the members? The only one from the current line-up is JY that is originally from the Chicago area. Todd moved back in 1988 but currently lives in California.

WOW another version of "Blue Collar Man". How many versions are out there, about 11? It's pretty sad that they couldn't pick another song to do, seriously.

Bo was suppose to be jamming with them. I forgot the reason he couldn't be there.

Thanks for sharing ChicagoStyx, I didn't realize that Styx hasn't played in Chicago since 1983, I was surprised to read that.[/b]

[GaryS]