Thoughts Please

[piecesofeight]

I've been thinking about everything I have been reading and hearing, so am I accurate here.
For most people who are pro Dennis and anti new Styx, you are upset over the way that Dennis was dismissed from the band. If he left on his own like Tommy did in the 90's, you might not be so upset? From what I am hearing/reading, this seems to be the biggest issue?
Do you think if Dennis had left on his own that you might be following Styx today?
Then that might be hard to answer because what if Dennis HAD left on his own, but certain members were talking trash about him still.
A lot of people are saying that it's about the music, not the politics. Then many say it is about the crap, and not just the music.
Is it a matter that many don't like the way that Larry sounds on Dennis' Styx songs or the situation under which he is singing them?
When Tommy wasn't in the band, did you follow Styx? Was it Styx to you, or was it nothing much thought about it because he left on his own?
Is it too that Dennis was your favorite member and it's just not Styx period, for any reasons, if he's not there?
It wasn't Styx for me when Tommy was gone. Just him not being there was enough.
I know there's many variables, but I believe the main one being how Dennis is not in the band anymore? Then you throw in how Larry sing's his songs, and how some members continue to bash him?
Maybe too it seems that they don't give him much credit for being any force that made Styx what it is, or was?

[classicstyxfan]

Pieces, you ask many good questions, and I would speculate that everyone here who has a bias against the Newest Styx lineup prbably feels varying degrees of all of the possible motives you have outlined.

Me, as I have said, I think all things considered, Cyclorama, while not the best Styx ever ( or even close ) is not a bad piece of work.

I'd like to address the Larry Gowan issue a little......Mr Gowan plays a mean keyboard, and is probably just about the best keyboard player they could have brought on in order to carry on. However, his voice is nothing like Dennis voice, and in my opinion, this is why they should steer away from any of Dennis DeYoung's ballads in their shows as much as possible.......I once made the analogy here that Gowan singing Lady or the Best of Times , etc is like the Beatles hiring Bob Dylan in the 70's for a Beatles reunion to sing Pauls parts......it just wouldnt work, regardless of Dylan's genius.....it would change the vocal synergies and textures of the group, and while it might sound OK, it wouldnt sound like the Beatles. I'd rather they concentrate on their newer songs, and TS and JY "classics" if I were to pay my money to see them in 2004.

And regarding when Tommy wasn't in the group, to me, that wasn't Styx either....still good mind you, I liked a few of the Burtnik songs very much,
but I couldn't bring myself to even buy the CD until several years after it was released, and even then, I bought it used.

I do wish JY would let go of the trash talk, a few kind words about the golden years of Styx out of his mouth...the Styx Dennis WAS a part of would go a long way towards re-gaining some of the respect he seemingly has lost from a decent sized portion of the fan base......too much pride or Jealousy ore something going on there that makes me believe it wont happen anytime soon though.

[80sRocker]

It's amazing how you guys can disagree on former singers on this forum without turning it into a big battle. We were able to debate things like this over on the Journey forum until a certain someone got it closed down. Oh well. I guess I'll just move around a little.

As far as this subject goes, I think Dennis DeYoung sounds better on classic Styx music than the new guy. However, because there were two other capable lead vocalists in addition to DDY in Styx, the only time you really notice the deficit is when the new guy is singing one of DDY's ballads. Otherwise, it blends pretty well - and he makes up for it with his stage presence. The spinning keyboard, running around, etc., really adds to the show.

P.S. - Check out my 80's classic rock band website link below if you get a chance. We do three Styx tunes - check out our downloadable mp3 of "Lady" if you want to hear someone who really sounds like DDY. Our singer nails him!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Mystery 80sRocker Person who has a band

Everyone has an opinion to who they like. I personally like listening to Dennis when he was with Styx and his solo tour. As for Larry, I do not care for his voice doing Styx songs, that's my opinion. It does nothing for me. He might be a great guy, I never heard anything bad about him. As for the spinning keyboard and Larry swinging from the pole, to me when I first saw him do it, I thought it was comical for a "rock" concert.

There are times a few of us go back and forth on here, but I think it's a lot better than what was happening on the Journey Forum - yikes

As for your band, not bad. If you ever get to the Wisconsin area, let me know. I have a local access cable show that features bands from the Midwest & National bands. We interview the band and have them perform. Heck, other people are plugging their stuff on these forums, why not me - LOL

There is a Styx tribute band called "Light Up". They are incredible and sound very close to the real Classic Styx band - live. They have a couple of clips that you can listen to, but it's not the same unless you hear it live. Here's there link:

http://www.rhythmmethodmilwaukee.com/lumusic.html

Glen Burtnik called their lead singer to "try out" for Styx before they made their final decision on Larry - a little known fact.

[Ash]

Holy CRAP! That guy sings about a billion times better than Gowan IMHO. When I last saw Styx (took my wife to see REO as she's a big REO fan but not into Styx) we actually bailed on the Styx portion of the show at the beginning of Come Sail Away because the guy sounded so awful.

I liked the way the guy sang... sounds like a "younger" DDY. My only critisism is the music playing sounded a bit robotic (no pun intended) and the guy sounded like he was going through the motions. I guess it just lacked the emotion of DDY actually doing the song - but you can't blame the guy for that.

I'm really impressed tho.

[sadie65]

Suite is right. They are much much better in person. I know, I went to see them. They do a really good job on the songs, and the lead singer does sound 100% better than Gowan. I have nothing whatsoever against Gowan, however to me, he does not sing Dennis' material well at all.

As for that revolving keyboard, well it's cute the first time you see it, but then, ohmygosh, it gets pretty silly looking. But again, that's just me. I'm perfectly happy to let those who like it enjoy, and I'll continue to enjoy Dennis now. Along with my cd's of classic Styx.

Sadie