Dear Glen about DDY Show

[styxfanNH]

Hey Glen!

Glad to see your Xmas Xtravaganza went well. You probably won't see this until after the fact, but Happy Holidays to you and yours. We miss you out here on the west coast.

Dennis DeYoung has listed 2 shows at his website which will include you: April 20 & 21 in Morristown and Atlantic City, NJ.

"Singer, songwriter, guitarist and New Jersey native GLEN BURTNIK will join Dennis on tour for the first time since 1991. Together they will perform songs they wrote from the EDGE OF THE CENTURY album including ALL IN A DAY'S WORK plus Lost Treasures from the never released 1992 Styx recordings and a few more surprises. "

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that this comes as a surprise to many of us. And I don't particularly mean that in a bad way. I just mean, like ... Wow, Dude!

::: insert big wide eyed emoticon :::

Are there any thoughts about the decision making that went into this combination that you would like to share with us? The opportunity to do those "lost album" songs must be intriguing.

Fran

----------------------
Hi Fran,

Thanks for writing. Nice to hear from the left coast. Give my regards to the Pacific Ocean.

Yes, the Xmas Xtravaganza went well. Lotsa kids, lotsa talent, lotsa contributions from the audience, lotsa good will, and lotsa spirit. Lotsa work, but worth it. Sadly, I lost my favorite coat in the process, but life ain’t about the material stuff and instead I could be out on the street in the cold, or deadly sick in some hospital, or hungry in some faraway place, or so broken hearted I couldn’t bear to live another day, so I consider myself one lucky mother ‘you-know-what-er’ with a glass that’s more than half full.

Yeah, I heard about those shows Dennis DeYoung listed on his website, and I better keep those dates open! As for having any thoughts – my mind is usually too cluttered and confused to actually have clear thoughts, per se. But here’s what I can tell you about the “decision making”: Tim Orchard called me, seemed like a very nice guy, asked if I ‘d like to do a little at this show with Dennis and I said yes. Dennis certainly doesn’t need any help from ME, but I do look forward to performing with Dennis on these shows.

Music is a beautiful thing. There’s a lot of other crap that can distract people from what’s important. I think you're always better off focusing on things that lift the spirit and taking the opportunities to do positive things (like making music) whenever they're offered.

I wish you, and everyone reading this, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Ramadan, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy Tim Hardin’s Birthday,

Glen Burtnik Dec 23, 2005

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Glen, PLEASE keep those dates open on your calendar - LOL

Thanks for posting StyxfanNH!!

[froy]

Music is a beautiful thing. There’s a lot of other crap that can distract people from what’s important. I think you're always better off focusing on things that lift the spirit and taking the opportunities to do positive things (like making music) whenever they're offered.

Now I know why Glen left Styx the second go around
He's a guy who does not know the words spite or revenge.
Maybe someday the two others will learn to act like Glen,
Maybe not who knows

[Adam]

"Now I know why Glen left Styx the second go around"

Oh? Please tell us.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Adam wrote:
Oh? Please tell us.

Hey Adam's back again!!! Froy I hope you post more so we can here from Adam!!

Seriously, I am glad that you posted the teaser about Glen and Dennis together!!

[froy]

"Now I know why Glen left Styx the second go around"

Oh? Please tell us.

I already did learn to read.

[Adam]

"I already did learn to read"

I'm sure you did.

Gosh Froy, I WISH I could overlook your passionate but illogical statements, but you make it just about im-freakin-possible to do so!

"He's a guy who does not know the words spite or revenge" is a statement about character and personality. However, in no way does a comment like that explain an incentive to leave a band.

What? Like Glen suddenly decided to quit Styx because 'he does not know the words spite or revenge'? "Hey!", said Glen backstage one day, "I'm not spiteful nor revengeful...I quit!"

Honestly Froy, I'm trying. I've resisted the urge to call you on stuff a number of times recently. I'll even bet you're a well intentioned guy, you shower daily, maybe you even come off sort of pleasant in the 'real' world...but almost every single one of your posts just make you look...um...I can't even conjure up the best word...someone help me!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Adam wrote:

but almost every single one of your posts just make you look...um...I can't even conjure up the best word...someone help me!

A wonderful guy!! (nobody reads my posts anyway) LOL

He's very different in person, than what he posts on here - LOL

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Adam says:

"I already did learn to read"

I'm sure you did.

Gosh Froy, I WISH I could overlook your passionate but illogical statements, but you make it just about im-freakin-possible to do so!

"He's a guy who does not know the words spite or revenge" is a statement about character and personality. However, in no way does a comment like that explain an incentive to leave a band.

What? Like Glen suddenly decided to quit Styx because 'he does not know the words spite or revenge'? "Hey!", said Glen backstage one day, "I'm not spiteful nor revengeful...I quit!"

Honestly Froy, I'm trying. I've resisted the urge to call you on stuff a number of times recently. I'll even bet you're a well intentioned guy, you shower daily, maybe you even come off sort of pleasant in the 'real' world...but almost every single one of your posts just make you look...um...I can't even conjure up the best word...someone help me!

Adam!!! Stop editing your posts so many times!!! It just keeps getting funnier!! LOL

Froy showers daily, but it's usually not until the afternoon - LOL

[Monker]

Froy showers daily, but it's usually not until the afternoon - LOL[/color]

You're correct...he showers after he's finished with me.

[LordofDaRing]

Read his website: Glen feels that there are more ways to promote this band than to tour every day of the year, he would like to contribute more (song writing, singing, etc) but JY and Tommy Shaw control all of the decisions of this group...i.e. folks this ain't no democracy...wasn't that what they accused DDY of. If they were smart, they would realize that Glen Burtnik is a much more talented singer, producer, song writer, guitarist and stage performer than JY will ever be. Glen Burtnik should have and could have been number 2 dog in this band. He was on Edge and I really don't think the album suffered because of it, on the contrary I prefer that album over BNW, Kilroy and Cyclo. The tour that never happened with Glen, Tommy, and Dennis would have been awesome. My only regret is that Nawlins and Jursey are just to far apart for a road trip. My wife would shoot me.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Here's another "Dear Glen". This one's pretty familiar



Hey Glen!

I cannot tell you how tremendously excited I am regarding you joining Dennis DeYoung on stage during his two shows in New Jersey. I remember seeing you on stage with Styx in Columbia, MD back during the Edge tour and really being sold on you being in what at the time was my favorite rock and roll band. (Styx still is in many ways - despite the drama of the past few years).

I'm flying from my home in Nashville... leaving the wife and kids home and coming out to see you and Dennis play in Morristown and in Atlantic City.

It's no secret that there has been some past tension between fans of the new Styx and fans of the old Styx. Since many fans associate you with the "New" styx (the Non-Dennis Styx), can you tell us how it came to be that you and Dennis will share a stage again after everything that has been said and done? Have you and Dennis resolved any differences between yourselves?

I look forward to seeing you in Morristown. Have a great holiday season.

Thanks;

Michael

---------------------------------

Hi Michael,

I’m always happy to hear anyone is ever excited about anything I’ve ever had anything to do with, so thanks for your enthusiasm.

As far as my upcoming appearance with Dennis DeYoung, I'm mightily impressed to hear you’ll be making a special trip to catch this show – but I shouldn’t be, since I’ve seen Styx fans fly just about ANYWHERE to see shows.

You mention tension. Tension? What tension?

Now, I believe I may hold the dubious distinction of being reviled, respected, admired, adopted, disowned, respected and rejected at least twice by all fan “camps” in this little soap opera. It’s amusing from my perspective, really. (For instance, I wonder if the Tommy fans that hated me in 1991 but came to accept me in 1999, will return to their initial position? …And God only knows what I should expect from Dennis’ fans!)

As much as I’d enjoyed my two different stints with the band in it’s vastly different incarnations, I’m honored that Dennis so graciously invited me (once again) to his party. I honestly have no idea what recipe or dish I’ll be bringing to this party (maybe just a nice Riesling?), but I’m looking forward to giving him and his audience the best I can of what’s asked of me.

Perhaps I’ve carelessly and over zealously shot my mouth off in the past when I’d have been wiser to give the situation more thought. Guess what? No one’s perfect. And I mean no one.

Still, I’m as shocked as anyone that I continue to play some small part in the story of Styx. Think of it: after these NJ shows I’ll have performed in versions/spin-offs of this multi-platinum Midwestern rock aggregate with three different drummers, at least 5 different lead vocalists, 4 different guitarists and 3 different bassists (counting myself).

But here’s something else: I’ll never stop being amazed at how time changes perception. By ’92 I felt disappointed that Edge Of The Century – and my contribution to the band in that era - seemed so much less successful than the previous few Styx albums. But just as I’ve witnessed copies of my flop debut solo albums commanding well over 200 bucks each on eBay, so I’ve heard accolades in retrospect of ‘Edge’ - an album that barely reached platinum and hardly made a dent when it was new.

Me? I suppose some could call me a journeyman, but I consider myself a working musician, whose had the pleasure – the blessing - of making music with many talented, successful artists, and still enjoys performing solo in small bistros, playing cover songs and even weddings with as much enthusiasm as I get from hearing a song of mine on a country radio station, catching myself on national TV, or working alongside formidable artists as varied as Bruce Springsteen, Phoebe Snow, Jan Hammer, Patti Smith, Marshall Crenshaw, Celine Dion and Dennis DeYoung. I think I’m a lucky so of a gun. But I’m also a hard working guy who’s as comfortable making solo albums, singing background vocals, playing bass in a rock band, standing on stage alone singing a capella, backing up another singer as their guitarist, writing songs in a zillion different styles as I am impersonating Paul McCartney.

I just hope my job at these 2 upcoming performances are worthy of your trouble coming to catch them! (enter performance anxiety…)

All my best,
Glen B

[bugsymalone]

And God only knows what I should expect from Dennis’ fans!

Some of us are excited about the music that will be made. That is pretty much it.

As much as I’d enjoyed my two different stints with the band in it’s vastly different incarnations

Actually this band was pretty much stable for the majority of it's life.

so I’ve heard accolades in retrospect of ‘Edge’ - an album that barely reached platinum and hardly made a dent when it was new.

This is the first I have heard/read that this album went platinum. Interesting... One song from it did make a BIG impression at the time.

I just hope my job at these 2 upcoming performances are worthy of your trouble coming to catch them! (enter performance anxiety…)

I look forward to it!

Bugsy

[ChicagoSTYX]

It’s interesting to read Glens take on this.

[Adam]

Bugsy: Actually this band was pretty much stable for the majority of it's life.

Adam: Huh? About once every decade there’s been a major change in the band. Not only in the JC/Tommy/Glen position, but they’re on their second drummer, second keyboardist, and third bass player!

Now if you’re suggesting the “classic” lineup to have been a long-lived “stable” band, I’d like to point out that 1976 to 1983 is only 7 years – about the same amount of time the current lineup has existed.

[Zan]

Now if you’re suggesting the “classic” lineup to have been a long-lived “stable” band, I’d like to point out that 1976 to 1983 is only 7 years – about the same amount of time the current lineup has existed.

Thank you.

[froy]

Now if you’re suggesting the “classic” lineup to have been a long-lived “stable” band, I’d like to point out that 1976 to 1983 is only 7 years – about the same amount of time the current lineup has existed.

[/quote]

Wrong again the current lineup has been together for 2 years.
Remember Glen being replaced by the dude with the hair,

[bugsymalone]

Bugsy: Actually this band was pretty much stable for the majority of it's life.

Adam: Huh? About once every decade there’s been a major change in the band. Not only in the JC/Tommy/Glen position, but they’re on their second drummer, second keyboardist, and third bass player!

Now if you’re suggesting the “classic” lineup to have been a long-lived “stable” band, I’d like to point out that 1976 to 1983 is only 7 years – about the same amount of time the current lineup has existed.

I was thinking in terms of recording and touring. 5 albums with John C. and DDY, JY, John P and Chuck P. 6 albums with only one band member change, Tommy for John C.
Again, a single band member change for 1 album. Back to the Classic lineup with a new drummer for that brief period.
But from 1972 through 1983 with only one band member change --overall that represents pretty much stability to me.

Bugsy

[ChicagoSTYX]

It may have appeared stable from the fans point of view but if you were to talk to the band members I think you will get a different story. Don’t forget, Dennis was also voted out of the band in 79 for a brief time.

[froy]

It may have appeared stable from the fans point of view but if you were to talk to the band members I think you will get a different story. Don’t forget, Dennis was also voted out of the band in 79 for a brief time.

How big of a mistake would that have been.
No Paradise Theater tour and no buckets full of cash.

[STYGIANMAN]

Actually, JY/DDY/JP/CP and JC/TS (replacing JC in 1976) were together way before 1972. That was when they released their 1st record. But they were together in the 60's.

And the lineup of TS/DDY/JY/JP/CP sold 20 million + records and many sold out concerts.
If that lineup ever regrouped (which ain't gonna happen!) then they wouldn't need to tour with Journey and REO to sell out stadiums. They could still do it by themselves.

But, Glen and Todd have won me over.
Gowen is talented, but I just can't handle anyone else singing Dennis' songs. Sorry. To me, Styx is Dennis, Tommy and JY.

[DarrenUK]

Actually, JY/DDY/JP/CP and JC/TS (replacing JC in 1976) were together way before 1972. That was when they released their 1st record. But they were together in the 60's.

And the lineup of TS/DDY/JY/JP/CP sold 20 million + records and many sold out concerts.
If that lineup ever regrouped (which ain't gonna happen!) then they wouldn't need to tour with Journey and REO to sell out stadiums. They could still do it by themselves.

But, Glen and Todd have won me over.
Gowen is talented, but I just can't handle anyone else singing Dennis' songs. Sorry. To me, Styx is Dennis, Tommy and JY.

AND CHUCK....

[Abitaman]

and.......
and........
and......
and....
&......
&.......
&........-ERIC

[Ash]

I'm just glad Glen responded to my message. Good to hear his take and to be honest - it's almost exactly what I thought he would say. Seems like a reasonable man. And reasonable men can admit to their imperfections.

Glen just went up about 5 notches in my book.

[sadie65]

Eh...his comments neither thrilled nor disappointed me. I believe he had his reasons for his comments then and now...as does just about everybody on the planet. People get stuck in the past, and sometimes they move forward, and sometimes they let go. Whatever the situation here...both men have agreed to the shows. Which is about all I want to read into the situation.

For those going, enjoy the show(s).

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Ash wrote:

I'm just glad Glen responded to my message. Good to hear his take and to be honest - it's almost exactly what I thought he would say. Seems like a reasonable man. And reasonable men can admit to their imperfections.
Glen just went up about 5 notches in my book.

I'm glad he responded too!! Even though years ago he said some unkind words about Dennis, I still thought it was nice that he answered my letter to him regarding those songs that he wrote. He took the time out to answer my question and to me, seemed very honest about it!! That's why I don't talk bad about him. Or I don't think I did - LOL I can't remember!! LOL

That's another reason I'm warming up to Tommy a little more. I think JY will start getting more positive with upcoming interviews, just a hunch.

[STYGIANMAN]

Right! And Chuck...How could I forget Chucky??

[SuiteMadameBlue]

STYGIANMAN wrote:

To me, Styx is Dennis, Tommy and JY
Right! And Chuck...How could I forget Chucky??

So this is Styx to you? (I'm working on my pictures tonight -LOL)

[Abitaman]

That is Styx to me! Anyway 1995 to 1997 -ERIC