Review of Chuck Panozzo's Book

[styxfansite]

This posted in Publisher's Weekly.

The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life with Styx
Chuck Panozzo with Michele Skettino. Amacom, $24.95 (240p) ISBN
978-0-8144-0916-9

Panozzo was the bass player in Styx, whose mid-’70s hits such as "Mr.
Roboto" and "Lady," are staples of classic rock radio, and he is
rightfully proud of Styx’s accomplishments—"The first rock band ever to
sell four consecutive triple platinum albums." Styx’s fans will enjoy
Panozzo’s detailed look at the band’s internal conflicts as they rise
from small Chicago bars to sold-out arenas. But the heart of Panozzo’s
autobiography is a sensitive and insightful look at "one gay man’s
struggle to come to terms with himself" while performing in a rock
world where "the things that would make the other guys laugh—a female fan
lifting up her skirt, a pair of panties thrown on stage—just didn’t do
it" for him. The most fascinating sections are accounts of Panozzo’s
conflicted youthful feelings in his sheltered Catholic neighborhood;
his adolescent trips to gay theaters where "skin flicks validated the fact
that there were other people out there like me"; his attempts to keep
his rock identity secret during furtive dates while on tour where he
"treated every excursion like a CIA mission;" and a joyous moment when
he publicly comes out and decides to tell his story "to inspire others,
gay or straight, to live a proud, truthful life."


Thanks

[cinj]

It sounds to me like this book is more of a journey into Chuck's personal life rather than focusing on the band in general. If that's the case, I probably won't buy the book. I hope I don't come across as a homophobe - it's just not I was hoping. I'd feel the same way if Dennis wrote a book and spent a large portion talking about his family (which I know he loves dearly) instead of the band.

I remember being a huge Billy Joel fan when he was married to Christie Brinkley - <B>every freakin' interview</B> that I got my hands on, it seemed like all the interviewer wanted to talk about was Christie. I, for one, never cared. I wanted to hear about the music and the performer. I guess that's what I'm thinking here as well.

I will say that I'm very happy that Chuck has found peace and I pray he will overcome his illness.

Cinj

[styxfansite]

It sounds to me like this book is more of a journey into Chuck's personal life rather than focusing on the band in general. If that's the case, I probably won't buy the book. I hope I don't come across as a homophobe - it's just not I was hoping. I'd feel the same way if Dennis wrote a book and spent a large portion talking about his family (which I know he loves dearly) instead of the band.

I remember being a huge Billy Joel fan when he was married to Christie Brinkley - <B>every freakin' interview</B> that I got my hands on, it seemed like all the interviewer wanted to talk about was Christie. I, for one, never cared. I wanted to hear about the music and the performer. I guess that's what I'm thinking here as well.

I will say that I'm very happy that Chuck has found peace and I pray he will overcome his illness.

Cinj

Maybe this might help you a little. This is what is posted on Amazon as well as http://www.chuckpanozzosplace.com.


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.

This is part of what was posted on his blog a while back....http://www.chuckpanozzosblog.com

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.


Thanks

[Rockwriter]

This posted in Publisher's Weekly.

The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life with Styx
Chuck Panozzo with Michele Skettino. Amacom, $24.95 (240p) ISBN
978-0-8144-0916-9

Panozzo was the bass player in Styx, whose mid-’70s hits such as "Mr.
Roboto" and "Lady," are staples of classic rock radio, and he is
rightfully proud of Styx’s accomplishments—"The first rock band ever to
sell four consecutive triple platinum albums." Styx’s fans will enjoy
Panozzo’s detailed look at the band’s internal conflicts as they rise
from small Chicago bars to sold-out arenas. But the heart of Panozzo’s
autobiography is a sensitive and insightful look at "one gay man’s
struggle to come to terms with himself" while performing in a rock
world where "the things that would make the other guys laugh—a female fan
lifting up her skirt, a pair of panties thrown on stage—just didn’t do
it" for him. The most fascinating sections are accounts of Panozzo’s
conflicted youthful feelings in his sheltered Catholic neighborhood;
his adolescent trips to gay theaters where "skin flicks validated the fact
that there were other people out there like me"; his attempts to keep
his rock identity secret during furtive dates while on tour where he
"treated every excursion like a CIA mission;" and a joyous moment when
he publicly comes out and decides to tell his story "to inspire others,
gay or straight, to live a proud, truthful life."


Thanks

Thanks for posting that. Interesting. I am actually in line to review this book a bit later on, so I am really interested in it. I would speculate that it will alternate stories from the band and stories about Chuck's personal life. I know I will find it fascinating because I will have heard some of the stories, but from other people's perspectives.

Styx fans are going to go from nothing, to having an awful lot to read pretty soon, lol. I will have an announcement tomorrow about 'The Grand Delusion'.

I hope all is well.


Sterling

[styxfansite]

It sounds to me like this book is more of a journey into Chuck's personal life rather than focusing on the band in general. If that's the case, I probably won't buy the book. I hope I don't come across as a homophobe - it's just not I was hoping. I'd feel the same way if Dennis wrote a book and spent a large portion talking about his family (which I know he loves dearly) instead of the band.

Cinj

This was posted by Chuck on His Blog Site on his book. http://www.chuckpanozzosblog.com

When I was emailed the review of my "Book." I was not only amazed that

Publisher's Weekly reviewed it and the reviewer ( you know the person
that reads
the books before they make comments about them understood the
message the
book is meant "to inspire other, gay or straight
is meant "to inspire others, gay or straight, to live a proud truthful
life."

Thnx Chuck

Thanks

[brywool]

I'm scared.
Does buying Chuck's book make me a gay????




I bought it a while ago. Wish I'd get it.