20 Questions for Jim Cahill

by **Rockwriter** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:27 am

Hey everyone:

Jim Cahill has graciously agreed to answer 20 questions taken from Styx fans. So if you have a question for Jim about the time he spent with Styx, post it here or email it to me at sterlingwit@aol.com.

Thanks! I hope all is well.

Sterling

by **Mr JY Roboto** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 12:22 pm

Rockwriter wrote:Hey everyone:

Jim Cahill has graciously agreed to answer 20 questions taken from Styx fans. So if you have a question for Jim about the time he spent with Styx, post it here or email it to me at sterlingwit@aol.com.

Thanks! I hope all is well.

Sterling

Give an example of one time you and Dennis butted heads.

by **chowhall** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 12:38 pm

What's the biggest reason you think a Styx reunion will never happen? What's the biggest reason you think a Styx reunion will happen?

by **kansas666** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:07 pm

How big a role did you play in making The Grand Illusion a hit and how much of it was legal?

by **kansas666** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:44 pm

Did the term "corporate rock" originate with STYX?

Did you think "Kilroy" was a good idea?

In your opinion what was the downfall of STYX?

by **bugsymalone** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 12:01 am

chowhall wrote:What's the biggest reason you think a Styx reunion will never happen? What's the biggest reason you think a Styx reunion will happen?

Good ones.

Bugsy

by **classicstyxfan** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:43 am

If Tommy and JY had gotten their way during the pre Kilroy era,, did they have songs ready that better represented their vision of the Direction the band should go ? If so, can some of these these songs/ideas be found in subsequent solo releases ?

by **yogi** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:13 am

I would like to know if he was at the Texas Jam Cotton Bowl show that was talked about on Behind The Music.

I was there and the real truth was all the booing and fighting was going on because of the shut off of beer sales(they enacted the Blue Laws on Saturday night, instead of Sunday), the heat & next to zero bathrooms.

I would like his take on this if he was there. What Tommy & Derek Sutton said on Behind The Music was a total lie. Styx was great and most everyone loved the show.

Whats his take????

by **LordofDaRing** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:24 am

Good luck with the interview Sterling, I know you will do a good job. I was thinking of a question to ask him, what did he think of your book for instance, until I run across this little diddy below. This was only a part of the blog, I cold not copy and paste the link for some reason. But I would not want anyone accusing me of taking sides, via editing.....so......just google Jim Cahill Styx and you will get to the page, you can't miss it, there is a big picture of him and Tommy yucking it up about every third paragraph.

This guy might have been the greatest hustler in the business, but I guess I will let the readers of the forum read for themselves here. I don't recall Dennis mentioning that Ted Nugent "hurt his fellings" in BTM. That comment was directed at Mr. Shaw. Dennis is a "pussy", but he feels bad that this is the takeaway from their relationship. Funny thing, I have never heard Deniis bad mouth this guy in an interview. It would be interesting if you ever get to speak to Dennis to ask him his thoughts on Jim Cahill. I guess one question you could pose to Jim, would be if he felt DDY's songwriting, keyboard and/or amazing voice were in the slightest remotest reason that Dennis became "a freakin’ multi-millionaire". I don't think Derek Sutton will be inviting him to Xmas dinner this year as well. Funny thing when i was attending all those concerts and buying those records, I never heard of the name Jim Cahill. Heard of Dennis, Tommy, JY, Chuck and John.

BEHIND THE MUSIC: CAHILL REACTION TO IT

The Styx: Behind The Music was fun overall-it seems like everyone has seen it. Entertaining. The program was funny at times. The show was missing one major thing- and I have shared my feelings about this with David Story, the producer of that episode-what they missed was the time STYX spent at the top (78-81). STYX had an unbelievable, fantastic run of fun at the top-and they ignored that-they missed that.

The parts I was in were OK-I was going for laughs...and you know how sound bites go...when edited they paint with a broad brush-I certainly didn’t look like the world class marketer I believe I was for the band—more like a bag man and quip master. But whatever-it's 44 minutes of cable television. Behind The Music could have spent more time on the good parts of the story-the successes…. because there were so many good things that happened. The good things far outweighed the bad. But the end was the end and the whole Dennis thing is just so ...unfortunate. JY’s line about “hockey on the river STYX” was poetic in that no one was more loyal to the business of STYX than JY-and he had every right to say it on camera-that Dennis was done-and it had been a long time since Dennis was functional in the band. The new STYX has played more gigs in the past three years than they did in the previous 20. Also-I think from an editorial standpoint-they spent way too much time on Dennis and his wife whining and bitching. Ludicrous. He was homesick? awwww. What the fuck kind of story is that? Damn Yankees hurt his feelings? Get a life dude. Tommy & Ted Nugent hurt his feelings? awwwww. What the fuck kind of story is that? That’s fucking Ted Nugent your talking about dude-don't be such a fucking pussy. I feel bad that this is my takeaway from my relationship with DeYoung. All the dude would have had to do is really open his eyes and see there were an awful lot of talented, creative people busting ass and breaking new ground on his behalf-in fact, our efforts made him a freakin’ multi-millionaire-but there was no gratitude-only a strange growing narracissim and selfishness that got worse and worse

as time went on.

Jim Cahill

by **DerriD** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:42 am

A question for Cahill? How does it feel to be a complete Douche?

All kidding aside, best of luck with the interview.

by **LordofDaRing** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:19 am

"The new STYX has played more gigs in the past three years than they did in the previous 20"

This comment always amazes me. So lets look at the prior 20 years shall we. I think this blog was posted around 2006, so I assume he is talking 2003 - 2006 for the current line up. So the 20 years are say from 1983 to 2003, give or take a year. So from 1983 to 1996 the band did not exist (13 of the 20 years). And of course we all blame Dennis, but don't forget who walked out first in 1983 because he was so full of rock songs and no outlet (cough little girl world). That being said, I guess you could slam Dennis for the very sucessful RTP and GI anniversary tours which did not have to go 200 plus dates to make a shitload of money for all involved. Then Dennis is not in the band from 1999 on. Of course Mr. Cahill loses sight that the band with dennis during its heyday was doing 200 plus nights a year as documented on other sights. So up at least through Paradise the band is doing that number of shows dating back at least to Derek Sutton's involement with the band around 1976. Also turning out a pretty damn good album each of those years, unlike today. Your numbers don't add up big Jim, just like saying Styx lost their core base fans after Babe. Jim must be looking for a job in the Obama administration, perhaps the new penguin czar. Look there goes the ex-Styx promo guy following the snow....

by **Everett** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:26 am

Why didn't anyone just say no to kilroy? Who were some of the folks that auditioned to replace dennis in the 80's?

by **bugsymalone** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:51 am

You know, I had forgotten this was Penguin Man. Perhaps any questions he answers related to DDY should be taken with a grain of salt ...... or whatever.

Bugsy

by **Zan** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:32 am

Cahill wrote:The parts I was in were OK-I was going for laughs...and you know how sound bites go...when edited they paint with a broad brush-I certainly didn’t look like the world class marketer I believe I was for the band—more like a bag man and quip master. But whatever-it's 44 minutes of cable television. Behind The Music could have spent more time on the good parts of the story-the successes…. because there were so many good things that happened. The good things far outweighed the bad.

This, right here, is it in a nutshell. Sound bytes are like random thoughts: They can be put into any context and interpreted many ways depending on the mood or POV of the person on the receiving end. Jim Cahill was given about 5 minutes of camera time at the most (being generous here), and never, at least as much as I can remember, did he come off as being all very serious. Never once did I watch and think, Wow, there's a guy who is telling it like it really is. I watched and thought, Thank God - finally someone with a sense of humor chimed in. Of course, being on this board for many years, I shouldn't be all too surprised at the general response to him here.

Back in the old days when TS used to be comfortable enough to come into online chatrooms (before the Anger police moved in and brow-beat him or creepily stalked him), he was often quoted saying "comedy is risky." Truer statements have rarely been spoken, especially in Styx world.

As for what Bugsy said about a grain of salt, that is basically it (sarcasm aside). Do you also think that the only thing Glen observed in his time with Styx was a few people giving him the finger in 1991?

NO ONE in the Styx camp was satisfied with how they were portrayed on the show. Everyone basically felt they were grossly misrepresented and misquoted. This goes for Dennis too. VH-1's job was to create an entertaining show. Telling it like it is was not the priority, and in that business, editing is your friend.

But that's just me - I prefer people who don't take themselves or anything else too seriously. Yes, many truths are said in jest, but it's the ones who are able to make light of the hurdles in life who are often the happiest, I've found. Life's too short to be overly sensitive.

by **LordofDaRing** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:08 pm

"All the dude would have had to do is really open his eyes and see there were an awful lot of talented, creative people busting ass and breaking new ground on his behalf-in fact, our efforts made him a freakin’ multi-millionaire-but there was no gratitude-only a strange growing narracissim and selfishness that got worse and worse"

More of his stand up routine, I take it...not to be taken serious, tounge in cheek as they say....

Actually all in all I think Cahill takes his contributions to the band too seriously. By all accounts, he seemed like a person who really threw himself into his job, but you know, call me optimistic, but I think CSA would have found its "bullet" with or without the cocaine bribery. His argument would have more merit, had he in the article been a bit more complimentary to Derek Sutton's management and contrbtuions. If you are talking about the true key players behind the band, would Sutton's name not merit some praise as well? But Cahill is a guy that comes across IMO as that type of person we have all run across in the work force, slamming everyone elses contributions, due to the inferiority complex that they themselves have. By the way, had he said similar things about JY and TS, many would have pounced as well.

by **Zan** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:12 pm

LordofDaRing wrote:"All the dude would have had to do is really open his eyes and see there were an awful lot of talented, creative people busting ass and breaking new ground on his behalf-in fact, our efforts made him a freakin’ multi-millionaire-but there was no gratitude-only a strange growing narracissim and selfishness that got worse and worse"

More of his stand up routine, I take it...not to be taken serious, tounge in cheek as they say....

Or a random thought based on POV and relative experience (vs. a possibility of truth? nah, that could never be it) ;-)

Actually all in all I think Cahill takes his contributions to the band too seriously. By all accounts, he seemed like a person who really threw himself into his job, but you know, call me optimistic, but I think CSA would have found its "bullet" with or without the cocaine bribery.

Fair enough. You're being optimistic.

His argument would have more merit, had he in the article been a bit more complimentary to Derek Sutton's management and contrbtuions. If you are talking about the true key players behind the band, would Sutton's name not merit some praise as well? But Cahill is a guy that comes across IMO as that type of person we have all run across in the work force, slamming everyone elses contributions, due to the inferiority complex that they themselves have. By the way, had he said similar things about JY and TS, many would have pounced as well.

Odd. He doesn't come off as "slamming everyone else's contributions" when he mentions the "awful lot of talented, creative people busting ass and breaking new ground." In fact, it seems kinda the other way around.

But maybe you were being tongue-in-cheek. ;-)

FWIW, I think the only ones who would have "pounced" had he said anything unflattering of JY and Tommy, would be the ones who make an internet career of shouting "I told you so" on a regular basis. But that's based on my own POV and experience.

by **LordofDaRing** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:50 pm

"Odd. He doesn't come off as "slamming everyone else's contributions" when he mentions the "awful lot of talented, creative people busting ass and breaking new ground." In fact, it seems kinda the other way around."

No tounge in cheek, again read his entire blog, not just what I posted. Remember I mentioned in my original post I could not post the link to it, but you can google it. I think you will see what I am talking about.

"Fair enough. You're being optimistic."

I think you would agree that CSA, is considered by most of the general public to be the song most people identify Styx with, maybe not their best song (subjective), but certainly at the top of someone's list. It is a great song and it would have found radio time, maybe not in 76. Keep in mind, Lady was a "bomb" when it came out, that was resurrected a couple of years later (without Cahill's help) but by a local DJ in Chicago who kept playing it over and over. I don't know maybe John C was bribing him with cocaine

"FWIW, I think the only ones who would have "pounced" had he said anything unflattering of JY and Tommy, would be the ones who make an internet career of shouting "I told you so" on a regular basis. But that's based on my own POV and experience."

Hmmmm, fair enough, not like you would have ever corrected anybody in here youself (believe me I know my Styx)

by **chowhall** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:35 am

LordofDaRing wrote:I think you would agree that CSA, is considered by most of the general public to be the song most people identify Styx with, maybe not their best song (subjective), but certainly at the top of someone's list. It is a great song and it would have found radio time, maybe not in 76. Keep in mind, Lady was a "bomb" when it came out, that was resurrected a couple of years later (without Cahill's help) but by a local DJ in Chicago who kept playing it over and over. I don't know maybe John C was bribing him with cocaine

Didn't CSA top out in the 20's on the chart? I'm not arguing the merits of CSA a great song without equivocation. It wasn't a blockbuster hit like Babe or even Roboto. Styx is living proof that it takes more than talent and good songs to be sucessful. They have always had the talent but it took a few nudges to get them heard nationally. I'm sure all that were involved take some measure of ownership of the success of the band, some more than others.

by **LordofDaRing** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:41 am

"Didn't CSA top out in the 20's on the chart? I'm not arguing the merits of CSA a great song without equivocation. It wasn't a blockbuster hit like Babe or even Roboto. Styx is living proof that it takes more than talent and good songs to be sucessful. They have always had the talent but it took a few nudges to get them heard nationally. I'm sure all that were involved take some measure of ownership of the success of the band, some more than others."

Not really arguing the point that it takes more than talent to get there (i.e. Lady). I would go back to one of my first comments, I would love to see Sterling or anybody interview DDY and ask him point blank, how do you see Jim Cahill and/or Derek Sutton's contribution to the sucess of the band. As for Babe or Roboto, I think the established name at that point certainly had something to do with those songs, over and above the marketing.

by **Zan** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:53 am

LordofDaRing wrote:"Odd. He doesn't come off as "slamming everyone else's contributions" when he mentions the "awful lot of talented, creative people busting ass and breaking new ground." In fact, it seems kinda the other way around."

No tounge in cheek, again read his entire blog, not just what I posted. Remember I mentioned in my original post I could not post the link to it, but you can google it. I think you will see what I am talking about.

"Fair enough. You're being optimistic."

I think you would agree that CSA, is considered by most of the general public to be the song most people identify Styx with, maybe not their best song (subjective), but certainly at the top of someone's list. It is a great song and it would have found radio time, maybe not in 76. Keep in mind, Lady was a "bomb" when it came out, that was resurrected a couple of years later (without Cahill's help) but by a local DJ in Chicago who kept playing it over and over. I don't know maybe John C was bribing him with cocaine

"FWIW, I think the only ones who would have "pounced" had he said anything unflattering of JY and Tommy, would be the ones who make an internet career of shouting "I told you so" on a regular basis. But that's based on my own POV and experience."

Hmmmm, fair enough, not like you would have ever corrected anybody in here youself (believe me I know my Styx)

Perhaps you aren't "privvy" to the same stuff *I* am, so I'll fill you in:

"Believe me, I know my styx" was a quote one of the anonymous trolls was using for awhile, and I thought it was so funny, I kept it for my tagline. Much like Jim Cahill, I prefer to go with levity on most occasions. ;-)

As for the rest of it, I'm sure you already know that every situation is different. Lady got successful one way, CSA another. To say one could have been successful (or not) based on the way the other was, or vice-versa, is kinda naive. CSA is arguably the most recognizable Styx song to date, true. But would it be that way had things not gone the way they did? Who knows. Maybe, but they did happen the way they did, and the result was what it was. All this second-guessing and what-if theorizing accomplishes nothing more than killing some time. I am ok with believing that each song's success has its own story. Makes it more interesting, IMO.

As for "correcting" people, if I know someone is in error, I will correct them. (Like Froy's Grammar, for instance) However, most of the time, my POV is nothing more than a POV - I would never try to "correct" someone like Jim Cahill (or Tim Orchard, or Glen Burtnik, or Suzanne DeYoung, or Tommy Shaw, or Keith Marks, or...) because let's face it: they know a shitload more about Styx than I ever will. To believe otherwise is just plain stupid. I might express a difference of opinion, but that's as far as it could go.

by **Zan** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:47 am

WHAT DO YOU FEEL WAS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT WITH STYX?

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO ONE THING DIFFERENTLY DURING YOUR TIME WITH THE BAND, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

DO YOU STILL OWN THOSE STRIPED KNEE SOCKS?

WHAT DO YOU FEEL WAS STYX'S STRONGEST SELLING POINT AS A BAND?

TELL US A FUNNY STORY THAT NONE OF US HAVE HEARD BEFORE.

by **LordofDaRing** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:51 am

Perhaps you aren't "privvy" to the same stuff *I* am, so I'll fill you in:

"Believe me, I know my styx" was a quote one of the anonymous trolls was using for awhile, and I thought it was so funny, I kept it for my tagline. Much like Jim Cahill, I prefer to go with levity on most occasions.

Actually that was a little before my time, but I seem to remember you not being the originator, so I guess we are both missing each other's tounge in cheek (the inclusion of the quote was not a slam) :cry:

I am close (fan wise) to this band as you, I just cannot recall off the top of my head anybody behind the scenes (figure of speech), taking as much credit as Jim Cahill. I mean aside from maybe George Martin, nobody in the history of the fab four (who I know quite well), jumps out like this. Brian Epstien has been ripped by many historians over tragic business deals that cost the band millions in record roaylties and song rights. I guess Led Zepplin's behmouth manager kind of rings a bell, more from his attitude than anything else. Azoff, who is mentioned a lot in the Cahill article is another and Geffen. But it all comes down to this (at least for me), Styx came to me through a muscial interpetation in a HS English class. I can honestly say, radio marketing didn't win me over. I was not a huge listener at the time of AM radio. In fact, I turned on the radio a lot after the fact. So I really could care less how many drinks Jim and Tommy had to buy PR guys, the music will always be what stands out for me. But it made for interesting TV. Cahill's interpetation of the fan rejection of the KWH concerts in Texas have been disputed by fans in this data base. I was not in Texas, I was in New Orleans, where the live concert was filmed, and I can testify....thats right testify...that not one person left that show early or booed. So one begins to believe that there could be a grain of salt there.

I look forward to Sterling's posting of Cahill's Q&A. More than likely many will be practicing their first ammendment rights afterwards....

by **Zan** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:45 am

LordofDaRing wrote:I am close (fan wise) to this band as you, I just cannot recall off the top of my head anybody behind the scenes (figure of speech), taking as much credit as Jim Cahill..

Are you confusing him with Jim Vose? lol
Seriously, I've never gotten he impression Cahill takes a lot of credit, more that he was usually there for it all. But I guess that's the impression I get. Maybe to someone who leans more heavily on the DeYoung side of the fence, he comes off differently, I dunno. Personally, I've always found him to be generally pleasant and humorous, not egotistical or overbearing.

by **LordofDaRing** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:01 am

Nah Jim was the guy that went to the bowling alley and got Tommy.

No doubt when somebody speaks their opinion and uses expressions such as "bitching and whining", depending on which side you are on......

I am sure Vose did not win any friends in the new version of Styx when he said during BTM, that JY, TS, DDY, JP and CP were essentially the only version of Styx and anything else (Glenn, Todd, Riki, etc) was a cover version. Or something to that effect...

by **Toph** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:50 am

chowhall wrote:
LordofDaRing wrote:I think you would agree that CSA, is considered by most of the general public to be the song most people identify Styx with, maybe not their best song (subjective), but certainly at the top of someone's list. It is a great song and it would have found radio time, maybe not in 76. Keep in mind, Lady was a "bomb" when it came out, that was resurrected a couple of years later (without Cahill's help) but by a local DJ in Chicago who kept playing it over and over. I don't know maybe John C was bribing him with cocaine

Didn't CSA top out in the 20's on the chart? I'm not arguing the merits of CSA a great song without equivocation. It wasn't a blockbuster hit like Babe or even Roboto. Styx is living proof that it takes more than talent and good songs to be sucessful. They have always had the talent but it took a few nudges to get them heard nationally. I'm sure all that were involved take some measure of ownership of the success of the band, some more than others.

It went to #8 and stayed in the top 40 longer than any Styx single...ever...including Babe and Roboto. So, yes it was a major hit record.

by **Zan** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:24 am

Toph wrote:It went to #8 and stayed in the top 40 longer than any Styx single...ever...including Babe and Roboto. So, yes it was a major hit record.

Agreed. Although, I always thought it went to #7. Oh well.

Of course, my husband, who is from Ireland, didn't recognize ANY Styx songs I played for him from GH-1 when we started dating, except for Mr. Roboto. How humiliating. lol

by **LordofDaRing** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:46 am

Baby Julia shares John and Sean Lennon's birthday. She is beautiful, love those sleeping babies, even on those three hour feeding cycles

by **Zan** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:05 am

LordofDaRing wrote:Baby Julia shares John and Sean Lennon's birthday.

Yep! And oddly enough, Julia is a name I've always liked because of the song. It is pure coincidence that her sister is named Sadie. ;-)

Maybe. lol

by **LordofDaRing** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:09 am

Yep beautiful song. So the next one would be Polythene Pam eh....

by **Zan** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:13 am

LordofDaRing wrote:Yep beautiful song. So the next one would be Polythene Pam eh....

We were thinking McGill. She could call herself Lil, and everyone will know her as Nancy.

MR

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