MR

... he says that he was the "counter culture element" in Styx during the seventies? I don't. Fricken hogwash. If anything, he brought more mainstream elements to the band. Most of his songs were straight formulaic seventies rock. Good songs, but I'm trying to make a point here. I tend to think that Styx was more progressive in its writings other than that. Dennis didn't follow any formula in his songs. Nor did JC. Tommy about half and half. I've just always hated that claim by JY... felt the need to post it.

I never agree with anything JY says. I think he's an important part of the bands history, but he's the 3rd wheel in this once great band, and he should recognize as much, and be quiet. You never heard Richard Wright, or Tony Banks running their mouths.

Keiferb wrote:I never agree with anything JY says. I think he's an important part of the bands history, but he's the 3rd wheel in this once great band, and he should recognize as much, and be quiet. You never heard Richard Wright, or Tony Banks running their mouths.

That "third wheel" helped get them the deal with wooden nickel and later on with a&m.
But you can thank him later.

To my thinking, I can see why JY would have thought of himself as "counter culture" in the band's very early TW4 days. He did bring a hard rock element to what was a lighter band that, before signing to Wooden Nickel, had been playing mainly cover tunes in clubs, high school gyms, and at weddings. I've often wondered why someone who considered himself a Jimi Hendrix wannabe hooked up with TW4 in the first place. Nothing I've ever read over all these years has ever said what it was he saw in them, and they saw in him. All I've ever read was that a band JY had been in broke up and he then joined TW4. For as much as he was instrumental in a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff where Styx is concerned, I don't believe he would be where he is today if not for riding on Dennis' and Tommy's coat tails. I've always felt he is very limited as a songwriter and especially as a singer. He may be a good guitarist, but he is very one-note and doesn't have any of the versatility that Tommy has. I do get tired of his grandstanding and over-inflated ego.

Everett wrote:

Keiferb wrote:I never agree with anything JY says. I think he's an important part of the bands history, but he's the 3rd wheel in this once great band, and he should recognize as much, and be quiet. You never heard Richard Wright, or Tony Banks running their mouths.

That "third wheel" helped get them the deal with wooden nickel and later on with a&m.
But you can thank him later.

I'm sure the Wooden Nickel folks were in a panic trying to hunt JY down to offer that deal. I mean, he's such a talent, they had to strike before any of the other labels discovered him.

Everett wrote:

Keiferb wrote:I never agree with anything JY says. I think he's an important part of the bands history, but he's the 3rd wheel in this once great band, and he should recognize as much, and be quiet. You never heard Richard Wright, or Tony Banks running their mouths.

That "third wheel" helped get them the deal with wooden nickel and later on with a&m.
But you can thank him later.

I think it's more like it was the talents of all of them that got them that deal with WN. Although it can be said that back in those days it seems that JY was more involved with the singing and songwriting. Also, JY himself has said that Dennis was the one that believed that they would make it before he or anyone one else in the band did.

Cassie May wrote:I don't believe he would be where he is today if not for riding on Dennis' and Tommy's coat tails. I've always felt he is very limited as a songwriter and especially as a singer. He may be a good guitarist, but he is very one-note and doesn't have any of the versatility that Tommy has. I do get tired of his grandstanding and over-inflated ego.

And this is something that I think JY kind of knows and is a bit of a rub on his own ego. Just my opinion though. I could be wrong but, back in the day when the press was looking to speak to someone from Styx it seems that for the most part it was always Tommy or Dennis they were after.

Cassie May wrote:To my thinking, I can see why JY would have thought of himself as "counter culture" in the band's very early TW4 days. He did bring a hard rock element to what was a lighter band that, before signing to Wooden Nickel, had been playing mainly cover tunes in clubs, high school gyms, and at weddings. I've often wondered why someone who considered himself a Jimi Hendrix wannabe hooked up with TW4 in the first place. Nothing I've ever read over all these years has ever said what it was he saw in them, and they saw in him. All I've ever read was that a band JY had been in broke up and he then joined TW4. For as much as he was instrumental in a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff where Styx is concerned, I don't believe he would be where he is today if not for riding on Dennis' and Tommy's coat tails. I've always felt he is very limited as a songwriter and especially as a singer. He may be a good guitarist, but he is very one-note and doesn't have any of the versatility that Tommy has. I do get tired of his grandstanding and over-inflated ego.

From what I remembered reading, the people in JY's band that he was in became Jehovah's Witnesses or something like that

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Boomchild wrote:

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Translation: I let others do the heavy lifting and ride on their coat tails.

i think jy is right about the early days. and i also think jy played a huge part of the styx saga during their heyday. he wasnt sam malone but he was norm to make a cheers analogy......and as a result, it wouldnt have been as good without him.

styx was stronger with jy than without him.

Ash wrote:

Boomchild wrote:

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Translation: I let others do the heavy lifting and ride on their coat tails.

Three years ago, this remark wouldn't have surprised me, but now?

You know what the great thing about JY is? He doesn't need or care to be validated by his haters.

Ash wrote:

Boomchild wrote:

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Translation: I let others do the heavy lifting and ride on their coat tails.

No. What it means is that songwriting isn't one of JY's strengths and DOESN"T mean he brought nothing else to the table. If you compare their songwriting on their solo projects I think it makes this even clearer.

Boomchild wrote:

Ash wrote:

Boomchild wrote:

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Translation: I let others do the heavy lifting and ride on their coat tails.

No. What it means is that songwriting isn't one of JY's strengths and DOESN"T mean he brought nothing else to the table. If you compare their songwriting on their solo projects I think it makes this even clearer.

JY's music has always had a more selective audience. No big deal. But you are absolutely right that he was far from a friggin' slouch. He has been called "the hardest working guy in Styx" by more than one person over the years. I am sure that no one here has any IDEA how hard that guy has worked for the greater good of the band, for practically half his life now. And he's done it with virtually no recognition. Of course, it's always easier to sit at home and throw out witty retorts on the internet than it is to write a hit record.

Zan wrote:

Ash wrote:

Boomchild wrote:

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Translation: I let others do the heavy lifting and ride on their coat tails.

Three years ago, this remark wouldn't have surprised me, but now?

You know what the great thing about JY is? He doesn't need or care to be validated by his haters.

It was tongue in cheek. Eddie is actually one of my favorite song in Styx catalog ... and I think it's one of the ones people around here hate the most.

I got my tickets to see them in November. I'm looking forward to it actually. The Ryman is a great venue. Will be the first time I've seen them since the Brave New World tour when I went expecting Dennis.

Ash wrote:

Zan wrote:

Ash wrote:

Boomchild wrote:

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Translation: I let others do the heavy lifting and ride on their coat tails.

Three years ago, this remark wouldn't have surprised me, but now?
You know what the great thing about JY is? He doesn't need or care to be validated by his haters.

It was tongue in cheek. Eddie is actually one of my favorite song in Styx catalog ... and I think it's one of the ones people around here hate the most. I got my tickets to see them in November. I'm looking forward to it actually. The Ryman is a great venue. Will be the first time I've seen them since the Brave New World tour when I went expecting Dennis.

Good to see another fan of that tune. Killer DDY synth solo is the best part.
(yes I just said that )

Everett wrote:

Ash wrote:

Zan wrote:

Ash wrote:

Boomchild wrote:

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Translation: I let others do the heavy lifting and ride on their coat tails.

Three years ago, this remark wouldn't have surprised me, but now?
You know what the great thing about JY is? He doesn't need or care to be validated by his haters.

It was tongue in cheek. Eddie is actually one of my favorite song in Styx catalog ... and I think it's one of the ones people around here hate the most. I got my tickets to see them in November. I'm looking forward to it actually. The Ryman is a great venue. Will be the first time I've seen them since the Brave New World tour when I went expecting Dennis.

Good to see another fan of that tune. Killer DDY synth solo is the best part.
(yes I just said that )

On Cornerstone JY is listed as using a guitar synthesizer.I assume that is what being used on Eddie.
But maybe that is not the case.?

gr8dane wrote:On Cornerstone JY is listed as using a guitar synthesizer.I assume that is what being used on Eddie.
But maybe that is not the case.?

A "keytar"? Somehow JY doesn't strike me as the keytar type.

Anyway - it's a great song. I actually like most of JY's styx songs. Even in the Wooden Nickel era. Didn't care for Lords of the Ring and maybe a handful of others. I thought his solo work was really bad save for bits of City Slicker.

Ash wrote:

gr8dane wrote:On Cornerstone JY is listed as using a guitar synthesizer.I assume that is what being used on Eddie.
But maybe that is not the case.?

A "keytar"? Somehow JY doesn't strike me as the keytar type.

Anyway - it's a great song. I actually like most of JY's styx songs. Even in the Wooden Nickel era. Didn't care for Lords of the Ring and maybe a handful of others. I thought his solo work was really bad save for bits of City Slicker.

Well dennis wrote lords of the ring soooo.....

Ash wrote:

Zan wrote:

Ash wrote:

Boomchild wrote:

Baron Von Bielski wrote:Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of JY's music during the WN era and a few select songs of his after they joined A&M. But it sure seemed as time went by his only contribution would be the token "rock song", i.e. Eddie, Homewrecker.

Well, it seems that JY just is not as strong of a songwriter as Tommy or Dennis. I think JY at one time commented that he preferred to collaborate when it comes to songwriting.

Translation: I let others do the heavy lifting and ride on their coat tails.

Three years ago, this remark wouldn't have surprised me, but now?

You know what the great thing about JY is? He doesn't need or care to be validated by his haters.

Will be the first time I've seen them since the Brave New World tour when I went expecting Dennis.

Bet that was a bit of a shock.

Everett wrote:

Ash wrote:

gr8dane wrote:On Cornerstone JY is listed as using a guitar synthesizer.I assume that is what being used on Eddie.
But maybe that is not the case.?

A "keytar"? Somehow JY doesn't strike me as the keytar type.

Anyway - it's a great song. I actually like most of JY's styx songs. Even in the Wooden Nickel era. Didn't care for Lords of the Ring and maybe a handful of others. I thought his solo work was really bad save for bits of City Slicker.

Well dennis wrote lords of the ring soooo.....

I'm not sure I get your point. I knew Dennis wrote that song. It's a bad song. JY sang it. Dennis had other bad songs too. High Time, Carrie Anne, Hip Hopcracy... I'm sure there are others.

Boomchild wrote:
Bet that was a bit of a shock.

Yeah it was. I took my first wife to see REO who opened for them and I persuaded her to stay for Styx (she didn't like them). When they came out I was kinda surprised, but thought maybe he was sick for the show or something. I was pretty put out at the time.

All water under the bridge. I am looking forward to seeing Styx in November. Love me some Tommy Shaw.

Ash wrote:Love me some Tommy Shaw.

jy did the guitar synth solo in eddie.

masque wrote:jy did the guitar synth solo in eddie.

Really? (hell if I know to be honest).

Does that mean Tommy played the guitar solo right after it?

Kinda off subject, but I looked up "keytar" on Wikipedia and that whole thing was partially made famous by Jan Hammer .... Strange tie in coincidence? Or conspiracy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keytar

Ash wrote:

masque wrote:jy did the guitar synth solo in eddie.

Really? (hell if I know to be honest).

Does that mean Tommy played the guitar solo right after it?

JY played both of them

If it weren't for our guitar player, my band would never work. He's not the main singer in the band, but he's great on harmony and knows his way around a guitar. I suppose some people might see him as expendable if they were looking at us from a limited point of view, but I am certain that without him, we would be the best band nobody heard. Sure, we continue to get gigs because we don't suck as a cohesive unit - that's not really the point. The point is, Rob does all that footwork. He doesn't complain either. He does what he has to do and he's really good at it. I would be pissed if I heard anyone dissin' him. Far as I'm concerned, without him, there is no band.