Yes and STYX Tour IN Trouble

[froy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiwTMLme3z0

Who needs Dennis DeYoung when you are packing them in like this,,

[mr.v]

I have been searching the YES chat board for a review that commented on the attendance but have not had any luck, I did find this review that I thought was interesting...

...had never seen Styx before... (at most a casual fan, I've just got their 2 disc Anthology collection)
I thought they were really good.. (note to self: add Suite Madam Blue to my iPod!)... I liked the imagery they had on the video backdrop and Lawrence Gowan's stand and spin keyboard rig was pretty cool.

as to Yes....
they actually started a bit early (was impressed at how quickly the bands equipment got swapped on the stage!!)
as to their perfomance.... it was good and bad..

Steve.. a true consumate... a pro's pro..
Chris.. overpowering at times... had a little problem there at the beginning of Yours Is No Disgrace... but his bass really dominated last night
Alan.. I thought he was solid... at this point, 90 minutes is probably his limit.. unless he's gets an intermission or extended break.
Geoff.. didn't stand out but found no fault with his playing
Benoit... oh boy... I thought he had a rough night... I thought he had no range and his voice cracked on a number of occaisons (worst being on OOALH)
I credit him for gutting it out and getting through the show, but his voice was simply not there last night.

Fly From Here really sounded good live... and considering everything I though the band's energy was good.

I had a pretty good seat... section 8E... back up in bit in the stands but absolute dead center of the stage.
noticed a number of people getting up and leaving during Yes' set (to be fair, it was a Monday night) and a number of people in my row never even came back after Styx's set ended

YES's performances are getting pretty badly panned across the board, and not because of the new singer. It appears that they only rehearsed with Geoff Downs for literally a couple of days before heading out and they are just not tight at all. On the other hand except for some of the most diehard YES fans STYX is getting good reviews for their professionalism, stage presence, vocals and playing ability. One of the funniest complaints about STYX I've run up on is a guy commenting on how many pic's they throw to the crowd but he did comment that he bet they got laid a lot back in the day.

[RumTumJM]

OK! I have to chime in, because I was at this show last night.

A - Styx sounded GREAT! Not the best I have heard from them, but far from the worst. Comparatively, I thought that they owned Yes, who were shaky at parts, and did not have the energy, etc.

B - I don't know How this video was taken. Could have been an employee. WHY? Because that upper section WAS NEVER PUT ON SALE! I don't know why, but I remember buying tickets a few months ago, and the WHOLE UPPER REGION was not made available.

C - I agree that the venue could have sold much better, & I am CURRENTLY a die-hard Styx fan. But this is what happens when you tour every year non-stop. (And the whole no Dennis thing, does not help). I stand by the band, and will continue to see them whenever they come around, but I can understand why they are "hurting" themselves by the constant shows.


OVERALL, thought, I thought it was a killer show. Heard some songs I had never heard them play before, & they certainly stole the show! BRAVO!

[froy]

OK! I have to chime in, because I was at this show last night.

A - Styx sounded GREAT! Not the best I have heard from them, but far from the worst. Comparatively, I thought that they owned Yes, who were shaky at parts, and did not have the energy, etc.

The real YES band with Jon and Rick would run circles around this farce known as todays STYX, It's ridiculous that there is even a concert with these band names on it when its not even the real bands, As you can see Styx has no problem embarrassing themselves as long as they get paid, They are complete Sell OUTS

B - I don't know How this video was taken. Could have been an employee. WHY? Because that upper section WAS NEVER PUT ON SALE!

Of course nobody was buying it why sell it,

C - I agree that the venue could have sold much better,

More empty seats than filled ones,

& I am CURRENTLY a die-hard Styx fan. But this is what happens when you tour every year non-stop. (And the whole no Dennis thing, does not help). I stand by the band, and will continue to see them whenever they come around, but I can understand why they are "hurting" themselves by the constant shows.

Honest O good job

[RumTumJM]

OK! I have to chime in, because I was at this show last night.

A - Styx sounded GREAT! Not the best I have heard from them, but far from the worst. Comparatively, I thought that they owned Yes, who were shaky at parts, and did not have the energy, etc.

The real YES band with Jon and Rick would run circles around this farce known as todays STYX, It's ridiculous that there is even a concert with these band names on it when its not even the real bands, As you can see Styx has no problem embarrassing themselves as long as they get paid, They are complete Sell OUTS

B - I don't know How this video was taken. Could have been an employee. WHY? Because that upper section WAS NEVER PUT ON SALE!

Of course nobody was buying it why sell it,

C - I agree that the venue could have sold much better,

More empty seats than filled ones,

& I am CURRENTLY a die-hard Styx fan. But this is what happens when you tour every year non-stop. (And the whole no Dennis thing, does not help). I stand by the band, and will continue to see them whenever they come around, but I can understand why they are "hurting" themselves by the constant shows.

Honest O good job

Yes, I know very well of the "classic" line-up of the band with Rick & Jon. I actually had the pleasure of seeing them on the 2004 "35th Anniversary Tour". While I do not remember much of it, I remember it being a tight, well performed show.

Also, did I actually get a nod of approval from froy at the end there? Should I be happy or ashamed? HAHA! As much as I love Styx (and have a "I'd Rather Be At A Styx Concert" bumper sticker on my car...with the current line-up's image), I'll be totally honest when it comes to their short-comings. I genuinely have grown to like Gowan...but DeYoung will also be best/desired!

[Boomchild]

The real YES band with Jon and Rick would run circles around this farce known as todays STYX, It's ridiculous that there is even a concert with these band names on it when its not even the real bands, As you can see Styx has no problem embarrassing themselves as long as they get paid, They are complete Sell OUTS

What would you call Dennis adding a Tommy Shaw sound alike to his band? People could conclude the same thing.

[Archetype]

The real YES band with Jon and Rick would run circles around this farce known as todays STYX, It's ridiculous that there is even a concert with these band names on it when its not even the real bands, As you can see Styx has no problem embarrassing themselves as long as they get paid, They are complete Sell OUTS

What would you call Dennis adding a Tommy Shaw sound alike to his band? People could conclude the same thing.

August tastefully and respectfully performs Tommy's parts, and Dennis has recently stated that he would love to get back with Styx. Styx won't let him back in; Styx has a choice; Dennis does not.

I like Dennis's band a lot so I'm glad Styx won't let him back in with them. He's much better off this way

[Boomchild]

The real YES band with Jon and Rick would run circles around this farce known as todays STYX, It's ridiculous that there is even a concert with these band names on it when its not even the real bands, As you can see Styx has no problem embarrassing themselves as long as they get paid, They are complete Sell OUTS

What would you call Dennis adding a Tommy Shaw sound alike to his band? People could conclude the same thing.

August tastefully and respectfully performs Tommy's parts, and Dennis has recently stated that he would love to get back with Styx. Styx won't let him back in; Styx has a choice; Dennis does not.

I like Dennis's band a lot so I'm glad Styx won't let him back in with them. He's much better off this way

Of Course Dennis has a choice. He could choose to perform only his Styx songs, Styx songs plus his solo songs. Both of which he has done before. His material stands on it's own and really doesn't the inclusion of the material from other members of Styx. Their is nothing that required Dennis to add August and add Tommy's songs to his set list. One could conclude that he has done this to increase the popularity of his shows. That could be considered selling out. How well August respects and performs Tommy's material has nothing to do with it.

[Archetype]

The real YES band with Jon and Rick would run circles around this farce known as todays STYX, It's ridiculous that there is even a concert with these band names on it when its not even the real bands, As you can see Styx has no problem embarrassing themselves as long as they get paid, They are complete Sell OUTS

What would you call Dennis adding a Tommy Shaw sound alike to his band? People could conclude the same thing.

August tastefully and respectfully performs Tommy's parts, and Dennis has recently stated that he would love to get back with Styx. Styx won't let him back in; Styx has a choice; Dennis does not.

I like Dennis's band a lot so I'm glad Styx won't let him back in with them. He's much better off this way

Of Course Dennis has a choice. He could choose to perform only his Styx songs, Styx songs plus his solo songs. Both of which he has done before. His material stands on it's own and really doesn't the inclusion of the material from other members of Styx. Their is nothing that required Dennis to add August and add Tommy's songs to his set list. One could conclude that he has done this to increase the popularity of his shows. That could be considered selling out. How well August respects and performs Tommy's material has nothing to do with it.

I think Dennis did it because it:

-Allows for a full Styx concert to be played. No one really gives a fuck about JY's songs and "Styx" won't play some of the biggest hits.

-Lets him rest his voice for several songs

-Dennis gets to play songs again that he didn't get to play for a long time. Ever hear his fantastic organ solo that he does before Blue Collar Man now? I'm sure he likes playing the Fooling Yourself keyboard parts a lot too.

Fact is, Dennis does not need August, but Dennis thinks it's fun to have him in the band. I agree with Dennis. We all know that Dennis can stand on his own; he has for the past decade or so. Now he's changed things up a little bit and is having a lot of fun. I cannot comprehend why you would want to fault him for that.

[Boomchild]

I'll be totally honest when it comes to their short-comings. I genuinely have grown to like Gowan...but DeYoung will also be best/desired!

I have a two part question and a comment.

Question: Do you think the current Styx has "short comings"? If yes, what are they?

My comment about Gowan vs. Dennis is you will never beat the original. You could look at it six ways to Sunday but, in the end there is no substitute.

[Boomchild]

The real YES band with Jon and Rick would run circles around this farce known as todays STYX, It's ridiculous that there is even a concert with these band names on it when its not even the real bands, As you can see Styx has no problem embarrassing themselves as long as they get paid, They are complete Sell OUTS

What would you call Dennis adding a Tommy Shaw sound alike to his band? People could conclude the same thing.

August tastefully and respectfully performs Tommy's parts, and Dennis has recently stated that he would love to get back with Styx. Styx won't let him back in; Styx has a choice; Dennis does not.

I like Dennis's band a lot so I'm glad Styx won't let him back in with them. He's much better off this way

Of Course Dennis has a choice. He could choose to perform only his Styx songs, Styx songs plus his solo songs. Both of which he has done before. His material stands on it's own and really doesn't the inclusion of the material from other members of Styx. Their is nothing that required Dennis to add August and add Tommy's songs to his set list. One could conclude that he has done this to increase the popularity of his shows. That could be considered selling out. How well August respects and performs Tommy's material has nothing to do with it.

I think Dennis did it because it:

-Allows for a full Styx concert to be played. No one really gives a fuck about JY's songs and "Styx" won't play some of the biggest hits.

-Lets him rest his voice for several songs

-Dennis gets to play songs again that he didn't get to play for a long time. Ever hear his fantastic organ solo that he does before Blue Collar Man now? I'm sure he likes playing the Fooling Yourself keyboard parts a lot too.

Fact is, Dennis does not need August, but Dennis thinks it's fun to have him in the band. I agree with Dennis. We all know that Dennis can stand on his own; he has for the past decade or so. Now he's changed things up a little bit and is having a lot of fun. I cannot comprehend why you would want to fault him for that.

Those are all reasons one could come up with. In addition It also could be to draw more Styx fans in that like the "classic Styx show" for lack of a better term. Which some could conceive as Dennis "selling out" i.e. he has to make his show closer to a Styx show to get people to show up. Let me be clear, I am not faulting Dennis in anyway. I'm merely playing "devil's advocate" to Froy's point of the current Styx "selling out".

[froy]

The real YES band with Jon and Rick would run circles around this farce known as todays STYX, It's ridiculous that there is even a concert with these band names on it when its not even the real bands, As you can see Styx has no problem embarrassing themselves as long as they get paid, They are complete Sell OUTS

What would you call Dennis adding a Tommy Shaw sound alike to his band? People could conclude the same thing.

Your kidding right? The only reason August sounds like Tommy is because he is singing his tunes, And Dennis waited 10 years to add the songs.
Dennis is not a sell out,

[froy]

"Boomchild"


Of Course Dennis has a choice. He could choose to perform only his Styx songs,

He chose that path for 10 years and now has added a few songs which his parts are killer on. No big deal.

His material stands on it's own and really doesn't need the inclusion of the material from other members of Styx.

Your right but the ticket say's The Music of STYX meaning the entire setlist is open. Now you know why Shaw cut his own throat he is pissed Dennis is kicking the Shit out of STYX with his show and there is nothing they can do about it,

Their is nothing that required Dennis to add August and add Tommy's songs to his set list.

Oh Yes there is look at the ticket .

One could conclude that he has done this to increase the popularity of his shows.

OR to make his show better than before,

That could be considered selling out.

Sorry your just not making this point,

How well August respects and performs Tommy's material has nothing to do with it.

Your right nothing to do with being a sell out,

[mr.v]

Here is another review or the Jones Beach Show, I'm just posting these because they give a different look at STYX from an outsiders/casual fans perspective.

I was at the show last night (7/11/11....free Slurpee day!) at Jones Beach in Wantagh, NY. Great outdoor venue....probably one of the better sounding outdoor amphitheaters I've been to. First row, dead-center, in the mezzanine section. So seats weren't too shabby.

While I am a bigger Yes fan than Styx fan by several notches (although I do love Styx from the first album through Pieces of Eight....and scattered stuff thereafter) - there is no doubt whatsoever that Styx completely blew Yes off the stage - and it wasn't even close.

I completely understand with these co-headlining summer shed tours that bands play it safe with the set and keep to the classic rock radio mainstays....so I'm not going to be too critical about set selection.....but maybe just a little.

Styx being a more singles-oriented band (especially after Shaw joined) makes them a bit more predictable potentially being that there are at least 6-7 songs which you know they "have" to play....but it was good hearing "Lorelei" (a single when it came out...but not a song you hear on the radio) and "Man in the Wilderness" (album cut from Grand Illusion).

Styx brought the goods.....they were in music-shape and physical-shape and from a distance you wouldn't know that these guys were any older than 40. They played great, sounded great, sang great.....and of course even if he is (probably) saying the same things night-after-night.....Shaw brings a certain charisma that does connect with the crowd in the between-song banter.

Yes on the other hand - and I hate saying this.....were borderline horrible.

I realize there's not much time to work with.....but they played the most predictable Yes set you could ever imagine (barring the opening song from Drama which you could anticipate they would play given Downes' presence...and a new song - which was also anticipated).

Benoit David - who I thought sounded great two years ago when I saw them at Westbury Music Fair with Asia - seemed to be a mortal among legends - and he was definitely struggling with a lot of the material (the end of Heart of the Sunrise was borderline embarassing).....but he was hardly my problem....he's playing a role and barring the return of the original - probably playing it better than most could.

Steve Howe - he may look like he's 173 years old - but I felt like he was the only one that really came to play. Howe is still a spectacular guitar player....no complaints there.

Geoff Downes.....no real opinion. I see he's getting critiqued on this tour - but I had no problem with his playing one way or the other.

Alan White.....my primary target. Now - I love and respect Alan White to the end of the earth....his drumming has been absolutely inspirational.....but he is so far past his prime that he needs to retire. It seems to me he plays with absolutely no energy and hits the drums like he's playing soft jazz rather than prog-rock. The heavy parts need to be heavy to have the proper effect.....Yours Is No Disgrace and Heart of the Sunrise in their heavy moments NEED TO BE PLAYED HEAVY!.....and his drumming ruined the songs. Just very weak.

Chris Squire....my secondary target because, to me, this is HIS band....and for them to have gone on stage so seemingly unprepared and with what seemed like slowed-down/less heavy - almost "jammy" (and poor jams at that....what the heck WAS that during Starship Trooper anyway?....blech...) - arrangements of their songs....not to mention picking the absolute most predictable set-list imaginable....really tarnishes the name of one of the greatest bands in history.

If you can't bring it anymore....pack it in.

[Boomchild]

"Boomchild"


Of Course Dennis has a choice. He could choose to perform only his Styx songs,

He chose that path for 10 years and now has added a few songs which his parts are killer on. No big deal.

His material stands on it's own and really doesn't need the inclusion of the material from other members of Styx.

Your right but the ticket say's The Music of STYX meaning the entire setlist is open. Now you know why Shaw cut his own throat he is pissed Dennis is kicking the Shit out of STYX with his show and there is nothing they can do about it,

Their is nothing that required Dennis to add August and add Tommy's songs to his set list.

Oh Yes there is look at the ticket .

One could conclude that he has done this to increase the popularity of his shows.

OR to make his show better than before,

That could be considered selling out.

Sorry your just not making this point,

How well August respects and performs Tommy's material has nothing to do with it.

Your right nothing to do with being a sell out,

There was no need to add a sound alike to Dennis' band. He could have chosen someone else to sing those songs that wasn't almost a carbon copy of Tommy's vocals. Sorry, but you can argue that he is somewhat selling out by adding an almost Tommy Shaw vocal clone. One can argue that since he will never return to Styx he is trying to recreate Styx in his own band. Which is the same complaint some have with the current Styx line up. I am just not sure it was the best thing to do. Finally, when you say Dennis is kicking the shit out of the current Styx, I hope you don't mean in ticket sales and revenue. Even if their concert attendance is on a decline, they do so many more dates then Dennis' part time, "weekend warrior" schedule that they still can out book and out sell him. That means nothing as to the quality of Dennis' show. His show is great and I think from the vocal and band standpoint he has an edge over Styx. When talking stage effects, Styx has a much bigger budget and road crew. Dennis cannot compete in that area with renting gear locally and a much smaller road crew.

[RumTumJM]

I'll be totally honest when it comes to their short-comings. I genuinely have grown to like Gowan...but DeYoung will also be best/desired!

I have a two part question and a comment.

Question: Do you think the current Styx has "short comings"? If yes, what are they?

My comment about Gowan vs. Dennis is you will never beat the original. You could look at it six ways to Sunday but, in the end there is no substitute.

Maybe "short comings" was the wrong term. Simply I was referring to was the ways they are "potentially hurting themselves". In particular the constant touring, few variations in the set lists (that IGNORE HUGE HITS), no new material, etc.

Simply, I fully support the band, as it is TODAY! But I think we all agree that some things should be improved.

For cryin out loud, MAKE A NEW ALBUM. If you want to get more progressive sounding (a la One With Everything), fine by me. Your MUCH LOVED NEW MEMBERS, have the talent (Gowan, Todd, Ricky). Sure, people are not buying albums.

So, follow suit after Journey, Tom Petty & Prince: "Give" the album away with concert tickets. (In actuality bump up the ticket prices by $5-10, and make people think they got it "free"! Even if it's a download for 3 tracks. This idea could still work!

[Ash]

It's a shame.

I have no doubt that Styx sounds good even though I don't care for Gowan. They've been doing it non-stop for 10 years so how could they really sound bad as a band unless they're all having an off-night.

I actually would like to see them in 3 days here in Nashville but the wife and I have agreed to cut back on stuff like this to focus on some other things. Would love to hear reviews from Nashville in the next few days. I have a feeling Sterling will be there as well as a few other of my fellow Tennessean's on this board.

Let me know what you all think.

[froy]

"Boomchild"



There was no need to add a sound alike to Dennis' band.

He is not a sound alike , Anyone singing Shaw tunes will sound like Shaw,

[froy]

It's a shame.

I have no doubt that Styx sounds good even though I don't care for Gowan. They've been doing it non-stop for 10 years so how could they really sound bad as a band unless they're all having an off-night.

I actually would like to see them in 3 days here in Nashville but the wife and I have agreed to cut back on stuff like this to focus on some other things. Would love to hear reviews from Nashville in the next few days. I have a feeling Sterling will be there as well as a few other of my fellow Tennessean's on this board.

Let me know what you all think.

Smart move stop paying Shaws bills and pay your own, I think most are doing the same.

[Boomchild]

"Boomchild"



There was no need to add a sound alike to Dennis' band.

He is not a sound alike , Anyone singing Shaw tunes will sound like Shaw,

I have heard Styx cover bands that have Tommy's songs in their set list and they didn't sound almost exactly like Tommy. August whether you want to admit it or not was added because of his ability to "carbon copy" Tommy's delivery of those songs.
If you can't hear that then you need a hearing test. Since you are fond of trolling Youtube for examples to support your dislike of the current Styx, find me a clip of a cover band (besides the one August was in) that the singer that sounds like a carbon copy of Tommy on those songs.

[Archetype]

"Boomchild"



There was no need to add a sound alike to Dennis' band.

He is not a sound alike , Anyone singing Shaw tunes will sound like Shaw,

Shaw's voice isn't very distinct. Hell, people are saying that Arnel Pineda sounds like Tommy Shaw on "Anything Is Possible" so it's not like hiring a Tommy sound alike is a big deal.

[Boomchild]

"Boomchild"



There was no need to add a sound alike to Dennis' band.

He is not a sound alike , Anyone singing Shaw tunes will sound like Shaw,

Shaw's voice isn't very distinct. Hell, people are saying that Arnel Pineda sounds like Tommy Shaw on "Anything Is Possible" so it's not like hiring a Tommy sound alike is a big deal.

When Dennis viewed August's YouTube videos performing Tommy's Styx songs he said that August sounds so much like Tommy. I think he said something to the effect "he sounds so much like you know who". So even he admits it.

[Archetype]

"Boomchild"



There was no need to add a sound alike to Dennis' band.

He is not a sound alike , Anyone singing Shaw tunes will sound like Shaw,

Shaw's voice isn't very distinct. Hell, people are saying that Arnel Pineda sounds like Tommy Shaw on "Anything Is Possible" so it's not like hiring a Tommy sound alike is a big deal.

When Dennis viewed August's YouTube videos performing Tommy's Styx songs he said that August sounds so much like Tommy. I think he said something to the effect "he sounds so much like you know who". So even he admits it.

Dennis can tour playing just his material. This is established. Let's see JY and Tommy tour doing only their material...people would leave PISSED OFF, which is not the case at a Dennis concert.


I bet there's a singer in every town in the country who sounds a lot like Tommy. August is just the one that Dennis found (I'm sure August's great guitar playing helpd too). Tommy's voice isn't "the voice" - it is easily replaced. So it's not like Dennis went undertook a huge effort to replace Tommy. Dennis didn't have to either, he did fine without August for many years. This is just what he wants because he, unlike Tommy/JY Styx, wants to give the fans a full Styx set with all the concert staples and hits. Dennis is doing this for fun. He doesn't even have to tour or do anything but he does it for the love of it.

[Monker]

"Boomchild"



There was no need to add a sound alike to Dennis' band.

He is not a sound alike , Anyone singing Shaw tunes will sound like Shaw,

Shaw's voice isn't very distinct. Hell, people are saying that Arnel Pineda sounds like Tommy Shaw on "Anything Is Possible" so it's not like hiring a Tommy sound alike is a big deal.

What an ignorant comment. those peple need their ear wax removed.

[Monker]

Dennis can tour playing just his material. This is established. Let's see JY and Tommy tour doing only their material...people would leave PISSED OFF, which is not the case at a Dennis concert.

What a bullshit statement.

His tours were going south very quickly before he changed it to be more Styx then solo.

He performed here at the Civic Center (half filled, at best) and a couple years later he was at a rib fest doing a free concert.

At the same time, Styx performed at a casino out in the middle of nowhere for $60/ticket, and it was packed.

I don't think Dennis would be touring today if he continued trying to do only 'his' songs and not connect himself more to Styx. Most people don't give a damn about Dennis as a solo artist, or those songs, and he knows it - IMO, that's why he made the change. He didn't have much choice.

[AR]

I don't think Dennis would be touring today if he continued trying to do only 'his' songs and not connect himself more to Styx. Most people don't give a damn about Dennis as a solo artist, or those songs, and he knows it - IMO, that's why he made the change. He didn't have much choice.

A friend of mine asked Dennis at a meet and greet about playing more of his solo stuff. He said "If I thought more people wanted to hear it I'd do it. It's more fun to play the songs people want to hear."

[Zan]

If I thought more people wanted to hear it I'd do it. It's more fun to play the songs people want to hear."

By "more people" he means a few thousand concert-goers at every venue, not a couple dozen internet message board fans spread out across the globe. Welcome to the reality in the entertainment industry. Even in my little cover band, we would love to never, ever have to play "Old Time Rock n Roll," "Margaritaville," or "I Will Survive" again, but people just eat it up.

OTOH, if Dennis ever decided to bite the bullet and do a down-scaled mini tour of posh clubs that seated a couple hundred, it might be lucrative for him. He never used to be interested in that sorta thing, but maybe now, who knows.

[Babyblue]

Saw Styx/Yes Fir nite it was AWESOME and everyone had a great time & it was a packed to the max.

[Ash]

Dennis can tour playing just his material. This is established. Let's see JY and Tommy tour doing only their material...people would leave PISSED OFF, which is not the case at a Dennis concert.

What a bullshit statement.

His tours were going south very quickly before he changed it to be more Styx then solo.

He performed here at the Civic Center (half filled, at best) and a couple years later he was at a rib fest doing a free concert.

At the same time, Styx performed at a casino out in the middle of nowhere for $60/ticket, and it was packed.

I don't think Dennis would be touring today if he continued trying to do only 'his' songs and not connect himself more to Styx. Most people don't give a damn about Dennis as a solo artist, or those songs, and he knows it - IMO, that's why he made the change. He didn't have much choice.

Totally agree. +1 about the adding Styx stuff.

I think people *do* give a damn about Desert Moon and maybe a few other songs... but not enough to make a whole concert of.

[mr.v]

I saw Styx last night in Nashville, the venue holds 4,500 and I saw very few empty seats. Despite bad reviews YES kicks ass in the opening position. They were tight and Benoit David did as good a job as anyone could trying to sing Jon Andersons vocals. Styx were electric! I've seen this line-up many times and last nights show was one of the best. They have slightly altered some of the arrangements and it really brings new life to the songs. The audio mix was very strong last night as well, the vocals were mixed better than they have been in past shows and the guitars were very prominent in the mix, what can I say- it was a rocking good show!