MR

James JY Young. Without JY I don't believe Styx would have had a #1 album with Paradise Theater and 1981's most successful tour. JY was the one that held Tommy and Dennis' egos in check and was the balance that made things work. Sure Dennis and Tommy provided the songs and creative direction, but without JY's ability to do the right things for the sake of the band, this group would have fallen apart long before 1984. He truly is the Godfather of Styx and rightly so. Dennis and Tommy were looking out for their own interests after 1979 while JY always put the band first. Sure, part of it was the fact he could not go out on his own and do well like Dennis and Tommy. Here's to you JY for all that you've done for this band.

OK, Mrs JY's Mama, We like JY just fine, but most vital member of Styx after 1979. Only his mother would think that.

Really? No offense, it's either TS or DDY. JY has done a lot from the time he got in the band behind the scenes. No one would deny that JY has been vital to Styx. But without the music that was popular, they wouldn't be where they are either then or now. And JY wrote none of the hits.

JY hands down.....just on the strength of that Rock Classic "Eddie" alone !

classicstyxfan wrote:JY hands down.....just on the strength of that Rock Classic "Eddie" alone !

Don't forget Homewrecker
Which he is in real life

Mr JY Roboto wrote:James JY Young. Without JY I don't believe Styx would have had a #1 album with Paradise Theater and 1981's most successful tour. JY was the one that held Tommy and Dennis' egos in check and was the balance that made things work. Sure Dennis and Tommy provided the songs and creative direction, but without JY's ability to do the right things for the sake of the band, this group would have fallen apart long before 1984. He truly is the Godfather of Styx and rightly so. Dennis and Tommy were looking out for their own interests after 1979 while JY always put the band first. Sure, part of it was the fact he could not go out on his own and do well like Dennis and Tommy. Here's to you JY for all that you've done for this band.

Signed
JY

JY: Always was, always will be -- a legend in his own mind.

Kudos to you, JY Fan, for your loyalty. The few. The proud. The, uh.....few.


Bugsy

Before and after 1979 - Dennis DeYoung!

I will give a strong second to TS, since the band never took off commercially until his inclusion after 1975. JY?? Puhlllleeeassseee. I guess Charlie Watts is the most important member of the Stones.

hey now... don't be mean to this kid. He's probably some poor goofy bastard, thinking his propeller beanie is the cat's pajamas... or something.

Hands Down Dennis DeYoung.

yogi wrote:Hands Down Dennis DeYoung.

No Argument

Actually Dennis has been the most vital member since 1999, not '79.

Just kidding

Without JY, I don't believe those 5 members would have stayed together after 1979/80. He was the peacemaker between those other two egos until 1984.

Mr JY Roboto wrote:Without JY, I don't believe those 5 members would have stayed together after 1979/80. He was the peacemaker between those other two egos until 1984.

Really? So when everyone - including JY - kicked Dennis out of the band during the Cornerstone period you were there and JY was peacemaker?

I'm glad you've got such insider knowledge

Tommy outside of medicating himself (which clearly affected him at times in his career which he has talked about) seems to be a pretty down to earth guy in the the grand scheme of life. I would argue he has less ego than JY.

Mr JY Roboto wrote:James JY Young. Without JY I don't believe Styx would have had a #1 album with Paradise Theater and 1981's most successful tour. JY was the one that held Tommy and Dennis' egos in check and was the balance that made things work. Sure Dennis and Tommy provided the songs and creative direction, but without JY's ability to do the right things for the sake of the band, this group would have fallen apart long before 1984. He truly is the Godfather of Styx and rightly so. Dennis and Tommy were looking out for their own interests after 1979 while JY always put the band first. Sure, part of it was the fact he could not go out on his own and do well like Dennis and Tommy. Here's to you JY for all that you've done for this band.

Hmm....

The band had 6 songs that were truly national after 1979 (Babe, BOT, TMTOMH, Mr. Roboto, DLIE, and Show Me The Way). Dennis wrote and sang 5 of them. Tommy contributed 2 songs for PT, and 3 for Kilroy (none of his on Kilroy made a dent nationally - but arguably some of his best vocal work with the exception of Cold War) and then bolted for a solo career and Damn Yankees. JY contributed 2 songs on PT, 2 on Kilroy, and one horrid song for EOTC. He gets little credit beyond Snowblind which was a minor rock hit. Dennis produced the #1 album Paradise Theatre, but also pushed for the flawed Kilroy was here project. But he has been gone now for 10 YEARS! And Tommy definitely is most vital now (obviously). But Tommy has changed strategic directions for Styx (whether for the better or worse is a constant argument on this board and cannot be answered). But net, net as far as Styx national prominence since 1979, Dennis was most vital.

Toph wrote:

Mr JY Roboto wrote:James JY Young. Without JY I don't believe Styx would have had a #1 album with Paradise Theater and 1981's most successful tour. JY was the one that held Tommy and Dennis' egos in check and was the balance that made things work. Sure Dennis and Tommy provided the songs and creative direction, but without JY's ability to do the right things for the sake of the band, this group would have fallen apart long before 1984. He truly is the Godfather of Styx and rightly so. Dennis and Tommy were looking out for their own interests after 1979 while JY always put the band first. Sure, part of it was the fact he could not go out on his own and do well like Dennis and Tommy. Here's to you JY for all that you've done for this band.

Hmm....

The band had 6 songs that were truly national after 1979 (Babe, BOT, TMTOMH, Mr. Roboto, DLIE, and Show Me The Way). Dennis wrote and sang 5 of them. Tommy contributed 2 songs for PT, and 3 for Kilroy (none of his on Kilroy made a dent nationally - but arguably some of his best vocal work with the exception of Cold War) and then bolted for a solo career and Damn Yankees. JY contributed 2 songs on PT, 2 on Kilroy, and one horrid song for EOTC. He gets little credit beyond Snowblind which was a minor rock hit. Dennis produced the #1 album Paradise Theatre, but also pushed for the flawed Kilroy was here project. But he has been gone now for 10 YEARS! And Tommy definitely is most vital now (obviously). But Tommy has changed strategic directions for Styx (whether for the better or worse is a constant argument on this board and cannot be answered). But net, net as far as Styx national prominence since 1979, Dennis was most vital.

a band is a band. they're all vital.

Gee no love for the panozzo's eh? typical. i'm not complaining though.