By Warren Gerds
wgerds@greenbaypressgazette.com
Concert review
Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx with the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra
4 stars
(out of four)
The remarkable Dennis DeYoung rocked the Meyer Theatre Saturday night.
The former lead singer and songwriter with Styx took 26 members of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra on a sprint, with the help of a rock band and additional singers.
The crowd of about 800 (out of a potential 992) leapt into the action.
The event, part of the 75th anniversary celebration for the theater, was a fund-raiser for a new marquee.
The cost of about $20,000 is covered, Kramer Rock, president of the Meyer board, said Saturday night.
The concert was a true classical-pops concert. Songs by DeYoung, whether from Styx or his solo career, blended with popular classics.
In the middle of his “Pieces of Eight,” out came the orchestra exploding through Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”
To his “Lady” the orchestra blended in Ravel’s “Bolero.”
Some songs Styx recorded but never played live now have a new life thanks to DeYoung’s new-found orchestral gigs. The haunting “Castle Walls” burst with vitality as one example.
DeYoung and the orchestra also soared in “Mr. Roboto,” one of Styx’s greatest hits.
With white hair and dressed mostly in black, including a leather jacket, DeYoung roamed the stage in a state of joy. He sang in a powerful, high tenor. He played keyboards some, like with Styx, but now John Blauciucci does that.
DeYoung asked how many people in the crowd were seeing him perform live for the first time. More than one-fourth indicated they were.
“What took you so long?” he said. “I’m in my 50s.”
Indeed, he turned 58 Saturday.
His wife of 34 years, Suzanne (who sings some backup), surprised him with a birthday cake on stage.
Among terrific moments was the singing of “Show Me the Way,” which DeYoung noted got renewed popularity among military personnel in the Gulf War. Joining him in song only were his wife, backup singer Dawn Fusi, bassist Hank Horton and guest singer Amick Byram. This was beautiful and moving.
Byram also wrapped his rich voice into two songs from DeYoung’s musical, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Especially lyrical was “Esmarelda.”
This was mostly a night for rock, though. With the help of his band that sometimes featured guitarist Tom Dziallo, DeYoung delivered the goods — the hits of Styx all dressed up and ready to rock in still-colorful ways.
One last neat thing: You can understand what he is singing.
