Another "What If"

[BlackWall]

I've seen people ask what would have become of the band if they woulnd't have had the 1983 breakup, but I don't think(and correct me if I'm wrong) that I've seen anyone propose this idea: What if Dennis had gotten so fed up with all the other band members bitching about "Kilory Was Here", that he decided(and they decided) that it would be in best interest to leave the band, and he ended up with the solo career. Now, mind you, I realize that Tommy was actually offered first, but let's pretend that Dennis quit the band before Tommy was offered a solo contract. Without Dennis, would Tommy have continued to stay on and be leader, or would he have taken the opportunity go out on his own?

Had he made the decision to stay on and lead Styx, what would have become of them at this point? Would "Girls With Guns" had been more popular with the Styx name? Let's say the 1984-'85 Styx album consisted of Tommy, J.Y., John, Chuck, and one other guy to replace Dennis on keys, and sing his songs.. Anyone know of any keyboard players that would have been available at the time that might have sounded decent on DDY's material? So, in a nutshell, I guess I'm wondering if what's going on with the current version of Styx could have worked 23 years ago.

[classicstyxfan]

wasn't Steve Walsh of Kansas a free ageny about that time ? I think he still had the pipes back then, but I don't know if it would have been much of a fit though.

I doubt DDY would have gone along with them continuing to use the Name though, especially at that time.

[Abitaman]

Tommy was too messed up on drugs at that time period to have done anything for Styx. What if was pretty bad for the most part, and Girls With Guns was that great either. Best that the stayed apart like they did-ERIC

[Everett]

Anyone know of any keyboard players that would have been available at the time that might have sounded decent on DDY's material?

How about gowan? lol j/k

[DarwinNebraska]

None, you can't replace a legend.

[kipthekid]

would have been Tommy leaving and the band replacing him rather than Dennis.

One thing I do believe - as "messed up" as Tommy may have been, he was writing better songs than Dennis @ the time of KWH. Dennis had, IMHO, taken a major step FORWARD as a songwriter with his contributions to Paradise Theater - lyrically, musically, etc. He took just as many steps BACKWARD with Kilroy. Tommy was still "Tommy." His were, for me at the time, the only listenable tracks on Kilroy.

[BlackWall]

"One thing I do believe - as "messed up" as Tommy may have been, he was writing better songs than Dennis @ the time of KWH. Dennis had, IMHO, taken a major step FORWARD as a songwriter with his contributions to Paradise Theater - lyrically, musically, etc. He took just as many steps BACKWARD with Kilroy. Tommy was still "Tommy." His were, for me at the time, the only listenable tracks on Kilroy."

I agree with this, for the most part. I actually do think Dennis wrote some worthwhile material for "KWH", but you're right about it not being quite on par with what he was writing for "PT". It seems as though Dennis was the only one trying to really fit the concept of the album; so, of course, his songs aren't going to really make sense to anyone who doesn't know what the concept is, and probably seem silly to anyone who does; so, how do you win? Lol..

"Mr. Roboto" is a silly, yet well written song. I've always wondered if Dennis had a somewhat deeper meaning in mind when he composed it(maybe a stretch, but maybe not). I know it will never be able to escape the theme of the album, but when you think about it, another way to take the song could be to think along the lines of a man who is tired of being what everyone else thinks he should be in the modern world; the rat race..

"Don't Let It End" has always sounded a little too processed to me. I picture a record exec at A&M saying, "Dennis, what we need is another big hit ballad.. you can't lost the streak you've had with these last two albums." Or maybe Dennis was saying this to himself.. It's not really a bad song(and he sounds great doing it on "CITA"), but it just seems to fall a little flat in the emotion department.

Tommy's contributions are probably a little stronger, aside from "Cold War", but as I said, Tommy's material doesn't seem to really play along with the concept. I actually think J.Y. has a great song in "Double Life", but again, it doesn't necessarily fit in with the theme.

[LifeGiver]

I have always said that if Styx had released the "Girls With Guns" album (with the songs Desert Moon and Boys Will Be Boys thrown in) everyone would have been satisfied and Styx would have had the biggest hit of their career! Girls With Guns was a MUCH better album IMHO than Kilroy or Paradise Theater (with the exception of "She Cares" and "Too Much Time") and ranks up there with Grand Illusion.

-Shane

[squirt1]

All I know is that I want to hear the songs by the original voice. The hell with guitar players. I won't go to Journey w/o Perry or Soto,not interested in Foreigner w/o Lou and Styx is another no way. I will be seeing Dennis in 3 wks at Blue Ash. Why settle for less ?

[stabbim]

All I know is that I want to hear the songs by the original voice. The hell with guitar players. I won't go to Journey w/o Perry or Soto,not interested in Foreigner w/o Lou and Styx is another no way. I will be seeing Dennis in 3 wks at Blue Ash. Why settle for less ?

Singers are ridiculously overrated.

Every last one of 'em.

Especially in rock bands.

IMO.

[Zan]

Singers are ridiculously overrated.

Every last one of 'em.

It's gonna be a loooong walk to Clarkesville from the Atlanta airport, Buddy.

[styxfanNH]

All I know is that I want to hear the songs by the original voice. The hell with guitar players. I won't go to Journey w/o Perry or Soto,not interested in Foreigner w/o Lou and Styx is another no way. I will be seeing Dennis in 3 wks at Blue Ash. Why settle for less ?

Since when did Soto record albums with Journey? Blows your whole point out of the water.

[kipthekid]

LOL - everyone IS entitled to their opinion...I WILL say that that's the first I've ever read THAT statement. Just to show how opinions differ, while I loved "Too Much Time", I thought "She Cares" was the weakest effort on Paradise - by an incredibly wide margin.

I suppose there may a person or two out there who think "Out on a Day Pass" is better than Equinox or "What If" is better than Pieces of Eight.

[stabbim]

Singers are ridiculously overrated.

Every last one of 'em.

It's gonna be a loooong walk to Clarkesville from the Atlanta airport, Buddy.

...except Zan.

[Zan]

...except Zan.

Very well then.