Styx Biography Set For December Release

[Rockwriter]

Styx Biography Set For December Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2006


Nashville-based music journalist Sterling Whitaker has announced the upcoming release of his second book, The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx. The self-published book is set for publication December 12, 2006 and will be available through Amazon.com, as well as the book’s own website at www.thegranddelusion.com. It is the first-ever biography of the superstar rock group Styx. “This is one of the most beloved groups of its generation,” Whitaker said. “It’s about time the story is told properly.”
Culled from the author’s exclusive interviews with many of the principal players in the career of Styx, including guitarist/bassist/vocalist Glen Burtnik, guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, and drummer Todd Sucherman, as well as management, record company executives, crew members and fans, The Grand Delusion is the definitive portrait of the Chicago-based rock ensemble that has sold more than thirty-five million records in a career spanning three decades. Beginning with 1977’s The Grand Illusion, followed by Pieces Of Eight in 1978, Cornerstone in 1979 and Paradise Theatre in 1980, Styx was the first rock group ever to earn four Triple Platinum albums in a row, selling three million copies each. The group’s #1 hit “Babe” was Song of the Year at the 1980 People’s Choice Awards, and the 1979 Gallup poll named the group the most popular in America. Styx’ other hits include “Lady”, “Come Sail Away”, “Renegade”, “Blue Collar Man”, “The Best Of Times”, “Too Much Times On My Hands”, and, of course, the ubiquitous pop culture reference “Mr. Roboto”.
“The Grand Delusion is more than just another sleazy biography about the excesses of rock stars,” Whitaker maintains. “It’s about hard work and sacrifice, success and failure, fame and fortune, love and hatred, friendship and betrayal, and hopefully redemption. It’s the true story of how a group of people who have very little in common outside of music struggled to overcome their differences and their limitations to create a body of work that is beloved by millions of people. It’s also about the business side of the band’s career, the behind-the-scenes work that greased the rails for the band to succeed. It’s not so much a story about rich rock stars. The story of Styx is a very human story, good and bad.”
Fans who purchase the book through Amazon.com or through www.thegranddelusion.com between December 12th and December 25th will receive a free download of the author’s first book Unsung Heroes of Rock Guitar, featuring Whitaker’s exclusive interviews with rock guitarists such as Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship), Howard Leese (Heart) and Richard Williams (Kansas), as well as a free download of Behind The Grand Delusion, comprised of the author’s project notes and his exclusive interviews with some of the principal players in Styx’ career which form the backbone of the project.
Styx will release a live album, One With Everything, on November 7th accompanied by a DVD. The band will tour abroad with Deep Purple in early 2007. Former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung is working on a new studio record, the follow-up to Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra, which has been certified Triple Platinum in Canada.


For More Information Contact:
Sterling Whitaker
Sterlingwit@aol.com
www.thegranddelusion.com
www.myspace.com/styxbook



# # #

[yogi]

Sterling,

Congratulations. I hope you sell 3 million + copies!!!!

You can count on a multiple purchase immediately here.


Yogi

[jimmy19029]

YOWZA! What I've been waiting for! Another biog to add to my wall of music biogs! Can't wait!

[Ash]

I hate to say this - but unless you've interviewed Dennis and JY for this - how can it be considered definitive. This will leave a lot to speculation and interpretation if those views are not represented. It's not fair for someone to stand in for Dennis. Not being able to get an interview with Dennis really isn't a valid excuse either.

Not trying to be inflamatory - just pointing out an obvious problem.

It should also be referred to as an "Unofficial Biography" in case you come off trying to sound like you're offering something that you are not.

[yogi]

Thank you Ash, Co Producer of the 'AUTHORIZED' VH1 Styx Behind The Music.

They had all the players involved, and that was damn factual wasnt it???

[jimmy19029]

I'm sure it'll be interesting to read if not the comprehensive overview we'd all love to see.
The Chicago biography that came out six years ago sounds similar with most the info coming from their 1991 CD box set booklet and interviews many of us had seen already on the Net. There were interviews/quotes from people who'd worked alongside the group to make it worthwhile but much of what the author got from Peter Cetera I heard he wasn't able to use since Peter wouldn't okay it all. A shame.
I'm sure most of us here know already know alot of the behind the scenes Styx stuff that'll no doubt be included in the book. Just the same, I'm curious to see what he does with it....

[Ash]

Thank you Ash, Co Producer of the 'AUTHORIZED' VH1 Styx Behind The Music.

They had all the players involved, and that was damn factual wasnt it???

Well it may have been had they had like 3 hours to tell the whole story. Television is limited by the media, which isn't (completely) VH1's fault. You can put as many pages in a book as you want to get the whole story out.

No need to take a stab at me. I'm only point out what is pretty obvious. That doesn't mean it won't make it an interesting read, it just means it will have a lot of second and third-party information with regard to Dennis and JY.

[styxfanNH]

Sterling,

You have to get that web site up and running.

[styxmike]

great news Sterling
Hope you will be able to ship to UK
Can't wait to read this!!!!!!!!

[yogi]

Ash,

The word Unauthorized is in the title of the press release.

It sounds to me like you are the one taking a stab at something. You have not read the book and you have already taken a pretty good shot at it.

There is absolutely no need to defend Sterling on any Styx point, but what is pretty evident is that ALL of his post here are insightful and factual. He's is the only one who can make that claim.

Everyone else here has some sort of bias, and most of us do not have clue as to what we are talking about. He must think we are all a bunch of loonies.

I'm sure if members of Styx read our posts they all would think we were crazy. Shit, my wife wants me committed to a Styxasylum half the damn time.

At any rate Ash I think your's was a piss poor post and I just had to point out the 'obvious'.

[Ash]

Ash,

The word Unauthorized is in the title of the press release.

You are right. I missed this. My bad - oversight on my part. It's not actually in the title, but it is in the body of the article

There is absolutely no need to defend Sterling on any Styx point, but what is pretty evident is that ALL of his post here are insightful and factual. He's is the only one who can make that claim.

Actually - everyone has an agenda. I'm sure even Sterling has an agenda. His happens to be a lot more even keel and big picture minded than many of us who are on one side of the fence or another. I'm also not saying that the forthcoming book won't be factual. I'm only pointing out that two key members are not represented in an interview - thats all.

At any rate Ash I think your's was a piss poor post and I just had to point out the 'obvious'.

And some people here say *I'm* wound too tight.

At any rate - I really don't care what you think and I was pointing out my opinion. If Dennis or JY were to come out and slam this book as a work of fiction - would you still support it? Of course, we have no way of knowing if that would happen. I'm just saying. I've not even critisized it in any way. I did miss that the mention of Unofficial was in there. Admittedly I read the title and skipped to about a third of the way down - so that is my mistake.

In any event - no need to get your panties in a wad about it. It's my opinion and it's valid and based on the facts. So whatever. I'm on record as having been pretty supportive of this and anxious myself to read it. It's nothing I would ever use as a source for interview questions for JY or DDY. I would venture a guess and say the reason they're not in this book is because they chose not to be interviewed for it.

[whocares]

whatever the case witht he book, how many facts are actually here, versus just plain opinions? Come on. Ash, is right, agendas/opinions, not always facts.

[bugsymalone]

Unless every single member of the band, past and present, granted interviews, oversaw the writing, approved of what was put in the book, it will always have controversy about it and not be a truly definitive work.

I am sure Sterling has worked very hard and has tried to be as even-handed as possible.

I congratulate him on finally finishing his work and wish him well on its success.

I will have Amazon Christmas gift certificates to spend..... There are a few CD's I want and I know a book or two.

Bugsy

[StyxCollector]

Unless every single member of the band, past and present, granted interviews, oversaw the writing, approved of what was put in the book, it will always have controversy about it and not be a truly definitive work.

Actually, that would cause more controversy because anything "controversial" or they don't all agree on (i.e. OK by DDY, not OK by JY) wouldn't get in the book. It'd be boring.

Sterling has gotten information from people who were there at the time - not the hangers on or people twice removed. I think it'll be as close as you get to the real story as there ever will be for Styx IMHO

[StyxCollector]

whatever the case witht he book, how many facts are actually here, versus just plain opinions? Come on. Ash, is right, agendas/opinions, not always facts.

Why are you passing judgement when you have not even read it? When I was interviewed by Sterling for the book awhile back he didn't ask fluff questions, and it seemed to me that he was interviewing people across the realm of the Styx spectrum from folks like me to his interviews in the 90s with Tommy which he casually mentioned to me. I think if he does not do a BTM reaming of one camp or the other, it will be a good book. I don't think that is his intention or agenda. It seems to me he's taking a lot of interviews - probably tens of hours from key folks throughout Styx history - and going to put them to good use.

[yogi]

Dont you just love it when people review or comment about a movie, concert, CD or book when they never have even, seen, heard or read the above??

I loved the Rolling Stone Styx Cyclorama review when the author talked about the song 'Kiss Your Ass Goodbye' being about the Iraq war. He even(mis) quoted some of the lyrics for the readers. He later went on to ask the question, 'How could Brian Wilson hang around with such a bunch of losers?'. You just had to know that he listened to that CD from first to last song with an open opinion, and nothing prejudged about Styx and the CD.

Personally, I just finished reading a 4 part article( Mpls Star Tribune newspaper) about my favorite baseball player of all time Kirby Puckett. The article was about Kirby's life & death. There were quotes in this series from his agent, friends, fiancee, ex wife, best fishing buddy(Sherm) and many others.

Nothing from Kirby, so I guess I just cant believe what I just read.

Ash & some others have already ripped into a forthcoming Styx book based on his speculation that Dennis DeYoung or James Young were not directly involved in the writing of that book.

He has stated that because some imformation will come second or third hand and not directly from the source it can not fully be believed. ' Everyone has an agenda' Ash was quoted as saying. I believe he was referring to the author when Ash made that statement.

If what Ash says is correct I suggest that when you are done reading my rant please go and throw out all bibles and history books that you have lying around. How can they be believed??

And since 'EVERYONE' has an agenda, I suppose Dennis, Tommy, JY, Chuck, Todd, Glen etc would also have one( agenda) when they are telling 'their side ' of the Styx saga.

Based on Tommy, Glen, Todd and whoever else was quoted in Sterling's book having an agenda, we wont be able to believe one damn thing from this or any other book that we may read.

Let me summerize: If you dont get it directly from the horses mouth you really cant believe it, and since EVERYONE has an agenda you really cant believe these people either.

Shit, so I guess if you dont see it with your own eyes, or hear it with your own ears then it never really happens.

Thanks for clearing that up for me Ash!!!!

I will never understand how anyone can pass judgement about a work of anything that they have never seen, heard or read??

What I am trying to figure out is, What was Ash's agenda suppose to be on his post????

[Rockwriter]

I hate to say this - but unless you've interviewed Dennis and JY for this - how can it be considered definitive. This will leave a lot to speculation and interpretation if those views are not represented. It's not fair for someone to stand in for Dennis. Not being able to get an interview with Dennis really isn't a valid excuse either.

Not trying to be inflamatory - just pointing out an obvious problem.

It should also be referred to as an "Unofficial Biography" in case you come off trying to sound like you're offering something that you are not.

No, I was not able to interview either one of those guys . . . however, I was able to draw from loads and loads of interviews they have given others, as well as the observations of those who have worked with them over a thirty-plus-year period. I feel confident that I have what I need. By the way, that doesn't mean they'll see it that way. Obviously they would be happier with what got written if they had participated. But I have shared what I have with people in either camp and everyone has agreed it is accurate.

If you read the press release, it is the UNAUTHORIZED true story of Styx. I'm not trying to claim otherwise.

I hope all is well.


Sterling

[jimmy19029]

No, I was not able to interview either one of those guys . . . however, I was able to draw from loads and loads of interviews they have given others, as well as the observations of those who have worked with them over a thirty-plus-year period. I feel confident that I have what I need. By the way, that doesn't mean they'll see it that way. Obviously they would be happier with what got written if they had participated. But I have shared what I have with people in either camp and everyone has agreed it is accurate.

If you read the press release, it is the UNAUTHORIZED true story of Styx. I'm not trying to claim otherwise.

Well it already looks like you've got alot more of an informative book than the Chicago biog I was referring to just by what you've said here, Sterling. Good luck with it and I can't wait to read it!

Jimmy

[Rockwriter]

Thank you Ash, Co Producer of the 'AUTHORIZED' VH1 Styx Behind The Music.

They had all the players involved, and that was damn factual wasnt it???

Well it may have been had they had like 3 hours to tell the whole story. Television is limited by the media, which isn't (completely) VH1's fault. You can put as many pages in a book as you want to get the whole story out.

No need to take a stab at me. I'm only point out what is pretty obvious. That doesn't mean it won't make it an interesting read, it just means it will have a lot of second and third-party information with regard to Dennis and JY.

Were you really involved with BTM? How funny. I never knew that. Not to be ugly, but I'm sure you know that almost everyone involved found fault with that in one way or another. That's how it goes when you try to tell a story that involves decades and decades of history. And by that same token, yes, I won't be surprised if some of the people from Styx are not totally happy with what some others said about them. There's not much I can do about that, is there?

Funny thing is, since you have people who are so far apart, the more you try to find a middle ground, the more you risk alienating everyone on both sides, because each side wants its agenda promoted. These are people who have baggage between them that goes back to before I was in kindergarten, so no, I don't think I'm going to wave my magic fountain pen and somehow solve all of that. But it's not like I got out of my head and made it all up one night, either . . . I have dozens upon dozens upon dozens of sources. Many of them are on the record, others are off the record background sources who verified what others said. I have a minimum of three sources on everything important, and I have more than a dozen sources for much of it.

As for Dennis or JY coming out against this thing, they might, I really don't know. But if they do it will be because of their inability to accept how others see them, in my view. JY is not going to be happy at all, for instance, with what Tommy said about him back when they were apart. Not much I can do about that. And of course there will be fans who don't like what gets said, who want to find fault with a few unflattering story elements. I fully expect that, it's a part of the business I'm in, and furthermore, people have an absolute right to like what they like and dislike what they dislike. I accepted a long time ago that this book might not be for everyone, but it's still as close to a really definitive portrait of the career of Styx as we're ever going to get, in my opinion.

Thanks, I hope all is well.


Sterling

[yogi]

Damn I cant wait to read this.

I am wondering will either camp promote this book?

Will Tommy talk about it on Styxworld?

Will Dennis or Suzzanne promote it on their website??

I realize they wont get any royalities from the sales of the book, but still its free publicity. Plus youve got to somehow figure the more the book sells the more the back catelog, or future releases may sell.

[Rockwriter]

Damn I cant wait to read this.

I am wondering will either camp promote this book?

Will Tommy talk about it on Styxworld?

Will Dennis or Suzzanne promote it on their website??

I realize they wont get any royalities from the sales of the book, but still its free publicity. Plus youve got to somehow figure the more the book sells the more the back catelog, or future releases may sell.

Mmmm . . . I really rather doubt that, to put it mildly, lol. I can't imagine them promoting an unauthorized bio in which they have no financial participation. There's just no upside for them in that. I don't know what Tommy's take on this will be . . . I really had a great interview with him, but that was a long time ago back when he was not in Styx and did not intend to be again, and of course everything is different now. He said some things he will wish he had not in regard to JY back then, so I don't know if he will be too happy with that coming out now that they are partners. I guess we'll see. I'm not disparaging Tommy . . . he's a nice guy as compared to most other people in his position.

I hope all is well.

Sterling

[Zan]

Chiming in here for a second...

First, let me start by saying that I have never been a supporter of the idea of this book (no offense, Sterling). Only because IMO, if the guys didn't authorize it, then it shouldn't have been published (not like it's actual *news* or anything - just fodder for fans to squabble about for the next...god knows how many years). I say this now because I feel it's important to what I'm about to say.

In the years that I've known Sterling online, he *has* persistantly and flagrantly violated the mental well-beings of many a fan on both sides of the Styx camp. ...Meaning, he has never been overly favoring to either side, which has definitely pissed a lot of people off from time to time. Why? Probably because when you're busy obsessing over who said what in idiotic flame wars on the internet, the last thing you want is someone claiming to have real knowledge on the subject - especially when so many people thought THEY had the real knowledge based on whatever rumors or one-sided stories they'd overheard or conclsions they'd drawn based on their own personal feelings towards one or a few members of the band. That and the fact that sometimes Sterling did come off a bit...self-inflated at times. LOL

But now...now, I think it's pretty safe to say that most of us with common sense in our heads (this excludes certain people, I'm sure you don't know who you are) realize that nobody in the band was blameless or victimized the way we once believed. For myself, I can honestly say that there is nothing short of murder in that book that would shock or horrify me as a fan, and nothing, certainly not after years of battle on forums like this anyway, nothing would shatter my image of them. I bet there's some wacky, wacky stuff in there. Still don't think I'm going to read it, though. LOL

[froy]

Chiming in here for a second...

First, let me start by saying that I have never been a supporter of the idea of this book (no offense, Sterling). Only because IMO, if the guys didn't authorize it, then it shouldn't have been published (not like it's actual *news* or anything - just fodder for fans to squabble about for the next...god knows how many years). I say this now because I feel it's important to what I'm about to say.

In the years that I've known Sterling online, he *has* persistantly and flagrantly violated the mental well-beings of many a fan on both sides of the Styx camp. ...Meaning, he has never been overly favoring to either side, which has definitely pissed a lot of people off from time to time. Why? Probably because when you're busy obsessing over who said what in idiotic flame wars on the internet, the last thing you want is someone claiming to have real knowledge on the subject - especially when so many people thought THEY had the real knowledge based on whatever rumors or one-sided stories they'd overheard or conclsions they'd drawn based on their own personal feelings towards one or a few members of the band. That and the fact that sometimes Sterling did come off a bit...self-inflated at times. LOL

But now...now, I think it's pretty safe to say that most of us with common sense in our heads (this excludes certain people, I'm sure you don't know who you are) realize that nobody in the band was blameless or victimized the way we once believed. For myself, I can honestly say that there is nothing short of murder in that book that would shock or horrify me as a fan, and nothing, certainly not after years of battle on forums like this anyway, nothing would shatter my image of them. I bet there's some wacky, wacky stuff in there. Still don't think I'm going to read it, though. LOL

Can you say it again please I dont get it ,

[Blue Falcon]

I think this biography of Styx HAS to be unauthorized in order to be objective. And it appears that Sterling is going to show all sides of the story, so it shouldn't be a problem.

My reasoning for this is that an Authorized Biography would likely go nowhere, unless it were just a puff piece. But there's no way JY would agree to it unless all references to That Other Guy (DDY) were ERASED COMPLETELY. I can see JY being interviewed in the book for anything that happened before 1999: "Oh, we were just goofing around then, but WE'RE A MUCH BETTER BAND NOW that a particular person is no longer in it." and "I don't remember any of the albums we did before 1999....were they any good?"

If JY had his way, an authorized Styx bio would be called: "The Complete History of the Hard-Rocking Styx, 1999-2006: We're Not The Same Band That Used To Play Showtunes When That Other Guy Was Still Around."

[Ash]

As for Dennis or JY coming out against this thing, they might, I really don't know. But if they do it will be because of their inability to accept how others see them, in my view. JY is not going to be happy at all, for instance, with what Tommy said about him back when they were apart. Not much I can do about that. And of course there will be fans who don't like what gets said, who want to find fault with a few unflattering story elements. I fully expect that, it's a part of the business I'm in, and furthermore, people have an absolute right to like what they like and dislike what they dislike. I accepted a long time ago that this book might not be for everyone, but it's still as close to a really definitive portrait of the career of Styx as we're ever going to get, in my opinion.

I was never involted in BTM - nor did I claim to be, but it's not a logical stretch to point out it's easier to tell a bigger story in a book than it is in a television show.

And understand Sterling - what I posted is in no way an attack - but it *is* what I feel to be a realistic take on this. This book you have will have been based on information dating back (by your own admission) - 10, 11, 12 years or even longer. I don't know how much recent information is in it or how you handle the transition in the relationships between the players - which could in and of itself prove to be a facinating read.

I don't know if I'd buy this book or not.. since I honestly don't read that many books of late due to time - but I'm sure it will prove for interesting discussion.

What I hope is that nobody uses this as a basis to affirm or disavow their beliefs or perceptions. The way stories have changed we will find that things these guys (Dennis, JY, Tommy, all of them) have said recently may contradict things they've said in the past. At the end of the day it will still hold that the only people who REALLY know what happened will be those who were there and nobody's world or opinion is going to be really changed here.

[FormerDJMike]

This is an excellent read and not "tabloidish" at all. More informative than anything.

Mike

[Rockwriter]

Chiming in here for a second...

First, let me start by saying that I have never been a supporter of the idea of this book (no offense, Sterling). Only because IMO, if the guys didn't authorize it, then it shouldn't have been published (not like it's actual *news* or anything - just fodder for fans to squabble about for the next...god knows how many years). I say this now because I feel it's important to what I'm about to say.

In the years that I've known Sterling online, he *has* persistantly and flagrantly violated the mental well-beings of many a fan on both sides of the Styx camp. ...Meaning, he has never been overly favoring to either side, which has definitely pissed a lot of people off from time to time. Why? Probably because when you're busy obsessing over who said what in idiotic flame wars on the internet, the last thing you want is someone claiming to have real knowledge on the subject - especially when so many people thought THEY had the real knowledge based on whatever rumors or one-sided stories they'd overheard or conclsions they'd drawn based on their own personal feelings towards one or a few members of the band. That and the fact that sometimes Sterling did come off a bit...self-inflated at times. LOL

But now...now, I think it's pretty safe to say that most of us with common sense in our heads (this excludes certain people, I'm sure you don't know who you are) realize that nobody in the band was blameless or victimized the way we once believed. For myself, I can honestly say that there is nothing short of murder in that book that would shock or horrify me as a fan, and nothing, certainly not after years of battle on forums like this anyway, nothing would shatter my image of them. I bet there's some wacky, wacky stuff in there. Still don't think I'm going to read it, though. LOL

Zan, Zan, Zan . . . self-inflated?! LOL. ME?! How funny.

Seriously, I'm very much aware that I come off that way sometimes. Frankly, I don't think you can be effective as a writer if you don't have that. Any more than a performing musician can be effective if he does not have the bedrock belief that his natural place is on stage in front of the world. I pretty much guarantee you that every performer, actor, writer you are aware of on the planet is pretty ego-driven. So I'm guilty, lol, but I'm in good company.

I hope all is well.


Sterling

[rajah2165]

Chiming in here for a second...

First, let me start by saying that I have never been a supporter of the idea of this book (no offense, Sterling). Only because IMO, if the guys didn't authorize it, then it shouldn't have been published (not like it's actual *news* or anything - just fodder for fans to squabble about for the next...god knows how many years). I say this now because I feel it's important to what I'm about to say.

In the years that I've known Sterling online, he *has* persistantly and flagrantly violated the mental well-beings of many a fan on both sides of the Styx camp. ...Meaning, he has never been overly favoring to either side, which has definitely pissed a lot of people off from time to time. Why? Probably because when you're busy obsessing over who said what in idiotic flame wars on the internet, the last thing you want is someone claiming to have real knowledge on the subject - especially when so many people thought THEY had the real knowledge based on whatever rumors or one-sided stories they'd overheard or conclsions they'd drawn based on their own personal feelings towards one or a few members of the band. That and the fact that sometimes Sterling did come off a bit...self-inflated at times. LOL

But now...now, I think it's pretty safe to say that most of us with common sense in our heads (this excludes certain people, I'm sure you don't know who you are) realize that nobody in the band was blameless or victimized the way we once believed. For myself, I can honestly say that there is nothing short of murder in that book that would shock or horrify me as a fan, and nothing, certainly not after years of battle on forums like this anyway, nothing would shatter my image of them. I bet there's some wacky, wacky stuff in there. Still don't think I'm going to read it, though. LOL

Didn't you go away?

[rajah2165]

Chiming in here for a second...

First, let me start by saying that I have never been a supporter of the idea of this book (no offense, Sterling). Only because IMO, if the guys didn't authorize it, then it shouldn't have been published (not like it's actual *news* or anything - just fodder for fans to squabble about for the next...god knows how many years). I say this now because I feel it's important to what I'm about to say.

In the years that I've known Sterling online, he *has* persistantly and flagrantly violated the mental well-beings of many a fan on both sides of the Styx camp. ...Meaning, he has never been overly favoring to either side, which has definitely pissed a lot of people off from time to time. Why? Probably because when you're busy obsessing over who said what in idiotic flame wars on the internet, the last thing you want is someone claiming to have real knowledge on the subject - especially when so many people thought THEY had the real knowledge based on whatever rumors or one-sided stories they'd overheard or conclsions they'd drawn based on their own personal feelings towards one or a few members of the band. That and the fact that sometimes Sterling did come off a bit...self-inflated at times. LOL

But now...now, I think it's pretty safe to say that most of us with common sense in our heads (this excludes certain people, I'm sure you don't know who you are) realize that nobody in the band was blameless or victimized the way we once believed. For myself, I can honestly say that there is nothing short of murder in that book that would shock or horrify me as a fan, and nothing, certainly not after years of battle on forums like this anyway, nothing would shatter my image of them. I bet there's some wacky, wacky stuff in there. Still don't think I'm going to read it, though. LOL

Zan, Zan, Zan . . . self-inflated?! LOL. ME?! How funny.

Seriously, I'm very much aware that I come off that way sometimes. Frankly, I don't think you can be effective as a writer if you don't have that. Any more than a performing musician can be effective if he does not have the bedrock belief that his natural place is on stage in front of the world. I pretty much guarantee you that every performer, actor, writer you are aware of on the planet is pretty ego-driven. So I'm guilty, lol, but I'm in good company.

I hope all is well.


Sterling

Sterling -

Ignore her. She's has her OWN agenda. Remember that.

[styxfanNH]

Rajah,

No reason to ignore anyone here. You can choose to ignore whomever you want to. Zan has every right to her opinion. Just because you disagree with her point of view, doesn't mean she is wrong.

Welcome back Zan.