Article:Classic Rock Not Just For Parents

[SuiteMadameBlue]

This article is long so I'm just posting the link and the Styx info:

http://www.chicagoredstreak.com/enterta ... ock29.html


Classic rock not just for parents
November 29, 2005

At the Styx show in Waukegan, Lauren Johnson, 13, planted herself in front of singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw, head flailing, fist pumping. Also a fan of AC/DC and Zeppelin, the seventh-grader was "instantly hooked" when she listened to her mother's "Best of Styx" CD two years ago.

"I had more fun watching her, the enjoyment on her face," said her mother, Julie, 38. "The look on her face when Tommy Shaw high-fived her was incredible . . . This is what gives us common ground, music. I can tell her about things I was doing when a song was popular."

Old songs get new life
Styx played their hits from the '70s and '80s as well as rock classics by other artists for a crowd that ranged in age from elementary school kids to AARP members. The kids knew all the words. "Big Bang Theory," Styx's new disc of old tunes, produced a hit: the Beatles' "I Am The Walrus," originally released in 1967.

"That was an old song. Now it's a brand new Styx song," explained Shaw. Regarding the youngsters in front of the stage, he added, "You probably heard this stuff when you were in your mama's bellies."

Says Shaw, "Things don't go out of style so much any more as styles keep expanding." He admits, "As a mature guy who's in an immature business, what I do almost won't allow me to grow up, especially now, seeing the same 15-year-old faces I saw 30 years ago, that's not helping."

The next generation of fans
"Of course we're looking for the next generation of fans," said James Young of Styx, one of the biggest rock bands ever to come out of Chicago. "Two years ago we started seeing teenage females screaming for men certainly old enough to be their fathers."

Angie Krumpoch and her 11-year-old daughter Julie bonded over Styx. "I was 6 years old when I first heard 'Lady.' It was my favorite song. I continued to like them for 29 years," Angie explained. "I bought a video of a Styx concert from back in the '70s. (Julie) was 2 when I watched it. After that, she'd bring it to me and say, 'I want to see the Tommy tape.' "

Mother and daughter enjoy shopping together and watching movies, but Styx is their common ground. They've been to five shows, plus a signing at a record store.

"It's definitely brought us closer. We can talk pretty much about anything, but we really have that certain thing in common. It gets us out together to do something just for the night," Angie said.

Tires of bitches and hos
"I think there's a certain musical quality, a little more innocence about the music," Young said. "If there's something edgy, it's more suggested, not overt. These days, the use of the English language across the board has evolved, everything is overt, blatant."

Many kids who listen to classic rock agree. They're weary of the violence and "bitches and hos" themes prevalent in urban contemporary music. They embrace the classic rock themes of love, peace, teen angst and political activism.

[bugsymalone]

As a mature guy who's in an immature business

I LOVE that quote!

Thanks, Suite.

Bugsy

[sadie65]

Adding to this was another short article from the Sun-Times today. Read on

http://www.suntimes.com/output/rock/cst-ftr-styx29.html


Styx experiences youth movement

November 29, 2005

BY LESLIE BALDACCI Staff Reporter Advertisement






In his 1999 movie "Big Daddy," Adam Sandler puts on some quiet music: the Styx ballad "Babe."

"Styx!," recognizes Joey Lauren Adams, who plays a character named Layla. "They've been my favorite band since I was like 12!"

That year, Styx noticed "a smattering of youngsters" in their audiences. Then the band was mentioned on "The Simpsons." "South Park" mutilated "Come Sail Away" and VW used "Mr. Roboto" in a commercial. About two years ago, the youth presence was "full fledged," guitarist James Young said.

"It's been a gradual thing. It's a delightful surprise, and we see more and more of it," said the 56-year-old Young. "I'm not tailoring this to young people. It's nice they are coming to see the band. It makes me feel good, like we can go on forever, which I believe we can. I intend to do this until they scrape me off the stage."

At a recent 1,500-seat club in St. Louis, 150 ticket-buyers had to wear "under 21" bracelets.

[classicstyxfan]

Old enough to be their fathers ??????Talk about Denial !!!!

try "Grandfathers" !!!!!