MR

Why is it fans of Styx & Journey care sooooo about 'their' bands, and its individual members??? Maybe I am TOTALLY off base on this, but the fans of these two bands( Styx & Journey) seem waaayy more passionate than the fans of other rock and roll bands. Hell, when Journey was around here you would swear none of these people(fans posting) held down jobs. The love and opinions sure seem to flow freely regarding these two bands. Why is that?????????

Their music made such an impact. They had so many songs that helped so many through so many things. (how many times can you use 'so many' in a sentence? )
It's frickin' great music song by people who could actually sing. They didn't sing about bad stuff, if you will. Their music is uplifing, sung by great singers, put to great music and it tells a story about what means the most to us. Those two groups, especially Dennis' Styx songs really hit the nail on the head. Dennis songs told such a story about things we could relate to.
There is such passion in Dennis' words and Steve's voice, that it's hard to not be passionate about them. Their songs hit the core of our souls and heart in every way. You put that to great music and voices and it just cannot be helped.
I also believe that more passion came once Dennis and Steve were gone because of who they are, what they represent and how they sing.
Maybe Styx and Journey fans are just more vocal about their opinions so it seems that they are more passionate- J/K!
and........, who hasn't made out to a Styx or Journey ballad?!
Who hasn't had a song from one of them help them out at one time or another through a bad spot, or a good one.
For ME, uplifting, great singer, great music, impacting, timeline, story telling, etc... are the words that come to mind.

Following bands religiously is something only teenagers do. It is something that we as adults (I'm making a supposition here) should be well over. Music is simply an industry like any other unremarkable when you really look at the nuts and bolts of it. Cold, hard, uncaring....That is what a logical person would say.

But for most people, the connection with music involves so much more. There is an emotional investment here. The milestones of our teenage lives, can be measured by album release dates. For many people Styx and Journey were there during their coming of age. The imprint made by that music is as indelible as those artists who made it. Changing the ingredients and still calling it "Styx" or "Journey" simply won't fly with ardent fans.

Does this make sense? The logical mind would most likely say no. But this is a matter of the heart, not the head.

Scott

Changing the ingredients and still calling it "Styx" or "Journey" simply won't fly with ardent fans.

Does this make sense? The logical mind would most likely say no. But this is a matter of the heart, not the head.

Scott, you touched upon this perfectly. I really could not add much to your post in that regard.

When music, sung or played a certain way by a certain person or persons, touches you, there is nothing quite like it. It goes to the heart and stays there.

I feel Styx with Dennis DeYoung was very special because he was gifted with a unique voice. Irreplaceable.
He stays very special because he still has this gift and he is giving it back to us again.

I miss Steve Perry for this very reason and wish he could find a forum to sing for us again.

Imitation is imitation. I want the real thing. It is what brought me to the music in the first place.


Bugsy

There's not much a person can add after two great posts like that. I think what attracted me the most to Styx was that they had two such talented vocalists (Tommy and Dennis). I can think of very few bands that have such a gifted pair. While they both have their own distinctive sound, I consider them equals in terms of vocal talent (my opinion).

Tommy's pipes are awesome ! He and Dennis blend vocally equal to or better than any pair of vocalists I have ever heard.......I rail on Gowan , even though he can sing, his voice doesnt blend with Tommy's nearly as well......and the Vocals as much as anything are what distinguish Classic Stys from the crowd of other bands.

Good question Yogi.

I grew up with Styx since I was 7 and supported them as a group until July 1999. I agree with Scott (well said), I personally have an emotional investment with their music. Every time I hear "Lady" it brings me back to grade school and the fun times I had. Same with the song "Come Sail Away", I played it all the time and feel very happy. I remember dancing to the song "Babe" at my Freshman dance and how happy I felt to be at my first high school dance, especially with an older boy I remember when we first had cable and MTV, it was SO exciting to see my favorite band on tv!! Styx had 2 great singers and the band harmonized so well together on their albums and in concert. To me Carrot Styx doesn't have that. I saw them perform in July 1999 and it was gone, all gone.

I enjoy Dennis' solo songs and his live concerts. His music & lyrics mean a lot to me. I will always miss the Classic Styx, but I know it will never be. I'm glad Dennis has moved on......

As for Journey, I always liked their music too. When Steve P. left the band or didn't come back or whatever really happened, it didn't bother me as much. I never met Journey as I did with Styx so I guess I didn't feel as close to them.

Steve Perry had/has a LOT of offers (& a lot of money) to perform. There were quite a few offers from fellow musicians and groups to have him tour and perform with them. It's his decision not to.