Cornerstone - 25 Years!!!

by **SuiteMadameBlue** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 11:06 pm

I can't believe that I'm SO old. The album Cornerstone came out 25 years ago (November 24, 1979)!!!! I remember playing that album over and over, it's so worn out - LOL

I'll have to play it today to celebrate all the years :lol:

UGH, I still can't believe 25 years!!

by **froy** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 12:57 am

SuiteMadameBlue wrote:I can't believe that I'm SO old. The album Cornerstone came out 25 years ago (November 24, 1979)!!!! I remember playing that album over and over, it's so worn out - LOL

I'll have to play it today to celebrate all the years

UGH, I still can't believe 25 years!!

I guess we use to be the lucky ones
But Fortune smiled on everyone.
I heard the knock on my door I heard the ring of the bell
I got the letter but I couldn't go.

Cornerstone is awesome
Its a shame Styx is not together to celebrate it

by **sadie65** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:54 am

And this is JY's thoughts on the album today:

Twenty-five years ago today (November 24th, 1979), Cornerstone by Styx reached its peak position of Number Two on the album chart. It featured the ballad "Babe," which was the band's first Number One single, but singer-guitarist James "J.Y." Young doesn't remember it as a particularly happy time. Young was dealing with his wife's serious health issues back then, so he was somewhat removed from the album process. He told LAUNCH that Cornerstone had a huge impact on the band, but despite it's success, he would have fought against it if he could have: ["It was an image-changing thing for us, which I was in complete disagreement with, so I think we did alienate a lot of our core audience with that album. But 'Babe' was the first Number One single the band had, and it was a song (that former singer-keyboardist) Dennis (DeYoung) wrote about his wife, so I, I respect the sincerity with which that song was created. But for me, stylistically, it was a left turn that I would have -- had I, you know, had the ability to change, I would've, you know, not allowed to happen at the time.

Styx has a hit on their hands these days with their live cover version of the Beatles' "I Am The Walrus." It will be released via iTunes.com on December 7th.

To a degree I can see his point, however, I think it also brought the band a lot of new fans. Nothing wrong with expanding your musical horizons.

Peace,

Sadie

by **froy** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 3:25 am

sadie65 wrote:And this is JY's thoughts on the album today:

Twenty-five years ago today (November 24th, 1979), Cornerstone by Styx reached its peak position of Number Two on the album chart. It featured the ballad "Babe," which was the band's first Number One single, but singer-guitarist James "J.Y." Young doesn't remember it as a particularly happy time. Young was dealing with his wife's serious health issues back then, so he was somewhat removed from the album process. He told LAUNCH that Cornerstone had a huge impact on the band, but despite it's success, he would have fought against it if he could have: ["It was an image-changing thing for us, which I was in complete disagreement with, so I think we did alienate a lot of our core audience with that album. But 'Babe' was the first Number One single the band had, and it was a song (that former singer-keyboardist) Dennis (DeYoung) wrote about his wife, so I, I respect the sincerity with which that song was created. But for me, stylistically, it was a left turn that I would have -- had I, you know, had the ability to change, I would've, you know, not allowed to happen at the time.

Styx has a hit on their hands these days with their live cover version of the Beatles' "I Am The Walrus." It will be released via iTunes.com on December 7th.

To a degree I can see his point, however, I think it also brought the band a lot of new fans. Nothing wrong with expanding your musical horizons.

Peace,

Sadie

[/quote

Funny how JY always seems to bring the negative into every article
Talk about alienating there fans JY and Shaw have done the ultimate damage more than any number 1 hit single could have ever done
Fact is Mr Legend in his own mind Babe set the stage for many bands to reach out into the ballad market = Journey Open Arms and Faithfully
Foreigner with Love Is and Ive Been waiting, Areosmith did Close My Eyes Even Kiss did Beth so JY once again I think its time for you to move on and let Dennis and Tommy take Styx to the next level You and the yelling copycatt can go live in the woods in canada .

by **Adam** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 4:36 am

Fray says: “Talk about alienating there fans JY and Shaw have done the ultimate damage more than any number 1 hit single could have ever done”

Adam says: “Yeah, right”

Froy says: “I think its time for you to move on and let Dennis and Tommy take Styx to the next level You and the yelling copycatt can go live in the woods in canada”

Adam says: “Froy seems to think that Dennis is so easy to get along with that Tommy & him would get along just fine, like maybe JY is the problem. Hogwash. I theorize that for years JY played referee in the band to try to balance these 2 artist types (= spoiled, stubborn, talented babies). Oh, and Froy’s new word for the month is: ‘COPYCAT’”

About “I Am The Walrus” Froy says "Check copycat dot com I think its there"

Adam says "Boy, Froy, that DeYoung sure did a bang up job with that cover of (the band that gave the Fab Four all that competition) the unforgettable KNICKERBOCKERS hit song 'Lies' didn't he?...And what about 'NOT DEAD YET'? What was the name of Ralph Covert's band (who ORIGINALLY recorded the tune), was it the COPYCATS?"

by **bugsymalone** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 4:39 am

This album has one of the very few songs of Dennis DeYoung's I cannot listen to -- "The First Time."

Other than that song, this is a terrific album. JY nothwithstanding, it did stretch the band and there is NOTHING wrong with this.

You are right, Froy. He really does dwell on the negative.

Congrats, Classic Styx, on the anniversary of yet another of your great Classic recordings.

Bugsy

by **kansas666** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 8:18 am

sadie65 wrote: it also brought the band a lot of new fans. Nothing wrong with expanding your musical horizons.

Peace,

Sadie

Yes, I believe at that point, STYX became the most popular band in the world for children under 13. Now THAT is something for Dennis to be proud of.

So if you are under 38 today, you were one of Dennis's sheep.

by **gr8dane** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 8:23 am

Frankly,when this came out I was very disapointed.Loving Equinox,(and then Grand Illusion ) and Pieces of 8,Cornerstone was very soft compared to.YES there are some great songs on.But like JY,I like rock'n Styx.Then again,I still bought every studio album of Styx that was ever released ,weak or great.
Geez,25 years.
I think Pink Floyd The Wall gotz 25 year anniversary around now also.
All the best,,,don't stuff yourself too much with turkey tonight.
Talking about turkey,,,in that 70s show,the father threatened Eric to wear a turkey on his head like a football helmet,for bad behaviour.LOL
Cheers

by **kansas666** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:15 pm

froy wrote:Babe set the stage for many bands to reach out into the ballad market Even Kiss did Beth so JY once again I think its time for you to move on and let Dennis and Tommy take Styx to the next level You and the yelling copycatt can go live in the woods in canada .

Funny, Beth was released in 1976, and Babe was released in 1979.

Who is the copycat? :roll:

by **bugsymalone** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:15 pm

Funny, Beth was released in 1976, and Babe was released in 1979.

I always thought "Lady" was considered one of the prototype power ballads.

Many rock bands discovered that a power ballad would often lead to more radio play and a hit song. A radio firiendly song often made a rock group more accessible and would lead fans to their other music as well.

This was certainly the case with "Lady."

Bugsy

by **froy** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:20 am

kansas666 wrote:
froy wrote:Babe set the stage for many bands to reach out into the ballad market Even Kiss did Beth so JY once again I think its time for you to move on and let Dennis and Tommy take Styx to the next level You and the yelling copycatt can go live in the woods in canada .

Funny, Beth was released in 1976, and Babe was released in 1979.

Who is the copycat?

Hey stupid I know when Beth was released the point was that Kiss even did a ballad not that Styx gave them the idea. Babe set the stage for JRNY Foreigner and many more rock bands to do ballads,

by **Adam** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:43 am

Froy says: "Hey Stupid..."

Adam says: What a respectful way to approach to people! In other words, if you don't agree with me, you're stupid, right?

Extend that pleasant attitude. If you didn't vote for who I voted for you're stupid, right? If you're not the same color as me you're stupid, right?

Adam says Froy is a poor mouthpiece for DeYoung.

by **bugsymalone** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:26 am

Adam says Froy is a poor mouthpiece for DeYoung.

Name calling is something Dennis never resorts to doing. At least not in public.

Ever the gentleman, he should be everyone's role model. IMHO.

Bugsy

by **kansas666** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:48 am

froy wrote:
Hey stupid I know when Beth was released the point was that Kiss even did a ballad not that Styx gave them the idea. Babe set the stage for JRNY Foreigner and many more rock bands to do ballads,

Why don't you learn how to use punctuation. :roll:

by **SuiteMadameBlue** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 6:24 am

Even though most of us disagree on this board, I think we should still be a little civil and not call names. Just my opinion

I agree with Bugsy, I thought "Lady" was considered one of the prototype Power Ballads.

Kansas says:

So if you are under 38 today, you were one of Dennis's sheep.

Yikes, I just turned 38!! I guess that I'm no longer one of Dennis' sheep - LOL :wink:

Do any of you know why JY is so bitter with the song "Babe"? He wasn't even part of the number one song. From what I know, he wasn't part of the recording of the song. It was the only Styx song to reach number #1.

Styx Trivia

Styx/Cornerstone was nominated for a Grammy for "Rock Vocal Group" for the 22nd Grammy Awards.

Do you know which band and album won the award?

by **Ash** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 7:30 am

Adam wrote:Froy says: "Hey Stupid..."

Adam says: What a respectful way to approach to people! In other words, if you don't agree with me, you're stupid, right?

Extend that pleasant attitude. If you didn't vote for who I voted for you're stupid, right? If you're not the same color as me you're stupid, right?

Adam says Froy is a poor mouthpiece for DeYoung.

Referring to yourself in the third person is a sign of mental illness. Remember Bob Dole?

by **Monker** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 5:14 pm

Ash wrote:
Adam wrote:Froy says: "Hey Stupid..."

Adam says: What a respectful way to approach to people! In other words, if you don't agree with me, you're stupid, right?

Extend that pleasant attitude. If you didn't vote for who I voted for you're stupid, right? If you're not the same color as me you're stupid, right?

Adam says Froy is a poor mouthpiece for DeYoung.

Referring to yourself in the third person is a sign of mental illness. Remember Bob Dole?

It seems to me that having the ability to write in the third person is a talent...it's not always an easy thing to do. And, the ability to quote properly shows inteligence... 'some' people in these forums have never quoted properly.

by **Monker** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 5:20 pm

froy wrote:Hey stupid I know when Beth was released the point was that Kiss even did a ballad not that Styx gave them the idea. Babe set the stage for JRNY Foreigner and many more rock bands to do ballads,

You are so far off. Ballads have happened since rock first began. Nobody "set the stage"...it has always been there. All that happened in the early 80's is that Styx, Journey, REO, Foreigner, etc, POPULARIZED them.

If "Babe" hadn't happened, I doubt any other ballad that should have followed either: wouldn't have happened, or would have been less popular. There is just no evidence that shows that it would have.

by **Monker** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 5:43 pm

Do any of you know why JY is so bitter with the song "Babe"? He wasn't even part of the number one song. From what I know, he wasn't part of the recording of the song. It was the only Styx song to reach number #1.

For the exact same reasons that Neal Schon wasn't happy about "Open Arms". He didn't believe the song fit the band. He not only had a "What am I suppose to do on this?" attitude, he DIDN'T do anything on it. In fact, are there not quotes somewhere that say DENNIS didn't think it fit Styx' "sound" and he thought about saving it for a solo album?

And, what exactly does a single's chart position prove? Journey NEVER had a #1 sing but still sold more albums then Styx and was more 'popular' around 1983 then Styx EVER was. Some of the most popular bands in rock history NEVER EVEN HAD A SINGLE CHART during their peak, like Led Zeppelin.

In fact, I will say that it's easy for a band and label to put out a piece of candy that becomes popular for a month...look at all the candy "Britney Spear" types and all the boy bands that have been recycled so many times. It's much harder for a band to be around for 30yrs and still be touring and releasing new music.

by **gr8dane** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 9:53 pm

Hey Suite
Who won the grammy then :?:

by **styxfanNH** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 1:49 am

Suite,

This is part of the intro to VH1's Behind the Music I have on CD. It obviously takes fragments of the interview these guys did for the segment but probably gets the gist of how they felt. The last sentence by Dennis is actually part of the bridge into the Kilroy album but I felt it also represented how they felt about Babe. If I can find the time, I can transcribe more of it, but that may be at my Holiday break.

Host: Styx rocked their way to the top of the charts, only to be undone by a number one love song.

JY: When Babe came, there was a big transition to commercial music,

Dennis: Tommy and JY were fearful of doing a straight ballad.

Tommy: The band was big enough all ready, we didn’t have to stretch out into Barry Manilow’s territory.

Music: Insert Babe chorus

Music: Insert Kilroy clip of Dr. Righteous saying “I see a future without rock and roll”

Host: Then the battle between blazing guitars and soft rock theatrics reached a dramatic climax.

Dennis: It is always best when every member of the band is on the same page.

by **classicstyxfan** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 9:41 am

Here's what I am having trouble understanding......IF as posted elswhere
Dennis wasn't sure Babe belonged on a Styx album, and IF JY and Tommy felt the way they say they did.........why didn't they encourage Dennis to do a solo album on the side ?

Could it be that they knew that Babe had serious top 40 potential, which would also drive manypurchasers towards Cornerstone ( and thus put alot of ching in each of their wallets ? ) In other words wre they torn between their image and their bank accounts ?

OR

Could it be they didnt want a big portion of their meal ticket getting a taste of solo success that could jeopardize the bands future ? Just curious.

by **ek88** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 10:45 am

Could it be they didnt want a big portion of their meal ticket getting a taste of solo success that could jeopardize the bands future ? Just curious.

Did they really consider him a big portion of their meal ticket at that point in time? The band had just come off of Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight, two of their most cohesive and collective efforts, by all accounts. Tommy and JY were writers of four of the six major singles from those two albums. I realize DDY wrote Lady and got it all started and was a founding member and all that, but I guess I question whether the rest of the band viewed a solo career jeopardizing Styx at that particular point in time.

In retrospect, the #1 hit did more damage than good. It probably would've been better if Babe had horribly tanked, then perhaps DDY wouldn't have gotten so carried away a few years later with the whole Kilroy presentation.

by **gr8dane** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 11:31 am

Thank you EK88.
I think you just managed to say ,what I thought i would say ,but didn't ,cause I couldn't,not because i wouldn't,but hadn't thought of how to say it.
Babe is a great Dennis song,but it is not a great Styx song.

by **ek88** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 12:16 pm

I think you just managed to say ,what I thought i would say ,but didn't ,cause I couldn't,not because i wouldn't,but hadn't thought of how to say it.

Thanks to you, as well!

by **LordofDaRing** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 3:03 pm

some of you might have touched on why JY is so bitter about Babe...he wasn't on it. Tommy played the solo and Chuck and John were both on the first demo tape that actually made the final recording. And just like Neil Schon told Steve Perry backstage after the first night they played Open Arms live (as documented in BTM), "that thing rocked"...Steve Perry saide (jokingly) he felt like killing him after all the grief he gave him about the tune. I think Joe Perry and his girlfriend at the time use to refer to dream on as music to go take a piss with....and so it goes...all the way to the bank...

MR

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