MR

The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life With Styx (Hardcover)
by Chuck Panozzo, Michele Skettino


Book Description
They are still one of the biggest rock bands of the last three decades. With four consecutive triple-platinum albums and 54 million records sold, their tours continue to sell out and classic songs like "Lady," "Renegade," "Come Sail Away," and "The Grand Illusion" have earned them a whole new generation of fans. At the height of their fame, they were living the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll fantasy -- an odyssey of groupies, drugs, and music that most musicians only dream of. As a band, Styx seemed invincible. But their founding member and bass player, Chuck Panozzo, was about to hit rock bottom. His seemingly debauched life as the ultimate rocker was a lie -- and the truth was about to catch up with him.
The Grand Illusion is a no-holds-barred, backstage pass to the journey of one of the world’s most revered bands, and the true story of Chuck Panozzo’s 50-year struggle to reconcile his public life as a rock star with his private life as a gay man. Beginning with the birth of Styx in Chicago and their meteoric rise, The Grand Illusion is a revealing look at the triumphs and tragedies that surrounded Panozzo’s life. He chronicles life on the road, the break-up of the band, his struggle to help his twin brother and bandmate John Panozzo battle addiction, as well as his split with Dennis De Young, and finally coming to terms with his HIV positive status. Illuminating and unflinching, The Grand Illusion will captivate the band’s legions of devoted fans, as well as music lovers everywhere.

About the Author
Chuck Panozzo (Chicago, IL) is the bass player for and a founding member of Styx. Since 2001, Panozzo has been involved in campaigning for AIDS awareness and gay rights. Michele Skettino (New York, NY) is a professional writer. She has worked in the music and entertainment industry since 1989.



http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Illusion-Lo ... F8&s=books

What is weird to me is that a picture of the current band is on there and not the classic lineup that is talked about in likely 85-90% of that book. What makes it more surprising is that nowhere does it mention that he co-founded the band with his own brother who died of no less of a tragedy than what Chuck is going through.

I know this is Chuck's story, not John's... and I mean no disrespect to Chuck... but it just seems like such an obvious omission of what would be (to me) a pretty compelling sub-plot. As anyone who has known anyone with liver related diseases, John Panozzo died an absolutely horrific and likely very painful death - something that Chuck has been pretty much spared with the advent of modern AIDS treatments (at least to my knowledge and to this point - as I am by no means an expert).

There's a very good story in there somewhere. I hope it's not omitted.

Thats NOT the current band thats the original & BEST Styx lineup.

I for one will purchase both books.

I am NOT a homophob( although my wife says I am), BUT I am sure this book will be more about Chuck and his life(lifestyle), whereas Sterlings book will focus more on the band.

I also suspect that Chuck will probably blast Dennis pretty good in this book.

To me Dennis comes off as a moral authority from time to time. I am sure that Dennis morals & Chucks lifestyle are in direct conflict.

Two Styx books- AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I sure hope that Chuck talks about John C. I would really like to know more about him.

Ash wrote:What is weird to me is that a picture of the current band is on there and not the classic lineup that is talked about in likely 85-90% of that book.

Look again...it's the original JC/DDY/CP/JP/JY lineup.

What makes it more surprising is that nowhere does it mention that he co-founded the band with his own brother who died of no less of a tragedy than what Chuck is going through.

From the press release: "He chronicles life on the road, the break-up of the band, his struggle to help his twin brother and bandmate John Panozzo battle addiction..."

yogi wrote:Thats NOT the current band thats the original & BEST Styx lineup.

I for one will purchase both books.

I am NOT a homophob( although my wife says I am), BUT I am sure this book will be more about Chuck and his life(lifestyle), whereas Sterlings book will focus more on the band.

I also suspect that Chuck will probably blast Dennis pretty good in this book.

To me Dennis comes off as a moral authority from time to time. I am sure that Dennis morals & Chucks lifestyle are in direct conflict.

Two Styx books- AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I sure hope that Chuck talks about John C. I would really like to know more about him.

I agree - it seems that Dennis would always lecture the band about their drug habits - (I believe there is an article somewhere that talks about one of the "horn section" musicians was about to light up a joint and another saying "Don't do that! Dennis is in the other car") and I am sure he disaproved about their personal habits too (groupies, etc.) . He had a major falling out with JC - probably around JC's continuously being wasted, and probably did not approve of Chuck's homosexuality. Not sure when Dennis's "holier than thou" attitude started because I am 100% sure he experimented with pot in the mid 70s, but it certainly seems like part of the band's history and his "dad" figure within the band. I am sure Suzanne had a pretty major influence there - after all I believe she is very religious and consequently has influenced Dennis strongly in that direction.

Zan wrote:That's some fierce competition, Sterling! You'd better get that book released ASAP! lol

Amen! This book is moving slower than some of Chuck's bass lines!! LOL! (joke, people don't get offended)...

styxfanNH wrote:The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life With Styx (Hardcover)
by Chuck Panozzo, Michele Skettino


Book Description
They are still one of the biggest rock bands of the last three decades. With four consecutive triple-platinum albums and 54 million records sold, their tours continue to sell out and classic songs like "Lady," "Renegade," "Come Sail Away," and "The Grand Illusion" have earned them a whole new generation of fans. At the height of their fame, they were living the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll fantasy -- an odyssey of groupies, drugs, and music that most musicians only dream of. As a band, Styx seemed invincible. But their founding member and bass player, Chuck Panozzo, was about to hit rock bottom. His seemingly debauched life as the ultimate rocker was a lie -- and the truth was about to catch up with him.
The Grand Illusion is a no-holds-barred, backstage pass to the journey of one of the world’s most revered bands, and the true story of Chuck Panozzo’s 50-year struggle to reconcile his public life as a rock star with his private life as a gay man. Beginning with the birth of Styx in Chicago and their meteoric rise, The Grand Illusion is a revealing look at the triumphs and tragedies that surrounded Panozzo’s life. He chronicles life on the road, the break-up of the band, his struggle to help his twin brother and bandmate John Panozzo battle addiction, as well as his split with Dennis De Young, and finally coming to terms with his HIV positive status. Illuminating and unflinching, The Grand Illusion will captivate the band’s legions of devoted fans, as well as music lovers everywhere.

About the Author
Chuck Panozzo (Chicago, IL) is the bass player for and a founding member of Styx. Since 2001, Panozzo has been involved in campaigning for AIDS awareness and gay rights. Michele Skettino (New York, NY) is a professional writer. She has worked in the music and entertainment industry since 1989.



http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Illusion-Lo ... F8&s=books

Now all we need is Dennis's book....and then Tommy's.....and then JY's....

We may have more books at some point about the band than live albums!

Ash wrote:What makes it more surprising is that nowhere does it mention that he co-founded the band with his own brother who died of no less of a tragedy than what Chuck is going through.

I know this is Chuck's story, not John's... and I mean no disrespect to Chuck... but it just seems like such an obvious omission of what would be (to me) a pretty compelling sub-plot. As anyone who has known anyone with liver related diseases, John Panozzo died an absolutely horrific and likely very painful death - something that Chuck has been pretty much spared with the advent of modern AIDS treatments (at least to my knowledge and to this point - as I am by no means an expert).

It's a synopsis. I don't think they are going to get into the depth of the book in one paragraph.

AnnieOprah wrote:We may have more books at some point about the band than live albums!

OK, that was funny!


<-- who'd still buy them all.

yogi wrote:Thats NOT the current band thats the original & BEST Styx lineup.

I for one will purchase both books.

I am NOT a homophob( although my wife says I am), BUT I am sure this book will be more about Chuck and his life(lifestyle), whereas Sterlings book will focus more on the band.

I also suspect that Chuck will probably blast Dennis pretty good in this book.

To me Dennis comes off as a moral authority from time to time. I am sure that Dennis morals & Chucks lifestyle are in direct conflict.

Two Styx books- AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I sure hope that Chuck talks about John C. I would really like to know more about him.

Holy crap. I am really dense today. I just looked closer and saw it was like from the 60's... my bad. I'd delete my post but that would only make me more of a douche Sorry all.

Dueling "Illusions". Should be interesting.

Bugsy

The thing is, do you expect Chuck's book to be 100% honest given the fact he still plays with Styx? Do you think he'll air all the dirty laundry? No.

I think you may be able to read between the lines in Chuck's when it comes out (I haven't seen it), but I would dare say Sterling's is going to be more neutral and tell more of the real story overall.

AnnieOprah wrote:We may have more books at some point about the band than live albums!

Maybe not live albums, but you will never top the # of compilations Styx has!

I don't see Dennis coming across as a holy roller type. Last time I looked, drugs were illegal, including pot. Why would he want roadies/managers/agents or least of all band members being arrested while on tour, who needs that aggravation. And anybody who has checked up on the history of this band knows that Tommy's drug addiction was a key part in him leaving the band in 1983. DDY is certainly no angel. He wrote light up. Styx can be heard singing smoke pot in the playout of that song. I think he just grew up faster than some of the others did. Fatherhood tends to do that to you. Sure put a damper on my burning the candle at both ends.

LordofDaRing wrote:I don't see Dennis coming across as a holy roller type. Last time I looked, drugs were illegal, including pot. Why would he want roadies/managers/agents or least of all band members being arrested while on tour, who needs that aggravation. And anybody who has checked up on the history of this band knows that Tommy's drug addiction was a key part in him leaving the band in 1983. DDY is certainly no angel. He wrote light up. Styx can be heard singing smoke pot in the playout of that song. I think he just grew up faster than some of the others did. Fatherhood tends to do that to you. Sure put a damper on my burning the candle at both ends.

Nicely put Sir

Hi Ya Moon Beam nice to see ya again!

Thank you Sir, always a pleasure seeing you in posts!

This posted on Chuck's Blog Site Regarding the fan speculation on his book.

http://www.chuckpanozzosblog.com



I just returned from an 11 day tour with Styx. While the weather was
chilly
the performances were HOT!
Thanks to everyone who attended . You made the long tour bus rides
worth
every bumpy mile.

When I returned home on Sunday 1/22. There was an advanced proof of my
book waiting for me.

It's been called to my attention that a few comments have alraedy been
posted
by fans.
I do want to make a few statements regarding them .

Some have tried to speculate what the contents of the book is and is
not
about.

I've always been of the mindset that betore I form an opinon I try to
make
an informed one. Based on fact not here say or speculation.

If you've taken the time to read the synopsis it clearly states it's
My Love, Lies, and Life with Styx.

Some have assumed (without reading the book ) that I'm OUT
to bash Dennis.

My answer in one word "NOT"

That I have not mentioned my twin bro John , my responce ...NOT!
In fact I spend quite a great deal of pages speaking about my Twin
Brother.

I've spent a lifetime writing this story. I hope it that it enlightens
it's readers.
While the story touches on what songs we chose and why ( that part
pales in
comparison to reality) it's much more then that.

It's about my personal journey to find my truth.

If you decide to read the Grand Illusion: Do so with an open mind and
heart.

Chuck[/url]

I just pre ordered Chuck's book through Amazon.com. Its selling for $ 16 something right now. It showed a retail of $24.99.

I sure hope that Sterlings gets to the masses soon.


I am looking forward to reading them both.


P.S. as an added bonus for Chucks book there is a new version of Blue Collar Man(CD insert) for the first 500 books ordered through amazon.com. I sure hope I get one!!