STYX In The News

[ChicagoSTYX]

Sound of blues returns to Chess

By Hal Dardick
Tribune staff reporter

On April 28, 1958, rocker Chuck Berry released "Johnny B. Goode," which he
recorded at Chess Records Studio in Chicago.

Berry wrote the ditty in honor of blues pianist Johnnie Johnson, who formed
the first band to feature Berry. Johnson also was part of the storied
history of Chess Records Studio, 2120 S. Michigan Ave., where many blues
classics were recorded between 1957 to 1967.

On Wednesday--exactly 46 years after Berry released "Johnny B. Goode," now a
classic of the early rock `n' roll era--former Chicagoan Johnson returned to
Chess Records Studio to record blues tunes with Styx, a rock band that
started in Chicago 35 years ago.

The recordings were the first made at Chess since John Mellencamp in 1989
recorded "Jackie Brown" there and donated the proceeds to the Willie Dixon
Blues Heaven Foundation.

Proceeds from the latest recordings also will go the foundation, a
23-year-old organization run by Dixon's widow, Marie. It exposes children to
blues, assists young musicians with business matters and provides emergency
medical financial assistance to musicians.

In 1997, the foundation officially made Chess Records Studio its home.

"There's a vibe and a spirit that you can't help but feel when you are in a
place like this," said Styx guitarist and singer Tommy Shaw. "To have an
opportunity to be connected and do whatever we can to bring some attention
to the Willie Dixon Blues Foundation is really an honor, something we can't
put a price on."

Johnson said he too was honored. "It means a great deal to me to have these
guys in here, and hopefully we will have others to follow," he said. "We
hope this will help put Blues Heaven on the map."

To make the recordings, Styx had to haul in their own studio equipment,
because the foundation hasn't been able to raise enough funds to fill a
contemporary studio, though that remains a goal, and Styx has pledged
$25,000 over the next five years to help accomplish that.

When the building was home to Chess, blues greats flocked there. They
included the late Dixon, a bass player, a prolific singer and songwriter who
wrote "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man" and proclaimed Chicago "the blues
capital of the world."

Other blues musicians who recorded at Chess include Muddy Waters, Howlin'
Wolf, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor.
Other musicians influenced by the blues who recorded there included Aretha
Franklin and Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones.

Rock 'n' roll, as played by the Stones and to some extent Styx, is derived
from the blues, the artists said. "Blues is the roots, and rock 'n' roll is
kind of the fruit of the tree that the blues spawned," said Styx guitarist
James "J.Y." Young, who was born and raised on the South Side.

"Without the music that was generated in these walls and in this city, we
might not be here right now," Shaw added.

Despite the fame of Chess Records among blues aficionados, many young people
don't realize its significance, Young said. "They laid the groundwork for
all of us to make our living the way we do, and it's time for us to give
back," he said.

To do that, the unlikely combo of Styx and Johnson on Tuesday recorded "Blue
Collar Man," and on Wednesday started recording "Hey Mr. Johnson," another
tune in honor of Johnson, Young said. Singer Koko Taylor was invited to take
part.

Though the musicians were supporting a cause, it also was clear they were
having a very good time.

"I looked over and saw how Johnnie had connected with the song," he said.
"His whole face changed. I will remember that for the rest of my life."


Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune

[sadie65]

While I truly think it's nice that they are doing this, I was rather surprised by the small amount of money they are donating to support this charity. Perhaps they could have used the proceeds from the sale of Tommy's Porsche.

Sadie

[SuiteMadameBlue]

To make the recordings, Styx had to haul in their own studio equipment,
because the foundation hasn't been able to raise enough funds to fill a
contemporary studio, though that remains a goal, and Styx has pledged
$25,000 over the next five years to help accomplish that.

Yes, it is nice. But I too was surprised they would go public with the amount. $25,000 over the next 5 years? If they would've kept the "over the next 5 years" out, I would've been more impressed, but still a nice gesture.

His Porsche is over $29,000.00, with 9 bids.

[Ash]

That's $5000 a year... or $1000 per year per member.... assuming they're still around in 5 years.