New JY Interview

[Grotelul]

Here ya go Froy...we'll be awaiting your surprising commentary....


http://www.gotorenotahoe.com/news/stori ... 8/2850.php

[Ash]

Well... it looks like he finaly got the memo about his negativity and he's at least TRYING to be less of a complete asshole.

The one thing I did notice is:

“Dennis is a very talented man, and I do wish him well,” Young said. “He was the best partner the band could have, but that changed in 1982. I really tired of working with him. He and I were diametrically opposed musically, and Tommy was in the middle.”

Young said it was Shaw’s abilities to meet in the middle that led Styx to its current longevity.

If he didn't want to work with Dennis after 1982, then why did he rejoin in 1991 without Tommy Shaw? If he was so tired of working with him? Pfft.... who cares.


He also said:

Young said that cooperation stopped in 1982, when DeYoung first left the group in the wake of concept/theater piece “Kilroy Was Here.”

Now wait a second... I thought Tommy quit Styx in the wake of Kilroy. I've never heard that Dennis left Styx after Kilroy. Can someone please clarify? Perhaps I'm not understanding. Also missing is the bit that JY wanted Dennis to replace Tommy Shaw and continue to which Dennis said no. At least that was my understanding.

[styxfanNH]

Maybe behind the scenes, the solo careers were considered to be an end to Styx. Only with a decission to reunite the band for Edge.

Just guessing. OK, maybe stretching.

[piecesofeight]

Yeah, many have commented on JY returning in 1991 after knowing what we know now.......




$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[froy]

Here ya go Froy...we'll be awaiting your surprising commentary....


http://www.gotorenotahoe.com/news/stori ... 8/2850.php

No intrest in anything James Young say's

[rajah2165]

Well... it looks like he finaly got the memo about his negativity and he's at least TRYING to be less of a complete asshole.

The one thing I did notice is:

“Dennis is a very talented man, and I do wish him well,” Young said. “He was the best partner the band could have, but that changed in 1982. I really tired of working with him. He and I were diametrically opposed musically, and Tommy was in the middle.”

Young said it was Shaw’s abilities to meet in the middle that led Styx to its current longevity.

If he didn't want to work with Dennis after 1982, then why did he rejoin in 1991 without Tommy Shaw? If he was so tired of working with him? Pfft.... who cares.


He also said:

Young said that cooperation stopped in 1982, when DeYoung first left the group in the wake of concept/theater piece “Kilroy Was Here.”

Now wait a second... I thought Tommy quit Styx in the wake of Kilroy. I've never heard that Dennis left Styx after Kilroy. Can someone please clarify? Perhaps I'm not understanding. Also missing is the bit that JY wanted Dennis to replace Tommy Shaw and continue to which Dennis said no. At least that was my understanding.

Let's call a spade a spade here. JY is a liar. Period. He lies for whatever reason is convenient to put him in the best light. I have absolutely no respect for the man at all. Little respect for him musically - he is an average at best guitarist with a voice that is below average and songwriting skills that have never produced anything of note for Styx among the general public. As an individual I have absolutely no respect for him - he is a liar. Period.

[rajah2165]

“In my humble opinion, this is the best lineup of Styx to take the stage, just in terms of pure musicianship,” Young said. “That’s without question, and everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but I’m having the time of my life right now.”

Ah so in the immortal words of JY - lets take this statement apart. This means

Lawrence is more talented than DDY
Ricky is more talented than Glen Burtnik or Chuck
Todd is more talented than John P.

[styxfansite]

“In my humble opinion, this is the best lineup of Styx to take the stage, just in terms of pure musicianship,” Young said. “That’s without question, and everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but I’m having the time of my life right now.”

Ah so in the immortal words of JY - lets take this statement apart. This means

Lawrence is more talented than DDY
Ricky is more talented than Glen Burtnik or Chuck
Todd is more talented than John P.

I was just typing this same thing. I bet that is a real kick in the ASS to those guys.

I agree with you. How can you respect a guy that says that stuff.

[styxfanNH]

“In my humble opinion, this is the best lineup of Styx to take the stage, just in terms of pure musicianship,” Young said. “That’s without question, and everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but I’m having the time of my life right now.”

Ah so in the immortal words of JY - lets take this statement apart. This means

Lawrence is more talented than DDY
Ricky is more talented than Glen Burtnik or Chuck
Todd is more talented than John P.

Don't know why I am responding, but....

In JY's mind, Larry has a degree in music and is classicly trained, Dennis picked up playing piano after adapting it from playing accordian. So technicly there is an arguement.

But I still prefer Dennis' style and vocal quality.

At bass, I would agree that Ricky is a better technical player, just look at his body of work. I don't think we've seen it yet with Styx as there isn't anything he has written with them yet. Both Glen and Chuck are good bass players, I would say that Glen is actually probably better than Chuck. As a complete musician with the ability to play multiple instruments and vocal ability, I would give the nod to Glen as a more complete/well-rounded musician

Todd - Hands down better than John. John was a good drummer, Todd is a monster.

That being said, the classic lineup musicly worked well together with each understanding their musical roles. It was their ability to put things together as they did that makes Styx what it was through 83.

[froy]

“In my humble opinion, this is the best lineup of Styx to take the stage, just in terms of pure musicianship,” Young said. “That’s without question, and everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but I’m having the time of my life right now.”

Ah so in the immortal words of JY - lets take this statement apart. This means

Lawrence is more talented than DDY
Ricky is more talented than Glen Burtnik or Chuck
Todd is more talented than John P.

I’m having the time of my life right now

Its all about James Young thats all he cares about is himself
Plain and Simple
If playing for 12 year olds makes him happy then god bless him

[brywool]

Larry is leaps and bounds above Dennis as a keyboardist. He's not quite up to Dennis' vocal abilities, but it works.
JY came back for the dough as they all did. It was a good gig. It's obvious that JY and Dennis are completely opposite musically. But after a while without being in Styx, maybe JY and Dennis were thinking sufficient water had gone under the bridge and that things would be more mutually beneficial. Sounds like once things started up, it was the same controlling Dennis. I think the band was willing to work with that until Dennis put the breaks on later on causing the band not to tour.
I would've done what JY and Tommy (and Neal and Jon) did if it meant my band couldn't work for an unspecified amount of time. What are they supposed to do, just sit and wait and wait and wait...?

Regarding Ricky- Burtnik's more of a guitarist, isn't he?(right Zan? though he was great on the bass too) and Panozzo isn't that great of a player.
Ricky's a BASS PLAYER and that's his trade. JY makes sense in that respect.

Sucherman VS John? Sorry, but Succherman wins hands down. He's probably THE best drummer in rock today.

Also, I would not be happy with a Styx that I see only once every 10 years. I glad the current lineup is working as hard as it is. I DO wish they'd record a new studio album though. With Dennis, he hasn't done anything FOREVER.

I thought it was a pretty positive interview actually.

[cittadeeno23]

Sorry guys, but Larry, Ricky, and Todd are not Styx to me. I just can't get as excited to go seem them as I did when it was Really Styx. If you enjoy the current lineup, Thats fine.
They tour a lot and rock their asses off. I go see them once a year now. But if it was
Dennis, JY, Tommy And Chuck, I would follow them up and down the coast!

The 3 founding members are not in the band. So seeing them once a year is all I really care to do.

Now, as far as comparing the lineups talent-wise:

Glen is a GREAT musician. And I love him. But he is not STYX. Period. And he will be the first one to tell you that. Would I be happy to see him in Styx if Dennis came back? Hell yes!
As long as Chuck still gets the option to show up and play whenever he feels up to it.
Glen was the reason Cyclorama was so good. Same with Edge of the Century.

Ricky is not STYX. Chuck is. And Chuck is a Good bass player. And he has taken the time to get better over the years. Did Ricky or Glen create the Bass work for Styx' music?? No
CHUCK DID!!

Todd is a monster. One of the best drummers on the planet. Did he create the Drum work on Styx songs?? NO JOHN did!!

Dennis is the voice of Styx. Not Larry. Period. Larry is talented, but did he write "the Grand Illusion, Come Sail Away, Lady, Suite Madam Blue, Castle Walls, I'm OK, Queen of Spades,
The Best of Times, Or co-write Borrowed Time, Snowblind, or Rockin the Paradise???
NO, DENNIS Did!! And as talented as Larry is, I cringe when I hear him singing Dennis' songs.
If you have loved Dennis' voice for 30 years as I have, you would understand why Larry makes me cringe, and why his spinning keyboards and Backwards playing pisses me off.

As far as JY goes, his rockin Guitar solos and background vocals are vital to Styx' history.
I love JY, and Understand his frustration with Dennis. And I am happy for him that he is having
fun now. I know Dennis made him wait for a long time in the 80's.

But to JY, I say this:
Did your loyal fans buy 50 million records because of Todd, Ricky and Larry??
Or did they buy your records and sell out your shows because of Dennis, Tommy, JY
John And Chuck??

I think JY knows the answer to that.

[froy]

Larry is leaps and bounds above Dennis as a keyboardist.

Yea he leaps of the keyboards and is bound to break his neck doing it.

He's not quite up to Dennis' vocal abilities,

He not quite up to anyones vocal abilities because he can't sing

but it works.

If you are hard of hearing or in a band that stinks it works

It's obvious that JY and Dennis are completely opposite musically.

Yea Dennis is great and JY his happy with himself

Sounds like once things started up, it was the same controlling Dennis.

Yea and the same sucsess they have always enjoyed
Now JY is in control and the band is an opening act playing 50 min sets

I think the band was willing to work with that until Dennis put the breaks on later on causing the band not to tour.

And now they can't stop touring playing the same set year after year,
Great work guys

I would've done what JY and Tommy (and Neal and Jon) did if it meant my band couldn't work for an unspecified amount of time.

And you would have failed just like they did.

What are they supposed to do, just sit and wait and wait and wait...?

Yea 6 months is a real long wait.

Sucherman VS John? Sorry, but Succherman wins hands down. He's probably THE best drummer in rock today.

Next to Kenny Arrenoff, Steve Smith Neal Peart and a slew of others

Also, I would not be happy with a Styx that I see only once every 10 years.

You going to see The Police and Genesis this year?
I am and am very happy

I glad the current lineup is working as hard as it is.

Yea real hard doing cover cds and playing the same songs over and over and over and over and well you get it.

I DO wish they'd record a new studio album though.

Not even JY agrees with you on this one

With Dennis, he hasn't done anything FOREVER.

And when you hear what took forever you will see that less is more
I would wait 20 years for 1 good cd than waste 9 with garbage that STYX has put out.

[cittadeeno23]

Froy, has Genesis announced any American dates yet? I can't find any.

[LordofDaRing]

I am glad most of us see through Mr. Reluctant still leading the double life eh? This clown must think 20 year olds who have zero knowledge of the history of this band (TS quitting during Kilroy, JY joining in 91, JY and the Panazzo's trying to replace TS when he walked out, the bards about DDY playing with a choir/orchestra, etc) are the only ones who post his interviews. One thing early on I take acception to in this interview is the comment about making connection to the audience. As somebody who attended many Styx shows with DDY, the connection was made pal!!! Great points all, keep up the good work and call him out on the carpet.

[StyxCollector]

I think the solo projects and how they came to be will be more apparent when STerling gets his book out lol

Tommy wanted to go solo as early as the PT tour in England - he was demoing while there. It wasn't JY clamoring for a solo career, and even his first solo album had at least one Styx reject ("Chain Me Down", which was demoed by Styx for GI in '77).

This I found amusing

Styx’s summer plans include a European tour with other classic rockers Deep Purple, including a tour stop at London’s Wembley Stadium. Young said it’s only recently that the band has done well in Europe.

Funny - they did a brief tour in 77 or 78 (have the dates somewhere), plus did major touring in Europe for both Cornerstone and Paradise Theater. Styx may have never been huge, but they did well enough to mount two major tours.

As for DDY leaving first, I'm sorry, it's wrong. Tommy quit first. That's great spin from JY. Having said that, at least JY seems to be listening to his critics and taking more of a high road when it comes to DDY.

I wonder how Tommy would feel about this (emphasis added) considering the new Shaw/Blades is coming out :

“We each have strengths that the other doesn’t possess, so we decided it was in the best interests of the band to just combine those. And it was never talked about. He tried his own solo success, and I did my own share of that. But, we have this collective, massive power that cannot be duplicated. So, instead of trying to fight it, we ran with it, and for the last four years it’s been a joyful ride.”

So what happened between 1999 and 2003, JY? Other than the lawsuit, what was so unpleasant?

[brywool]

I think the solo projects and how they came to be will be more apparent when STerling gets his book out lol

Tommy wanted to go solo as early as the PT tour in England - he was demoing while there. It wasn't JY clamoring for a solo career, and even his first solo album had at least one Styx reject ("Chain Me Down", which was demoed by Styx for GI in '77).

This I found amusing

Styx’s summer plans include a European tour with other classic rockers Deep Purple, including a tour stop at London’s Wembley Stadium. Young said it’s only recently that the band has done well in Europe.

Funny - they did a brief tour in 77 or 78 (have the dates somewhere), plus did major touring in Europe for both Cornerstone and Paradise Theater. Styx may have never been huge, but they did well enough to mount two major tours.

As for DDY leaving first, I'm sorry, it's wrong. Tommy quit first. That's great spin from JY. Having said that, at least JY seems to be listening to his critics and taking more of a high road when it comes to DDY.

I wonder how Tommy would feel about this (emphasis added) considering the new Shaw/Blades is coming out :

“We each have strengths that the other doesn’t possess, so we decided it was in the best interests of the band to just combine those. And it was never talked about. He tried his own solo success, and I did my own share of that. But, we have this collective, massive power that cannot be duplicated. So, instead of trying to fight it, we ran with it, and for the last four years it’s been a joyful ride.”

So what happened between 1999 and 2003, JY? Other than the lawsuit, what was so unpleasant?

Speaking of who left first, in BTM- they booted Dennis out after Cornerstone, didn't they? Then he came back and was more difficult than before.

[brywool]

I am glad most of us see through Mr. Reluctant still leading the double life eh? This clown must think 20 year olds who have zero knowledge of the history of this band (TS quitting during Kilroy, JY joining in 91, JY and the Panazzo's trying to replace TS when he walked out, the bards about DDY playing with a choir/orchestra, etc) are the only ones who post his interviews. One thing early on I take acception to in this interview is the comment about making connection to the audience. As somebody who attended many Styx shows with DDY, the connection was made pal!!! Great points all, keep up the good work and call him out on the carpet.

I don't think Styx has EVER been an audience connection band. Their banter is always SO canned.
From "Hello Friends, Styx is in FILL IN THE BLANK baby!" to "How come my life ain't like that? It must all be a Grand Illusion" to "Backwards Satanic Messages..." they never really connected. It was always the same stuff said. Some of it still is. I think that's lame.

Take a Steve Perry- THAT guy definitely had audience connection. Styx, just seemed on auto pilot for that stuff.

Their concerts were/are still good though.

[stabbim]

As for DDY leaving first, I'm sorry, it's wrong. Tommy quit first. That's great spin from JY.

Well, we don't have an actual quote from the guy. Just this piece of narration:

Young said that cooperation stopped in 1982, when DeYoung first left the group in the wake of concept/theater piece “Kilroy Was Here.”

Which, since it already has the date wrong if it's talking about post-KWH events, I wouldn't necessarily take as A) gospel or B) straightforward. The actual quote that is used to follow-up that passage...

“He was the best partner the band could have, but that changed in 1982. I really tired of working with him. He and I were diametrically opposed musically, and Tommy was in the middle.”

...when set against the bacldrop of JY discussing group goals and compromises sustaining the band up to that point, seems to be pointing towards the idea of a split within the band, as opposed to a member literally quitting -- which is not an unreasonable interpretation, considering that seems to be the way it did happen. Everyone was disgruntled, TS was just the first to make it official.

I wonder how Tommy would feel about this (emphasis added) considering the new Shaw/Blades is coming out :

“We each have strengths that the other doesn’t possess, so we decided it was in the best interests of the band to just combine those. And it was never talked about. He tried his own solo success, and I did my own share of that. But, we have this collective, massive power that cannot be duplicated.

I'd call that simply speaking to the idea that they are stronger together than apart, but I remember JY quotes from other interviews where he brushes off DY in the same kind of dismissive manner. Considering how successul a venture that was for TS, I think it does reveal some level of defensiveness on JY's part.

[Zan]

So what happened between 1999 and 2003, JY? Other than the lawsuit, what was so unpleasant?

"It's all Glen's fault."

[brywool]

It's interesting that Mr. Roboto (recorded in 82/83) has No guitars on it. No vocals from Tommy or JY and maybe drums from John (but probably a machine).

If anybody else is on it other than Dennis, you sure can't hear it.

[froy]

Froy, has Genesis announced any American dates yet? I can't find any.

No note yet

[shaka]

It's interesting that Mr. Roboto (recorded in 82/83) has No guitars on it. No vocals from Tommy or JY and maybe drums from John (but probably a machine).

If anybody else is on it other than Dennis, you sure can't hear it.

There are guitars on Roboto. Subtle but they are there.

[brywool]

It's interesting that Mr. Roboto (recorded in 82/83) has No guitars on it. No vocals from Tommy or JY and maybe drums from John (but probably a machine).

If anybody else is on it other than Dennis, you sure can't hear it.

There are guitars on Roboto. Subtle but they are there.

REALLY...? I can't hear them at all.

[Ash]

It's interesting that Mr. Roboto (recorded in 82/83) has No guitars on it. No vocals from Tommy or JY and maybe drums from John (but probably a machine).

If anybody else is on it other than Dennis, you sure can't hear it.

There are guitars on Roboto. Subtle but they are there.

REALLY...? I can't hear them at all.

Yeah there are... I can hear them quite well. There is no solo and it's all rhythem section, but they do exist.

Listen during the

"I need control. We all need controll.
Yes, I need controll, We all need controooolllll"

right before the break before the second verse

[styxfanNH]

Froy, has Genesis announced any American dates yet? I can't find any.

No note yet

How can you 2 talk about Genesis as a real band? Without Gabriel, they are just a bunch of frauds that have stolen the name and are profiting off of his work.

[Ash]

Froy, has Genesis announced any American dates yet? I can't find any.

No note yet

How can you 2 talk about Genesis as a real band? Without Gabriel, they are just a bunch of frauds that have stolen the name and are profiting off of his work.

I absolutely LOVE Peter Gabriel. I was listening to "So" just the other day. That and "Us"... great music.

[Grotelul]

It's interesting that Mr. Roboto (recorded in 82/83) has No guitars on it. No vocals from Tommy or JY and maybe drums from John (but probably a machine).

If anybody else is on it other than Dennis, you sure can't hear it.

There are guitars on Roboto. Subtle but they are there.

REALLY...? I can't hear them at all.

Yeah there are... I can hear them quite well. There is no solo and it's all rhythem section, but they do exist.

Listen during the

"I need control. We all need controll.
Yes, I need controll, We all need controooolllll"

right before the break before the second verse

There is JY on a little bit of guitar. Nothing more than some background noise. This record as a whole was not a total joint effort amongst all of the members like the previous albums were. This was as close to a Dennis project with some hired hands as you can get. I would have been pissed too. Dennis admits he forced his will on the others to do this. To me, this is not a band.

[LordofDaRing]

Dennis has a nice connection to his fans, go check him out live. Funny guy to, I remember a tape that went around during the 96 tour of a female voice interuppting him during Show me the way. It was some sort of technical screw up. He had a great ad lib there, something about a hidden talent of his to sing a song and throw his voice at the same time. You could make a case for all bands being a little contrived on their song introductions and some of the dialog that goes on, especially with all the chatter on the internet giving away everthing on a tour.

[Grotelul]

I think the solo projects and how they came to be will be more apparent when STerling gets his book out lol

Tommy wanted to go solo as early as the PT tour in England - he was demoing while there. It wasn't JY clamoring for a solo career, and even his first solo album had at least one Styx reject ("Chain Me Down", which was demoed by Styx for GI in '77).

This I found amusing

Styx’s summer plans include a European tour with other classic rockers Deep Purple, including a tour stop at London’s Wembley Stadium. Young said it’s only recently that the band has done well in Europe.

Funny - they did a brief tour in 77 or 78 (have the dates somewhere), plus did major touring in Europe for both Cornerstone and Paradise Theater. Styx may have never been huge, but they did well enough to mount two major tours.

As for DDY leaving first, I'm sorry, it's wrong. Tommy quit first. That's great spin from JY. Having said that, at least JY seems to be listening to his critics and taking more of a high road when it comes to DDY.

I wonder how Tommy would feel about this (emphasis added) considering the new Shaw/Blades is coming out :

“We each have strengths that the other doesn’t possess, so we decided it was in the best interests of the band to just combine those. And it was never talked about. He tried his own solo success, and I did my own share of that. But, we have this collective, massive power that cannot be duplicated. So, instead of trying to fight it, we ran with it, and for the last four years it’s been a joyful ride.”

So what happened between 1999 and 2003, JY? Other than the lawsuit, what was so unpleasant?

Since when is it total truth what the press writes. Words taken out of context, misquotes, made up crap. Happens everyday. You look at multiple stories about anyone and they end up looking like they are talking out of two sides of their mouth. Look how BTM turned out. Cut and spliced to death. What is the actual truth? Who the hell knows.