Do you think Suzanne caused most of the trouble in the band?

[BRETT5150]

I'm just wondering what peoples thoughts are on Suzanne DeYoung. After watching "Behind the music" countless times, and reading "The Grand delusion", shes really came across as being very selfish, and must I say it, had a big hand in causing most of the trouble in the band.
I cant understand her comment "Dennis was out on tour, and I was home, with a baby". Why the hell could'nt she just go on tour with him? They would've had luxury buses. Dennis obviously wanted to be big, and it seemed she was trying to hold him back. Its got me how long this marraige has lasted. She obviously wears the pants, and he wears the skirt, and later on in "Behind the music", Dennis comes off as a bit of a "pussy". I love Dennis (the singer), but not so much the man. He appears to be a "whiner", and you cant blame Styx for continueing on while he was (so-called) sick. It comes across as he was looking for sympathy.

[Zan]

No, I don't.

[chowhall]

No, I don't.

From someone named Suzanne, you have to disqualify yourself from all questionaires.

[Zan]

No, I don't.

From someone named Suzanne, you have to disqualify yourself from all questionaires.

I guess that's true. lol
But I genuinely don't buy into the theory that she was the cog in the machine.

[Monker]

I'm just wondering what peoples thoughts are on Suzanne DeYoung. After watching "Behind the music" countless times, and reading "The Grand delusion", shes really came across as being very selfish, and must I say it, had a big hand in causing most of the trouble in the band.
I cant understand her comment "Dennis was out on tour, and I was home, with a baby". Why the hell could'nt she just go on tour with him? They would've had luxury buses. Dennis obviously wanted to be big, and it seemed she was trying to hold him back. Its got me how long this marraige has lasted. She obviously wears the pants, and he wears the skirt, and later on in "Behind the music", Dennis comes off as a bit of a "pussy". I love Dennis (the singer), but not so much the man. He appears to be a "whiner", and you cant blame Styx for continueing on while he was (so-called) sick. It comes across as he was looking for sympathy.

Well, I think Dennis lost the 'band' mentatlity and simply started believing that his opinions and contributions were more valuable then others. Towards the end, I think Hunchback and his passion for that just compounded things. It seems to me that the band had to be totaly frustrated in dealing with him and potentialy canceling a tour for a 'reunion' album was the last straw. Then suing the band sealed his future of always being solo and never joining the band ever again.

[bugsymalone]

As many people who post here. As many people who don't post here, or anywhere, but know the band's history and are/were fans. That's how many opinions there will be of why the band broke up.

The truth of the matter is just as complex as the people involved.


Bugsy

[Rockwriter]

I'm just wondering what peoples thoughts are on Suzanne DeYoung. After watching "Behind the music" countless times, and reading "The Grand delusion", shes really came across as being very selfish, and must I say it, had a big hand in causing most of the trouble in the band.
I cant understand her comment "Dennis was out on tour, and I was home, with a baby". Why the hell could'nt she just go on tour with him? They would've had luxury buses. Dennis obviously wanted to be big, and it seemed she was trying to hold him back. Its got me how long this marraige has lasted. She obviously wears the pants, and he wears the skirt, and later on in "Behind the music", Dennis comes off as a bit of a "pussy". I love Dennis (the singer), but not so much the man. He appears to be a "whiner", and you cant blame Styx for continueing on while he was (so-called) sick. It comes across as he was looking for sympathy.

Suzanne played the role that wives of stars tend to play in bands. Nothing more, nothing less. The politics of the situation haven't changed as dramatically as one might think in her absence, frankly. Styx has always been about caterting to the ego needs of a star and his very protective wife. It still is to a degree. That's the way it goes in bands;not just this one, but almost all of them. Suzanne actually DID go on the road with Dennis from about 1975 on, and since you have very different needs when you are traveling with your children than when you are young and single and partying, that in itself was an issue at times. These are the normal issues that bands go through.

Sterling

[Zan]

Suzanne played the role that wives of stars tend to play in bands. Nothing more, nothing less. The politics of the situation haven't changed as dramatically as one might think in her absence, frankly. Styx has always been about caterting to the ego needs of a star and his very protective wife. It still is to a degree. That's the way it goes in bands;not just this one, but almost all of them. Suzanne actually DID go on the road with Dennis from about 1975 on, and since you have very different needs when you are traveling with your children than when you are young and single and partying, that in itself was an issue at times. These are the normal issues that bands go through.

That is one thing I have always sort of admired about Suzanne...I mean, I also understand the stresses and strains it may have put on the "band" at times too (like, what a drag having the protective wife always around nagging or moaning at your lead singer when you have stuff to get done, partying to do, and so on), but at some point in their relationship, they decided it was healthier for them to be together then apart, and it seems to have worked out for them the way they wanted. I'm sure it was not easy raising 2 small children on the road with a monumentally successful rock band in the 70s. Sure, she had something to gain from Dennis' success, but she also sacrificed a lot too. For better or worse, she did what she did for the sake of their family and their relationship to the best of her ability. Not everyone can say that.

[StyxCollector]

As many people who post here. As many people who don't post here, or anywhere, but know the band's history and are/were fans. That's how many opinions there will be of why the band broke up.

The truth of the matter is just as complex as the people involved.

That's pretty much the answer, Bugsy. Even the members of the band have their truth colored by their experiences. Styx is, has been, and always will be a complex band in terms of its relationships.

Well, I think Dennis lost the 'band' mentatlity and simply started believing that his opinions and contributions were more valuable then others. Towards the end, I think Hunchback and his passion for that just compounded things. It seems to me that the band had to be totaly frustrated in dealing with him and potentialy canceling a tour for a 'reunion' album was the last straw. Then suing the band sealed his future of always being solo and never joining the band ever again.

But it's actually understandable. When you're the one more often than not writing and singing the hits, the record label is going to look to you. No one is denying that Dennis and Tommy were the main songwriters 76 on, yet all of them - JY, Chuck, and John included - made their contributions. Styx is not unique here in this happening. Look at Journey pre-Perry ... 'nuff said. And to this day Journey is affected by the shadow of one Steve Perry. Styx has done better in not living in the shadow of Dennis, but to some degree, they always will even though they minimze the songs they do which were Dennis ones.

And none of us totally know all of the behind the scenes stuff between 1998 and 2000/2001 when DDY eventually sued. I'm sure JY and Tommy were angels, right? There's no one bad person here. Bands are like marriages, and divorces get ugly. Rarely is a band breakup and/or popular member leaving a warm and fuzzy affair.

I still believe Tommy would work with Dennis and vice versa. I think the true bad blood at this point is more JY and Dennis, but that is speculation on my part based on knowledge and hearing DDY's voice in my most recent interview. These are deep wounds for him that even if some miracle happened and he rejoined Styx (which I do not think will happen) will never be totally healed.

[LifeGiver]

I still haven't gotten over the whole thing. I don't think I can ever truly forgive Dennis Deyoung. He's a very hurtful man. God bless Tommy Shaw and JY for carrying on.

[pinkfloyd1973]

I still haven't gotten over the whole thing. I don't think I can ever truly forgive Dennis Deyoung. He's a very hurtful man. God bless Tommy Shaw and JY for carrying on.

Dennis wasn't 100% of the whole problem...like someone said, JY and Tommy are no angels



Robin

[bugsymalone]

Suzanne played the role that wives of stars tend to play in bands. Nothing more, nothing less. The politics of the situation haven't changed as dramatically as one might think in her absence, frankly. Styx has always been about caterting to the ego needs of a star and his very protective wife. It still is to a degree. That's the way it goes in bands;not just this one, but almost all of them. Suzanne actually DID go on the road with Dennis from about 1975 on, and since you have very different needs when you are traveling with your children than when you are young and single and partying, that in itself was an issue at times. These are the normal issues that bands go through.

That is one thing I have always sort of admired about Suzanne...I mean, I also understand the stresses and strains it may have put on the "band" at times too (like, what a drag having the protective wife always around nagging or moaning at your lead singer when you have stuff to get done, partying to do, and so on), but at some point in their relationship, they decided it was healthier for them to be together then apart, and it seems to have worked out for them the way they wanted. I'm sure it was not easy raising 2 small children on the road with a monumentally successful rock band in the 70s. Sure, she had something to gain from Dennis' success, but she also sacrificed a lot too. For better or worse, she did what she did for the sake of their family and their relationship to the best of her ability. Not everyone can say that.

Agree. It is, simply put, hard to be a rock and roll wife. And a rock and roll wife with children. They did the best they could and their bond is deep and abiding. That has to be respected on some level. Their relationship and how it impacted the band is only one aspect of a myriad of facets that made up the offstage life of this band.

[And how much do I love that Carlton Dance avatar, Zan!!!]


Bugsy

[Toph]

I still haven't gotten over the whole thing. I don't think I can ever truly forgive Dennis Deyoung. He's a very hurtful man. God bless Tommy Shaw and JY for carrying on.

Give me a freakin break... It is these kind of comments that are just so wrong my so many ignorant fans.

[LordofDaRing]

Most of you hit it right on. Read the history of the Beatles, Led Zepplin, the who, the Eagles, the rolling stones. Same problems, same egos, same situations.

[yogi]

It was a combination of many many things and Yoko had very little to do with the bands breakup.

[LordofDaRing]

If not Yoko, certainly it was Linda's fault...

[Blue Falcon]

I still haven't gotten over the whole thing. I don't think I can ever truly forgive Dennis Deyoung. He's a very hurtful man. God bless Tommy Shaw and JY for carrying on.

I didn't know JY was posting to this board.

Sure I've bashed JY many times in the past, but even I don't believe he (or anyone) can be the SOLE cause of band strife...believing that DDY is 100% culpable is ignorant. DDY may have been a control freak...but this was at a time when both JY and TS were too busy powdering their noses to lead the band, or answer to the record company.

Sure, DDY may have been a jerk for saying Chuck was "just the bass player" (and not entitled to a full share of royalties)...but I hate to say it, he's right. Is Chuck listed on ANY song credits at all? DDY seems to have mellowed with age...whereas JY is still just rabid against DDY as he was ten years ago, which says to me that he has a pathological problem with letting go of grudges.

[yogi]

I actually heard from a VERY VERY reliable source that in fact it was Suzanne that wrote Lady & Babe for herself.

She gave Dennis the credit because it would have made both of them look bad had the truth actually come out.

[KWH17]

^Since when is your imagination a reliable source?

I agree with most of what's been said here. I'm a big Dennis fan, but I must admit he certainly had his own hand in what happened to the band.

[Zan]

I actually heard from a VERY VERY reliable source that in fact it was Suzanne that wrote Lady & Babe for herself.

lol

[Jodes]

Falcon, do you have any proof that JY "powdered his nose"?

Tommy's drug problem is pretty much public knowledge.. but JY's? If I do recall the song Snowblind was written by both JY and DDY about cocaine abuse..

[Toph]

Falcon, do you have any proof that JY "powdered his nose"?

Tommy's drug problem is pretty much public knowledge.. but JY's? If I do recall the song Snowblind was written by both JY and DDY about cocaine abuse..

But it doesn't mean that they had to be addicted to it to write about it...I don't think JY was into Coke - I think I read where he wasn't a big drug guy - smoked a little weed and maybe experimented with LSD, but as a whole, beyond Tommy, I don't think Styx were big coke heads.

[StyxCollector]

Falcon, do you have any proof that JY "powdered his nose"?

Tommy's drug problem is pretty much public knowledge.. but JY's? If I do recall the song Snowblind was written by both JY and DDY about cocaine abuse..

According to TS in the interview I did with him, he wrote his part of "Snowblind". It was just not credited.

And put it this way: no one here probably has proof, and I'm pretty sure Dennis hasn't done cocaine, so I'd say a lot of the lyrics had to come from SOMEWHERE that had experience. Sure, Dennis could come at it from observation. I'd say in SB DDY had more to do with the music than the words.

Even if JY dabbled once, he could write about the experience.

[Everett]

I know i'm beating a dead horse but exactly why didn't ts get credit for snowblind?

[chowhall]

I know i'm beating a dead horse but exactly why didn't ts get credit for snowblind?

Maybe it was Dennis's and JY's form of an intervention.

[Toph]

Falcon, do you have any proof that JY "powdered his nose"?

Tommy's drug problem is pretty much public knowledge.. but JY's? If I do recall the song Snowblind was written by both JY and DDY about cocaine abuse..

And put it this way: no one here probably has proof, and I'm pretty sure Dennis hasn't done cocaine, so I'd say a lot of the lyrics had to come from SOMEWHERE that had experience. Sure, Dennis could come at it from observation.

He also wrote Who Shot Daddy which is obviously about coke use. Someone in his family? Tommy? A Friend? All could serve as inspiration

[Blue Falcon]

Falcon, do you have any proof that JY "powdered his nose"?

Tommy's drug problem is pretty much public knowledge.. but JY's? If I do recall the song Snowblind was written by both JY and DDY about cocaine abuse..

Well, what else could JY have been doing at the time, seeing as how he considers himself the brains of the band since Day One. Where was JY when DDY was writing all those "cringe-inducing" songs which helped fatten his wallet?

[chowhall]

Well, what else could JY have been doing at the time, seeing as how he considers himself the brains of the band since Day One. Where was JY when DDY was writing all those "cringe-inducing" songs which helped fatten his wallet?

The problem isn't the "cringe-inducing" songs. All bands have written them. The Problem was that Styx's "cringe-inducing" songs were hits. The Who survived "Squeeze Box", Kiss survived "Beth", etc. Styx's songs have become a punch line, thus removing any chance of critical acclaim.

Performers as a general rule get in the business for public acclaim, not necessarily money(not that they don't like it). When you're getting made fun of by your hits, It would have to create strain.

[Toph]

Falcon, do you have any proof that JY "powdered his nose"?

Tommy's drug problem is pretty much public knowledge.. but JY's? If I do recall the song Snowblind was written by both JY and DDY about cocaine abuse..

Was Tommy really ever addicted to cocaine? I always thought it was a recreational habit done infrequently for him for a few years off and on. I never got the feeling from his interviews that he was totally strung out. I think he even said something to effect, "Look by what else was going on at the time in the music scene, what I did was mild in comparison....but it still affected me" or something of that nature. I sometimes think that Tommy's wildness has gotten exaggerated with time.

[yogi]

In the early to mid 80's Tommy Roland Shaw became addicted to fishing.

You may not think that this is a big deal, but it was huge, because at least 5 times per week he HAD to fish in the evenings. Derek Sutton, Jim Cahil, Yaz and others would literally have to pick him up from the lake, pond, or where ever and rush him to the venue. I remember reading an article that talked about how Dennis & JY wanted him out of the band because the stage would wreak of fish. No one could get near him he smelled so bad. Here is one old article that I can link you to: www.somethingisfishyinstyx.org