DeYoung carries on

[chowhall]

DeYoung carries on
Ear Full
Former Styx keyboardist still playing iconic tunes
By Eric Scicchitano


Styx was often heralded as being ahead of their time, but in their time the prog-rockers were among the biggest acts around, churning out five platinum albums and one hit single after the next. Although creative differences and a changing marketplace three times splintered the group, their music and the band live on today.

But that band lives on without one of its founding members, the prolific producer and songwriter of many of Styx’s greatest hits, keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. Instead, DeYoung has recently taken to touring under the guise of “Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx,” recruiting a five-man band to perform “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Mr. Roboto” and more from his former band’s vast catalog. The reception so far has been great.

DeYoung and company — August Zadra, lead guitar and vocals; Tom Sharpe, drums; John Blasucci, keyboard; Craig Carter, bass and vocals — will perform live next Friday, May 7, at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. EC/DC caught up with DeYoung to talk about the tour and more.

How did your son come to find guitarist/vocalist August Zadra?

My son has trouble sleeping. He doesn’t sleep well, 12:30 the phone rings and I’m asleep because, you know, I’m old. I pick it up and he says, ‘dad, go onto YouTube.’ I said ‘this better be good.’ And there was August, he’s playing “Renegade,” “Too Much Time,” singing and I thought ‘wow.’ . . . I was looking for a bass player who sings, I wasn’t really looking for August. Then I saw it and thought, ‘the music of Styx! With that guy, I could do everything!’

Apart from August, you have a new bass player. What’s it done for you?

It’s reinvigorated me. I’ve got this guy Craig Carter playing bass. He’s from Nashville; 6’2”, big African-American dude who can sing like a bird. He can sing all those high parts. Man, we’re singing! We really do nail it.

Any hazing for the two?

Absolutely. For the first two years, they have to pay me to be in the band. Rather than pull their pants down and spray their asses red, this is much more beneficial to me.

How have the fans reacted?

I could have never predicted it. It turns out this is what Styx fans have been looking for and not getting from either myself or my former colleagues.

When Styx was at its height as a band, did you ever imagine you’d still be performing those songs all these years later?

Never. ... The song is the song, and why people come out to see almost any artist is because of that with minor exceptions. There have been some who exist beyond the song, for instance Kiss. I think if you ask Gene Simmons to take a lie detector test, I think he would have to say a great deal of Kiss’s appeal was the visual, the spectacle and the show. But most of us live and die with our songs. So the fact that they lasted, does it surprise me, probably a little bit because you never know. We certainly wrote them with the intention that they would last.

Did you ever incorporate a gimmick in the early days of Styx?

We actually did glam up for about six months. Some of those photos are still available. I was the last one on board and the first one off. Really, three-inch heels, tough. Tough, baby! I’m married 40 years and my wife got really pissed. She’d say, “leave my god damn jewelry and heels alone.” So what are you going to do?

Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $37-42. For more information, visit www.pennspeak.com or www.dennisdeyoung.com.



-escicchitano@timesshamrock.com

IF YOU GO
Dennis DeYoung–The Music of Styx
Where: Penn's Peak
When: 5/7/2010
Phone: 570-325-0371
Tickets: $37-42

[StyxCollector]

How have the fans reacted?

I could have never predicted it. It turns out this is what Styx fans have been looking for and not getting from either myself or my former colleagues.

Pretty much what I said, but he's even putting himself down. Seeing that show in Feb. was like seeing something I hadn't seen since 1997. Say what you want, but both shows were lacking something. Fine, stood up, all good entertainment. Saw 'em enough. Add back the balance and well ...

By the way, it's also a testament to TS' songs that they are received so well.

[bugsymalone]

How have the fans reacted?

I could have never predicted it. It turns out this is what Styx fans have been looking for and not getting from either myself or my former colleagues.

Pretty much what I said, but he's even putting himself down. Seeing that show in Feb. was like seeing something I hadn't seen since 1997. Say what you want, but both shows were lacking something. Fine, stood up, all good entertainment. Saw 'em enough. Add back the balance and well ...

By the way, it's also a testament to TS' songs that they are received so well.

Yup.


Bugsy