80% of Styx concert audience "new generation" fans

[blt man]

Would it be accurate to claim that 80% of the audience at a Styx headlined concert could be considered "new generation" Styx fans while 20% of the audience "old loyalists"?

So says Gowan in this new article:

http://www.simcoe.com/article/38045

Seems kind of high to me.

[froy]

Would it be accurate to claim that 80% of the audience at a Styx headlined concert could be considered "new generation" Styx fans while 20% of the audience "old loyalists"?

So says Gowan in this new article:

http://www.simcoe.com/article/38045

Seems kind of high to me.

He's probably right
Out of the 2000 that show up
1700 are new and the rest are from the past
About 300 per show.

[froy]

Would it be accurate to claim that 80% of the audience at a Styx headlined concert could be considered "new generation" Styx fans while 20% of the audience "old loyalists"?

So says Gowan in this new article:

http://www.simcoe.com/article/38045

Seems kind of high to me.

High-energy stage performances, wonderful, timeless songs that have crossed multiple generation gaps, and new material that is as vibrant and relevant as the classic-rock fodder of the band’s heyday.


Looks like another guy was paid off
Far from reality

[stabbim]

Depends on how you define "new generation," I suppose. Where's the cutoff date?

[Blue Falcon]

Wow, just 300 loyalists attend each show these days? What happened to the days of yore when they would play to 15,000 a night in the 70s and 80s???

Oh yeah, that's right: JY happened. Wish these guys would pull their heads from their collective arses and get together just to play their music...they don't have to LIKE each other.

[Zan]

Wow, just 300 loyalists attend each show these days? What happened to the days of yore when they would play to 15,000 a night in the 70s and 80s???

Oh yeah, that's right: JY happened.

That and 25 years happpened.

[NealIsGod]

Wow, just 300 loyalists attend each show these days? What happened to the days of yore when they would play to 15,000 a night in the 70s and 80s???

Oh yeah, that's right: JY happened.

That and 25 years happpened.

Nice, Zan. I need you in the Journey forum to smack some sense into the Perry freaks.

[Zan]

Nice, Zan. I need you in the Journey forum to smack some sense into the Perry freaks.

Gosh, I'd love to help, but I kind of have my hands full here, thanks.

[NealIsGod]

Nice, Zan. I need you in the Journey forum to smack some sense into the Perry freaks.

Gosh, I'd love to help, but I kind of have my hands full here, thanks.

OK, if you wanna stay in the minor leagues, that's cool.

[rajah2165]

Wow, just 300 loyalists attend each show these days? What happened to the days of yore when they would play to 15,000 a night in the 70s and 80s???

Oh yeah, that's right: JY happened.

That and 25 years happpened.

Nice, Zan. I need you in the Journey forum to smack some sense into the Perry freaks.

Are the DeYoung "freaks" and the Perry "freaks" consistent in their arguements. For example if one thinks Styx should not tour without DDY, I would think they would think Journey should not tour without SP and vice versa. That is the camp I am in - and I am just wondering if most people are consistent in their viewpoints.

[froy]

Are the DeYoung "freaks" and the Perry "freaks" consistent in their arguements. For example if one thinks Styx should not tour without DDY, I would think they would think Journey should not tour without SP and vice versa. That is the camp I am in - and I am just wondering if most people are consistent in their viewpoints.

[/quote]

Perry wont tour with anyone
Dennis would tour as STYX
You cant be in the same camp
JRNY is not JRNY they are Neal and the guys sing JRNY songs

[Rockwriter]

Would it be accurate to claim that 80% of the audience at a Styx headlined concert could be considered "new generation" Styx fans while 20% of the audience "old loyalists"?

So says Gowan in this new article:

http://www.simcoe.com/article/38045

Seems kind of high to me.

I don't believe that for a second, frankly. I wonder what kind of research there might be to back that up? The concert I attended was predominately older people with perhaps 15-20 percent of a younger generation sprinkled in. Same with Dennis, about the same demographic mix.

Now, it may well be that of the older people there, a high percentage of them are older people who were turned on to the music in the old days but are just now seeing the band for the first time. And it may also well be that only twenty percent of those in attendance are the hardcore Dennis era Styx fans, because so many of them simply won't go anymore.

But that fails to account that even for the newbies that are older, and even for the younger ones, the fact is that almost all of them that are seeing the band for the first time were turned on to the band by the continuing exposure the old music receives, not by new albums like CYCLO or BBT. So if this article means to imply that, that's absurd - the article isn't really clear on that point - but if all he's saying is that a high percentage of people at Styx shows are going for the first time, well, that's true of basically every classic rock band. But the people that are there are still there because of the past for the most part. There are not anywhere near enough people that are even aware of the new albums to make up 80 % of the Styx audiences every night. I think sometimes the band members find it an easier pill to swallow if they can find a way to believe otherwise. I'm not disparaging Styx, because it's a very good live band in any incarnation, but I DO think there's a little bit of looking on the brightest possible side of the numbers and making them say things that they really don't.

I hope all is well.


Sterling

[blt man]

Wow, just 300 loyalists attend each show these days? What happened to the days of yore when they would play to 15,000 a night in the 70s and 80s???

Oh yeah, that's right: JY happened.

That and 25 years happpened.

Nice, Zan. I need you in the Journey forum to smack some sense into the Perry freaks.

Are the DeYoung "freaks" and the Perry "freaks" consistent in their arguements. For example if one thinks Styx should not tour without DDY, I would think they would think Journey should not tour without SP and vice versa. That is the camp I am in - and I am just wondering if most people are consistent in their viewpoints.

Neither the current Styx nor Journey come close to the group dubbed the Kale's Clones. For those who don't know, the original bassist of the Guess Who (Jim Kale) owns the Guess Who name and tours occassionally under the Guess Who name with the original drummer and a some other hacks who play guitar and sing lead vocals. Over the last few years, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman the lead singer and guitarist of the Guess Who have not been able to use the name and when the 2 of them play together they tour as Bachman/Cummings. This would be the equivalent of DDY and TS touring as DeYoung/Shaw with the Panozzo Brothers hiring a guitarist and a keyboardist and touring as Styx.

[blt man]

Would it be accurate to claim that 80% of the audience at a Styx headlined concert could be considered "new generation" Styx fans while 20% of the audience "old loyalists"?

So says Gowan in this new article:

http://www.simcoe.com/article/38045

Seems kind of high to me.

I don't believe that for a second, frankly. I wonder what kind of research there might be to back that up? The concert I attended was predominately older people with perhaps 15-20 percent of a younger generation sprinkled in. Same with Dennis, about the same demographic mix.

Now, it may well be that of the older people there, a high percentage of them are older people who were turned on to the music in the old days but are just now seeing the band for the first time. And it may also well be that only twenty percent of those in attendance are the hardcore Dennis era Styx fans, because so many of them simply won't go anymore.

But that fails to account that even for the newbies that are older, and even for the younger ones, the fact is that almost all of them that are seeing the band for the first time were turned on to the band by the continuing exposure the old music receives, not by new albums like CYCLO or BBT. So if this article means to imply that, that's absurd - the article isn't really clear on that point - but if all he's saying is that a high percentage of people at Styx shows are going for the first time, well, that's true of basically every classic rock band. But the people that are there are still there because of the past for the most part. There are not anywhere near enough people that are even aware of the new albums to make up 80 % of the Styx audiences every night. I think sometimes the band members find it an easier pill to swallow if they can find a way to believe otherwise. I'm not disparaging Styx, because it's a very good live band in any incarnation, but I DO think there's a little bit of looking on the brightest possible side of the numbers and making them say things that they really don't.

I hope all is well.


Sterling

I agree with you.

To me "new generation" fans means teens or early twenty-somethings. If you grew up anytime though the mid-80s, I don't think you can be considered "new generation" fans.

[Rockwriter]

Wow, just 300 loyalists attend each show these days? What happened to the days of yore when they would play to 15,000 a night in the 70s and 80s???

Oh yeah, that's right: JY happened.

That and 25 years happpened.

Nice, Zan. I need you in the Journey forum to smack some sense into the Perry freaks.

Are the DeYoung "freaks" and the Perry "freaks" consistent in their arguements. For example if one thinks Styx should not tour without DDY, I would think they would think Journey should not tour without SP and vice versa. That is the camp I am in - and I am just wondering if most people are consistent in their viewpoints.

Neither the current Styx nor Journey come close to the group dubbed the Kale's Clones. For those who don't know, the original bassist of the Guess Who (Jim Kale) owns the Guess Who name and tours occassionally under the Guess Who name with the original drummer and a some other hacks who play guitar and sing lead vocals. Over the last few years, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman the lead singer and guitarist of the Guess Who have not been able to use the name and when the 2 of them play together they tour as Bachman/Cummings. This would be the equivalent of DDY and TS touring as DeYoung/Shaw with the Panozzo Brothers hiring a guitarist and a keyboardist and touring as Styx.

That's pretty funny. A long time ago, maybe fifteen years or more, I played on the bill with "The Byrds". I have no recollection of who was in the group at the time, but I do remember that none of them were original members, and none of them was anybody I had ever heard of. It was no different than simply seeing a Byrds cover band, and not a particularly good one at that. Very funny and sad at the same time.


Sterling

[stmonkeys]

Wow, just 300 loyalists attend each show these days? What happened to the days of yore when they would play to 15,000 a night in the 70s and 80s???

Oh yeah, that's right: JY happened.

That and 25 years happpened.

Nice, Zan. I need you in the Journey forum to smack some sense into the Perry freaks.

Are the DeYoung "freaks" and the Perry "freaks" consistent in their arguements. For example if one thinks Styx should not tour without DDY, I would think they would think Journey should not tour without SP and vice versa. That is the camp I am in - and I am just wondering if most people are consistent in their viewpoints.

Neither the current Styx nor Journey come close to the group dubbed the Kale's Clones. For those who don't know, the original bassist of the Guess Who (Jim Kale) owns the Guess Who name and tours occassionally under the Guess Who name with the original drummer and a some other hacks who play guitar and sing lead vocals. Over the last few years, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman the lead singer and guitarist of the Guess Who have not been able to use the name and when the 2 of them play together they tour as Bachman/Cummings. This would be the equivalent of DDY and TS touring as DeYoung/Shaw with the Panozzo Brothers hiring a guitarist and a keyboardist and touring as Styx.

That's pretty funny. A long time ago, maybe fifteen years or more, I played on the bill with "The Byrds". I have no recollection of who was in the group at the time, but I do remember that none of them were original members, and none of them was anybody I had ever heard of. It was no different than simply seeing a Byrds cover band, and not a particularly good one at that. Very funny and sad at the same time.


Sterling

i think that's also why the doobie brothers broke up. they got to a point where none of the member of the band were original, or "classic" members. then again, that band always was a revolving door...

[bugsymalone]

Over the last few years, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman the lead singer and guitarist of the Guess Who have not been able to use the name and when the 2 of them play together they tour as Bachman/Cummings.

That is interesting. I always enjoyed the Guess Who, especially Burton Cummings. How do those two guys sound? Especially Cummings. Anyone seen one of their concerts?

Bugsy

[Zan]

i think that's also why the doobie brothers broke up. they got to a point where none of the member of the band were original, or "classic" members. then again, that band always was a revolving door...

The new Main Street Singers?

[Grotelul]

Wow, just 300 loyalists attend each show these days? What happened to the days of yore when they would play to 15,000 a night in the 70s and 80s???

Oh yeah, that's right: JY happened. Wish these guys would pull their heads from their collective arses and get together just to play their music...they don't have to LIKE each other.

They still wouldn't be drawing the numbers they did. More than they do now, but that would be a surprise to no one. A Styx today with DDY, TS and JY would be touring probably once every 3-5 years and maybe dabbling in some new music on occasion. What makes anyone think these guys together in this time and place would produce great music? Nothing tells me this is possible. The glory days of Styx is past, will never be again. People need to get past it.

[stabbim]

i think that's also why the doobie brothers broke up. they got to a point where none of the member of the band were original, or "classic" members. then again, that band always was a revolving door...

The new Main Street Singers?

Zing!

If we're talking teens & 20somethings, I think 80% is highly unlikely as well. But the term "new generation" is never really defined -- or at least, only set against "old loyalist," which could also mean any old thing. I first became a Styx fan in the late 80's, so I don't think I really fall explicitly into either of those camps.

And as for "consistency," this is not a principle-of-the-thing thing for me. It's just a question of where your fandom and preference fall. I like Styx fine without DDY, so I'll see 'em. On the other hand, I don't care for Queensryche without Chris DeGarmo, so I tend to avoid them. I couldn't possibly give a tiny fraction of a damn about Journey one way or the other, so...eh, flip a coin, I guess.

[blt man]

Over the last few years, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman the lead singer and guitarist of the Guess Who have not been able to use the name and when the 2 of them play together they tour as Bachman/Cummings.

That is interesting. I always enjoyed the Guess Who, especially Burton Cummings. How do those two guys sound? Especially Cummings. Anyone seen one of their concerts?

Bugsy

There is a good DVD out of their most recent concert series from last year. Excellent American Woman rendition.
http://www.amazon.com/First-Time-Around-Randy-Bachman/dp/B000JVT2AE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7959014-9381767?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1179454875&sr=8-1

[mr.v]

I think the 80% number is a bit of a stretch, but I will say at the last few STYX shows I've been to I've seen a lot of Families there. The old Styx fans bringing their kids to the show. I know I've done it. Let's face it there are few "New Bands" that have the stage presence of a "Styx" or "Journey" Or "Rush" and I wanted my kids to get the same thrill of the show that I experienced back in the day. And honestly they have come away fans of both Styx and Rush and ask me to take them back to see them whenever they come to town. Journey...not so much, but it was during the Steve A. period and it was a pretty flat show.

[Blue Falcon]

That's pretty funny. A long time ago, maybe fifteen years or more, I played on the bill with "The Byrds". I have no recollection of who was in the group at the time, but I do remember that none of them were original members, and none of them was anybody I had ever heard of. It was no different than simply seeing a Byrds cover band, and not a particularly good one at that. Very funny and sad at the same time.


Sterling

A similar thing happened to Yes. After Big Generator, some of them wanted to get back to the original Yes sound from the 70s, so the vocalist got together with their original drummer, guitarist, and keyboardist. But they were forced to call themselves AndersonBrufordWakemanHowe because bassist Chris Squire owned the rights to the Yes name and he didn't want to play with those guys....even though it turned out to be some of the best 'Yes' material in years.

Squire since came around and when I saw them last in 2004 they didn't play anything newer than 1977.

Didn't John Fogerty get sued by his old record company for 'sounding too much like CCR'? Despite the fact that he wrote all of CCR's music in the first place??? We really should kill all the lawyers.

[Jazz]

Over the last few years, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman the lead singer and guitarist of the Guess Who have not been able to use the name and when the 2 of them play together they tour as Bachman/Cummings.

That is interesting. I always enjoyed the Guess Who, especially Burton Cummings. How do those two guys sound? Especially Cummings. Anyone seen one of their concerts?

Bugsy

We saw them a few months back here in Edmonton. Bachman/Cummings rocked! I was pleasantly surprised, as I thought the playing would be great, but that Burton Cummings voice might have deteriorated a lot. WRONG! I had heard him (with the Guess Who, and solo) several times over the years and he sounded just as good as ever. And after 40 or so years of playing together(they started when they were teens) they were tight. If you get a chance, check them out.
Jo

[bugsymalone]

Thanks for that info, blt and Jazz. 'preciate it.

Bugsy

[DDYStyxFan]

While that statistic seems a bit skewed, I could definitely see where most of the audience at the "styx" shows are new generation. I'm not sure what I would be considered as, I am only 21 years old but I have grown up listening to DDY Styx with my dad and quite frankly wouldn't be caught dead at a current Styx show. I personally consider the new generation to be those who have climbed aboard post 1999. Its a sad day when "Styx" is playing to 2,000 people and opening for another band.

With the band's personal relationships aside I think we can all agree that its not Styx without Dennis. Sure JY and Tommy did vocals on numerous songs but DDY was the poster child for the band.

[stabbim]

With the band's personal relationships aside I think we can all agree that its not Styx without Dennis.

Oh my stars, yes. Without a doubt we can all agree on that. Absolutely. In fact, this forum is chock-full with nothing but that kind of agreement, post after post, stretching as far as the eye can see. It's like a beautiful dream, really.

Welcome to the Internet.

[Zan]

With the band's personal relationships aside I think we can all agree that its not Styx without Dennis.

Oh my stars, yes. Without a doubt we can all agree on that. Absolutely. In fact, this forum is chock-full with nothing but that kind of agreement, post after post, stretching as far as the eye can see. It's like a beautiful dream, really.

Welcome to the Internet.

Most certainly, Stabbim. And have I told you lately how incredibly dashing your avatar is? We must have tea again soon.

[bugsymalone]

Welcome, DDYStyxFan. A bit of advice. Read some of the threads and posts here, maybe, first, before, you know, posting.

Bugsy

[rajah2165]

Welcome, DDYStyxFan. A bit of advice. Read some of the threads and posts here, maybe, first, before, you know, posting.

Bugsy

Ignore Bugsy, Zan, and the rest and you will be fine, DDYStyxFan...

Everyone knows that you are absolutely correct in your statement.