MR

Styx Biography Available March 27th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2007


Nashville-based music journalist Sterling Whitaker has announced the upcoming release of his second book, ‘The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx’. The self-published book is set for publication March 27, 2007 and will be available through various online retailers, as well as the book’s own website at www.thegranddelusion.com. It is the first-ever biography of the superstar rock group Styx. “This is one of the most beloved groups of its generation,” Whitaker said. “It’s about time the story is told properly.”
Culled from the author’s exclusive interviews with many of the principal players in the career of Styx, including guitarist/bassist/vocalist Glen Burtnik (who also wrote the book’s Foreword), guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, and drummer Todd Sucherman, as well as management, record company executives, crew members and fans, ‘The Grand Delusion’ is the definitive portrait of the Chicago-based rock ensemble that has sold more than thirty-five million records in a career spanning more than three decades. Beginning with 1977’s ‘The Grand Illusion’, followed by ‘Pieces Of Eight’ in 1978, ‘Cornerstone’ in 1979 and ‘Paradise Theatre’ in 1980, Styx was the first rock group ever to earn four Triple Platinum albums in a row, selling three million copies each. The group’s #1 hit “Babe” was Song of the Year at the 1980 People’s Choice Awards, and the 1979 Gallup poll named the group the most popular in America. Styx’ other hits include “Lady”, “Come Sail Away”, “Renegade”, “Blue Collar Man”, “The Best Of Times”, “Too Much Times On My Hands”, and, of course, the ubiquitous pop culture reference “Mr. Roboto”.
“ ‘The Grand Delusion’ is more than just another sleazy biography about the excesses of rock stars,” Whitaker maintains. “It’s about hard work and sacrifice, success and failure, fame and fortune, love and hatred, friendship and betrayal, and hopefully redemption. It’s the true story of how a group of people who had very little in common outside of music struggled to overcome their differences and their limitations to create a body of work that is beloved by millions of people. It’s also about the business side of the band’s career, the behind-the-scenes work that greased the rails for the band to succeed. It’s not so much a story about rich rock stars. The story of Styx is a very human story, good and bad.”
Fans who purchase the book through www.thegranddelusion.com on March 27th will receive a free download of the author’s first book ‘Unsung Heroes of Rock Guitar’, featuring Whitaker’s exclusive interviews with rock guitarists such as Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship), Howard Leese (Heart) and Richard Williams (Kansas).
Styx released a live album, ‘One With Everything’, on November 7, 2006. The band will tour abroad with Deep Purple in spring 2007, then return to the States for a summer tour. Former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung is recording a new studio record, the follow-up to ‘Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra’, which has been certified Triple Platinum in Canada.


For More Information Contact:
Sterling Whitaker
Sterlingwit@aol.com
www.thegranddelusion.com
www.myspace.com/styxbook


# # #

Rockwriter wrote:Styx Biography Available March 27th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2007


Nashville-based music journalist Sterling Whitaker has announced the upcoming release of his second book, ‘The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx’. The self-published book is set for publication March 27, 2007 and will be available through various online retailers, as well as the book’s own website at www.thegranddelusion.com. It is the first-ever biography of the superstar rock group Styx. “This is one of the most beloved groups of its generation,” Whitaker said. “It’s about time the story is told properly.”
Culled from the author’s exclusive interviews with many of the principal players in the career of Styx, including guitarist/bassist/vocalist Glen Burtnik (who also wrote the book’s Foreword), guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, and drummer Todd Sucherman, as well as management, record company executives, crew members and fans, ‘The Grand Delusion’ is the definitive portrait of the Chicago-based rock ensemble that has sold more than thirty-five million records in a career spanning more than three decades. Beginning with 1977’s ‘The Grand Illusion’, followed by ‘Pieces Of Eight’ in 1978, ‘Cornerstone’ in 1979 and ‘Paradise Theatre’ in 1980, Styx was the first rock group ever to earn four Triple Platinum albums in a row, selling three million copies each. The group’s #1 hit “Babe” was Song of the Year at the 1980 People’s Choice Awards, and the 1979 Gallup poll named the group the most popular in America. Styx’ other hits include “Lady”, “Come Sail Away”, “Renegade”, “Blue Collar Man”, “The Best Of Times”, “Too Much Times On My Hands”, and, of course, the ubiquitous pop culture reference “Mr. Roboto”.
“ ‘The Grand Delusion’ is more than just another sleazy biography about the excesses of rock stars,” Whitaker maintains. “It’s about hard work and sacrifice, success and failure, fame and fortune, love and hatred, friendship and betrayal, and hopefully redemption. It’s the true story of how a group of people who had very little in common outside of music struggled to overcome their differences and their limitations to create a body of work that is beloved by millions of people. It’s also about the business side of the band’s career, the behind-the-scenes work that greased the rails for the band to succeed. It’s not so much a story about rich rock stars. The story of Styx is a very human story, good and bad.”
Fans who purchase the book through www.thegranddelusion.com on March 27th will receive a free download of the author’s first book ‘Unsung Heroes of Rock Guitar’, featuring Whitaker’s exclusive interviews with rock guitarists such as Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship), Howard Leese (Heart) and Richard Williams (Kansas).
Styx released a live album, ‘One With Everything’, on November 7, 2006. The band will tour abroad with Deep Purple in spring 2007, then return to the States for a summer tour. Former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung is recording a new studio record, the follow-up to ‘Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra’, which has been certified Triple Platinum in Canada.


For More Information Contact:
Sterling Whitaker
Sterlingwit@aol.com
www.thegranddelusion.com
www.myspace.com/styxbook


# # #

So I wanna buy the book... too bad I don't have it as I've got a long plane ride ahead, but there's no way to buy it on your site...
So if I buy it from you direct, will I get it faster than from Amazon?

brywool wrote:

Rockwriter wrote:Styx Biography Available March 27th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2007


Nashville-based music journalist Sterling Whitaker has announced the upcoming release of his second book, ‘The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx’. The self-published book is set for publication March 27, 2007 and will be available through various online retailers, as well as the book’s own website at www.thegranddelusion.com. It is the first-ever biography of the superstar rock group Styx. “This is one of the most beloved groups of its generation,” Whitaker said. “It’s about time the story is told properly.”
Culled from the author’s exclusive interviews with many of the principal players in the career of Styx, including guitarist/bassist/vocalist Glen Burtnik (who also wrote the book’s Foreword), guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, and drummer Todd Sucherman, as well as management, record company executives, crew members and fans, ‘The Grand Delusion’ is the definitive portrait of the Chicago-based rock ensemble that has sold more than thirty-five million records in a career spanning more than three decades. Beginning with 1977’s ‘The Grand Illusion’, followed by ‘Pieces Of Eight’ in 1978, ‘Cornerstone’ in 1979 and ‘Paradise Theatre’ in 1980, Styx was the first rock group ever to earn four Triple Platinum albums in a row, selling three million copies each. The group’s #1 hit “Babe” was Song of the Year at the 1980 People’s Choice Awards, and the 1979 Gallup poll named the group the most popular in America. Styx’ other hits include “Lady”, “Come Sail Away”, “Renegade”, “Blue Collar Man”, “The Best Of Times”, “Too Much Times On My Hands”, and, of course, the ubiquitous pop culture reference “Mr. Roboto”.
“ ‘The Grand Delusion’ is more than just another sleazy biography about the excesses of rock stars,” Whitaker maintains. “It’s about hard work and sacrifice, success and failure, fame and fortune, love and hatred, friendship and betrayal, and hopefully redemption. It’s the true story of how a group of people who had very little in common outside of music struggled to overcome their differences and their limitations to create a body of work that is beloved by millions of people. It’s also about the business side of the band’s career, the behind-the-scenes work that greased the rails for the band to succeed. It’s not so much a story about rich rock stars. The story of Styx is a very human story, good and bad.”
Fans who purchase the book through www.thegranddelusion.com on March 27th will receive a free download of the author’s first book ‘Unsung Heroes of Rock Guitar’, featuring Whitaker’s exclusive interviews with rock guitarists such as Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship), Howard Leese (Heart) and Richard Williams (Kansas).
Styx released a live album, ‘One With Everything’, on November 7, 2006. The band will tour abroad with Deep Purple in spring 2007, then return to the States for a summer tour. Former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung is recording a new studio record, the follow-up to ‘Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra’, which has been certified Triple Platinum in Canada.


For More Information Contact:
Sterling Whitaker
Sterlingwit@aol.com
www.thegranddelusion.com
www.myspace.com/styxbook


# # #

So I wanna buy the book... too bad I don't have it as I've got a long plane ride ahead, but there's no way to buy it on your site...
So if I buy it from you direct, will I get it faster than from Amazon?

I just ordered a copy from Amazon (says IN STOCK) and they say it will ship on the 21st.

Damn speaking of long plane flights, its off to San Jose on Monday and no Grand Dellusion either. Hope the drinks are flowing on Continental Will purchase on the 27th!!!

yeah, I also ordered from Amazon.

So I wanna buy the book... too bad I don't have it as I've got a long plane ride ahead, but there's no way to buy it on your site...
So if I buy it from you direct, will I get it faster than from Amazon?[/quote]


Frankly, no. If you click on the link through my site on March 27th, you will be taken to Amazon for order fulfillment. The only difference, to be perfectly honest, is that I will earn more money because I am an Amazon affiliate. So that's kinda why I'm steering people toward the site. It's one extra click for you, and you will get it in exactly the same way, but I will do better, LOL.

I've had several messages saying that the listing is up on Amazon and supposedly in stock. I saw the listing, but Booksurge insists that the availability is supposed to be March 27th, so I guess we'll see. I'm not sure myself!

Thanks, I hope you're going to love the book.


Sterling

brywool wrote:yeah, I also ordered from Amazon.

Cool. Thanks everyone who has ordered already . . . now we'll see if you get this any quicker than if you ordered on the 27th. I guess we'll see, I honestly don't know myself.

Thanks again!


Sterling

I've got confirmation that Amazon.com has ALREADY shipped my copy of Sterlings book to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rockwriter wrote:So I wanna buy the book... too bad I don't have it as I've got a long plane ride ahead, but there's no way to buy it on your site...
So if I buy it from you direct, will I get it faster than from Amazon?

Frankly, no. If you click on the link through my site on March 27th, you will be taken to Amazon for order fulfillment. The only difference, to be perfectly honest, is that I will earn more money because I am an Amazon affiliate. So that's kinda why I'm steering people toward the site. It's one extra click for you, and you will get it in exactly the same way, but I will do better, LOL.

I've had several messages saying that the listing is up on Amazon and supposedly in stock. I saw the listing, but Booksurge insists that the availability is supposed to be March 27th, so I guess we'll see. I'm not sure myself!

Thanks, I hope you're going to love the book.


Sterling[/quote]

Sterling...are you ready for the wave of posts that are about to be posted here once people get there hands on it? Will this book change some opinions around here, mine included?

Grotelul wrote:

Rockwriter wrote:So I wanna buy the book... too bad I don't have it as I've got a long plane ride ahead, but there's no way to buy it on your site...
So if I buy it from you direct, will I get it faster than from Amazon?

Frankly, no. If you click on the link through my site on March 27th, you will be taken to Amazon for order fulfillment. The only difference, to be perfectly honest, is that I will earn more money because I am an Amazon affiliate. So that's kinda why I'm steering people toward the site. It's one extra click for you, and you will get it in exactly the same way, but I will do better, LOL.

I've had several messages saying that the listing is up on Amazon and supposedly in stock. I saw the listing, but Booksurge insists that the availability is supposed to be March 27th, so I guess we'll see. I'm not sure myself!

Thanks, I hope you're going to love the book.


Sterling

Sterling...are you ready for the wave of posts that are about to be posted here once people get there hands on it? Will this book change some opinions around here, mine included?[/quote]


Hell yeah, I'm ready! Bring it on! LOL, I honestly can't wait to see what everyone thinks. Will it change any minds? Hmmm, I don't know. There's an awful lot in the book that most people probably don't know about the story of Styx, but I don't know if that will change anyone's mind. It will certainly provoke some interesting new discussions, I think.

Thanks, I hope all is well.

Sterling

[/quote]Sterling...are you ready for the wave of posts that are about to be posted here once people get there hands on it? Will this book change some opinions around here, mine included?[/quote]

Hell yeah, I'm ready! Bring it on! LOL, I honestly can't wait to see what everyone thinks. Will it change any minds? Hmmm, I don't know. There's an awful lot in the book that most people probably don't know about the story of Styx, but I don't know if that will change anyone's mind. It will certainly provoke some interesting new discussions, I think.Sterling

Can't wait. This board needs something to make it exciting again.

piecesofeight wrote:Can't wait. This board needs something to make it exciting again.

Come on, the incessant bitching about Styx, JY, and DDY isn't enough for you? lol

Both my Grand Delusion books arrived today.

Since I lost a fortune on baseball cards in my youth( drew a mustache on Pete Roses rookie card, Mickey Mantle sounded great in my spokes)) I now order double of everything that is of value to me. One of Sterlings book will stay mint and I plan on starting to read the other tonight.


I am pretty pumped. I skimmed the book already. It's looonnng( well over 300 pages) and there appears to be plenty of photos.


Sterling is DA MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Book spoiler..........................................

Glen Burtnik wrote the forward. I just got through reading it. Glen talks about how uncool Styx has always been in the eyes of 'The critics'. He also states how uncool we are for liking them.

He also states that 'my various tenures in the band were alternately exhilarating,frustrating,profitable,costly,educational,destructive, joyful, and heartwrenching'.

Back to my first paragraph. As ONLY Glen can do his writing in the forward is done with humor, and his humor leads me to believe that I am kind of cool for liking Styx.

Glen ends his forward by stating:" I just hope Whitaker makes me look cool.

Now its time for me to send the kids to bed an hour early without doing their homework so that I can read on!!!!!!!!!!



P.S. The book is 12 chapters and 364 pages long.

Wait 'til you hit the solo albums chapter. I like the lead in line

Quickly.... Book spoilier.................................................................


The book opens up talking about the Kilroy tour. It seemed to me like the inner circle was split about the brilliance of the Kilroy concept. I dont have the book in front of me now but....... There is a quote from someone in Styx's inner circle that states how Sting ( who was the coolest hippest MF around at the time) went to see a Kilroy show in New Orleans. He absolutely LOVED it. He couldnt believe how Styx combined the stage show, movie and music.

I guess I'm pretty damn cool afterall.


Props also should go out to Styxcollector it sounds like he really helped Sterling with this book.


AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yogi wrote:Quickly.... Book spoilier.................................................................


The book opens up talking about the Kilroy tour. It seemed to me like the inner circle was split about the brilliance of the Kilroy concept. I dont have the book in front of me now but....... There is a quote from someone in Styx's inner circle that states how Sting ( who was the coolest hippest MF around at the time) went to see a Kilroy show in New Orleans. He absolutely LOVED it. He couldnt believe how Styx combined the stage show, movie and music.

I guess I'm pretty damn cool afterall.


Props also should go out to Styxcollector it sounds like he really helped Sterling with this book.


AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow . . . I guess the link that is up is active after all, LOL. Those Booksurge bastards lied to me about Tuesday. But Tuesday is still the "official" release date, the date most of the promotion is timed to hit and so on. There is an excerpt coming out here on Melodicrock.com in the next day or three, and speaking of Allan at Styxcollector, we'll be announcing a cool Styxcollector tie-in probably Monday as well. I've also got something coming out on Styxnet.com by Monday. There will be a lot more cool stuff coming up, too . . . since my press release hit Monday morning, I have had calls and e-mails from Classic Rock Magazine and Record Collector in England, a web site in Sweden, a web site in Greece, Goldmine, Flashwire News Service, and a guy who owns fifteen radio stations who wants to do some kind of promo giveaway through all of his stations. The interest level has been high so far.

Allan really did help me out a lot, not only by granting a great interview about his own experiences with the band, but by opening his photo archives to me. I also quoted from his interviews with Dennis, Tommy and JY. Thanks Allan!

Hope everyone enjoys the book. Thanks!


Sterling

Rockwriter wrote: Wow . . . I guess the link that is up is active after all, LOL. Those Booksurge bastards lied to me about Tuesday. But Tuesday is still the "official" release date, the date most of the promotion is timed to hit and so on. There is an excerpt coming out here on Melodicrock.com in the next day or three, and speaking of Allan at Styxcollector, we'll be announcing a cool Styxcollector tie-in probably Monday as well. I've also got something coming out on Styxnet.com by Monday. There will be a lot more cool stuff coming up, too . . . since my press release hit Monday morning, I have had calls and e-mails from Classic Rock Magazine and Record Collector in England, a web site in Sweden, a web site in Greece, Goldmine, Flashwire News Service, and a guy who owns fifteen radio stations who wants to do some kind of promo giveaway through all of his stations. The interest level has been high so far.

Allan really did help me out a lot, not only by granting a great interview about his own experiences with the band, but by opening his photo archives to me. I also quoted from his interviews with Dennis, Tommy and JY. Thanks Allan!

Hope everyone enjoys the book. Thanks!


Sterling

Yup ... for the first time in a few years I'm actually going to update the site with some stuff ... you will all see the tie in next week. And Sterling did all the work, I didn't do much. Out of respect for Sterling, I've kept mum about the contents and specific things in the book as to not ruin it. I think you guys will enjoy the book as it's about as close as you get to the story since all the people he interviewed were directly involved with the band in one way or another. It doesn't represent JY's 10th cousin twice removed, and it is not told from one perspective ... but it's fair.

Some of the photos Sterling used of mine are just the tip of the iceberg of what will be coming down the pike on my site once I actually get a block of time to overhaul it.

StyxCollector wrote:
Yup ... for the first time in a few years I'm actually going to update the site with some stuff ... you will all see the tie in next week. And Sterling did all the work, I didn't do much. Out of respect for Sterling, I've kept mum about the contents and specific things in the book as to not ruin it. I think you guys will enjoy the book as it's about as close as you get to the story since all the people he interviewed were directly involved with the band in one way or another. It doesn't represent JY's 10th cousin twice removed, and it is not told from one perspective ... but it's fair.

Some of the photos Sterling used of mine are just the tip of the iceberg of what will be coming down the pike on my site once I actually get a block of time to overhaul it.

JY's 10th cousin, twice removed!! LOL, that's funny!!! Hurry up Allan and work on your site!!!

Yogi, I bet you're just dying to tell us more what's in the book!!!

Book Spoilier..............................................................................................


I am only 20 plus pages into Sterling's MASTERPIECE all I can say so far is WOW!!!!!!

Chapter 1 is titled 'Earls of Roseland'. It talks about the innocence the band members shared when starting out. I absolutely loved hearing what a great guitarist John Curulewski was. How he and JY were total opposites in the guitar spectrum of it all, but how well the complamented one another(like bread and butter). I also really enjoyed hearin about all the jokes they would play on each other. They were just having fun.

Chapter two is titled 'As Bad As This'. I am reading it right now.

This book is AWESOME. Its a MUST for EVERY Styx fan!!

It is going to take me a while to read it all. I am in the middle of my season(start district tomorrow).

It is something that I now will look forward to doing hopefully daily.

i can't wait! i ordered the book & uprising, so i will be very happy when the finally arrive (i opted for the free shipping, so it will take a bit longer).

yogi wrote:Book Spoilier..............................................................................................


I am only 20 plus pages into Sterling's MASTERPIECE all I can say so far is WOW!!!!!!

Chapter 1 is titled 'Earls of Roseland'. It talks about the innocence the band members shared when starting out. I absolutely loved hearing what a great guitarist John Curulewski was. How he and JY were total opposites in the guitar spectrum of it all, but how well the complamented one another(like bread and butter). I also really enjoyed hearin about all the jokes they would play on each other. They were just having fun.

Chapter two is titled 'As Bad As This'. I am reading it right now.

This book is AWESOME. Its a MUST for EVERY Styx fan!!

It is going to take me a while to read it all. I am in the middle of my season(start district tomorrow).

It is something that I now will look forward to doing hopefully daily.

Wow, thanks! Glad to see you like it. Incidentally, for anyone who reads this and really likes it, you'd help me out quite a bit if you review it on Amazon. On the other hand, if you read it and DON'T like it, then just stay the hell away from my review page at Amazon! LOL.

Thanks again, I hope all is well.


Sterling

Just ordered mine (Amazon), along with Chuck's book. 3 to 5 days shipping (Cheapskate).
I think I will stay off the site a few days while I read it (spoilers). I sure could have used these two on my trip to California, we had a great time on the flight with two passengers becoming ill in mid flight. Thankfully neither was serious. Still suffering from jet lagggggggg

Well,I went to order .Book $20.99,shipping and handling $23.99 yikes.Sorry,I had to cancel that order.

gr8dane wrote:Well,I went to order .Book $20.99,shipping and handling $23.99 yikes.Sorry,I had to cancel that order.

Do you mean that the book with shipping and handling would have been $23.99, or that just the shipping and handling alone would have been $23.99? If it's the first, that sounds about right, but if it's the second, then some kind of weird error occurred. Hmmm . . .


Sterling

pinkfloyd1973 wrote:Got mine yesterday and i'll tell you.....it is a definite page turner. I'm already on page 83 and I only put the book down long enough to type this lol. Great book Sterling and definitely worth the wait (and price)


Robin

Thanks! I'm grateful, I've had a really good response so far, overwhelmingly so. That's nice . . . especially after working on it for years and years, LOL.

Boy, there's a lot more ahead! You've barely started yet.

Thanks again.

Sterling

GOT IT TODAY!!!!!!!! WOOHOOO! already through the first 2 chapters. can't wait to really sit down tonight and read more. GREAT JOB so far, sterling!

i did find a misspelling on pg 3 (zoetrope studios) LOL