A bit of speculation....

[AnnieOprah]

Is it just me or does it feel like Tommy is much less enthusiastic about Styx these days?

I remember the almost daily notes summing up every stop on the tour and how great it was to be playing live and how great the band sounded and how pumped the fans were. His notes were filled with promise..."we've just started....we've only begun the first chapter...many more adventures on this journey" etc. etc. Now, he is eerily silent. Yes, a note or two now and then, but for the most part...radio silence. What gives?

So to speculate...

Is he burned out?

Is he tired of JY?

Is he tired of playing the same 16 songs to the same 1500 people or so every night?

Is he ready to move on and do something else?

Why has it been so quiet in Tommyland?

[StyxCollector]

Is it just me or does it feel like Tommy is much less enthusiastic about Styx these days?

I tend to agree. I think his being thrust into the spotlight has made him appreciate what DDY did. I'm not saying it means DDY will or should be back in Styx per se, but I think since 1999 Styx has become 'less fun' for Tommy. As much as I hate to admit it, and I know I don't like some of those songs, I'll bet that Shaw/Blades cover album Tommy will sound like TS is having a good time.

Is he burned out?

Maybe

Is he tired of JY?

If it's anything more than a business arrangement at this point, I'd be surprised. All of these guys have 30+ years of history.

Is he tired of playing the same 16 songs to the same 1500 people or so every night?

TS loves to perform, so I don't think that's it. He'll be playing "Renegade" at every concert he's in 'til he stops.

Is he ready to move on and do something else?

Styx is his cash cow now until something else comes along. Not sure what else he would do which would give him the steady income. DY ain't it. S/B isn't it. Solo definitely not.

Why has it been so quiet in Tommyland?

I think Tommy just realized it's easier to shut up than say things over and over which may come back and haunt you.

I'll say it again: I can see TS and DDY burying the hatchet at some point. At that point JY will be in a quandry. He may even own the Styx name now for all I know, but he can't tour as Styx without those two and even play the venues he is now.

[Jodes]

Ever think that maybe his computer died? There's been a few times when that's happened..

OR

He was communicating on Myspace more and more up until early August. Then his page went down. He might have just got burned out by the masses of people wanting to communicate with him. Or he could have been hacked or threatened via myspace (It happened to me) and he just went off line completely.

His postings on myspace were very positive and pretty cool actually.

OR

He went on vacation during Styx's break and decided to unwind instead of email

OR

He's in super secret negotiations with Chuck, Glen and Dennis to get their version of "Styx" on the road so that there will be two versions of Styx on the road so he can double his cash flow coming in!


And the last one, which If I were married to her I'd have to listen to is..

Jeanne told Tommy "It's the computer or me"


Honestly though, I'm not concerned, There's been dry spells before 99, after 99 and so there's one right now.. big deal.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Actually Tommy and Jack Blades are rehearsing together for their small intimate tour for next Winter/Spring. Kicks off in December with their songs from their new "cover" cd. IMO

As for My Space, he's either tweaking it or had some problems like a few other musicians recently had. IMO

As for his "Hello Friends" letters, how many times can he say that it was a great show wherever they played at, same old crap. I'm just waiting for the new CYO dvd and regarding the new cd letter, which I would guess would be this week. IMO

Tommy looks out for Tommy. I'll put any money that he and Dennis will be sharing the stage, of course I'm not going to make a silly prediction and say 2007 - LOL Reading back on my old posts I said it in 2004, 2005 and 2006 - LOL IMO

As for Tommy and JY, they were never really "friends", Styx became a "business" back in the 1970's, friendships were broken. IMO

These are just IMO, I know nothing !!!

[I Stumble In]

I agree that he seems to be bored. But, with a new album scheduled for next year - you know that they will tour next summer to promote it. After that - well it will depend on album sales. If the rest of the album is like the 3 that they have already played - well - I am not looking forward to it. I LOVE Cyclorama - and even can appreciate some stuff on BNW - but I am very unimpressed with the 3 songs that I have heard so far. If the album really tanks - I see the band taking time off the road - and I see Tommy doing something else. Whether it's with Uncle Ted and the boys - or maybe something else - who knows. I can honestly see the endless touring coming to an end at the end of 2007.

How's this for speculation (and to get the people in the VH board rattled) - how about Tommy joining Van Halen in 2007? LOL

[yogi]

I see Tommy and Styx's next CD consisting of nothing but different versions of Blue Collar Man.

You have got to give the people what they want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NealIsGod]

I see Tommy and Styx's next CD consisting of nothing but different versions of Blue Collar Man.

You have got to give the people what they want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Version one: I'm gonna be a blue COLLAR man...

Version two: I'm gonna be a BLUE collar man

Version three: I'm gonna be a blue collar MAN...

[froy]

I see Tommy and Styx's next CD consisting of nothing but different versions of Blue Collar Man.

You have got to give the people what they want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your correct and that means goodbye to Gowan,

[styxfanNH]

Actually Tommy and Jack Blades are rehearsing together for their small intimate tour for next Winter/Spring. Kicks off in December with their songs from their new "cover" cd. IMO

As for My Space, he's either tweaking it or had some problems like a few other musicians recently had. IMO

As for his "Hello Friends" letters, how many times can he say that it was a great show wherever they played at, same old crap. I'm just waiting for the new CYO dvd and regarding the new cd letter, which I would guess would be this week. IMO

Tommy looks out for Tommy. I'll put any money that he and Dennis will be sharing the stage, of course I'm not going to make a silly prediction and say 2007 - LOL Reading back on my old posts I said it in 2004, 2005 and 2006 - LOL IMO

As for Tommy and JY, they were never really "friends", Styx became a "business" back in the 1970's, friendships were broken. IMO

These are just IMO, I know nothing !!!

Thank you Sgt. Schultz

[Rockwriter]

Actually Tommy and Jack Blades are rehearsing together for their small intimate tour for next Winter/Spring. Kicks off in December with their songs from their new "cover" cd. IMO

As for My Space, he's either tweaking it or had some problems like a few other musicians recently had. IMO

As for his "Hello Friends" letters, how many times can he say that it was a great show wherever they played at, same old crap. I'm just waiting for the new CYO dvd and regarding the new cd letter, which I would guess would be this week. IMO

Tommy looks out for Tommy. I'll put any money that he and Dennis will be sharing the stage, of course I'm not going to make a silly prediction and say 2007 - LOL Reading back on my old posts I said it in 2004, 2005 and 2006 - LOL IMO

As for Tommy and JY, they were never really "friends", Styx became a "business" back in the 1970's, friendships were broken. IMO

These are just IMO, I know nothing !!!

Someone pointed out to me that when Tommy is silent, there is a problem, and I tend to agree. Remember how quiet he got when everything went down in 1999? And let's not forget, Tommy used to do all the interviews, etc. for the band, which he has not done now for years. After 1999 and the online wars happened, Tommy withdrew from both the fans and the media, avoiding most interviews, skipping meet and greets, etc. He has warmed back up a little, but not much. I hate to see that happen, because back in 1993 when I met him, I thought he was the best I had ever seen at dealing with fans and especially media. He's a THOUSAND times better at it than JY as far as putting the band's best foot forward in public. I really think him leaving all that to JY has been a massive mistake. Having said all that, he's got his valid reasons.

Good point you made, that Tommy looks out for Tommy. He will do whatever is best for him in the end. You can't fault him for that. What else SHOULD he do? I will say this, that virtually everyone who has ever dealt with Styx, and virtually everyone on the inside of Styx that I know, believes that a Tommy/Dennis reunion will happen, with or without JY. As much baggage as Dennis and Tommy have, Tommy and JY have massive baggage as well, and they have managed to set it aside. The truth is, Tommy and Dennis are tied together permanently in the perception of the public, and as it always has, that will more than likely wind up pushing them back together. The other truth is, Tommy's not a born leader and he is probably pretty weary of having to be in the driver's seat in the band. He's a more naturally passive person. Now that he's had a taste of what it's like to really lead - with all the petty resentments that used to be directed at Dennis as a result of the decision-making process now directed at HIM instead, as they are - I bet he has a new appreciation for Dennis' leadership abilities and how Dennis was able to take that heat for decades.

I hope all is well.

Sterling

[whocares]

I have to agree that Tommy is/was VERY fan friendly, judging by the time I met him, in the pouring rain, getting into his limo after playing for a Radio station crowd at lunchtime. he didn't have to get soaked in the rain for a fan, but he did. And took the time to talk to me as a person, not just some guy who was looking for his autograph. I've said it time & time again, that he's one fo the nicest people I've met, nevermind adding the Celebrity part to the mix.

I See Styx as nothing but a business anymore, and Shaw/Blades as side projects to have fun on. Those two are great together, no matter what they do, but they always do waht they want and like, and it turns out great most of the time. The first S/B CD was great, still is after all these years. Far as I'm concerned, not a bad song on it. I can't say the same for Styx CD's.

[bugsymalone]

JY's PUBLIC pronouncements have been so filled with vitriol, I cannot imagine what things must be like privately. Just my take on it. Just like Suite Sgt. Schultz, I know nothing.

[X factor]

It seems to me, in regard to the Tommy/Dennis reunion, that this HAS to be the endgame for these guys. To me, it's the only thing that will ever elevate STYX (version whatever it is now) to relevancy of any kind and off the Casino circuit.
SIDENOTE- I'm NOT condemning this version of the band- I've seen them 4 times and loved it each time, but I think, vitrioalic (sp?) words aside, this is ultimately what will go down (I also think the same thing about Perry and Journey, but they slaughtered me the one time I brought it up on that board!)

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Thank you Sgt. Schultz

LOL!!! That was cute!

I know nothing, I just love to speculate!!! LOL

I had to change my avatar anyway - LOL

[SuiteMadameBlue]

It seems to me, in regard to the Tommy/Dennis reunion, that this HAS to be the endgame for these guys. To me, it's the only thing that will ever elevate STYX (version whatever it is now) to relevancy of any kind and off the Casino circuit.
SIDENOTE- I'm NOT condemning this version of the band- I've seen them 4 times and loved it each time, but I think, vitrioalic (sp?) words aside, this is ultimately what will go down (I also think the same thing about Perry and Journey, but they slaughtered me the one time I brought it up on that board!)

And you're going to be slaughtered here - LOL Just kidding!

It's hard for any of these "older" bands to get off of the casino, fair, airport, toad fest, free festival circuit, until they can get radio airplay, a miracle hit song or more younger generations coming to the concerts. IMO

[gr8dane]

Thank you Sgt. Schultz

LOL!!! That was cute!

I know nothing, I just love to speculate!!! LOL

I had to change my avatar anyway - LOL

If you dont mind,,,,can I call Suite Sgt. Schultzie.

[X factor]

toad fest???

[sadie65]

toad fest???

That's Toad Suck Days...thankyouverymuch

[SuiteMadameBlue]

If you dont mind,,,,can I call Suite Sgt. Schultzie.

LOL, that's cute!!

And again, I know nothing - LOL

[SuiteMadameBlue]

toad fest???

That's Toad Suck Days...thankyouverymuch

I'd love to go down there to that festival, sounds like a fun time, for real.

Here is the link:

http://www.toadsuck.org/index.asp

[Rockwriter]

toad fest???

That's Toad Suck Days...thankyouverymuch

Somewhat bizarrely, I saw Dennis at Toad Suck Daze a couple of years ago. My expectations were quite low, frankly, because it was in this wacky little town, Conway, Arkansas, and the venue was a tiny little bandshell in the square with a train track running right behind it (and in fact, a train actually roared through during "Castle Walls"). The local paper had a banner headline with a picture of Dennis that said (I'm not making this up) "Toadally Awesome!" LOL.

Boy, was I wrong. This event is pretty much THE event in town for the entire year, and it looked like everyone living there was at this thing. It must have been twenty thousand people, and man were they digging it. They don't get every show that comes around like we do in Nashville, where we are quite jaded, and it was a completely different vibe. And that just happened to be the night that Dennis gave the best vocal performance I have ever seen from him. Probably one of the small handful of best concerts I have ever attended.

I hope all is well.

Sterling

[Blue Falcon]

Is it just me or does it feel like Tommy is much less enthusiastic about Styx these days?

I remember the almost daily notes summing up every stop on the tour and how great it was to be playing live and how great the band sounded and how pumped the fans were. His notes were filled with promise..."we've just started....we've only begun the first chapter...many more adventures on this journey" etc. etc. Now, he is eerily silent. Yes, a note or two now and then, but for the most part...radio silence. What gives?

So to speculate...

Is he burned out?

Is he tired of JY?

Is he tired of playing the same 16 songs to the same 1500 people or so every night?

Is he ready to move on and do something else?

Why has it been so quiet in Tommyland?

I think it's just that Tommy has grown tired of repeating the same lie over and over. How could he say "we've only begun the first chapter" when everyone knows he and JY are full of shiite...it's more like Chapter 30. The fact that they (mostly JY) have been trying to reinvent the band pi$$es off the old-time fans.

DDY may have been a bombastic goofball, but they were a better band with him in it...prior to Kilroy, that is.

Tommy should heed the lyrics to his song FOOLING YOURSELF.

[Blue Falcon]

Also, JY is like the commies who ran the USSR. They would routinely "write out" people who had ticked them off from history books, etc. Stalin even had a picture of Trotsky removed from a group photo after they had a falling out...wonder if JY will do the same whenever Styx gets around to re-releasing their classic CDs.

Can you imagine buying PO8 and realizing that DDY's face has been Photoshopped out? Or the liner credits reading: "That Other Guy: Vocals and Keyboards." Of course, not too many people would complain if JY did that to Kilroy, but I digress....(This isn't too far-fetched: Ozzy re-released his first two albums recently and had the bass and drums completely re-done by his new bandmates...simply because his witch wife hated the original musicians and didn't want them to get any royalty $$$)

Like I said in my last post, JY is insulting the intelligence of fans when he says a bunch of long-in-the-tooth rockers in their mid-50s are the best version of their band EVER!

Fooling Yourself, indeed.

[gr8dane]

Also, JY is like the commies who ran the USSR. They would routinely "write out" people who had ticked them off from history books, etc. Stalin even had a picture of Trotsky removed from a group photo after they had a falling out...wonder if JY will do the same whenever Styx gets around to re-releasing their classic CDs.

Can you imagine buying PO8 and realizing that DDY's face has been Photoshopped out? Or the liner credits reading: "That Other Guy: Vocals and Keyboards." Of course, not too many people would complain if JY did that to Kilroy, but I digress....(This isn't too far-fetched: Ozzy re-released his first two albums recently and had the bass and drums completely re-done by his new bandmates...simply because his witch wife hated the original musicians and didn't want them to get any royalty $$$)

Like I said in my last post, JY is insulting the intelligence of fans when he says a bunch of long-in-the-tooth rockers in their mid-50s are the best version of their band EVER!

Fooling Yourself, indeed.

Fascinating.

[shaka]

Also, JY is like the commies who ran the USSR. They would routinely "write out" people who had ticked them off from history books, etc. Stalin even had a picture of Trotsky removed from a group photo after they had a falling out...wonder if JY will do the same whenever Styx gets around to re-releasing their classic CDs.

Can you imagine buying PO8 and realizing that DDY's face has been Photoshopped out? Or the liner credits reading: "That Other Guy: Vocals and Keyboards." Of course, not too many people would complain if JY did that to Kilroy, but I digress....(This isn't too far-fetched: Ozzy re-released his first two albums recently and had the bass and drums completely re-done by his new bandmates...simply because his witch wife hated the original musicians and didn't want them to get any royalty $$$)

Like I said in my last post, JY is insulting the intelligence of fans when he says a bunch of long-in-the-tooth rockers in their mid-50s are the best version of their band EVER!

Fooling Yourself, indeed.

Fascinating.

Or borderline retarded.

[Blue Falcon]

Also, JY is like the commies who ran the USSR. They would routinely "write out" people who had ticked them off from history books, etc. Stalin even had a picture of Trotsky removed from a group photo after they had a falling out...wonder if JY will do the same whenever Styx gets around to re-releasing their classic CDs.

Can you imagine buying PO8 and realizing that DDY's face has been Photoshopped out? Or the liner credits reading: "That Other Guy: Vocals and Keyboards." Of course, not too many people would complain if JY did that to Kilroy, but I digress....(This isn't too far-fetched: Ozzy re-released his first two albums recently and had the bass and drums completely re-done by his new bandmates...simply because his witch wife hated the original musicians and didn't want them to get any royalty $$$)

Like I said in my last post, JY is insulting the intelligence of fans when he says a bunch of long-in-the-tooth rockers in their mid-50s are the best version of their band EVER!

Fooling Yourself, indeed.

Fascinating.

Or borderline retarded.

Not sure why you would consider my post retarded, when Styx is clearly moving in that direction now. One of the reasons that Stynx hasn't remastered their back catalog like every other band in the world has is because JY doesn't want "That Other Guy" getting any royalty $$$.

Maybe what I said sounds extreme, but it would be freakin' hilarious if JY did that, and erased all of That Other Guy's vocals/keyboards and replaced them, and Photoshopped out his photo and put Gowan in instead, hoping to fool people into believing that Gowan was in the band all along.

[Jodes]

This was posted on the Styxworld BB:

Does anyone know why there has been so little input/feedback from the band into the website in recent months??

Yesterday before the Indy show, we had the opportunity to talk to Larry. We asked him why it was that he had been posting more notes to his website than Tommy has been posting here. He said that Tommy has been the one doing all of the work on the CYO DVD which is due out in November. Between that, writing for the new CD and the shows, he's just not had time to "play" here. I don't see why he couldn't take 5 minutes to put together a note for the website. Then again, if it was a short note, we'd all probably be complaining that it's too short! He just can't win!


Oh Blue Falcon, as for JY trying to screw DDY out of royalties, let's not forget what DDY did in the early 90's which basically rewrote the royalty payments so that only songwriters got royalites.. shutting the other two "co-founders" of Styx out of a LOT of money. Yes they would still split tour revenue 5 ways, but when you only tour once in 7 years that severly limits your income and any further income.


Just goes to show that money is the root of all evil..

[AnnieOprah]

This was posted on the Styxworld BB:

Does anyone know why there has been so little input/feedback from the band into the website in recent months??

Yesterday before the Indy show, we had the opportunity to talk to Larry. We asked him why it was that he had been posting more notes to his website than Tommy has been posting here. He said that Tommy has been the one doing all of the work on the CYO DVD which is due out in November. Between that, writing for the new CD and the shows, he's just not had time to "play" here. I don't see why he couldn't take 5 minutes to put together a note for the website. Then again, if it was a short note, we'd all probably be complaining that it's too short! He just can't win!


Oh Blue Falcon, as for JY trying to screw DDY out of royalties, let's not forget what DDY did in the early 90's which basically rewrote the royalty payments so that only songwriters got royalites.. shutting the other two "co-founders" of Styx out of a LOT of money. Yes they would still split tour revenue 5 ways, but when you only tour once in 7 years that severly limits your income and any further income.


Just goes to show that money is the root of all evil..

Sounds fair to me. One could argue that the other two co founders of Styx spent a lot of years riding on some pretty big coat-tails for very little contribution.

[Jodes]

I guess we will have to agree to disagree.. both Panozzo's had a MAJOR role in Styx.. No riding of coatails there!

[sadie65]

I think the Panozzo's did indeed have a great deal to do with the success of Styx, however I also cannot fault Dennis for asserting his rights to changing the royalty split. It was a business decision. I wonder what any of us would decide being in their stead.

Peace