MR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=BPwxUTxME0k

Most of us will watch this video and see a funny, sincere, down to earth family man who has great love for his family and the early days of the band. I don’t think he was able to get permission to use any other members likenesses but received permission from Chuck for the brothers.

Of all the interviews I have watched and there are several almost all have had the same feel and tone. The Pardo interviews have so much new info and honesty you should not miss them. They have nearly 600 comments with raves from nearly all corners. 1200 likes to 27 dislikes. That’s with 27 thousand views.

That’s astounding given the current bands live touring videos which are filled with negative comments. A lot of bring back Dennis comments. Especially the one where Tommy introduces Chuck referencing the Styx beginnings and leaves out Dennis. Nearly half are on this one very negative.

Part 1 with Pete Pardo - Sea of Tranquility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtLL_78dUqc&t=438s

Part 2 with Pete Pardo - Sea of Tranquility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qO8WhXLlQ_8

SuiteMadameBlue wrote:That’s astounding given the current bands live touring videos which are filled with negative comments. A lot of bring back Dennis comments. Especially the one where Tommy introduces Chuck referencing the Styx beginnings and leaves out Dennis. Nearly half are on this one very negative.

I think this says a lot about Styx fans' moving on form 20yr old arguments and just enjoying the music. They are not full of hatred and angst and a bit more mature. On the other hand, Dennis fans feel the need to insult, cry about old issues that are decades old, and do not have the maturity to move in life.

It says a lot about a person when the standards they set are so low a post must reference the negative such as this one, or is COMPLETELY about the negative. It seems discussion about the positives of Dennis DeYoung do not have the ability to carry on a continuous conversation.

At the People's Choice awards (briefly shown in this music video) ... The kid who introduced Dennis and the Panozzo bros called then "Stey-ex" or something like that... botched the band name big time

There was a video on YouTube of the event (uploaded in 2011 - I posted it here in May 2020) but has been removed

SuiteMadameBlue wrote:
That’s astounding given the current bands live touring videos which are filled with negative comments. A lot of bring back Dennis comments. Especially the one where Tommy introduces Chuck referencing the Styx beginnings and leaves out Dennis. Nearly half are on this one very negative.

There are a ton of people who JUST comment on youtube to defend their favorite side. It's ridiculous. I've seen the same person slamming every single COTC clip, interview, whatever... like a bunch of 5 year olds. Many of those comments have NOTHING to do with the actual clip, they just want to show their 'loyalty'. Dopey.

Monker wrote:

SuiteMadameBlue wrote:That’s astounding given the current bands live touring videos which are filled with negative comments. A lot of bring back Dennis comments. Especially the one where Tommy introduces Chuck referencing the Styx beginnings and leaves out Dennis. Nearly half are on this one very negative.

I think this says a lot about Styx fans' moving on form 20yr old arguments and just enjoying the music. They are not full of hatred and angst and a bit more mature. On the other hand, Dennis fans feel the need to insult, cry about old issues that are decades old, and do not have the maturity to move in life.

$tyx supporters “are not full of anger and angst and are a bit more mature”.
Does anyone on this forum believe what this BATHWATER BOY just posted. Of all people to make this claim, as if his old posts can’t be viewed. Sean is shameless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4-4rfmwo8zg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=XVUoWV_nvfk

SuiteMadameBlue wrote:

Monker wrote:

SuiteMadameBlue wrote:That’s astounding given the current bands live touring videos which are filled with negative comments. A lot of bring back Dennis comments. Especially the one where Tommy introduces Chuck referencing the Styx beginnings and leaves out Dennis. Nearly half are on this one very negative.

I think this says a lot about Styx fans' moving on form 20yr old arguments and just enjoying the music. They are not full of hatred and angst and a bit more mature. On the other hand, Dennis fans feel the need to insult, cry about old issues that are decades old, and do not have the maturity to move in life.

$tyx supporters “are not full of anger and angst and are a bit more mature”.
Does anyone on this forum believe what this BATHWATER BOY just posted. Of all people to make this claim, as if his old posts can’t be viewed. Sean is shameless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4-4rfmwo8zg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=XVUoWV_nvfk

*sigh*
I try to keep out of this stuff but I feel like I've got to say something after years of seeing this.

Suite - You (and others) have ruined this forum for me, especially recently...

This whole "bathwater drinker" and "$tyx" commentary you've used for FAR TOO LONG is absolute garbage and only continues to drag down conversations which spiral out of control into personal attacks on one another...

The vitriol is palpable and disgusting.

There are times when I come on here hoping a new thread is going to be fun and engaging, then you come along with your nuclear bomb of conversation derailment to attack other forum members (and no I'm not forgetting that others here have done this too)

I'm done with seeing people who all apparently enjoy the same band be at each others throats.... EVERY FUCKING TIME it blows up, then seems like things have calmed down, and then once again the nasty garbage starts to spew.

I'm a "Dennis" guy... I do think he got a raw deal in 1999 (there's some extended conversation for that, and dependent on *IF* a few things are assumed to be fact) - But how does that give me a right to attack someone who disagrees with that?

I'm at minimum taking a break from here... considering deleting my account too...

Dont leave me as the lone Swiss colony and the only voice of reason here.

I too know that Dennis got totally fuc KED in 1999. But it's over. Dennis himself said that he HATES that the fans are divided.

Styx has gone on to make GREAT music. They should they are ALL world class musicians.

I will always hold out hope that Dennis reunites with Styx, but if he doesnt I'll continue to purchase music from both sides and attend their shows (BOTH Sides)

StyxGuy wrote:
*sigh*
I try to keep out of this stuff but I feel like I've got to say something after years of seeing this.

Suite - You (and others) have ruined this forum for me, especially recently...

This whole "bathwater drinker" and "$tyx" commentary you've used for FAR TOO LONG is absolute garbage and only continues to drag down conversations which spiral out of control into personal attacks on one another...

The vitriol is palpable and disgusting.

There are times when I come on here hoping a new thread is going to be fun and engaging, then you come along with your nuclear bomb of conversation derailment to attack other forum members (and no I'm not forgetting that others here have done this too)

I'm done with seeing people who all apparently enjoy the same band be at each others throats.... EVERY FUCKING TIME it blows up, then seems like things have calmed down, and then once again the nasty garbage starts to spew.

I'm a "Dennis" guy... I do think he got a raw deal in 1999 (there's some extended conversation for that, and dependent on *IF* a few things are assumed to be fact) - But how does that give me a right to attack someone who disagrees with that?

I'm at minimum taking a break from here... considering deleting my account too...

I agree Styxguy, I am checking out. Too much bitterness around here no wonder Zan never came back. Those of you who know how to find me, get in touch.

Dropping like flies but yogi will remain.

Where else will I go?? No social media for this Dawg.

yogi wrote:Dont leave me as the lone Swiss colony and the only voice of reason here.

I too know that Dennis got totally fuc KED in 1999. But it's over. Dennis himself said that he HATES that the fans are divided.

Styx has gone on to make GREAT music. They should they are ALL world class musicians.

I will always hold out hope that Dennis reunites with Styx, but if he doesn't I'll continue to purchase music from both sides and attend their shows (BOTH Sides)

I don't necessarily mind people taking sides or forming opinions from what we hear from them directly and other sources (as outsiders, mostly).... but when it regresses from any kind of possible conversation to outright attacks (both personal against forum members and against band members current and former) just makes me sad.

I hear ya but we live in the daze of CNN, MSNBC, FOX NEWS & the total poison that the media has become. There is now no gray area. You are either right or wrong with no shades of either. There is no compromise anymore. Anyone who doesn’t think like you or doesn’t share your beliefs is an idiot. It sucks but it’s the world we live in. It makes for entertaining reading though.

I've been a professional lurker on this site for years and as someone who's been a fan of the band since 1980 ( get off my lawn! damn kids) I've often wondered about the following things, that maybe someone could answer:
Is Suite actually related to Dennis in some way?
is ChicagoStyx actually related to Tommy in some way?
why is Yogi such a nice guy?
Can we setup a gofundme for StyxGuy, maybe send him to Aruba for a few days to cool off, he was the most neutral mf'er i've ever seen and to see him blow up like that really moved me. I want to see him return to his old, enthusiastic self.
Can Alan put some more rare videos on his Youtube page? what the heck man? what a tease.
what happened to Froy?
And maybe we can all agree on one thing: the fact that Styx is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is one of the most egregious examples of BS in all of recorded history.

Now, what time is Matlock on?

StyxGuy wrote:

yogi wrote:Dont leave me as the lone Swiss colony and the only voice of reason here.

I too know that Dennis got totally fuc KED in 1999. But it's over. Dennis himself said that he HATES that the fans are divided.

Styx has gone on to make GREAT music. They should they are ALL world class musicians.

I will always hold out hope that Dennis reunites with Styx, but if he doesn't I'll continue to purchase music from both sides and attend their shows (BOTH Sides)

I don't necessarily mind people taking sides or forming opinions from what we hear from them directly and other sources (as outsiders, mostly).... but when it regresses from any kind of possible conversation to outright attacks (both personal against forum members and against band members current and former) just makes me sad.

StyxGuy, I hope you stay. I will back off the personal attacks.

Yogi, I wish you were on Facebook For some reason I can't post images on here of the old articles of the albums that we grew up with, but I can post the scanned copies on there.

Bearded Clam wrote:I've been a professional lurker on this site for years and as someone who's been a fan of the band since 1980 ( get off my lawn! damn kids) I've often wondered about the following things, that maybe someone could answer:
Is Suite actually related to Dennis in some way?
is ChicagoStyx actually related to Tommy in some way?
why is Yogi such a nice guy?
Can we setup a gofundme for StyxGuy, maybe send him to Aruba for a few days to cool off, he was the most neutral mf'er i've ever seen and to see him blow up like that really moved me. I want to see him return to his old, enthusiastic self.
Can Alan put some more rare videos on his Youtube page? what the heck man? what a tease.
what happened to Froy?
And maybe we can all agree on one thing: the fact that Styx is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is one of the most egregious examples of BS in all of recorded history.

Now, what time is Matlock on?

I agree that Yogi is a very nice guy.
It would be great to see more rare videos!! Only "Best Thing" was posted from a concert in 1972 that took place in Milwaukee, there has to be more.
As for Froy, he was banned years ago with several others. He's still posting on Facebook, however I think he was banned from a couple pages/groups on there too.
As for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I have no idea why Styx wasn't even nominated, I agree with you on that!

Matlock - LOL I'm actually watching the Murdoch Mysteries, I guess that could fall into today's Matlock.

As for Froy, he was banned years ago with several others. He's still posting on Facebook, however I think he was banned from a couple pages/groups on there too.

Andrew very rarely bans anybody permanently. In fact, I know of only one person, the infamous Joe Reardon.

The bottom line is froy is not here because he chooses to not "apologie" to Andrew and promise to change his ways. I doubt he even recognizes he did anything wrong. Froy has chosen to not post here.

StyxGuy wrote:
*sigh*
I try to keep out of this stuff but I feel like I've got to say something after years of seeing this.

Suite - You (and others) have ruined this forum for me, especially recently...

This whole "bathwater drinker" and "$tyx" commentary you've used for FAR TOO LONG is absolute garbage and only continues to drag down conversations which spiral out of control into personal attacks on one another...

The vitriol is palpable and disgusting.

There are times when I come on here hoping a new thread is going to be fun and engaging, then you come along with your nuclear bomb of conversation derailment to attack other forum members (and no I'm not forgetting that others here have done this too)

I'm done with seeing people who all apparently enjoy the same band be at each others throats.... EVERY FUCKING TIME it blows up, then seems like things have calmed down, and then once again the nasty garbage starts to spew.

I'm a "Dennis" guy... I do think he got a raw deal in 1999 (there's some extended conversation for that, and dependent on *IF* a few things are assumed to be fact) - But how does that give me a right to attack someone who disagrees with that?

I'm at minimum taking a break from here... considering deleting my account too...

When I was a young girl and even into my adulthood, I loved Styx the band. Not Styx the individuals. I would have been hard pressed to choose a favorite member. But like most fans it would have been a tossup between Tommy and Dennis. Thankfully I never had to make that choice.
Even after Tommy quit and the band went on hiatus, I still had their solo albums to keep my interest. I admit openly that Desert Moon is hands down my favorite. Especially the video.
However none of these records could compete with the thought of a new Styx album.
It would be six years before another one was released and this time without Tommy.
I enjoyed EOTC and especially SMTW but it wasn’t the same because Tommy wasn’t there.
I never gave a thought to KWH as anything more than a new Styx record and it’s release never made me feel betrayed because I was a fan who appreciated their variety of music and the different singers. I never thought oh my where is the prog?

The tours in 1996-97 were incredible and I was able to relive the magic of them together once again.

I looked forward to new music from the band. When I first heard BNW I listened like that teen age girl. But something was missing. There are some very good songs on the album but the cohesive quality was gone. I had no idea why.
The next thing I heard was Dennis had retired and was not touring and that he had passed the baton to Tommy. I was very disappointed. Gone was a big piece of my youth.
I did not have any ill feelings toward anyone and chalked it up to the passage of time.

I attended one of the new Styx 2.0 concerts hopeful of getting the feelings I had in 96 and 97.
Sorry to say it, it wasn’t there anymore. Still, I didn’t have anger or frustration toward any of the new members it just wasn’t the same. I did not want a new Styx I wanted the old one.

Only later did I begin reading about Dennis’s forced departure. The more I heard and read and discussed with other Styx fans the angrier I became. And not because Dennis was replaced, it was how. I wanted my band back. Then BTM aired and it was awful and disturbing. We fans have an idealized vision of our favorite musicians and that show destroyed everything. Who to believe? Frankly I did not want to choose sides.
Welcome to the Grand Illusion. Don’t be fooled by the radio, tv.

I guess my part on this forum has been mostly passive until recently. I went back to see what I had posted to cause you to place this on one of my posts. I went way back. I was absent in so many of these ongoing disputes which you reference while some others were constantly using hate as a motivation. They encouraged the vitriol of which you speak.

There is NO doubt who the biggest transgressor regarding vile language and out sized irrational hate is.
My frustration has been the repetition of lies regarding Dennis’s dismissal coupled with 20 years of character assassination in an attempt to cover up the truth. BATHWATER DRINKERS was hung around Dennis neck for years on this forum. It was a lightning rod and rallying cry who blamed Dennis. When all he said was to be careful in what to believe when it comes to your idols. I think he meant himself as well.
History has clearly proved him correct.

Remember I had to be challenged to even give my opinion on COTC and The Mission.
I want one last tour with Dennis to say goodbye to my favorite band and in no small way to my youth. I am not a minority.

Once I retire ( which I hope is long into the future - Love my job) I will get a Facebook account.

I am on Twitter mostly to help my athletes out. I do post on it on the music, baseball, hockey& dogs ( Boxers) posts.

I try to be a nice guy. I think I am and I guess that’s because I’ve got a great family & some good close friends plus knock on wood I’ve never been screwed over by my friends. A boss did it once but that goes with the job title.

As for this site. I enjoy it. The passion often displayed here on both sides is admirable but also fairly stupid. None of else will ever know everything about the personal relationships within the band. To me though it’s very obvious DDY got screwed over by what he thought were his friends over $$$$. It’s the only thing that makes sense to me. In 96 they got back together and did two tours, Dennis went out of his way to help Tommy out for his 7 Deadly Zens Borders tour. They then all agreed to make a new album together & tour, Styx was all over the place for a new generation.Money was in the air and Dennis got sick. To me that’s as obvious as obvious can be. It’s then the lying took place by JY, Tommy, Chuck & Others within Styx(Jim Cahil). Dennis’s illness was gonna have a major impact on everyone else’s wallets.

Why not just tell Dennis we are going to tour without you. We need the cash ( I believe Dennis would have understood that 100%) Just tell Dennis the damn truth. They then could of told Dennis, call us when you are better. That’s all that they had to do.

Then when Dennis called they could of said we like this Gowan guy better. He’s more fun to be around, far less demanding and we make more money with him in the band then with you in the band. It’s the truth and then Dennis could of made his next move. Tommy, JY and the rest 100% have the right to play & record music with whomever they want to.

Now as per the Styx name that would be another story. Still they didn’t have to publicly lie and slander Dennis going all the way back to Babe & Kilroy to do it. If that truly was the case why the two tours in 96&97 and the album & tour with ( all scheduled with Dennis in mind in 1999).

IMO his ouster had absolutely nothing to do with Babe & Kilroy. It was all about the Benjamin’s.

If I’m wrong about this ( but I’m not) who really gives a shit??

I guess my part on this forum has been mostly passive until recently. I went back to see what I had posted to cause you to place this on one of my posts. I went way back. I was absent in so many of these ongoing disputes which you reference while some others were constantly using hate as a motivation. They encouraged the vitriol of which you speak.

There is NO doubt who the biggest transgressor regarding vile language and out sized irrational hate is.

There is no doubt who did not take Andrew's warning serious and continues the antics in that post he replied to. It's you. I backed off the personal attacks and kept things to the point. YOU are the one who continued the Sean "Monker" Morrison crap. YOU are the one who expanded on it with "$tyx". YOU are the one who constantly throws around insults like "bathwater drinker". YOU are the one who did not change your ways after the OWNER of the forum told you to stop. It should not take other members quiting for you to realize you are going to far after the OWNER tells you to knock it off.

My frustration has been the repetition of lies regarding Dennis’s dismissal coupled with 20 years of character assassination in an attempt to cover up the truth.

Or, maybe it is 20yrs of constant crying and tears from Dennis that he "lost" his band after he sued them and signed a settlement that allowed Styx to continue on without him DENNIS SIGNED AWAY THE BAND. That is the FACT that is hard for him to swallow, and hard for people like you to swallow. But, it is a FACT and STYX, however you want to define it, does not want to go back to how things were before Dennis took them to court.

Dennis needs to get over himself, and grow up and stop being a baby.

And, no, I do not believe it had anything to do with money. If they took a one time reunion tour with Dennis - THAT would be done for the money. It's not about that at all, IMO. It's about being happy, and creating, and performing.

BATHWATER DRINKERS was hung around Dennis neck for years on this forum.

He insulted the fans of Styx. It deserves to be hung around his neck...and now yours for the very same reasons.

It was a lightning rod and rallying cry who blamed Dennis. When all he said was to be careful in what to believe when it comes to your idols. I think he meant himself as well.

That is NOT what he said. He said Tommy pays too much attention to the fans on the internet. He then went on to say that those fans would drink Tommy's bathwater if he asked them. What you said above is COMPLETELY backwards. What Dennis was attempting to say was that Tommy should not put so much value in what a minority (especially at that time) of fans on the internet say when there is a vast number of people who do not have a voice. Dennis made a choice to insult Styx fans. That was wrong - very wrong....yet people like you try to minimalize it.

It was also never a "rallying cry" or "lightening rod" IN THIS FORUM. You are again making stuff up.

History has clearly proved him correct.

Your revised history proves your biased opinion correct only in your own head where you make up your own reality.

I want one last tour with Dennis to say goodbye to my favorite band and in no small way to my youth. I am not a minority.

[/quote][/quote]

it's irrelevent. Styx has REPEATEDLY said no to this. They are completely uninterested and it has been expressed so often that the question is answered before it is even asked. No, they do not want anything to do with Dennis DeYoung. Avoiding that reality is not going to change it. Crying about it and expressing hate for those who still like Styx isn't going to change it either.

[quote]
As for this site. I enjoy it. The passion often displayed here on both sides is admirable but also fairly stupid. None of else will ever know everything about the personal relationships within the band.[quote]

Here is the thing. You say the above, and the very next sentence you say that they were Dennis' "friends", that he thought they were his friends. You say you don't know their relationships, then you state what those relationships were. How do you know for a FACT that Tommy, JY, and Chuck considered Dennis a friend? How do you know that Tommy WANTED Dennis at the Border's stores and Tommy did it "just cuz?" The second Styx tour had to be asked for by Tommy and was not a full tour, because of Hunchback...which was getting in the way of everything at that time.

You also ignore that Tommy did not want to do the album without a tour but the label and Dennis forced the album on the rest of the band. So, the entire "reunion" album/tour STARTED with Dennis in contention with everybody. So, when it came time to tour, Dennis said he couldn't - which is what everybody thought would happen. So, the band has a choice, either tour with a replacement, or not tour at all. IMO, Dennis took a calculated risk and thought the band would never tour without him - and he was wrong.

But, to say it was for money is just so wrong. They replaced a key member. They did not know how the audiences would react, if they would still buy tickets. So, it was NOT a guaranteed thing, as you imply. They could have easily lost everything.

Then you said, "Why not just tell Dennis..." How do you know for a FACT that they didn't? It seems to me that there was stuff going on behind the scenes that nobody knows about - to this day. To state a conversation did, or did not, happen is making things up...and then to decide Dennis' reaction for him is further making things up.

What you KNOW for a FACT is that after the lawsuit Dennis lost control of Styx...and Styx completely cut their ties to Dennis. It has been that way ever since.

I don't think they lied about Babe and Roboto, etc. I think all that stuff built up over the years and was kept private. When things started going crazy again, I think it was just like described in the BTM, it brought back bad memories and "here we go again." Why the tours in 96, 97, album/tour in 1999...because they were all able to do it and they seemed to be starting fresh with Lady '95. So, why would they NOT do it?

Who gives a shit about this argument? People like Suite do. They have made it their mission to force it in every Styx discussion area that they can, in every topic...Because Dennis is near the end of his career and after that, there is NOTHING on the "Dennis was screwed" side of things. It is as if they want to force Styx to end just because Dennis is. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.

I’ve found it absolutely bizarre how some folks are so utterly demanding about who strangers should have as coworkers. Yep, Tommy should work with, go on the road with, and be around someone he utterly cannot stand so that random unstable basket case on the internet can relive their youth. Damn this shit’s rich.

Funny, I posted this to the Styx Indra digest in 2005. It was my first post there from my Gmail account. I was trying to look up earlier messages, but they are obviously submitted under other Email accounts. I was on that list long before 2005. I was so into the Hitchhiker's movie coming out...oh, well. I may have posted this here, too. I don't remember. It's been 17yrs. It was fun to write though, and I still find it funny....and, oh how things have NOT changed.


Life, the Universe, and Styx


In the beginning Styx was created. Some people did not like this and
even regarded it as a bad move. These people became known as critics.
They would write and talk about the band in a negative way. Sometimes
the critics were even paid for their critical words.

Another group of people also emerged in these early days. These people
liked the band and their music. In fact, they regarded the band in
such high esteem that they would pay to listen to the band perform.
They would also spend their hard earned money on circular vinyl
artifacts called records. These people could repeatedly play and
listen to the vinyl records at home. This group became known as fans.

These two groups of people more or less ignored each other. The one
not caring that the other existed. As long as critics were allowed to
boast like the know-it-alls they thought they were, sometimes even
being paid to do it, they did not care that fans were actually willing
to spend money on the band. The reverse was also true. As long as fans
could spend money on the band to hear their music, they did not care
what the critics had to say.

Then, a third group started to emerge. This group sprouted from people
listening to radio waves transmitting music to anybody with a radio
receiver tuned to the correct frequency. They would listen to the
radio waves and sometimes would be entertained by a Styx song.
Listeners would hear the music and spontaneously say things like, "Ah,
yes, that was a nice song." or "Wow, that was cool." or "hmmm, I
wonder what I'll have for lunch?"

It is true that sometimes the radio listener just did not care for the
music as much as the fans or the critics. They were not being paid to
listen and they were not paying to listen. It was just background
noise for them.

At other times, however, the radio listener would be so impressed by a
song that he would buy the record or go to a live performance.
Eventually he may even consider himself a fan.

On a rare occasion, a radio listener may be affected in a negative
way. When this occurred he may say something like, "Oh, God, that was
awful!" In some of these cases he may even start telling those around
him how awful he felt the song was. If he had the vocabulary skill of
a thirteen year old and was able to translate his thoughts to type
written words, he may even find he could be paid for his opinions and
hence become a critic.

Styx found themselves on the radio more frequently. Since they were on
the radio they earned more fans, found more critics, and they had a
lot of listeners. They were becoming popular.

All things evolve with time so Styx evolved. The evolution of Styx
began with the resignation of John Curulewski and the addition of
Tommy Shaw. This, in turn, caused an evolution in the music, which
caused an evolution in the type of fans and an evolution in the words
the critics were writing.

This change was also regarded as a bad move by some and therefore a
few more critics discovered Styx. However, for whatever reason Styx
found themselves on the radio more often then ever before. More people
were going to their live performances then ever before. Styx was more
popular then ever before. Therefore the additional critics were a bit
superfluous. The critics, because of their arrogant and know-it-all
nature, stubbornly endured these hard times.

Everything that has a finite lifespan, and can somehow be measured,
has an apex. When Styx reached their apex they were one of the most
popular rock bands on Earth. At the very peak of their popularity Styx
seemed to forget what got them there in the first place. They released
a record that left some fans thinking 'Huh?'.

Of course some fans understood it and even loved it. But, since some
fans went 'Huh?' the critics had the opening they had been waiting for
and went after Styx with all of the vengeance they could muster.

Feeling the pressure of their own popularity, the pressure of their
critics, the pressure of dissatisfied fans (who were also starting to
sound like critics) and the pressure to please listeners who really
did not know if they were fans or not, Styx collapsed under all of the
critique and baggage of popularity.

The band was gone for years. It was gone for more years. Then one day
they came back. But, just like a Neanderthal they evolved again. This
time Tommy Shaw had been replaced with Glen Burtnik. Again, this was
regarded as a bad move by some people. Tommy, however, was a part of
Styx during their most popular time. So, many more fans moved into
becoming critics. But, they were a different type of critic. They did
not care if they were paid and they still considered themselves Styx
fans. They were fan-critics.

Fan-critics had found a new outlet for their critiques. They could
display their critical thoughts using a computer. It took the ability
to connect to a bulletin board service or to an early version of what
became known as the Internet. In those early days of online
communication it took a more intelligent mind then most thirteen year
olds had. So, in many ways the thoughts of the fan-critics of those
days were often more interesting and enlightening then the critics who
were being paid for their thoughts.

This reunion had mixed results. Yes, some new Styx songs were heard on
the radio. Yes, they could still get a large sized audience to pay to
see them perform. However, the overall success and satisfaction of
the fans did not equal their last album.

Perhaps it was absence of Tommy Shaw. Perhaps it was the long delay
between albums and tours. Perhaps all the critics had worn away at
Styx popularity. Perhaps it was because the vinyl records were
replaced by silvery circled objects called compact disks. Whatever the
reason Styx was not what it once was.

Even the music had changed. Gone were the instrumental theatrics of
the earlier Styx. Gone was the concept albums of the past. What
remained seemed to be music that could easily be digested by a radio
listener but any long time fan would know it was a very different Styx
sound.

So, it seemed Styx was continuing their decline despite their efforts.
Even the companies who made the silvery circles turned away any new
Styx music. Styx started to fade away again. Years came and went
without anything new from the band.

Then the miraculous started happening. A silvery circle maker decided
to release a CD that had old Styx songs on it. They wanted to use the
first Styx hit song as one of the songs on the CD. They were not
allowed to use it for some crazy legal reason. To get around this
legal obstacle they had to rerecord it. So, Styx got together for the
first time in years. This time Tommy Shaw was included. They
rerecorded their first hit song and the silvery circle of old Styx
songs was released.

It didn't stop there. They decided to perform again. They found that
fans were still willing to depart with their money to see and hear
Styx. It was inspiring so they decided to make some new Styx music.

They did make new music. But, not all was calm on the river Styx. When
they made this new music the band was split in two. After the silvery
circle of new songs was made available for sale, Styx evolved again
for the tour.

This time Dennis was replaced by Larry Gowan. Again this was regarded
as a bad move by some people. More fan-critics emerged. By now, the
internet was in full blossom and they could spread their critiques
instantly around the world. The old-school critics were now basically
meaningless, except their words could now be used as 'evidence'
against the band. Computers and the Internet itself was also much
simpler. It COULD and IS being used by 13yr olds. So, anybody with the
intelligence of a 13yr old could now be a critic on the internet.

Another group emerged from the Styx fans. This group was tired of the
constant critique of Styx and decided to fight back. They used the
words of the old-school critics in defense of what the fan-critics
were saying. They critiqued Dennis just as much as the fan-critics
critiqued Styx. In fact, some of them became fan-critics themselves.
Instead of critiquing Styx, they critiqued Dennis. In reaction to
this, Dennis defenders emerged.

After a time of the Styx defenders and Dennis fan-critics battling the
Dennis defenders and Styx fan-critics, yet another group emerged.
These people had a "I don't give a smeg" attitude. They were tired of
the critiquing of this and that and everything else. So, they stopped
visiting the internet sites where such discussion was taking place and
instead went about their own business of going to concerts or
listening to their silvery circles.

In the end, the only fans who were truly happy were the "I don't give
a smeg" fans. Everybody else: the defenders, the fan-critics, the
critics, and the fans were all grumpy and irritated and generally were
no fun to be around.

Best post you EVER made Monk! That was a excellent read and very insightful ( for a 13 yr old). You know I’m kidding about the 13 year old jab. Excellent spot on read