YouTube Hits Solo - DDY

[Monker]

No it doesn't. Because you aren't there to see the reaction of the crowd. And that's the point Monkeyboy. You operate out of a position of ignorance. You've never seen Dennis live, yet think you can make credible comments on him and his show. You don't have a leg to stand on. You're ignorant because you haven't seen Dennis live. Go see 4 or 5 shows and then get back to me with legitimate comments.

You are so silly. Of course I've seen DDY in concert. I've posted that fact here often. It's good to know that FACT give me so much credibility. So, I now have so much credibility, I'll say exactly how it was.

The audience reaction...well, what audience reaction? The entire crowd of the half-filled theater 2500 seat theater SAT DURING THE ENTIRE SHOW up until CSA - the LAST SONG. Sure, there was polite applause after each - but nothing remarkable. The only other "audience reaction" was during DDY's stand up routine which included a bit about his kid doing the lights, which were shut off on him and him repeatedly saying "that band I used to be in..." until someone yelled "STYX!" and he said, "Thank you uncle Charlie," or whatever random name that was. Yawn.

The Hunchback songs went over like blah. The few other solo songs were OK. They weren't very memorable tho...I don't remember if he did "Hello God" or "My God is Bigger Than Your God" or "God, I Like Singing Songs About God". Desert Moon was good.

His voice was fantastic. He didn't play ANY piano. Suzanne looked totally out of place. Dawn Marie was a fine addition.

And, the Finesse stuff was the gayest sponsor ever. You may joke about the coffee and jewelry (which EVERY BAND DOES...even the Beatles had ridiculous promo shit), but at least Styx wasn't sponsored by anything compared to that. He may as well have been sponsored by Tampax or something. Ridiculous.

Like I said, half-filled theater selling MAYBE 1500 tickets. The next time he was at a rib fest. Yeah, that's a real sign of a touring concept that was having success. At the same time, Styx was selling > 9000 tickets at the Iowa State Fair, on their own.

As I have said...Dennis knew what he was doing wasn't working. So, he hired a guy to sing Tommy songs and another to be JY...because people would rather listen to them sing Styx songs then Dennis sing his solo songs - and he knows it.

[Boomchild]

As I have said...Dennis knew what he was doing wasn't working. So, he hired a guy to sing Tommy songs and another to be JY...because people would rather listen to them sing Styx songs then Dennis sing his solo songs - and he knows it.

Again, this is a distortion of what he has been doing since performing on his own. The majority of the material in his shows has been Styx material. Add to that ALL of his shows have been advertised as "The Music of Styx". So clearly his main focus has been Styx material and not the other way around. Yet it seems you ignore these facts. He has known all the long that his Styx material is more popular and better known and to suggest that he has thought anything else is fiction.

In speaking about attendance and ticket sales, the current Styx will most likely out sell DDY's on average. This is mainly due to the fact that they have the full use of the brand name. Having said that, they still need to partner with other acts to sell tickets to make live performances viable. Otherwise they would be mainly booking shows alone. Dennis has and continues to be able to book shows on his own. It must be profitable otherwise I doubt he would be doing it at a financial loss.

[Toph]

No it doesn't. Because you aren't there to see the reaction of the crowd. And that's the point Monkeyboy. You operate out of a position of ignorance. You've never seen Dennis live, yet think you can make credible comments on him and his show. You don't have a leg to stand on. You're ignorant because you haven't seen Dennis live. Go see 4 or 5 shows and then get back to me with legitimate comments.

You are so silly. Of course I've seen DDY in concert. I've posted that fact here often. It's good to know that FACT give me so much credibility. So, I now have so much credibility, I'll say exactly how it was.

The audience reaction...well, what audience reaction? The entire crowd of the half-filled theater 2500 seat theater SAT DURING THE ENTIRE SHOW up until CSA - the LAST SONG. Sure, there was polite applause after each - but nothing remarkable. The only other "audience reaction" was during DDY's stand up routine which included a bit about his kid doing the lights, which were shut off on him and him repeatedly saying "that band I used to be in..." until someone yelled "STYX!" and he said, "Thank you uncle Charlie," or whatever random name that was. Yawn.

The Hunchback songs went over like blah. The few other solo songs were OK. They weren't very memorable tho...I don't remember if he did "Hello God" or "My God is Bigger Than Your God" or "God, I Like Singing Songs About God". Desert Moon was good.

His voice was fantastic. He didn't play ANY piano. Suzanne looked totally out of place. Dawn Marie was a fine addition.

And, the Finesse stuff was the gayest sponsor ever. You may joke about the coffee and jewelry (which EVERY BAND DOES...even the Beatles had ridiculous promo shit), but at least Styx wasn't sponsored by anything compared to that. He may as well have been sponsored by Tampax or something. Ridiculous.

Like I said, half-filled theater selling MAYBE 1500 tickets. The next time he was at a rib fest. Yeah, that's a real sign of a touring concept that was having success. At the same time, Styx was selling > 9000 tickets at the Iowa State Fair, on their own.

As I have said...Dennis knew what he was doing wasn't working. So, he hired a guy to sing Tommy songs and another to be JY...because people would rather listen to them sing Styx songs then Dennis sing his solo songs - and he knows it.

Don't let a few facts get in the way of your Tommy bathwater drinking. Yes, Dennis's orchestra shows really were a failure. Because all they did:

- Enabled him to get a new record deal for The Music Of Styx
- That record became platinum in Canada.
- Got him a PBS special featuring the video of this concert
- Sold a large percentage of tickets and didn't need 2 other bands to help fill an arena

Because you are a complete idiot, let me explain it to you once again. Dennis saw that there was an additional opportunity in the marketplace in that the pathetic fools calling themselves Styx did not play MOST of their biggest songs. If you saw Styx you weren't getting what should be a Styx concert. If you saw Dennis, you didn't get the Tommy songs. So, why not give fans the option of going to a Styx concert and getting what is the equivalent of Styx Greatest Hits? It would be the only offering out there that did that. And sense he did play and sing on ALL those songs, he certainly can make them part of his offerings. And note, he still does the orchestra show. He just did it down in Florida a few weeks ago.

And PS - Orchestra shows aren't exactly scream at the top of your lungs and show us your tits kind of shows. They are a bit classier. But that is something you clearly don't understand....Maybe someday you'll grow up and appreciate it.

[pinkfloyd1973]

I wonder if A&M pulled the plug on that song however that works. It was all over the radio in Mpls/St Paul for about 4 weeks. They played it constantly then puffff it was gone.

Never really liked it that much but it went from being far far overplayed to a complete disappearing act. A&M ? ?

Its not one of my favorites either and I always questioned why they chose that one as the single as there were a few that I thought were preferable (This Is The Time, Black Wall, Unanswered Prayers..). It was too slow. But it did do relatively well on Adult Contemporary. I remember it coming on the radio station in high school that my mom and dad listened too a lot. Hardly a ringing endorsement for DDY's "rock cred."

"Unanswered Prayers" is a better song than "Call Me," just my opinion though

[Monker]

As I have said...Dennis knew what he was doing wasn't working. So, he hired a guy to sing Tommy songs and another to be JY...because people would rather listen to them sing Styx songs then Dennis sing his solo songs - and he knows it.

Again, this is a distortion of what he has been doing since performing on his own. The majority of the material in his shows has been Styx material.

It is NOT an exaggeration. He went from some weird family affair solo show with 6 solo songs to hiring two people to replace Tommy and JY and perform only ONE solo song in a Styx show. That is what happened.

He has known all the long that his Styx material is more popular and better known

Correct...and he has now admitted that Tommy and JY"s songs are more popular and better known then his solo songs.

In speaking about attendance and ticket sales, the current Styx will most likely out sell DDY's on average. This is mainly due to the fact that they have the full use of the brand name.

I completely disagree with that. Styx went out from the beginning performing to the classic rock crowd...and never stopped. They may have a slight advantage for having the name - but they also worked their asses off to stay a viable touring band.

On the other hand, Dennis went out performing to the PBS crowd and still tried to get a Hunchback production. He LOST the classic rock crowd...and has had a tough time getting it back.

Having said that, they still need to partner with other acts to sell tickets to make live performances viable.

That is absolutely NOT TRUE. The last three times I saw Styx they were on their own and obviously had no problem selling tickets. They go out on the big summer tours to play larger venues...but if they wanted to go out on a small theater tour, I have no doubt that they could.

Dennis has and continues to be able to book shows on his own. It must be profitable otherwise I doubt he would be doing it at a financial loss.

You were not even around here towards the end of the orchestra tours just prior to hiring JY and Tommy replacements. I remember video of him being posted here of him playing DISNEYWORLD of all place...it was embarrassing. I think you are being VERY presumptuous to assume he was doing much more that breaking even at that time.

[Boomchild]

It is NOT an exaggeration. He went from some weird family affair solo show with 6 solo songs to hiring two people to replace Tommy and JY and perform only ONE solo song in a Styx show. That is what happened.

Yes it is still an exaggeration. You are putting forth the premise that he was attempting to focus on solo material verses his material from Styx. That never happened. His shows have ALWAYS featured his Styx material over his solo material. Also , you kept claiming that he went from promoting himself from just "Dennis DeYoung" to "Dennis DeYoung and The Music of Styx". Yet another fabrication on your part. If it's not, please provide evidence to support your claim.

Correct...and he has now admitted that Tommy and JY"s songs are more popular and better known then his solo songs.

Yet another fabrication. DDY has said until he came across August he didn't feel he had anyone in the band that could pull off TS' material and he wasn't going to sing them. Last I checked, he is not doing any of JY's songs. After all, he is doing a "greatest hits" style show and we all know JY's material doesn't meet that criteria.

I completely disagree with that. Styx went out from the beginning performing to the classic rock crowd...and never stopped. They may have a slight advantage for having the name - but they also worked their asses off to stay a viable touring band.

On the other hand, Dennis went out performing to the PBS crowd and still tried to get a Hunchback production. He LOST the classic rock crowd...and has had a tough time getting it back.

Having the name is big advantage when it comes to bookings and promoters. Dennis was successful with the "with orchestra" shows. His PBS special raised a lot of money for the stations that participated. Soundstage chose him over the current Styx to premier the re-launch of their concert series. Add to that the sales of the shows and DVD version of it in Canada.

You were not even around here towards the end of the orchestra tours just prior to hiring JY and Tommy replacements. I remember video of him being posted here of him playing DISNEYWORLD of all place...it was embarrassing. I think you are being VERY presumptuous to assume he was doing much more that breaking even at that time.

It's not being presumptuous. Initially he didn't even think touring on his own was viable. With that kind of mind set your not going to bother doing it just to break even or lose money. If that was the case he would have stopped doing it a long time ago. Especially with what it takes to put the shows on.

[Monker]

Don't let a few facts get in the way of your Tommy bathwater drinking. Yes, Dennis's orchestra shows really were a failure. Because all they did:

These are NOT facts, they are your biased opinions.

- Enabled him to get a new record deal for The Music Of Styx

Please. There is no proof that the tour had anything to do with it. Some no name label released it and Universal distributed it. There is no proof that the success of the tour had anything to do with it. In fact, the label he was on was even less impressive than CMC or Frontiers.

- That record became platinum in Canada.

Yeah, which is 100,000 sales...NOT the 1,000,000 as it in the US.

- Got him a PB[S special featuring the video of this concert

Not really. I would say him going on his PBS tour did that. I'm sure PBS stations don't care how well it sold in Canada, and mostly in one providence.

- Sold a large percentage of tickets and didn't need 2 other bands to help fill an arena

Not towards the end. Towards the end, he was performing rib fests and Disney World.

Dennis saw that there was an additional opportunity in the marketplace

Correct...he saw that people would rather see Styx than him. So, he reformed his band to be the closest to Styx as he could.

He also probably got tired of the smell of BBQ and playing for Mickey Mouse.

If you saw Styx you weren't getting what should be a Styx concert

No, you are getting what was Styx in today's world...and I would rather hear "Criminal Mind" and "Walrus" than Hunchback songs.

If you saw Dennis, you didn't get the Tommy songs.j

Correct, you got Hunchback and Dennis solo songs...which are no where near as popular as Tommy's Styx songs...and that is what people would rather hear.

So, why not give fans the option of going to a Styx concert and getting what is the equivalent of Styx Greatest Hits?

Exactly...Styx is more popular than Dennis solo songs...so why not give his fans that instead? I accept your apology.

And PS - Orchestra shows aren't exactly scream at the top of your lungs and show us your tits kind of shows.

The CYO show seems to prove you wrong.

You gave the credibility by saying I had to be there to comment. I was there. I'm sorry you feel a need to whine a bit because you now have to admit that I know what I'm talking about. Like it or not, Desert Moon could be replaced by a Styx song and nobody would notice. They would probably be asleep anyway.

They are a bit classier. But that is something you clearly don't understand....Maybe someday you'll grow up and appreciate it.

Please. There was nothing "classy" about it. It just wasn't very exciting.

[gr8dane]

Don't let a few facts get in the way of your Tommy bathwater drinking. Yes, Dennis's orchestra shows really were a failure. Because all they did:

These are NOT facts, they are your biased opinions.

- Enabled him to get a new record deal for The Music Of Styx

Please. There is no proof that the tour had anything to do with it. Some no name label released it and Universal distributed it. There is no proof that the success of the tour had anything to do with it. In fact, the label he was on was even less impressive than CMC or Frontiers.

- That record became platinum in Canada.

Yeah, which is 100,000 sales...NOT the 1,000,000 as it in the US.

- Got him a PB[S special featuring the video of this concert

Not really. I would say him going on his PBS tour did that. I'm sure PBS stations don't care how well it sold in Canada, and mostly in one providence.

- Sold a large percentage of tickets and didn't need 2 other bands to help fill an arena

Not towards the end. Towards the end, he was performing rib fests and Disney World.

Dennis saw that there was an additional opportunity in the marketplace

Correct...he saw that people would rather see Styx than him. So, he reformed his band to be the closest to Styx as he could.

He also probably got tired of the smell of BBQ and playing for Mickey Mouse.

If you saw Styx you weren't getting what should be a Styx concert

No, you are getting what was Styx in today's world...and I would rather hear "Criminal Mind" and "Walrus" than Hunchback songs.

If you saw Dennis, you didn't get the Tommy songs.j

Correct, you got Hunchback and Dennis solo songs...which are no where near as popular as Tommy's Styx songs...and that is what people would rather hear.

So, why not give fans the option of going to a Styx concert and getting what is the equivalent of Styx Greatest Hits?

Exactly...Styx is more popular than Dennis solo songs...so why not give his fans that instead? I accept your apology.

And PS - Orchestra shows aren't exactly scream at the top of your lungs and show us your tits kind of shows.

The CYO show seems to prove you wrong.

You gave the credibility by saying I had to be there to comment. I was there. I'm sorry you feel a need to whine a bit because you now have to admit that I know what I'm talking about. Like it or not, Desert Moon could be replaced by a Styx song and nobody would notice. They would probably be asleep anyway.

They are a bit classier. But that is something you clearly don't understand....Maybe someday you'll grow up and appreciate it.

Please. There was nothing "classy" about it. It just wasn't very exciting.

Yes Topher.
I think an apology would be in order.

[Monker]

It is NOT an exaggeration. He went from some weird family affair solo show with 6 solo songs to hiring two people to replace Tommy and JY and perform only ONE solo song in a Styx show. That is what happened.

Yes it is still an exaggeration.

You're in denial. What I said is EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

You are putting forth the premise that he was attempting to focus on solo material verses his material from Styx.

That is NOT what I said. I am saying he moved from doing a basic solo show to trying to completely emulate Styx. You can even argue that he hired guys that LOOK like JY and Tommy. I would also say it is a FACT that back in those days he was trying to promote Hunchback to get it on PBS. It wasn't until he gave up on all of that stuff that he changed his act to what it is today.

Yet another fabrication. DDY has said until he came across August he didn't feel he had anyone in the band that could pull off TS' material and he wasn't going to sing them.

That's a fabrication. He said that his kid told him to listen to August because he was so good on Tommy songs. He didn't just "come across" August. Quit making things up.

Last I checked, he is not doing any of JY's songs. After all, he is doing a "greatest hits" style show and we all know JY's material doesn't meet that criteria.

JY has played and sang on EVERY song Styx has EVER recorded. So, in a way, they are all JY's songs.

[Having the name is big advantage when it comes to bookings and promoters. Dennis was successful with the "with orchestra" shows. His PBS special raised a lot of money for the stations that participated. Soundstage chose him over the current Styx to premier the re-launch of their concert series. Add to that the sales of the shows and DVD version of it in Canada.

Wow, he catered to the PBS crowd? That was MY point.

[Boomchild]

That is NOT what I said. I am saying he moved from doing a basic solo show to trying to completely emulate Styx. You can even argue that he hired guys that LOOK like JY and Tommy. I would also say it is a FACT that back in those days he was trying to promote Hunchback to get it on PBS. It wasn't until he gave up on all of that stuff that he changed his act to what it is today.

I see your still clinging to your twisted view of the events. Again for like the hundredth time, his shows from the start have been "The Music of Styx". Meaning the direct focus of the shows has been his Styx material. I'm still waiting for you to show us where his shows featured more solo material over Styx material as well as where his shows were billed without the "The Music of Styx" tag line.

That's a fabrication. He said that his kid told him to listen to August because he was so good on Tommy songs. He didn't just "come across" August. Quit making things up.

Now you are really grasping at straws. It's not fabricated at all. I just didn't type the details on how DDY came across August.

JY has played and sang on EVERY song Styx has EVER recorded. So, in a way, they are all JY's songs.

So this is what you meant by saying DDY is now playing JY songs. This is laughable.

Wow, he catered to the PBS crowd? That was MY point.

Doesn't really matter. It changes nothing about the "with orchestra" shows was a successful project.

[Toph]

Monkey Boy -

Facts:

- DDY now has been running his orchestra show for over a decade. (He just one a few weeks ago in Ft. Lauderdale). If it was so "unsuccessful" why would he still be running it?
- DDY's "Music of Styx" orchestra show landed him an Orchestra CD which went gold in Canada. ICYMI - Since DDY has left the band, Styx has not had a gold record anywhere. Not the US, Not Canada, Not Biloxi, MS...Nowhere.
- DDY's Orchestra Show landed him on PBS where it was part of soundstage.
- DDY's "Music Of Styx" CD placed 3 or 4 songs on the soundtrack of "The Perfect Man" of which DDY also had a cameo appearance.
- You laugh about DDY playing DisneyWorld. Sorry, but those are incredibly lucrative gigs. Styx wishes they were invited to that. You essentially play 3 30 minute shows over a 2-3 day period and get extremely high rates - higher than the daily booking rate - and then multiply it by the number of days that are being played. Plus, you get a nice Disney World vacation. Look at the names of the acts that play it - Night Ranger, etc. All big names from the 80s.
- DDY now also plays "The Music of Styx" Rock Show which features 5 Tommy Shaw sung songs. Of note, 3 of the 5 DDY had a direct influence on the song itself (Renegade - rocked it up, CB - rocked it up, Foolin Yourself - synth). Tommy Shaw led Styx plays DDY songs, so why can't DDY return the favor? His show is the one Styx show where you get ALL the biggest songs. You don't get that with the band called Styx. Makes smart business sense.
- DDY's Desert Moon was by far and away the biggest Styx solo song. It has stood the test of time and when it is played in concert get a huge dose of applause. In fact, I just heard it on XM 80s 3 days ago.

I'm not sure what you are arguing, except to say that DDY sucks in whatever way you want to say it today. Fact of the matter is that DDY is probably bringing home more in his pocket per show than any other member of Styx does when they play a show. Oh yeah, and like Journey with Steve Perry, they're paying him too every time they play a show. Not bad to make money sitting at home.

[Boomchild]

- You laugh about DDY playing DisneyWorld. Sorry, but those are incredibly lucrative gigs. Styx wishes they were invited to that. You essentially play 3 30 minute shows over a 2-3 day period and get extremely high rates - higher than the daily booking rate - and then multiply it by the number of days that are being played. Plus, you get a nice Disney World vacation.

Which it must have worked out very well for Disney World since they have booked him there consistently.

His show is the one Styx show where you get ALL the biggest songs. You don't get that with the band called Styx. Makes smart business sense.

Which is the main reason he revamped his band and added someone that could perform TS's songs that DDY was comfortable with. He also has said that he wanted to offer a show that covers all of the most popular Styx songs since the current Styx was avoiding several of them.

- DDY's Desert Moon was by far and away the biggest Styx solo song. It has stood the test of time and when it is played in concert get a huge dose of applause. In fact, I just heard it on XM 80s 3 days ago.

This did very well when it was released and is still recognizable by the casual fan. Hence the reason for DDY having in his set list.

I'm not sure what you are arguing, except to say that DDY sucks in whatever way you want to say it today.

To say that DDY changed the format and set list of his shows because the previous shows were unsuccessful is baseless. The main reason he has done so is because the current Styx is no longer playing all of their most popular songs and DDY felt there was a market for it. It is good that they don't since it provides DDY the ability to do so. Also keep in mind that DDY offers three different types of shows, Rock Format, With Orchestra Format and a Acoustic Format. That way he can maximize the number and type of venues looking to book acts. Seems like a smart business plan to me.

Oh yeah, and like Journey with Steve Perry, they're paying him too every time they play a show. Not bad to make money sitting at home.

Which I am sure pisses off JY to this day since it appears that they were attempting to walk away with the business lock stock and barrel without giving DDY squat.

[Monker]

Monkey Boy -

Facts:

- DDY now has been running his orchestra show for over a decade. (He just one a few weeks ago in Ft. Lauderdale). If it was so "unsuccessful" why would he still be running it?

Because that was never the whole of my argument. I used the orchestra shows as a time reference. The fact of the matter is he went from over six solo songs to changing his band to a pseudo-Styx and only playing one. Just prior to that his solo shows were shit.

- DDY's "Music of Styx" orchestra show landed him an Orchestra CD

blah, blah, blah. That is YOUR OPINION NOT A FACT

- DDY's Orchestra Show landed him on PBS where it was part of soundstage.

Blah, blah, blah. That is YOUR OPNION NOT A FACT.

- DDY's "Music Of Styx" CD placed 3 or 4 songs on the soundtrack of "The Perfect Man" of which DDY also had a cameo appearance.

Blah, blah, blah....does not even relate to what I am talking about.

- You laugh about DDY playing DisneyWorld. Sorry, but those are incredibly lucrative gigs.

Go find the Youtube of it that was posted here. It's embarrassing.

- DDY now also plays "The Music of Styx" Rock Show which features 5 Tommy Shaw sung songs.

Exactly what I have been saying. Dennis knows Tommy's Styx songs are more popular than his solo songs so he added a Tommy and JY clones to his band and changed what he played live.

Oh yeah, and like Journey with Steve Perry, they're paying him too every time they play a show. Not bad to make money sitting at home.

What are you talking about now?

[Toph]

Monkey Boy -

Facts:

- DDY now has been running his orchestra show for over a decade. (He just one a few weeks ago in Ft. Lauderdale). If it was so "unsuccessful" why would he still be running it?

Because that was never the whole of my argument. I used the orchestra shows as a time reference. The fact of the matter is he went from over six solo songs to changing his band to a pseudo-Styx and only playing one. Just prior to that his solo shows were shit.

- DDY's "Music of Styx" orchestra show landed him an Orchestra CD

blah, blah, blah. That is YOUR OPINION NOT A FACT

- DDY's Orchestra Show landed him on PBS where it was part of soundstage.

Blah, blah, blah. That is YOUR OPNION NOT A FACT.

- DDY's "Music Of Styx" CD placed 3 or 4 songs on the soundtrack of "The Perfect Man" of which DDY also had a cameo appearance.

Blah, blah, blah....does not even relate to what I am talking about.

- You laugh about DDY playing DisneyWorld. Sorry, but those are incredibly lucrative gigs.

Go find the Youtube of it that was posted here. It's embarrassing.

- DDY now also plays "The Music of Styx" Rock Show which features 5 Tommy Shaw sung songs.

Exactly what I have been saying. Dennis knows Tommy's Styx songs are more popular than his solo songs so he added a Tommy and JY clones to his band and changed what he played live.

Oh yeah, and like Journey with Steve Perry, they're paying him too every time they play a show. Not bad to make money sitting at home.

What are you talking about now?[/quote]

Facts, Monkeyboy. I know those are foreign things to you.

[Monker]

What are you talking about now?

Facts, Monkeyboy. I know those are foreign things to you.

The format of my post was all screwed up and I didn't have time to fix it. So, I'll forgive you for not reading it correctly...fixed now tho. However, almost everything you posted is based on your OPINION.

"What are you talking about now?" is in reference to Journey/Styx paying Perry/DeYoung.

[Monker]

His show is the one Styx show where you get ALL the biggest songs. You don't get that with the band called Styx. Makes smart business sense.

Which is the main reason he revamped his band and added someone that could perform TS's songs that DDY was comfortable with. He also has said that he wanted to offer a show that covers all of the most popular Styx songs since the current Styx was avoiding several of them.

And, if he didn't revamp his band, and remove his solo songs and add Tommy's Styx songs, etc, he probably wouldn't be touring right now. What he was doing wasn't going anywhere.

- DDY's Desert Moon was by far and away the biggest Styx solo song. It has stood the test of time and when it is played in concert get a huge dose of applause. In fact, I just heard it on XM 80s 3 days ago.

This did very well when it was released and is still recognizable by the casual fan. Hence the reason for DDY having in his set list.

And, if he replaced it with something like Snowblind, nobody would miss it. People are going to his shows for Styx, not DDY solo crap.

I'm not sure what you are arguing, except to say that DDY sucks in whatever way you want to say it today.

To say that DDY changed the format and set list of his shows because the previous shows were unsuccessful is baseless.

No it's not. According to Toph, I have all kinds of credibility because I SAW HIS SHOW AT THAT TIME. Half filled theaters, rib rib fests, and theme parks. THAT is where his show was. It's a FACT.

He needed to change what he was doing and did what was necessary.

Also keep in mind that DDY offers three different types of shows, Rock Format, With Orchestra Format and a Acoustic Format. That way he can maximize the number and type of venues looking to book acts. Seems like a smart business plan to me.

LOL...the orchestra and acoustic shows are very rare happenings nowadays. I doubt very much that it has anything to do with maximizing anything.

Oh yeah, and like Journey with Steve Perry, they're paying him too every time they play a show. Not bad to make money sitting at home.

Which I am sure pisses off JY to this day since it appears that they were attempting to walk away with the business lock stock and barrel without giving DDY squat.

[/quote]

Again, what specifically are you guys talking about.

[Boomchild]

And, if he didn't revamp his band, and remove his solo songs and add Tommy's Styx songs, etc, he probably wouldn't be touring right now. What he was doing wasn't going anywhere.

That's your opinion. If it wasn't going anywhere then the PBS and Soundstage programs would have never materialized.

And, if he replaced it with something like Snowblind, nobody would miss it. People are going to his shows for Styx, not DDY solo crap.

Again as you like to point out, that's your opinion and not fact. Of course they are going to his shows mainly for the Styx material. After all he has billed ALL his shows from the start as "The Music of Styx". Yet you claimed he went from just billing himself as just "Dennis DeYoung" to "Dennis DeYoung and The Music of Styx".
I'm still waiting for you to back up this statement. I doubt you ever will because you can't. So much for your "facts".

No it's not. According to Toph, I have all kinds of credibility because I SAW HIS SHOW AT THAT TIME. Half filled theaters, rib rib fests, and theme parks. THAT is where his show was. It's a FACT.

Seems to me you are basing your opinion on seeing just one of his shows. Did you go to more then one show? The "with orchestra" shows were only performed in theater settings. The shows done at Disney and rib fests did not feature the additional solo material.

LOL...the orchestra and acoustic shows are very rare happenings nowadays. I doubt very much that it has anything to do with maximizing anything.

It gives him the ability to offer different formats for various venues. That's the point. It's up to those that hire him to perform to choose. If the "with orchestra" shows were not profitable then he wouldn't still be offering it.

[Boomchild]

Because that was never the whole of my argument. I used the orchestra shows as a time reference. The fact of the matter is he went from over six solo songs to changing his band to a pseudo-Styx and only playing one. Just prior to that his solo shows were shit.

Your "facts" are faulty. He only included a total of FOUR songs in his set list. All one needs to do is check out the track list on the "Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra" CD release which was the full show. The set list for the "with orchestra" shows was always the same.

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Styx-Live-S ... is+Deyoung

- DDY now also plays "The Music of Styx" Rock Show which features 5 Tommy Shaw sung songs.

Once again your "facts" are faulty. His show has only ever featured FOUR TS "sung" songs. To refresh your memory they are: Too Much Time On My Hands, Blue Collar Man, Fooling Yourself and Crystal Ball. Add to that he often does not play all of them at every single performance.

Since you like to zero in on "facts" maybe you should check your own first.

[Monker]

[

- DDY now also plays "The Music of Styx" Rock Show which features 5 Tommy Shaw sung songs.

Once again your "facts" are faulty. His show has only ever featured FOUR TS "sung" songs. To refresh your memory they are: Too Much Time On My Hands, Blue Collar Man, Fooling Yourself and Crystal Ball. Add to that he often does not play all of them at every single performance.

Since you like to zero in on "facts" maybe you should check your own first.

Yeah, Toph, quit posting such bullshit. When you post a list of 'facts', at least make sure they are actual factual facts...Or, Boomchild will come around and correct them and try to make it look like they came from me.

[Monker]

Because that was never the whole of my argument. I used the orchestra shows as a time reference. The fact of the matter is he went from over six solo songs to changing his band to a pseudo-Styx and only playing one. Just prior to that his solo shows were shit.

Your "facts" are faulty. He only included a total of FOUR songs in his set list. All one needs to do is check out the track list on the "Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra" CD release which was the full show. The set list for the "with orchestra" shows was always the same.

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Styx-Live-S ... is+Deyoung

You are wrong and your link proves it...it is in FACT *SEVEN* solo songs...so I was absolutely correct when I said "over six":

Disc: 1
1. Grand Illusion
2. Lady
3. Eine Klein Nachtmusik/Lorelei
4. Light Up
5. Intro – Babe
6. Babe
7. Intro – Show Me the Way
8. Show Me the Way
9. Ave Maria
10. Castle Walls
11. Intro – Claire de Lune
12. Claire de Lune
13[. Don’t Let It End
14. Hello God
Disc: 2
1. Mr. Roboto
2. Rockin’ the Paradise
3. Intro – Black Wall
4. Black Wall
5. Desert Moon
6. With Every Heartbeat
7. Suite Madame Blue
8. Best of Times
9. Intro – Come Sail Away
10. Come Sail Away
11. My God (Can Beat Up Your God)
12. Goodnight My Love

[Boomchild]

You are wrong and your link proves it...it is in FACT *SEVEN* solo songs...so I was absolutely correct when I said "over six":

Your "fact" checking is very sloppy. The songs, My God (Can Beat Up Your God), Goodnight My Love, Hello God are all STUDIO TRACKS added to the CD and were not part of the set lists for any of the shows. We are talking about his live shows here not bonus material add to a live recording. Nice try though.

[Boomchild]

Yeah, Toph, quit posting such bullshit. When you post a list of 'facts', at least make sure they are actual factual facts...Or, Boomchild will come around and correct them and try to make it look like they came from me.

I see so now you are are not responsible for what you type. Seems like this is just like the old adage, "I am rubber and your glue whatever I say bounces of me and sticks to you"! I guess it was Toph who also claimed that DDY was billing himself as just "Dennis Deyoung" and later changed it to "Dennis DeYoung and The Music of Styx". As usual still grasping at straws to prove your unproven so called "facts". BTW, how are you coming along with your evidence of how DDY was billing himself just as "Dennis DeYoung".

[Monker]

You are wrong and your link proves it...it is in FACT *SEVEN* solo songs...so I was absolutely correct when I said "over six":

Your "fact" checking is very sloppy. The songs, My God (Can Beat Up Your God), Goodnight My Love, Hello God are all STUDIO TRACKS added to the CD and were not part of the set lists for any of the shows. We are talking about his live shows here not bonus material add to a live recording. Nice try though.

You are simply flat out WRONG about so many things here.

You are wrong that he didn't perform some of those songs in concert. I remember seeing one of the "God" songs.

You are wrong that he didn't change his set list and all the orchestra shows were the same. Go back to the posts in the early 2000's and read them.

You are wrong that he only performed four solo songs. He performed three Hunchback songs when I saw him and at least Dessert Moon and one of the God songs.

Just as a reference, here is a review from a reliable source which includes a set list of six solo songs: And, he compares it to an earlier show which had even more changes.

http://www.styxcollector.com/ddychicago51102.html

You are so wrong about so many basic things...you simply don't know what you are talking about.

And, you still haven't answered the question about what you are talking about when you agreed with Toph about Styx/Journey writing a check to DeYoung/Perry whenever they perform a show. You probably don't know what you are talking about there either.

[gr8dane]

Sorry Monker.

Desert moon
Summertime
Ave Maria
My god
Paradise (NOT Theatre)
With every heartbeat
Someone to hold
Harry's hands
Who will love this child
Esmeralda

only counts as 2 songs.
I think you owe topher and booger an apology.

[Monker]

Yeah, Toph, quit posting such bullshit. When you post a list of 'facts', at least make sure they are actual factual facts...Or, Boomchild will come around and correct them and try to make it look like they came from me.

I see so now you are are not responsible for what you type. Seems like this is just like the old adage, "I am rubber and your glue whatever I say bounces of me and sticks to you"!.

Oh, please...go back and read the thread. Toph posted the stupid bullet list. You quoted one entry from his list from my post and attributed it to me and said I was wrong. You were wrong, he was wrong. You are all wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, WRONG!

When I made that post I assumed that people with at least half a brain would know the bullet points were from Toph. I guess i was wrong in assuming the people on this forum had at least half a brain.

[Boomchild]

You are wrong that he only performed four solo songs. He performed three Hunchback songs when I saw him and at least Dessert Moon and one of the God songs.

Just as a reference, here is a review from a reliable source which includes a set list of six solo songs: And, he compares it to an earlier show which had even more changes.

http://www.styxcollector.com/ddychicago51102.html

Since you love to be so factual, "Summertime" is not a solo song. Dennis did not write it. "Paradise" is a song that has been performed by Styx and was released as a single by them. So that's still four solo songs. The main point here is that all of the shows FOCUSED on STYX MATERIAL as opposed to solo or other material. Your assertion that people didn't care for the shows due to the inclusion of solo material is unfounded and strictly your opinion.

And, you still haven't answered the question about what you are talking about when you agreed with Toph about Styx/Journey writing a check to DeYoung/Perry whenever they perform a show. You probably don't know what you are talking about there either.

And you have yet to answer the question of when and where Dennis billed himself as just "Dennis DeYoung" and not "Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx". You can't because it isn't true and it weakens your opinion of what actually happened.

[Boomchild]

When I made that post I assumed that people with at least half a brain would know the bullet points were from Toph. I guess i was wrong in assuming the people on this forum had at least half a brain.

People with "half a brain" know that your claim that Dennis went around billing himself as just "Dennis Deyoung" is complete bullshit. So as you would say, your wrong, wrong, wrong, WRONG!

[Abitaman]

Not saying that DDY isn't better known for his Styx material. But I am saying that Desert Moon is a very recognizable song from the mid 80s. My guess is that most people know that song who were in their formative years in the mid 80s. Call Me, while more of a regional/AC song certainly has some following as evidenced by its 300,000K hits on YouTube and its #3 ranking in DDY's solo iTunes popularity (#2 is It's in Everyone of Us - don't ask me why) .

It's In Everyone Of Us is an awesome song. One of my top 5 songs off his solo cds. While it is not a rock song by any means, his vocals rock the song. Strong, clear and full of power. That CD has 7 songs that really stand out as very good, and the rest is good. IMO one of his better solo cds.