YouTube Hits Solo - DDY

[Toph]

Wanted to look at YouTube views for the solo material. Doesn't include any Styx songs. We'll do the same thing for Shaw next, but here is how DDY solo songs rank in terms of YouTube hits:

- Desert Moon Video 988K
- Desert Moon song/lyrics 457K
- One Hundred Years w. LaPoint live 191K
- Call Me official video 167K
- Desert Moon (pictures) 114K
-Desert Moon (cover by someone) 113K
- Call Me (pictures) 113K
- We Three Kings (w B Corigan) 80K
- Desert Moon live acoustic 78K
More Desert Moon/Call Me videos/pictures/lyrics
- This is the Time (lyrics) 20K
- Don't Wait For Heroes (official video) 20K

So, really DDY is all about Desert Moon and to a lesser extent, Call Me and OYFN. Why hasn't Call Me ever been added to the set list?

[FormerDJMike]

Boomchild 7,000 or so hits. This Is The Time (official video 10,500) As for Call Me, while WE know the song the general population does not. It just isn't a recognizable song.

[Toph]

Boomchild 7,000 or so hits. This Is The Time (official video 10,500) As for Call Me, while WE know the song the general population does not. It just isn't a recognizable song.

Uh...Mike 300K YouTube hits for Call Me says otherwise...

[Boomchild]

With regards to why Call Me has never been on DDY's set list is due to the fact that other then Desert Moon none of his solo material ever charted on Billboard well. He is going to play mostly Styx material anyway since he known mainly for that. I think DM is thrown in there because that was a semi hit for him, well known and the video got quite a bit of positive airplay on MTV.

[styxfansite]

I have 2 copies of "Save me" uploaded. One was messed up in the video but the other is good. Combined the two videos are around 12k.

Good Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ASVDlWntXM (3,320)

Version with a skip in video/song. Also noticed the audio isn't playing anymore on this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAIOLf3Zm5Y (8,351 hits)

[Toph]

With regards to why Call Me has never been on DDY's set list is due to the fact that other then Desert Moon none of his solo material ever charted on Billboard well. He is going to play mostly Styx material anyway since he known mainly for that. I think DM is thrown in there because that was a semi hit for him, well known and the video got quite a bit of positive airplay on MTV.

Call Me went to #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1986 and the video also got decent airplay. It would be one of those songs that people who were in high school back then would hear and after a minute or so would recognize and say, "Man, I haven't heard this song in forever!"

Desert Moon was hardly a "semi-hit." It was pretty damn huge and clearly a big hit. Went to #10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. Bigger hit than many Styx singles.

[Boomchild]

Call Me went to #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1986 and the video also got decent airplay. It would be one of those songs that people who were in high school back then would hear and after a minute or so would recognize and say, "Man, I haven't heard this song in forever!"

Desert Moon was hardly a "semi-hit." It was pretty damn huge and clearly a big hit. Went to #10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. Bigger hit than many Styx singles.

That's all well and good but it comes down to what DDY is mainly known for. Which is his material from Styx. If his solo material would sell concert tickets, I'm sure he would be performing them. To the general public DDY is mainly known for being a member of Styx and not a solo artist. Hence his branding of "The Music of Styx". All the statistics are moot since it comes down to DDY is going choose what he wants to play. So it seems that DDY feels Call Me is not memorable enough to have it in the set list.

[Toph]

Call Me went to #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1986 and the video also got decent airplay. It would be one of those songs that people who were in high school back then would hear and after a minute or so would recognize and say, "Man, I haven't heard this song in forever!"

Desert Moon was hardly a "semi-hit." It was pretty damn huge and clearly a big hit. Went to #10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. Bigger hit than many Styx singles.

That's all well and good but it comes down to what DDY is mainly known for. Which is his material from Styx. If his solo material would sell concert tickets, I'm sure he would be performing them. To the general public DDY is mainly known for being a member of Styx and not a solo artist. Hence his branding of "The Music of Styx". All the statistics are moot since it comes down to DDY is going choose what he wants to play. So it seems that DDY feels Call Me is not memorable enough to have it in the set list.

Not saying that DDY isn't better known for his Styx material. But I am saying that Desert Moon is a very recognizable song from the mid 80s. My guess is that most people know that song who were in their formative years in the mid 80s. Call Me, while more of a regional/AC song certainly has some following as evidenced by its 300,000K hits on YouTube and its #3 ranking in DDY's solo iTunes popularity (#2 is It's in Everyone of Us - don't ask me why), tied with Don't Wait For Heroes. My point is that DDY could do Desert Moon and one "deep track" from his solo career that die hards and potentially some mainstream listeners WOULD recognize. I would argue that he could do a rotation of Call Me and DWFH as a second solo song in the set list (one night one, the next night the other) and be perfectly fine. Heck maybe even add SOMETHING from OYFN since it was somewhat critically acclaimed by the fan base and those rock critics that reviewed the record.

I understand the need to play the "sweet 16" but I don't think fans would mind if some variety was put in - not a lot - I'm talking one song here.

[masque]

With regards to why Call Me has never been on DDY's set list is due to the fact that other then Desert Moon none of his solo material ever charted on Billboard well. He is going to play mostly Styx material anyway since he known mainly for that. I think DM is thrown in there because that was a semi hit for him, well known and the video got quite a bit of positive airplay on MTV.

Call Me went to #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1986 and the video also got decent airplay. It would be one of those songs that people who were in high school back then would hear and after a minute or so would recognize and say, "Man, I haven't heard this song in forever!"

Desert Moon was hardly a "semi-hit." It was pretty damn huge and clearly a big hit. Went to #10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. Bigger hit than many Styx singles.

dude I love "call me" and I'm not a big straight ballad guy.....but i do think that song was great.........but I do not remember that song actually going to #10 on the hot 100 singles chart? was that position like A/C or something? or do you mean the actual hot singles chart?

[Toph]

With regards to why Call Me has never been on DDY's set list is due to the fact that other then Desert Moon none of his solo material ever charted on Billboard well. He is going to play mostly Styx material anyway since he known mainly for that. I think DM is thrown in there because that was a semi hit for him, well known and the video got quite a bit of positive airplay on MTV.

Call Me went to #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1986 and the video also got decent airplay. It would be one of those songs that people who were in high school back then would hear and after a minute or so would recognize and say, "Man, I haven't heard this song in forever!"

Desert Moon was hardly a "semi-hit." It was pretty damn huge and clearly a big hit. Went to #10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. Bigger hit than many Styx singles.

dude I love "call me" and I'm not a big straight ballad guy.....but i do think that song was great.........but I do not remember that song actually going to #10 on the hot 100 singles chart? was that position like A/C or something? or do you mean the actual hot singles chart?

Went #6 on AC. Only peaked at 54 on Hot 100.

[yogi]

I wonder if A&M pulled the plug on that song however that works. It was all over the radio in Mpls/St Paul for about 4 weeks. They played it constantly then puffff it was gone.

Never really liked it that much but it went from being far far overplayed to a complete disappearing act. A&M ? ?

[Toph]

I wonder if A&M pulled the plug on that song however that works. It was all over the radio in Mpls/St Paul for about 4 weeks. They played it constantly then puffff it was gone.

Never really liked it that much but it went from being far far overplayed to a complete disappearing act. A&M ? ?

Its not one of my favorites either and I always questioned why they chose that one as the single as there were a few that I thought were preferable (This Is The Time, Black Wall, Unanswered Prayers..). It was too slow. But it did do relatively well on Adult Contemporary. I remember it coming on the radio station in high school that my mom and dad listened too a lot. Hardly a ringing endorsement for DDY's "rock cred."

[Monker]

Call Me went to #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1986 and the video also got decent airplay. It would be one of those songs that people who were in high school back then would hear and after a minute or so would recognize and say, "Man, I haven't heard this song in forever!"

Desert Moon was hardly a "semi-hit." It was pretty damn huge and clearly a big hit. Went to #10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. Bigger hit than many Styx singles.

That's all well and good but it comes down to what DDY is mainly known for. Which is his material from Styx. If his solo material would sell concert tickets, I'm sure he would be performing them. To the general public DDY is mainly known for being a member of Styx and not a solo artist. Hence his branding of "The Music of Styx". All the statistics are moot since it comes down to DDY is going choose what he wants to play. So it seems that DDY feels Call Me is not memorable enough to have it in the set list.

Not saying that DDY isn't better known for his Styx material. But I am saying that Desert Moon is a very recognizable song from the mid 80s. My guess is that most people know that song who were in their formative years in the mid 80s. Call Me, while more of a regional/AC song certainly has some following as evidenced by its 300,000K hits on YouTube and its #3 ranking in DDY's solo iTunes popularity (#2 is It's in Everyone of Us - don't ask me why), tied with Don't Wait For Heroes. My point is that DDY could do Desert Moon and one "deep track" from his solo career that die hards and potentially some mainstream listeners WOULD recognize. I would argue that he could do a rotation of Call Me and DWFH as a second solo song in the set list (one night one, the next night the other) and be perfectly fine. Heck maybe even add SOMETHING from OYFN since it was somewhat critically acclaimed by the fan base and those rock critics that reviewed the record.

I understand the need to play the "sweet 16" but I don't think fans would mind if some variety was put in - not a lot - I'm talking one song here.

Dennis hired a Tommy and JY replacement so he can do a Styx set. That is what sells. Mixing in a bunch of solo songs doesn't sell well...that's why he changed direction. The argument you are making here makes as much sense as if you were arguing that Styx should add "Girls With Guns" and "Count On You" because there were 'hits' and/or have the attention of people who have karaoke machines and use YouTube for the source music.

[Toph]

Not true. I never said "mix in a bunch of solo songs." I said add one solo song you illiterate twerp. And your analogy is stupid and makes no sense. Styx is touring as Styx. Not Tommy Shaw. If Tommy Shaw was touring solo, I would expect to see some Styx songs, a solo song or two, and maybe a Damn Yankee song or two.

[Monker]

Not true. I never said "mix in a bunch of solo songs." I said add one solo song you illiterate twerp. And your analogy is stupid and makes no sense. Styx is touring as Styx. Not Tommy Shaw. If Tommy Shaw was touring solo, I would expect to see some Styx songs, a solo song or two, and maybe a Damn Yankee song or two.

Is so true. You mentioned Call Me, Dessert Moon, Don't Wait For Heroes, and let's throw in some from OYFN. I know you mentioned one song and rotate and such....it doesn't matter, the people go to see Styx not all of these DDY solo songs.

Your criticism of my analogy is ignorant since DDY is no longer advertised as a DDY solo show. It is advertised as "The Music of Styx". And, you and Dennis BOTH say his latest recording is the best mix of Styx music available. From the time he added a JY and Tommy replacement he ceased being a solo concert and started being an alternate Styx concert. YOU have argued that point for years now. He is giving the audience what they want...what they want is STYX, not DDY solo stuff.

Styx is touring as Styx and DDY is touring as "The Music of Styx". Therefore, if you think Styx performing Tommy solo songs are out of place then you believing DDY perform solo songs at a "Music of Styx" concert is hypocritical at best.

But, hey, it doesn't really matter. My point has been proven by history because DDY *FAILED* to make a go out of making things into a solo DDY show and instead can only tour by making himself into an alternative Styx concert. If he could go on tour as a solo artist - he would. I have no doubt about that.

[Toph]

Not true. I never said "mix in a bunch of solo songs." I said add one solo song you illiterate twerp. And your analogy is stupid and makes no sense. Styx is touring as Styx. Not Tommy Shaw. If Tommy Shaw was touring solo, I would expect to see some Styx songs, a solo song or two, and maybe a Damn Yankee song or two.

Is so true. You mentioned Call Me, Dessert Moon, Don't Wait For Heroes, and let's throw in some from OYFN. I know you mentioned one song and rotate and such....it doesn't matter, the people go to see Styx not all of these DDY solo songs.

Your criticism of my analogy is ignorant since DDY is no longer advertised as a DDY solo show. It is advertised as "The Music of Styx". And, you and Dennis BOTH say his latest recording is the best mix of Styx music available. From the time he added a JY and Tommy replacement he ceased being a solo concert and started being an alternate Styx concert. YOU have argued that point for years now. He is giving the audience what they want...what they want is STYX, not DDY solo stuff.

Styx is touring as Styx and DDY is touring as "The Music of Styx". Therefore, if you think Styx performing Tommy solo songs are out of place then you believing DDY perform solo songs at a "Music of Styx" concert is hypocritical at best.

But, hey, it doesn't really matter. My point has been proven by history because DDY *FAILED* to make a go out of making things into a solo DDY show and instead can only tour by making himself into an alternative Styx concert. If he could go on tour as a solo artist - he would. I have no doubt about that.

Once again, you prove yourself as an idiot. You contradict yourself so often its hilarious. I said take Desert Moon and rotate 1 other solo song. How does that mean I am advocating for Dennis to play an entire solo set? You put words in people's mouth to suit your agenda. Quite like JY and quite pathetic.

[Boomchild]

Not saying that DDY isn't better known for his Styx material. But I am saying that Desert Moon is a very recognizable song from the mid 80s. My guess is that most people know that song who were in their formative years in the mid 80s. Call Me, while more of a regional/AC song certainly has some following as evidenced by its 300,000K hits on YouTube and its #3 ranking in DDY's solo iTunes popularity (#2 is It's in Everyone of Us - don't ask me why), tied with Don't Wait For Heroes. My point is that DDY could do Desert Moon and one "deep track" from his solo career that die hards and potentially some mainstream listeners WOULD recognize. I would argue that he could do a rotation of Call Me and DWFH as a second solo song in the set list (one night one, the next night the other) and be perfectly fine. Heck maybe even add SOMETHING from OYFN since it was somewhat critically acclaimed by the fan base and those rock critics that reviewed the record.

I understand the need to play the "sweet 16" but I don't think fans would mind if some variety was put in - not a lot - I'm talking one song here.

Again, it all comes down to DDY is going to perform the songs he wants to and what he thinks will work best for the show. Evidently, the songs you are pointing out here besides DM, DDY feels are not known well enough to include them. You could always post something about these songs to his FB page and see if he responds to it.

[Toph]

Not saying that DDY isn't better known for his Styx material. But I am saying that Desert Moon is a very recognizable song from the mid 80s. My guess is that most people know that song who were in their formative years in the mid 80s. Call Me, while more of a regional/AC song certainly has some following as evidenced by its 300,000K hits on YouTube and its #3 ranking in DDY's solo iTunes popularity (#2 is It's in Everyone of Us - don't ask me why), tied with Don't Wait For Heroes. My point is that DDY could do Desert Moon and one "deep track" from his solo career that die hards and potentially some mainstream listeners WOULD recognize. I would argue that he could do a rotation of Call Me and DWFH as a second solo song in the set list (one night one, the next night the other) and be perfectly fine. Heck maybe even add SOMETHING from OYFN since it was somewhat critically acclaimed by the fan base and those rock critics that reviewed the record.

I understand the need to play the "sweet 16" but I don't think fans would mind if some variety was put in - not a lot - I'm talking one song here.

Again, it all comes down to DDY is going to perform the songs he wants to and what he thinks will work best for the show. Evidently, the songs you are pointing out here besides DM, DDY feels are not known well enough to include them. You could always post something about these songs to his FB page and see if he responds to it.

Good point. I do like how he will sometimes respond to people's questions.

[Boomchild]

Good point. I do like how he will sometimes respond to people's questions.

I'm surprised how active he has been on his FB page recently based on his comments\feelings in the past about the internet in general.

[Monker]

Not true. I never said "mix in a bunch of solo songs." I said add one solo song you illiterate twerp. And your analogy is stupid and makes no sense. Styx is touring as Styx. Not Tommy Shaw. If Tommy Shaw was touring solo, I would expect to see some Styx songs, a solo song or two, and maybe a Damn Yankee song or two.

Is so true. You mentioned Call Me, Dessert Moon, Don't Wait For Heroes, and let's throw in some from OYFN. I know you mentioned one song and rotate and such....it doesn't matter, the people go to see Styx not all of these DDY solo songs.

Your criticism of my analogy is ignorant since DDY is no longer advertised as a DDY solo show. It is advertised as "The Music of Styx". And, you and Dennis BOTH say his latest recording is the best mix of Styx music available. From the time he added a JY and Tommy replacement he ceased being a solo concert and started being an alternate Styx concert. YOU have argued that point for years now. He is giving the audience what they want...what they want is STYX, not DDY solo stuff.

Styx is touring as Styx and DDY is touring as "The Music of Styx". Therefore, if you think Styx performing Tommy solo songs are out of place then you believing DDY perform solo songs at a "Music of Styx" concert is hypocritical at best.

But, hey, it doesn't really matter. My point has been proven by history because DDY *FAILED* to make a go out of making things into a solo DDY show and instead can only tour by making himself into an alternative Styx concert. If he could go on tour as a solo artist - he would. I have no doubt about that.

Once again, you prove yourself as an idiot. You contradict yourself so often its hilarious. I said take Desert Moon and rotate 1 other solo song. How does that mean I am advocating for Dennis to play an entire solo set? You put words in people's mouth to suit your agenda. Quite like JY and quite pathetic.

I am not contradicting myself at all. I have been arguing this same point since the time when DDY first added Tommy and JY replacements and started touring as "The Music of Styx". People are not going to his concerts to hear DDY solo songs. If they are, then I challenge him to swap out half the Styx songs for solo songs and go out and tour without "Music of Styx" on the marquee. He'll never do it because that route has already failed. HE has even said he is giving people what they want. They want STYX not solo crap.

I did not say you were advocating a solo set. However, I will say you are pretending it is a solo set when it's not - it's a Styx set.

YOU are contradicting yourself when you said Styx performing Tommy solo songs is out of place and at the same time advocating DDY perform his lame solo songs at a "Music of Styx" concert. He knows that people are not going to his shows to hear "Don't Wait For Heroes" and "Call Me", or anything from 100yrs. They go to hear Styx. In fact, that audience would not even miss Dessert Moon. If they want solo stuff, fine, remove "Renegade" and "Crystal Ball" and add in DWFH and "Call Me"...and see how well that led balloon flies. Prove to me that his solo songs are more desired than Tommy's Styx songs by replacing them in the set.

[Monker]

Good point. I do like how he will sometimes respond to people's questions.

I'm surprised how active he has been on his FB page recently based on his comments\feelings in the past about the internet in general.

He must be finding that he likes it when people drink his bathwater.

[Toph]

Monker - You are a fucking moron and just like to stir the proverbial bathwater. I never said replace Crystal Ball or Renegade with a Dennis solo song. And you are dead wrong about Desert Moon. That is a song that always generates significant audience reaction - arguably more than Crystal Ball. I've seen DDY 5 times. How many times have you? That's what I thought. Fucking tool.

[Toph]

Kind of like you sucking down Tommy Shaw's?

[Boomchild]

But, hey, it doesn't really matter. My point has been proven by history because DDY *FAILED* to make a go out of making things into a solo DDY show and instead can only tour by making himself into an alternative

This is not an accurate picture. From the time Dennis started doing his shows post being ejected from Styx he has billed himself as Dennis DeYoung and The Music of Styx. All you need to do is look to the first shows at the Chicago Theater. Also, early on was the show taped for Soundstage and that was also billed as the "Music of Styx". If you focus on the content of the actual shows from the very beginning, the majority of songs were from Styx. Sure, the number of solo songs have been striped back to one at this point. However, Dennis has clearly focused on Styx material more then solo material from the beginning and billed himself as such. So due to the fact that in the beginning he put more solo songs in the set then there is today hardly constitutes him attempting to transition from a Styx type show to a show with mostly solo material. Dennis knew as well as we all did that his shows would have to focus on his material from Styx and not the other way around. To think or suggest that is pure fantasy.

[Monker]

Monker - You are a fucking moron and just like to stir the proverbial bathwater. I never said replace Crystal Ball or Renegade with a Dennis solo song. And you are dead wrong about Desert Moon. That is a song that always generates significant audience reaction - arguably more than Crystal Ball.

LOL. You talk about being a moron and then say things that never happened. I never said that you said blah, blah, blah. Wierdo.

Nobody would care if he dropped Desert Moon. He could easily replace it with a Styx song. Maybe Snowblind. Nobody would know or care.

I've seen DDY 5 times. How many times have you? That's what I thought. Fucking tool.

Oh, wow, you had a thought. I wonder what thought it is that you thought?

Does it count seeing Dennis on PBS promoting his orchestra live album and trying to get a PBS Hunchback production some support?

[Monker]

But, hey, it doesn't really matter. My point has been proven by history because DDY *FAILED* to make a go out of making things into a solo DDY show and instead can only tour by making himself into an alternative

This is not an accurate picture. From the time Dennis started doing his shows post being ejected from Styx he has billed himself as Dennis DeYoung and The Music of Styx. All you need to do is look to the first shows at the Chicago Theater. Also, early on was the show taped for Soundstage and that was also billed as the "Music of Styx". If you focus on the content of the actual shows from the very beginning, the majority of songs were from Styx. Sure, the number of solo songs have been striped back to one at this point.

EXACTLY...one solo song. Compare that to when her first started out where he not only did some solo songs but a few songs directly from Hunchback It was a DDY solo show that had Styx songs. THAT FAILED. Now it is just DDY's version of Styx. If you can't see and admit that, you're in denial.

[Toph]

Monker - You are a fucking moron and just like to stir the proverbial bathwater. I never said replace Crystal Ball or Renegade with a Dennis solo song. And you are dead wrong about Desert Moon. That is a song that always generates significant audience reaction - arguably more than Crystal Ball.

LOL. You talk about being a moron and then say things that never happened. I never said that you said blah, blah, blah. Wierdo.

Nobody would care if he dropped Desert Moon. He could easily replace it with a Styx song. Maybe Snowblind. Nobody would know or care.

I've seen DDY 5 times. How many times have you? That's what I thought. Fucking tool.

Oh, wow, you had a thought. I wonder what thought it is that you thought?

Does it count seeing Dennis on PBS promoting his orchestra live album and trying to get a PBS Hunchback production some support?

No it doesn't. Because you aren't there to see the reaction of the crowd. And that's the point Monkeyboy. You operate out of a position of ignorance. You've never seen Dennis live, yet think you can make credible comments on him and his show. You don't have a leg to stand on. You're ignorant because you haven't seen Dennis live. Go see 4 or 5 shows and then get back to me with legitimate comments.

[Toph]

But, hey, it doesn't really matter. My point has been proven by history because DDY *FAILED* to make a go out of making things into a solo DDY show and instead can only tour by making himself into an alternative

This is not an accurate picture. From the time Dennis started doing his shows post being ejected from Styx he has billed himself as Dennis DeYoung and The Music of Styx. All you need to do is look to the first shows at the Chicago Theater. Also, early on was the show taped for Soundstage and that was also billed as the "Music of Styx". If you focus on the content of the actual shows from the very beginning, the majority of songs were from Styx. Sure, the number of solo songs have been striped back to one at this point.

EXACTLY...one solo song. Compare that to when her first started out where he not only did some solo songs but a few songs directly from Hunchback It was a DDY solo show that had Styx songs. THAT FAILED. Now it is just DDY's version of Styx. If you can't see and admit that, you're in denial.

FAILED? Once again, you fit facts to your opinion. Didn't fail at all. Was actually quite successful.

[Boomchild]

EXACTLY...one solo song. Compare that to when her first started out where he not only did some solo songs but a few songs directly from Hunchback It was a DDY solo show that had Styx songs. THAT FAILED. Now it is just DDY's version of Styx. If you can't see and admit that, you're in denial.

No not exactly. Now you are grasping at straws to try prove you are correct. Lets review an additional quote form your post above:

Your criticism of my analogy is ignorant since DDY is no longer advertised as a DDY solo show. It is advertised as "The Music of Styx".

Dennis from the start never advertised is shows as just "Dennis DeYoung". It has always been billed as Dennis DeYoung and "The Music Of Styx". If I am wrong then please provide examples of where he billed himself just as Dennis DeYoung without the "The Music Of Styx" tag line. You are trying to argue as if DDY started out doing shows using mainly solo material and not Styx material. Clearly, the shows have always focused on Styx music and not solo material. Just because he included more solo songs at one time doesn't prove that it was his intent to have show that would mainly focus on solo material. The other reason that he could have dropped those songs is due to the fact they were only performed at the "with orchestra" shows and now he is mainly promoting and doing his rock format shows. The Hunchback material is not really suited for the rock shows.

So again, to purport that DDY was attempting to do just a solo show and not a Styx branded show from the get go is pure fantasy, plain and simple.

[Boomchild]

In discussing Dennis' shows post him being ejected from Styx I think it's important to point out a few key things to keep an accurate perspective on the subject.

Once he was ejected from Styx his intentions were to basically be "retired" from the music business. He had no interest or even felt there was an audience for solo performances. It was his business partner who pushed him to do those first shows at the Chicago Theater. In fact, Dennis has said he went "kicking and screaming" into doing those shows. It wasn't until he saw the positive response from those shows that he thought shows featuring just him was viable.

Add to that, Dennis has never presented or held his solo material in higher regard to his Styx material. In fact, he tends to down play the solo material. He has always made it clear that he never wanted to be a solo act and felt he worked best collaborating with the other members of Styx.