Styx Listening Party - A&M Years Recap
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 4:20 amWell we've gone from Equinox to Edge of the Century and made it through those 16 years that Styx absolutely hit their heights. A&M was great for Styx and Styx was great for A&M. Look at the phenomenal results.
- 8 Studio Albums, all 8 of which were certified GOLD, 5 certified platinum, and 4 certified multi-platinum
- 1 Compilation that was certified multi-platinum (GH1) and 1 that was certified GOLD (Classics, remember that one?)
- 5 albums that peaked in the top 10 of the Billboard Album Chart; 3 albums which peaked in the top 3
- 7 Top 10 singles (The 8th, Lady, was on WN); and an additional Top 20 single. 15 Top 40 Charted Singles
- Top 10 Singles in the 70s, 80s, and 90s
- Top 10 Singles under 4 different Presidential Administrations
- Named the Most Popular Band in America (1980)
- People's Choice Award (1980 - Babe)
- Grammy Nomination, Album of the Year (Cornerstone)
All in all a marriage made in heaven until the grunge 1990s came into play. I think sometimes with our current fan base (as well as the current band for that matter), we spend a lot more time complaining (bitching) about what went wrong during the A&M years vs. celebrating all that went right. Think about it for a second, this band had a phenomenal run! From Lady hitting in late 74/early 75 to an litany of hits over the next 9 years that should make anyone proud. Then to top it off, a reunion album 8 years later that produced one of the biggest hit records of 1991. What a ride with Styx and A&M! So, celebrate the success and realize that few bands have ever accomplished what Styx did during the A&M years. They made it to the top, and that is pretty special.
So, what's your favorites from the era? Keep it to the numbers in each headline - makes you really think and consider if you are limited to just the few I've outlined....
Here are mine:
Top 5 Songs (A&M Years) - defined as songs that really impacted me and that I still love
1. Come Sail Away
2. Show Me The Way
3. The Best of Times
4. Foolin' Yourself
5. AD 1928/Rockin' The Paradise
Top 3 Favorite Albums
1. TIE - Paradise Theatre/Grand Illusion
3. Cornerstone
Top 3 Album Sides
1. Paradise Theatre Side 1
2. Grand Illusion Side 1
3. Cornerstone Side 1
Let's recap the A&M years and then we'll jump into post A&M....
- 8 Studio Albums, all 8 of which were certified GOLD, 5 certified platinum, and 4 certified multi-platinum
- 1 Compilation that was certified multi-platinum (GH1) and 1 that was certified GOLD (Classics, remember that one?)
- 5 albums that peaked in the top 10 of the Billboard Album Chart; 3 albums which peaked in the top 3
- 7 Top 10 singles (The 8th, Lady, was on WN); and an additional Top 20 single. 15 Top 40 Charted Singles
- Top 10 Singles in the 70s, 80s, and 90s
- Top 10 Singles under 4 different Presidential Administrations
- Named the Most Popular Band in America (1980)
- People's Choice Award (1980 - Babe)
- Grammy Nomination, Album of the Year (Cornerstone)
All in all a marriage made in heaven until the grunge 1990s came into play. I think sometimes with our current fan base (as well as the current band for that matter), we spend a lot more time complaining (bitching) about what went wrong during the A&M years vs. celebrating all that went right. Think about it for a second, this band had a phenomenal run! From Lady hitting in late 74/early 75 to an litany of hits over the next 9 years that should make anyone proud. Then to top it off, a reunion album 8 years later that produced one of the biggest hit records of 1991. What a ride with Styx and A&M! So, celebrate the success and realize that few bands have ever accomplished what Styx did during the A&M years. They made it to the top, and that is pretty special.
So, what's your favorites from the era? Keep it to the numbers in each headline - makes you really think and consider if you are limited to just the few I've outlined....
Here are mine:
Top 5 Songs (A&M Years) - defined as songs that really impacted me and that I still love
1. Come Sail Away
2. Show Me The Way
3. The Best of Times
4. Foolin' Yourself
5. AD 1928/Rockin' The Paradise
Top 3 Favorite Albums
1. TIE - Paradise Theatre/Grand Illusion
3. Cornerstone
Top 3 Album Sides
1. Paradise Theatre Side 1
2. Grand Illusion Side 1
3. Cornerstone Side 1
Let's recap the A&M years and then we'll jump into post A&M....