MR

Got this link through Facebook and decided to give it a read. It's been a while since I last read a JY interview and I hoped for some news of a potential new single/album or anything new really.

What I got was the same old interview. I'll give JY a break because he does get a lot of the same questions and you can only answer them so many ways, but you can pretty much go down the checklist of canned answers.

Squeeze in a mention of your engineering degree...Check.

Remind us that you're the only one to appear on all the Styx albums...Check.

Say that the band rocks now and doesn't play a show full of ballads...Check.

Explain how the current lineup is the best one ever...Check.

I will give him a brownie point in that he mentions that Dennis is skilled, albeit in a different way from Larry. Baby steps.

Here's the link... https://www.styxworld.com/news/styx-co- ... subliminal

swwskj wrote:I will give him a brownie point in that he mentions that Dennis is skilled, albeit in a different way from Larry. Baby steps.

In a different way as in writing songs that became hits around the world and sold millions. Doubt that this is any kind of baby step when it comes to how JY feels about DDY.

Boomchild wrote:

swwskj wrote:I will give him a brownie point in that he mentions that Dennis is skilled, albeit in a different way from Larry. Baby steps.

In a different way as in writing songs that became hits around the world and sold millions. Doubt that this is any kind of baby step when it comes to how JY feels about DDY.

And, the last song that was really such a hit was "Show Me the Way". How long ago was that written? So, since Dennis really is no longer this hit creating machine that he and other believe his is, they really are not "losing" that by replacing him...because it no longer exists anyway.

Monker wrote:And, the last song that was really such a hit was "Show Me the Way". How long ago was that written? So, since Dennis really is no longer this hit creating machine that he and other believe his is, they really are not "losing" that by replacing him...because it no longer exists anyway.

Who said anything about the current Styx losing something? I think that you are reading something into my comment that isn't there. The point I was trying to make was Dennis had way better success in the business then Gown ever did or most likely will. That's the real difference when it comes to talent. At least when speaking about these two people. Also add in that it is Gowan earning a living on the back of DDY's creations with Styx and not his own material. This is not to say that Gowan is not a talented musician. It's just that when you talk about talent, Dennis has it in spades compared to Gowan. DDY's track record is evidence of it.

All I have to say is that it is ironic that DDY has earned the "egotistical" label when, in fact, JY continues to prove that he is the true champion of that title every time he opens his mouth.

Toph wrote:All I have to say is that it is ironic that DDY has earned the "egotistical" label when, in fact, JY continues to prove that he is the true champion of that title every time he opens his mouth.

The question is if the band had to rely on JY for coming up with their material and ideas would Styx have been as successful as it was?

Toph wrote:All I have to say is that it is ironic that DDY has earned the "egotistical" label when, in fact, JY continues to prove that he is the true champion of that title every time he opens his mouth.

And, exactly what part of this article isn't true? What he said is exactly what even you have said.

And, saying that he plays with super light strings on his guitar and when he plays someone elses guitar he sounds like an amateur, really sounds like somebody with a huge ego. Then he follows that up with saying Tommy can join some random band onstage, pick up a guitar he has never seen before, and sound awesome (or whatever was said in the article).

Boomchild wrote:

Monker wrote:And, the last song that was really such a hit was "Show Me the Way". How long ago was that written? So, since Dennis really is no longer this hit creating machine that he and other believe his is, they really are not "losing" that by replacing him...because it no longer exists anyway.

Who said anything about the current Styx losing something?

Read above...*I* said it. No need to ask a question you already know the answer to.

The point I was trying to make was Dennis had way better success in the business then Gown ever did or most likely will.

First of all, that's not talent. DDY has more "success" in the business than BB King. I'll bet he has more 'hits' than Jerry Lee Lewis or Little Richard, too. So, according to you, DDY is more talented and has more proven abilities than those three artists because he has more 'hits'. I don't think so...I think using hits as any measure other popularity in that give time is complete bullshit.

Gowan can perform circles around DDY, spinning keyboard or not...the guy is amazing. During the orchestra shows, DDY even stopped playing keyboards. Gowan is in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Dennis does not even have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I'm not saying Dennis is a talentless nobody. That would be ridiculous. But, it is just as ridiculous for you to say he has more talent than Gowan simply by number of hit songs. It is in fact showing your ignorance of Gowan, and your bias towards Dennis.

What I was saying in the above quote is if that is how YOU measure 'talent' then DDY suddenly lost all of his talent following EotC. So, there is no point in having him hang around since he is so untalented.

Monker wrote:Gowan can perform circles around DDY, spinning keyboard or not...the guy is amazing. During the orchestra shows, DDY even stopped playing keyboards. Gowan is in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Dennis does not even have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For a guy that can perform circles around someone else he doesn't have a lot to show for it. Prior to joining Styx the average\casual Styx fan or average music listener for that matter never heard of him. Unless you live or are from Canada. Top it off with he is playing someone else's material to earn a living. So he must have lowered his standards to join Styx and play DDY's Styx material. Pretty lame for a guy that can "run circles" around others. The Canadian Hall of Fame, wow that's impressive Let's be real here, no one outside of Canada really knows or cares about that institution. To achieve the level of success that DDY has does take a enormous amount of talent. While Gowan may have superior keyboard skills, the rest of his talent is not on DDY's level. Otherwise, he would be more well known other then in Canada.

I really thought that it was a VERY good interview.

Gowan's 'A Criminal Mind' was our high school class song.

Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Gump Worsley, Ken Dryden, Phil Esposito, Wayne Gretsky & many others are also in Canada's Hall of Fame. For Gowan to be in with such a group is pretty damn impressive.

Since the mind numbing breakup of 1999, you ALL have been trying to compare a peanut butter sandwich to a Yugo its just too much of a stretch.

Dennis is also HUGE in Canada. If he would just break down and spend some cash and purchase himself a new pair of Super Tacks he too may get into their Hall of Fame.

The real question is............ if DDY & Gowan toured together in Canada who would open for who?????

Boomchild wrote:

Monker wrote:Gowan can perform circles around DDY, spinning keyboard or not...the guy is amazing. During the orchestra shows, DDY even stopped playing keyboards. Gowan is in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Dennis does not even have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For a guy that can perform circles around someone else he doesn't have a lot to show for it. Prior to joining Styx the average\casual Styx fan or average music listener for that matter never heard of him. Unless you live or are from Canada. Top it off with he is playing someone else's material to earn a living. So he must have lowered his standards to join Styx and play DDY's Styx material. Pretty lame for a guy that can "run circles" around others. The Canadian Hall of Fame, wow that's impressive Let's be real here, no one outside of Canada really knows or cares about that institution. To achieve the level of success that DDY has does take a enormous amount of talent. While Gowan may have superior keyboard skills, the rest of his talent is not on DDY's level. Otherwise, he would be more well known other then in Canada.

You have no idea how arrogant you sound. You are implying that if an artist is not popular in the US, then they have no talent. That is simply wrong, and it is showing your bias towards DDY.

I will give you one simple example. John Farnham is one of the most incredible voices of the last 50yrs, and is still going strong today. He is at the level of DDY, or Steve Perry, or Freddie Mercury, or anybody else you can name. Do Americans know him? Nope. But, that does not take away from his talent - AT ALL.

Success does not equate to talent. It equates to good timing, good management, and simple luck. If DDY was 20yrs old today, I doubt he would have the success he had.

And, if success is such a fair measure of talent, then you have to admit DDY somehow lost his talent in the the early 90's and never got it back.

historically breaking in the US meant one real big thing for artists.......MORE MONEY........but as mentioned above, breaking in the US did not always equate to talent level........

prime example of all time is Thin Lizzy.....one of the greatest bands ever, but never achieved more than minor success in the states.

another example is that Queen totally lost their US audience when they released the cross dressing video for "I want to break free" while they maintained or increased their popularity all over the world during the last decade of their careers.

as an artist, I would certainly want to make it in the states, but the US is also one of the most fickle fan bases to ever exist.

i just went and read the article and it's amazing how powerful preconceived feelings towards someone affects the perspective of current words.

meaning this.....i dont think JY says anything at all out of line.....I may not agree with every word of it, but it all makes pretty good sense from his point of view.

considering how much he probably hates DDY, i thought it was pretty cool that he referred to him as a world class talent.

i dont think it's a surprise at all how he feels about this version of styx.....i think people forget that he has now played more years and more shows with Gowan and Todd than he did with DDY or even John for that matter. for them to stick together than long and play as many shows as they have then it's pretty obvious he has to be pretty fond of those guys and what they do.

i didn't think he sounded nearly as arrogant in this interview as he has at times in the past.

Monker wrote:You have no idea how arrogant you sound. You are implying that if an artist is not popular in the US, then they have no talent. That is simply wrong, and it is showing your bias towards DDY.

I never said that Gowan did not have talent. My point is that as a whole Gowan does not have more talent then DDY. If Gowan is such an amazing talent as people proclaim him to be then he would have been more successful then he was. Once again if DDY's talent is so sub par to Gawan, then Gowan has really lowered the bar on himself to join Styx and making a living on material he did not create.

Monker wrote:Success does not equate to talent. It equates to good timing, good management, and simple luck. If DDY was 20yrs old today, I doubt he would have the success he had.

And, if success is such a fair measure of talent, then you have to admit DDY somehow lost his talent in the the early 90's and never got it back.

Sure success includes the things you mentioned above. But it also includes talent. If you don't have the talent to create something that people will like or enjoy then things like timing, management and luck won't help you. To say that talent is not a component of success is just flat out wrong. Otherwise the world would be filled with a lot more successful people.

That fact is that if Gowan is such an immense superior talent then he should have never had to consider going around playing someone elses material. Sorry but it is not all timing and luck like you would like to think it is.

Monker wrote:

Boomchild wrote:

Monker wrote:And, the last song that was really such a hit was "Show Me the Way". How long ago was that written? So, since Dennis really is no longer this hit creating machine that he and other believe his is, they really are not "losing" that by replacing him...because it no longer exists anyway.

Who said anything about the current Styx losing something?

Read above...*I* said it. No need to ask a question you already know the answer to.

The point I was trying to make was Dennis had way better success in the business then Gown ever did or most likely will.

First of all, that's not talent. DDY has more "success" in the business than BB King. I'll bet he has more 'hits' than Jerry Lee Lewis or Little Richard, too. So, according to you, DDY is more talented and has more proven abilities than those three artists because he has more 'hits'. I don't think so...I think using hits as any measure other popularity in that give time is complete bullshit.

Gowan can perform circles around DDY, spinning keyboard or not...the guy is amazing. During the orchestra shows, DDY even stopped playing keyboards. Gowan is in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Dennis does not even have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I'm not saying Dennis is a talentless nobody. That would be ridiculous. But, it is just as ridiculous for you to say he has more talent than Gowan simply by number of hit songs. It is in fact showing your ignorance of Gowan, and your bias towards Dennis.

What I was saying in the above quote is if that is how YOU measure 'talent' then DDY suddenly lost all of his talent following EotC. So, there is no point in having him hang around since he is so untalented.

I don't know what your issue is with DDY, but you love to pile on with the negative comments anytime he's mentioned. At least is would seem that way. First of all, hits or not he is extremely talented. I'm not saying you disagree, but you certainly don't offer up compliments. Let's start with the voice, he is an amazing singer. And since you are comparing him to Gowan, there is no comparison in that department. If you think Gowan holds a candle to Dennis in the vocal department then you don't know shit about singing. I'm not talking about whether you like his voice or not, though I think Dennis' voice is superb and as good as ever. I'm talking straight ability. Now keyboard strength. How is it that you come to the conclusion that Gowan is superior? True, Dennis doesn't play all the parts he used to live, but that doesn't mean he can't play them. Have you listened to Styx's catalogue with DDY at the helm? Seems a silly question, but with your comments one has to ask. Dennis is a great keyboardist. I see nor hear nothing that makes Gowan better. Can he play what Dennis does? Of course. It's much easier to imitate then to come up with on your own. I'm not taking anything away from Gowan, but he does nothing to impress me.

For a guy whose first instrument was an accordion, he does a damn good job playing a keyboard and piano