I just love how reporters look up their information
Popular festival opener has local tie
Styx bass player hails from Mount Pleasant.
By BOB SAAR
for The Hawk Eye
Styx kicks off the 2006 Burlington Steamboat Days waterfront music at 8 p.m. tonight.
One of the most popular arena rock bands in history, Styx is a lock for pleasing the Steamboat crowd. Thirty years and 28 albums have littered the band's history with so many hits that it's unlikely they'll play anything unfamiliar — or unpopular.
The band's only No. 1 single in the U.S. was 1979's "Babe," but top–10 songs like "Come Sail Away," "Lady," "Too Much Time On My Hands" and "The Best of Times" will have the crowd on its feet most of the night.
The best of dancing times will be down in the VIP pit, but if you don't already have a VIP pass, you're out of luck — they sold out weeks ago.
Styx formed in the Chicago area in 1961 as "The Tradewinds." The line–up included brothers Chuck and John Panozzo on guitar and drums, and vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. Chuck switched to bass and the band added guitarists/vocalists James "J.Y." Young and John Curulewski.
When they signed with Wooden Nickel Records, a name change was required and Styx was "the only one that none of us hated," according to DeYoung.
DeYoung favored a theatrical theme while Shaw wanted to mine a harder rock vein, and DeYoung left the band falsely accused of including backwards satanic messages on 1981's album "Kilroy Was Here."
DeYoung still tours with the band, fleshed out with almost–original guitarist Tommy Shaw, drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan and occasional appearances by Chuck Panozzo.
The newest member is bassist Ricky Phillips of Mount Pleasant.
Phillips, of Bad English fame, loves to play on his home turf.
"I'm looking forward to Steamboat Days," Phillips said. "I always enjoy performing in Iowa. The people are genuine and love to have a good time."
His grandmother, Mada Cochrane, "a huge Elvis fan," spent her life in Burlington.
"I wish she could be there," Phillips said, "but my great uncle Bob McClure and his posse will be."
McClure, who lives in Mount Pleasant, is 83 and this will be his first rock concert.
Sigma opens the evening on the south stage. The Burlington rock trio features drummer Jake Degen, with guitarist Ryan Runyon and bassist Jason Scott doing the singing.
The south stage party continues post–Styx with Oquawka, Ill., band Money Shot, with Troy "Shrewd Dawg" Cameron on lead guitar, Mike "Low D" Thacker on bass, "Super–Dan" Ford on rhythm guitar, Jason "OH" Bradley on drums and backup on vocals.
Expect a pleasant, mayfly–free evening.
http://www.thehawkeye.com/daily/stories/ln3_0613.html
-ERIC