MR

I thought this question should be asked in a separate/new thread....

Is it still Styx with none of the original members playing in the band on a given night ?

will fans be getting their money's worth watching a band with neither JY or DDY harmonizing with TS ? with no rythem guitar behind the solo's ?

Just wondering at what point it becomes something other than the essence of Styx ? ( or was that point already crossed at an earlier time....??? )

Do you really think the average Joe-Schmo Styx fan is going to miss JY more than Tommy?

Casual Fan 1: "Man, that little blonde guy sure can sing and play that guitar! But wasn't there a bigger blonde guy too? Weren't they brothers or something?"
Casual Fan 2: "Umm.. maybe. Anyway, that kicked ass when they did Renegade!"

Don't get me wrong, JY is awesome, but Tommy's voice graces almost every one of the hits in one way or the other, whether it's the tweeter-frying high harmonies or the lead vocals, and for most casual fans that's what matters.

I do think seeing Styx without the dual guitar attack would be strange. I'd sorely miss JY if I saw them right now as a four piece. I'd miss his stage presence, playing, his interaction with Tommy, his harmonies, and of course his AREEEEEE YOU RRRRREADY FOR MISSSSSSS AMERICA?!!!!

But, honestly, saying Tommy's not an original member of Styx is almost playing with semantics. Like Journey's Jon Cain, he's been there for most of the commercial success and he's been there a long time. Not to mention he's been the real front man of the group since the unfortunate parting with DDY. It's still Styx. If you stick DDY in there without Tommy or JY, it's still Styx too. If you put JY in there, take Tommy away, and don't add anybody? I'd hesitate to call that Styx.

A good example: I caught Chicago in Michigan last summer and for some reason, the three horn players (founding members, key songwriters as well) were absent. Some Earth Wind & Fire players filled in. I was going crazy the whole show wondering what had happened. But when I was walking out, I didn't hear anybody lamenting the absence of Jimmy Pankow, Lee Loughnane, or Walter Parazaider. Never did find out why all three missed that show.

With a question like this, are we sure Froy is not around. I think Zan should have mentioned a few more bands. The real answer is that if 3 out of the 4 surviving members vote for any semblance of a group to be called "Styx", that's what will happen. If JY couldn't tour and Tommy, Chuck, and JY decided that Tommy could take 4 other dudes or dudettes out and call it "Styx" that's what it would be. If somehow JY, Tommy, or Chuck had a falling out, then Dennis could cast the deciding vote. This soap opera won't be over until only one of the guys is left. As flawed and underachieving the Styx brand is, it is still a very valuable franchise that will continue to produce dollar signs even after all of the 4 surviving members are gone.

classicstyxfan wrote:I thought this question should be asked in a separate/new thread....

Is it still Styx with none of the original members playing in the band on a given night ?

will fans be getting their money's worth watching a band with neither JY or DDY harmonizing with TS ? with no rythem guitar behind the solo's ?

Just wondering at what point it becomes something other than the essence of Styx ? ( or was that point already crossed at an earlier time....??? )

It has not been STYX for 10 years most everyone knows that.

Ugg here we go again..

I guess it wasn't Styx from 90-92 when Glen was in the band then either..

Jodes wrote:Ugg here we go again..

I guess it wasn't Styx from 90-92 when Glen was in the band then either..

Maybe it hasn't been STYX since 1975 for that matter.

froy wrote:

classicstyxfan wrote:I thought this question should be asked in a separate/new thread....

Is it still Styx with none of the original members playing in the band on a given night ?

will fans be getting their money's worth watching a band with neither JY or DDY harmonizing with TS ? with no rythem guitar behind the solo's ?

Just wondering at what point it becomes something other than the essence of Styx ? ( or was that point already crossed at an earlier time....??? )

It has not been STYX for 10 years most everyone knows that.

I was hopeing you would be the one that said that.

Thenightbull wrote:

froy wrote:

classicstyxfan wrote:I thought this question should be asked in a separate/new thread....

Is it still Styx with none of the original members playing in the band on a given night ?

will fans be getting their money's worth watching a band with neither JY or DDY harmonizing with TS ? with no rythem guitar behind the solo's ?

Just wondering at what point it becomes something other than the essence of Styx ? ( or was that point already crossed at an earlier time....??? )

It has not been STYX for 10 years most everyone knows that.

I was hopeing you would be the one that said that.

If Dennis replaced JY, would it be Styx?

sure it's still styx. is it the classic lineup from 75-83? nope and never will be again. but let's look at it like this; take any megasuccessful company that has been in business for close to 40 years and see if ever person on staff is exactly the same as it was 40 years ago. we all know that every business encounters turnover and so do rock bands that operate as a business.

as an employee or owner you want the business to continue being successful. over the years with various folks helping to contribute you build a "product"....a name that folks know and remember....a name that many folks associate positive things with. why would any business owner or employee then want to go out and rename the business even though you are still selling the product that made you relevant to begin with?

styx currently goes out and plays most of the classic styx songs. they are a fantastic live act to see. tommy has been in the band for 33 years, jy close to 40 years and hell todd has now been drumming with them since 95 (13 years) that means he's been drumming in styx for as close to as long as john did from 70-83 and then again from 90-92.

its just an evolving business and i say go for it......i would rather have this than nothing. at the end of the day I am like everyone else......if i could have my wishes it would be for the classic lineup to be together etc....but i dont have an issue with this band beign called styx.

chowhall wrote:

Thenightbull wrote:

froy wrote:

classicstyxfan wrote:I thought this question should be asked in a separate/new thread....

Is it still Styx with none of the original members playing in the band on a given night ?

will fans be getting their money's worth watching a band with neither JY or DDY harmonizing with TS ? with no rythem guitar behind the solo's ?

Just wondering at what point it becomes something other than the essence of Styx ? ( or was that point already crossed at an earlier time....??? )

It has not been STYX for 10 years most everyone knows that.

I was hopeing you would be the one that said that.

If Dennis replaced JY, would it be Styx?

Abso-fuckin-lutely

Ehwmatt wrote:

chowhall wrote:

Thenightbull wrote:

froy wrote:

classicstyxfan wrote:I thought this question should be asked in a separate/new thread....

Is it still Styx with none of the original members playing in the band on a given night ?

will fans be getting their money's worth watching a band with neither JY or DDY harmonizing with TS ? with no rythem guitar behind the solo's ?

Just wondering at what point it becomes something other than the essence of Styx ? ( or was that point already crossed at an earlier time....??? )

It has not been STYX for 10 years most everyone knows that.

I was hopeing you would be the one that said that.

If Dennis replaced JY, would it be Styx?

Abso-fuckin-lutely

Even more so!

At absolute minimum you need at least 2 of the "Classic" line-up. Seeing that video with just Tommy in it seemed really odd.

If Chuck came back and played Bass with Tommy, Todd, Larry and Ricky on rhythm guitar...I could almost buy that.

Better yet have Chuck on Bass with Tommy, Todd, Larry and GLEN on guitar...that'd be even better.

IT's not just the guitar, but JY's vocals that are important.

No way is Chuck going to play a full set. 1. I don't believe he is able and 2. it would mean that Ricky would be gone when JY came back. Can't see it happening.

DerriD wrote:At absolute minimum you need at least 2 of the "Classic" line-up. Seeing that video with just Tommy in it seemed really odd.

If Chuck came back and played Bass with Tommy, Todd, Larry and Ricky on rhythm guitar...I could almost buy that.

Better yet have Chuck on Bass with Tommy, Todd, Larry and GLEN on guitar...that'd be even better.

And call themselves XTS

actually I thought that was a great name for them back in 1999

styxfanNH wrote:IT's not just the guitar, but JY's vocals that are important.

No way is Chuck going to play a full set. 1. I don't believe he is able and 2. it would mean that Ricky would be gone when JY came back. Can't see it happening.

why would ricky go anywhere? he'd be back playing bass. but i agree, chuck's health issues prob are still a bit risky for him to comitt to a full show. they are playing 70 minutes right now, which he might be able to handle. but after the boston tour ends- who knows. still, i think it's a good idea. they can't bring glen in, as much as i would enjoy seeing him back w the band (and to his own dismay LOL). they need someone "on call" to be ready at a moment's notice, and that would mean someone who is already part of the touring entity. having chuck fill in would make the most sense. but- what about Keith or Jimmy? they are both guitar players- but they have their own jobs to do behind the scenes. it's a tough situation, no doubt. here's hoping that susie and JY are together for a VERY long time to come.

stmonkeys wrote:

styxfanNH wrote:IT's not just the guitar, but JY's vocals that are important.

No way is Chuck going to play a full set. 1. I don't believe he is able and 2. it would mean that Ricky would be gone when JY came back. Can't see it happening.

why would ricky go anywhere? he'd be back playing bass. but i agree, chuck's health issues prob are still a bit risky for him to comitt to a full show. they are playing 70 minutes right now, which he might be able to handle. but after the boston tour ends- who knows. still, i think it's a good idea. they can't bring glen in, as much as i would enjoy seeing him back w the band (and to his own dismay LOL). they need someone "on call" to be ready at a moment's notice, and that would mean someone who is already part of the touring entity. having chuck fill in would make the most sense. but- what about Keith or Jimmy? they are both guitar players- but they have their own jobs to do behind the scenes. it's a tough situation, no doubt. here's hoping that susie and JY are together for a VERY long time to come.

Because the next thing you would hear is that Chuck has been able to play all along. It was a sham. And there would be external pressures to keep the lineup together. (Not that they pay attention to external pressure). The anti current lineup fanatics would be going of their rockers again.

to a casual person, you need tommy or dennis, in any band , i used to say as long as you have the guitar player, and the vocalists most people wont care about the rhythm section(here come all the drummer fans)but as weve seen with other bands you dont even need an original member to tour(LRB,foghat,3 dog night)

It's definitely still Styx. You've got Tommy and JY still on stage. Sure there are three replacement members, but two of those are due to the fact that the originals are currently unable to perform.

As a fan it's harder to accept a band with only 2/5 original members, but that's just the way it is.

Survivor is in the same category, although that is a case in which 100% personal disputes have caused the fractured line-up. Styx on the other hand has already had two members die, not much they can do about that.

In view of bands like SOME of those Zan listed above and the intervention of year's + success for Dennis as a solo performer, I have certainly come around on my thinking. Most dinosaur rock groups are touring, largely, as partially their "classic" selves and partially their "current" selves.

I understand the money involved is often enormous and will set these band members up for the rocking chair years when the rocking years are long over.

So I see the band "Styx" now as it is in the context of all those other bands, some with only a single member from their salad days. (I'm looking at YOU Foreigner!).

I am personally not interested in what Styx is doing, though I will occasionally catch a performance on TV or YouTube and will check out any new music out of curiosity (and, of course, the laughable antics and vocals of one Gowan...but, again, that is MY opinion).

So, yeah, in view of how things operate in the here and now of classic rock music, it is still "Styx".

Bugsy

bugsymalone wrote:In view of bands like SOME of those Zan listed above and the intervention of year's + success for Dennis as a solo performer, I have certainly come around on my thinking. Most dinosaur rock groups are touring, largely, as partially their "classic" selves and partially their "current" selves.

I understand the money involved is often enormous and will set these band members up for the rocking chair years when the rocking years are long over.

So I see the band "Styx" now as it is in the context of all those other bands, some with only a single member from their salad days. (I'm looking at YOU Foreigner!).

I am personally not interested in what Styx is doing, though I will occasionally catch a performance on TV or YouTube and will check out any new music out of curiosity (and, of course, the laughable antics and vocals of one Gowan...but, again, that is MY opinion).

So, yeah, in view of how things operate in the here and now of classic rock music, it is still "Styx".

Bugsy

Next thing you know it will be one of those "Styx featuring Tommy Shaw" things. Kinda like Starship featuring Mickey Thomas or Asia featuring John Payne. I hate seeing that.

No.. but dollars to donuts if one certain ex member comes back it will be "Styx - Featuring Dennis Deyoung"

Interesting responses........

Here's another hypothetical. 5 years from now health reasons, or just fatigue cause both JY and TS to hang it up for good.........

Could the remaining 3 hire 2 guitar/vocalists and rightfullly call themselves Styx ?

classicstyxfan wrote:Interesting responses........

Here's another hypothetical. 5 years from now health reasons, or just fatigue cause both JY and TS to hang it up for good.........

Could the remaining 3 hire 2 guitar/vocalists and rightfullly call themselves Styx ?

Nope. I doubt JY would let them carry the name "Styx", IMO.

I also think within 5 years, Todd & Ricky will have moved on to other projects of their own. IMO

classicstyxfan wrote:Interesting responses........

Here's another hypothetical. 5 years from now health reasons, or just fatigue cause both JY and TS to hang it up for good.........

Could the remaining 3 hire 2 guitar/vocalists and rightfullly call themselves Styx ?

If JY would make money off of it in some fashion, I don't think HE would object to anyone who took over the roles and played in a band called Styx. Ditto anyone else who has legal interest in the name. Dennis has already rolled his eyes at the entire enterprise and moved on.


Bugsy

Dennis hasn't rolled his eyes.. He's laughing all the way to the bank!

Remember, the band members changed their royalty set up back in the early 90's so that just the songwriters get them.

So everytime this lineup of Styx plays and the fans go out and buy GH, or one of the A&M albums, Dennis is still getting a percentage of it.

And with RTP nearing Platinum (I know the DVD is ), GH nearing 3x platinum and GHV2 heading near Gold, here in the last few years, Dennis is still recieving some lovely cheques.

Don't forget the "settlement" he got as well.. I'm sure it was in the seven figures..

Jodes wrote:No.. but dollars to donuts if one certain ex member comes back it will be "Styx - Featuring Dennis Deyoung"

No question about it. I just used the Tommy Shaw as an example to how I felt back in 1999, I was worried Styx was going to turn into one of those bands that had 3 different touring versions of itself.

I had always wondered how they would market the return of Dennis to the line-up if ever happened. Would it be like that or Styx- Classic Line-up or something.

SuiteMadameBlue wrote:[color=blue][b]Nope. I doubt JY would let them carry the name "Styx", IMO.

Reminds me of Yes where Chris Squire owned the name, and then there was a bunch of wrangling about the use of the name.

SuiteMadameBlue wrote:I also think within 5 years, Todd & Ricky will have moved on to other projects of their own. IMO

Reasonable assumptions if you ask me ... but who knows. Ricky had a successful career prior to Styx so he can goback to it. Todd's star is rising and IMHO without new music for him to shine on, he'll eventually leave. He can't make a stamp if he can't be heard as himself (if you know what I mean).

I myself, didn't think it was Styx after DDY left. But I am also in the camp where I consider Tommy an original member. Ok, he wasn't on the first album or hit, but he was on everything else. He was in Styx when the where there most popular. As for most people if given a choice which one would you rather ahve in Styx...pick only one.....Tommy or JY.........Tommy would win in a landslide.