FAST FORWARD

[yogi]

Its early October 2008 and the rumors are flying everywhere on various Styx sites that Dennis Deyoung is about to rejoin the band that he help launch into superstardom in the 70's and 80's. As the news continues to leak it is also learned that they will release a CD of all new music on February 18, 2009. The new CD titled 'Forgiveness', will contain 13 brand new Styx songs. This all new CD is going to try to re-capture the success of the album The Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight.

That summer the first of 65 concerts will open in Chicago on June 11. Opening for the band and playing thru July 27 (first leg of the tour) playing a 65 minute set will be Journey.

Journey eargerly is sporting a new lead singer. Journey promises to bring a singer to the table that has the pipes of former lead singer Steve Perry. At a press conference the band plays Open Arms behind a curtain where no one can see who this singer is. That day Open Arms is re-released as a single. Later (June 9th) Neal Schon releases the name of their new lead singer. With Journeys new rendition of Open Arms racing up the chart again. The public finally figures out that Journey is now being led by..... Whitney Houston.

The final leg of Styx's summer tour finds Jeff Scott Soto's old band 'Talisman' opening up for the boyz.

Styx will be playing a 95 minute set of their new music plus their old classics.

It is now June 11, Whitey closes Journey's show with her now classic Open Arms. Nineteen minutes later JY grabs the microphone and introduces Chuck Panozzo, Todd Sucherman, Tommy Shaw, Glen Burtnik, Ricky Phillips, Lawerence Gowan and DENNIS DEYOUNG

Ladies & Gentleman............................................. STYX....................................................................


Who's there, supporting the NEW rendition of STYX????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[froy]

Its early October 2008 and the rumors are flying everywhere on various Styx sites that Dennis Deyoung is about to rejoin the band that he help launch into superstardom in the 70's and 80's. As the news continues to leak it is also learned that they will release a CD of all new music on February 18, 2009. The new CD titled 'Forgiveness', will contain 13 brand new Styx songs. This all new CD is going to try to re-capture the success of the album The Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight.

That summer the first of 65 concerts will open in Chicago on June 11. Opening for the band and playing thru July 27 (first leg of the tour) playing a 65 minute set will be Journey.

Journey eargerly is sporting a new lead singer. Journey promises to bring a singer to the table that has the pipes of former lead singer Steve Perry. At a press conference the band plays Open Arms behind a curtain where no one can see who this singer is. That day Open Arms is re-released as a single. Later (June 9th) Neal Schon releases the name of their new lead singer. With Journeys new rendition of Open Arms racing up the chart again. The public finally figures out that Journey is now being led by..... Whitney Houston.

The final leg of Styx's summer tour finds Jeff Scott Soto's old band 'Talisman' opening up for the boyz.

Styx will be playing a 95 minute set of their new music plus their old classics.

It is now June 11, Whitey closes Journey's show with her now classic Open Arms. Nineteen minutes later JY grabs the microphone and introduces Chuck Panozzo, Todd Sucherman, Tommy Shaw, Glen Burtnik, Ricky Phillips, Lawerence Gowan and DENNIS DEYOUNG

Ladies & Gentleman............................................. STYX....................................................................


Who's there, supporting the NEW rendition of STYX????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Im all in
No Gowan no Rickie
Glen on Bass

[yogi]

The new rendition of Styx has EXACTLY the members in it that I printed. Styx has carried on with 8. It was the only way JY, Chuck and Tommy would agree to let Dennis back in . Dennis agreed. The new CD is awesome. EVERYONE seems happy. The tour is about to start.

This is now Styx. Who is at the shows??????

[stabbim]

Then they all ride off into the sunset on plastic cows.

[Zan]

Then they all ride off into the sunset on plastic cows.

ROFL...

But hey, while we're at it, by a show of hands, how many women here would be willing to be in a hot tub with Hugh Jackman?

(OK, Chuck can play too)

[yogi]

Styx's 3rd show June 17 in Milwaukee is full of suprises. Dennis blows a gasket as Journey extends their set to 75 minutes. The added time is a result of Bobby Brown joining Whitney on stage with the band. Bobby sings lead on Seperate Ways. He also adds a song of his own that extends their set. While Ross is singing Gone Crazy Whitney is spotted eating a Quaterpounder with cheese. Two songs later she explains to the crowd that she always hated the song Dont Stop Believin. While stating this she puts her finger down her throat and vomits her just eaten burger.

Styx takes the stage late that night and Dennis is pissed. Styx adds some suprises. Dennis talks about his love for the Beattles and he sings lead on Walrus this night. Gowan comes back and sings lead on The Grand Illusion. The crowd is going nuts. Next its Dennis's turn to sing lead on A Criminal Mind. The Milwaukee crowd is eating it up. Then the unthinkable happens. Dennis trys a jump off of Gowans keyboards toward the end of the song. Dennis left foot lands in Whitneys fresh burger vomit. Dennis hits the floor with a thud. A germ freak Dennis is outraged. A backstge fight ensues. Bobby decks Dennis. The show does go on with Gowan ending the night singing Come Sail Away.

Styx cancels their next two shows. But their schedule continues June 24 in St. Paul

[Grotelul]

Its early October 2008 and the rumors are flying everywhere on various Styx sites that Dennis Deyoung is about to rejoin the band that he help launch into superstardom in the 70's and 80's. As the news continues to leak it is also learned that they will release a CD of all new music on February 18, 2009. The new CD titled 'Forgiveness', will contain 13 brand new Styx songs. This all new CD is going to try to re-capture the success of the album The Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight.

That summer the first of 65 concerts will open in Chicago on June 11. Opening for the band and playing thru July 27 (first leg of the tour) playing a 65 minute set will be Journey.

Journey eargerly is sporting a new lead singer. Journey promises to bring a singer to the table that has the pipes of former lead singer Steve Perry. At a press conference the band plays Open Arms behind a curtain where no one can see who this singer is. That day Open Arms is re-released as a single. Later (June 9th) Neal Schon releases the name of their new lead singer. With Journeys new rendition of Open Arms racing up the chart again. The public finally figures out that Journey is now being led by..... Whitney Houston.

The final leg of Styx's summer tour finds Jeff Scott Soto's old band 'Talisman' opening up for the boyz.

Styx will be playing a 95 minute set of their new music plus their old classics.

It is now June 11, Whitey closes Journey's show with her now classic Open Arms. Nineteen minutes later JY grabs the microphone and introduces Chuck Panozzo, Todd Sucherman, Tommy Shaw, Glen Burtnik, Ricky Phillips, Lawerence Gowan and DENNIS DEYOUNG

Ladies & Gentleman............................................. STYX....................................................................


Who's there, supporting the NEW rendition of STYX????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

First off, doubt this ever to be possible as DDY will always command too much control since he thinks he is Styx and always knows what is best for them and he would never be seen on a stage as Styx with Gowan. Secondly, if by a miracle this would happen, it would draw okay, nothing special and then they would fade into the sunset after another breakup and uninspired new music.

Someone asked Steve Walsh of Kansas once if his creativity took a huge dip once he was off the drugs and alcohol and his answer was hell yeah. I truly believe much of Styx's best stuff was created when these people were loose, high, ready to climb the preverbial Mount Everest. Once Dennis went comfortably into his family role and became the shapparone...around 1979...once Tommy got off everything and became way too mellow...once JY got off everything and went way too cynical and business..this thing all fell apart. The creative fountain that gave us Come Sail Away, Fooling Yourself, Miss America, Blue Collar Man, Grand Illusion is dried up and empty with nothing to feed it.

[stabbim]

Someone asked Steve Walsh of Kansas once if his creativity took a huge dip once he was off the drugs and alcohol and his answer was hell yeah.

How unfortunate for Mr. Walsh.

...once Tommy got off everything and became way too mellow...

Nope. For my money, his most consistently high-quality work was done in the 90s.

[pinkfloyd1973]

I'm dying over here, thanks Yogi



Robin

[bugsymalone]

No way in I am going to that Styx reunion, Yogi.

I might would check out Whitney and Bobby fronting Journey, though. But only if Bobbi Kristina and Clive Davis join them onstage.

Bugsy

[froy]

The new rendition of Styx has EXACTLY the members in it that I printed. Styx has carried on with 8. It was the only way JY, Chuck and Tommy would agree to let Dennis back in . Dennis agreed. The new CD is awesome. EVERYONE seems happy. The tour is about to start.

This is now Styx. Who is at the shows??????

No Gowan
Sorry Im out
Also Dennis wont allow Gowan either
Its like Perry singing with augeri
Never going to happen

[styxfanNH]

Too bad the home town Chicago fans tha knew nothing about it and chose not to go would get screwed.

[rajah2165]

Its early October 2008 and the rumors are flying everywhere on various Styx sites that Dennis Deyoung is about to rejoin the band that he help launch into superstardom in the 70's and 80's. As the news continues to leak it is also learned that they will release a CD of all new music on February 18, 2009. The new CD titled 'Forgiveness', will contain 13 brand new Styx songs. This all new CD is going to try to re-capture the success of the album The Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight.

That summer the first of 65 concerts will open in Chicago on June 11. Opening for the band and playing thru July 27 (first leg of the tour) playing a 65 minute set will be Journey.

Journey eargerly is sporting a new lead singer. Journey promises to bring a singer to the table that has the pipes of former lead singer Steve Perry. At a press conference the band plays Open Arms behind a curtain where no one can see who this singer is. That day Open Arms is re-released as a single. Later (June 9th) Neal Schon releases the name of their new lead singer. With Journeys new rendition of Open Arms racing up the chart again. The public finally figures out that Journey is now being led by..... Whitney Houston.

The final leg of Styx's summer tour finds Jeff Scott Soto's old band 'Talisman' opening up for the boyz.

Styx will be playing a 95 minute set of their new music plus their old classics.

It is now June 11, Whitey closes Journey's show with her now classic Open Arms. Nineteen minutes later JY grabs the microphone and introduces Chuck Panozzo, Todd Sucherman, Tommy Shaw, Glen Burtnik, Ricky Phillips, Lawerence Gowan and DENNIS DEYOUNG

Ladies & Gentleman............................................. STYX....................................................................


Who's there, supporting the NEW rendition of STYX????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

First off, doubt this ever to be possible as DDY will always command too much control since he thinks he is Styx and always knows what is best for them and he would never be seen on a stage as Styx with Gowan. Secondly, if by a miracle this would happen, it would draw okay, nothing special and then they would fade into the sunset after another breakup and uninspired new music.

Someone asked Steve Walsh of Kansas once if his creativity took a huge dip once he was off the drugs and alcohol and his answer was hell yeah. I truly believe much of Styx's best stuff was created when these people were loose, high, ready to climb the preverbial Mount Everest. Once Dennis went comfortably into his family role and became the shapparone...around 1979...once Tommy got off everything and became way too mellow...once JY got off everything and went way too cynical and business..this thing all fell apart. The creative fountain that gave us Come Sail Away, Fooling Yourself, Miss America, Blue Collar Man, Grand Illusion is dried up and empty with nothing to feed it.

Pieces of 8 is about as uncreative as you can get...merely a rehashing of The Grand Illusion. Blue Collar Man? It sucks.

[stabbim]

Pieces of 8 is about as uncreative as you can get...merely a rehashing of The Grand Illusion. Blue Collar Man? It sucks.

"Blue Collar Man" may or may not suck*, but it doesn't sound like anything on The Grand Illusion.




* Blue Collar Man doesn't suck

[rajah2165]

Pieces of 8 is about as uncreative as you can get...merely a rehashing of The Grand Illusion. Blue Collar Man? It sucks.

"Blue Collar Man" may or may not suck*, but it doesn't sound like anything on The Grand Illusion.




* Blue Collar Man doesn't suck

Pieces of 8 shows no new direction whatsoever in that band with few exceptions

Sing For The Day = Foolin Yourself (acoustic pop song)
I'm Okay = Grand Illusion (same thematic - organ/synth driven)
Pieces of Eight = Come Sail Away (similar format)
Great White Hope = Miss America (similar format)
Queen of Spades = Castle Walls (slow beginning and then rocks out)
Blue Collar Man = Superstars (not quite as obvious, but still straight ahead keyboard driven songs)
And while I don't have a direct comparison to Lord Of the Rings, it could have definitely been right at home on The Grand Illusion.

Renegade is a bit different and you have those 2 instrumentals (wasted space), but it shows no new direction whatsover.

PIECES OF EIGHT = OVERRATED

[cittadeeno23]

P.0.8 is one of the best albums ever recorded. Probably 2nd to Grand Illusion.
Who gives a sh*t if they didn't change directions and the 2 albums are similar.
They changed directions with the next album, Cornerstone and a lot of people bitched about it.
And just because the music format is similar on the 2 albums, they don't have the same sound in my opinion. I have been listening to these 2 for almost 30 years, and they sound like 2 separate albums to me everytime. Both have great songs, and incredible harmonies. But different sounding songs. I'm OK, Sing for the Day, Great White Hope sound NOTHING like the Grand Illusion.
Styx changed directions many times. Look at Kilroy. They didn't have to change direction
EVERY single album.

But I respect your opinion. Your entitled to it. Everyone hears and sees things differently, I guess.

[stabbim]

P.0.8 is one of the best albums ever recorded. Probably 2nd to Grand Illusion.

Oh, it's much better than The Grand Illusion, IMO.

[cittadeeno23]

I go back and forth with PO8 and GI. They are my 2 favs.

1. GI
2. P08
3. Paradise Theater
4. Cornerstone ( I LOVE Borrowed Time and Love in the midnight).
5. Crystal Ball

Love in the midnight is a song I can listen to over and over and over and never get sick of.
The cool chanting, the cool Bass, and of course the incredible triple harmonies are awesome.
That song gets me pumped up everytime.
I love the way they trade off singing when Tommy says "Looking for love, then Dennis and then JY. I wish they would have done that in a lot more songs. I loved when they all worked together. The vocals are still what I love most about Styx. Nobody can match the sound they had.

[Blue Falcon]

Its early October 2008 and the rumors are flying everywhere on various Styx sites that Dennis Deyoung is about to rejoin the band that he help launch into superstardom in the 70's and 80's. As the news continues to leak it is also learned that they will release a CD of all new music on February 18, 2009. The new CD titled 'Forgiveness', will contain 13 brand new Styx songs. This all new CD is going to try to re-capture the success of the album The Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight.

That summer the first of 65 concerts will open in Chicago on June 11. Opening for the band and playing thru July 27 (first leg of the tour) playing a 65 minute set will be Journey.

Journey eargerly is sporting a new lead singer. Journey promises to bring a singer to the table that has the pipes of former lead singer Steve Perry. At a press conference the band plays Open Arms behind a curtain where no one can see who this singer is. That day Open Arms is re-released as a single. Later (June 9th) Neal Schon releases the name of their new lead singer. With Journeys new rendition of Open Arms racing up the chart again. The public finally figures out that Journey is now being led by..... Whitney Houston.

The final leg of Styx's summer tour finds Jeff Scott Soto's old band 'Talisman' opening up for the boyz.

Styx will be playing a 95 minute set of their new music plus their old classics.

It is now June 11, Whitey closes Journey's show with her now classic Open Arms. Nineteen minutes later JY grabs the microphone and introduces Chuck Panozzo, Todd Sucherman, Tommy Shaw, Glen Burtnik, Ricky Phillips, Lawerence Gowan and DENNIS DEYOUNG

Ladies & Gentleman............................................. STYX....................................................................


Who's there, supporting the NEW rendition of STYX????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

In the fall of 2008, JY will be playing kids birthday parties. And even then half of the kids won't even show up.

[Grotelul]

Pieces of 8 is about as uncreative as you can get...merely a rehashing of The Grand Illusion. Blue Collar Man? It sucks.

"Blue Collar Man" may or may not suck*, but it doesn't sound like anything on The Grand Illusion.




* Blue Collar Man doesn't suck

Pieces of 8 shows no new direction whatsoever in that band with few exceptions

Sing For The Day = Foolin Yourself (acoustic pop song)
I'm Okay = Grand Illusion (same thematic - organ/synth driven)
Pieces of Eight = Come Sail Away (similar format)
Great White Hope = Miss America (similar format)
Queen of Spades = Castle Walls (slow beginning and then rocks out)
Blue Collar Man = Superstars (not quite as obvious, but still straight ahead keyboard driven songs)
And while I don't have a direct comparison to Lord Of the Rings, it could have definitely been right at home on The Grand Illusion.

Renegade is a bit different and you have those 2 instrumentals (wasted space), but it shows no new direction whatsover.

PIECES OF EIGHT = OVERRATED

Your comparisons of POE songs to GI songs are a joke. Pieces of Eight was just right for it's place in the Styx catalog. The mistake was following this up with Cornerstone, which after a first listen was one of the biggest disappointments ever from Styx in my opinion. They didn't have to go in that different of a direction. I learned to like Cornerstone because Styx to me was THE band. Years later, I rarely listen to it as it is not what I love about their music.

[yogi]

This just in..... Styx's August 19 show in San Francisco is a lock in only type of show.

Once you enter the venue at the Tailsmen / Styx( with Special Guest Tool) concert you will not be able to leave until the concert is completed. Also, ONLY positive reviews of the concert will be allowed. All press will have to have their notes & video inspected and approved by 'The Enlightened One' before they will be allowed to leave the venue.

[rajah2165]

Pieces of 8 is about as uncreative as you can get...merely a rehashing of The Grand Illusion. Blue Collar Man? It sucks.

"Blue Collar Man" may or may not suck*, but it doesn't sound like anything on The Grand Illusion.




* Blue Collar Man doesn't suck

Pieces of 8 shows no new direction whatsoever in that band with few exceptions

Sing For The Day = Foolin Yourself (acoustic pop song)
I'm Okay = Grand Illusion (same thematic - organ/synth driven)
Pieces of Eight = Come Sail Away (similar format)
Great White Hope = Miss America (similar format)
Queen of Spades = Castle Walls (slow beginning and then rocks out)
Blue Collar Man = Superstars (not quite as obvious, but still straight ahead keyboard driven songs)
And while I don't have a direct comparison to Lord Of the Rings, it could have definitely been right at home on The Grand Illusion.

Renegade is a bit different and you have those 2 instrumentals (wasted space), but it shows no new direction whatsover.

PIECES OF EIGHT = OVERRATED

Your comparisons of POE songs to GI songs are a joke. Pieces of Eight was just right for it's place in the Styx catalog. The mistake was following this up with Cornerstone, which after a first listen was one of the biggest disappointments ever from Styx in my opinion. They didn't have to go in that different of a direction. I learned to like Cornerstone because Styx to me was THE band. Years later, I rarely listen to it as it is not what I love about their music.

No you are the joke, dude. They release another Pieces of eight album in 1979/80 and they go away...just like Kansas...

[Blue Falcon]

[quote="rajah2165]

No you are the joke, dude. They release another Pieces of eight album in 1979/80 and they go away...just like Kansas...[/quote]

How would that happen? PO8 was a Top 5 album, just like Grand Illusion. Kansas put out an album with American Indians wearing space helmets and wondered why it flopped!

[stabbim]

They release another Pieces of eight album in 1979/80 and they go away...just like Kansas...

And if so, that would be a bad thing ...why?

[rajah2165]

They release another Pieces of eight album in 1979/80 and they go away...just like Kansas...

And if so, that would be a bad thing ...why?

Because you lose an entire fan base and your place as a band that people care about 30 years later.

[rajah2165]

[quote="rajah2165]

No you are the joke, dude. They release another Pieces of eight album in 1979/80 and they go away...just like Kansas...

How would that happen? PO8 was a Top 5 album, just like Grand Illusion. Kansas put out an album with American Indians wearing space helmets and wondered why it flopped! [/quote]

How many top 10 singles did Pieces of Eight have?

That's what I thought..

[stabbim]

They release another Pieces of eight album in 1979/80 and they go away...just like Kansas...

And if so, that would be a bad thing ...why?

Because you lose an entire fan base and your place as a band that people care about 30 years later.

Well, no...I don't lose anything, because I'm not in the band nor do I have a financial stake in their career.

And as a fan, if one believes everything after Po8 is crap (which I personally don't, but that's neither here nor there) what's the difference if the band just drops off the face of the planet?

[cittadeeno23]

Personally, my all time favorite Styx songs are the ones that they DIDN'T release.
I like the long, progressive songs the best.

I'm pretty sure that noboby on this planet loves Styx MORE than I do. Except maybe the guys in the band themselves!
And I say P08 is one of the best albums ever recorded.

[Rockwriter]

I go back and forth with PO8 and GI. They are my 2 favs.

1. GI
2. P08
3. Paradise Theater
4. Cornerstone ( I LOVE Borrowed Time and Love in the midnight).
5. Crystal Ball

Love in the midnight is a song I can listen to over and over and over and never get sick of.
The cool chanting, the cool Bass, and of course the incredible triple harmonies are awesome.
That song gets me pumped up everytime.
I love the way they trade off singing when Tommy says "Looking for love, then Dennis and then JY. I wish they would have done that in a lot more songs. I loved when they all worked together. The vocals are still what I love most about Styx. Nobody can match the sound they had.

My faves in order are probably :

1. Grand Illusion
2. Paradise Theatre
3. Pieces of Eight
4. Equinox
5. Styx II
6. Crystal Ball
7. Everything else in no particular order


I agree, the vocals are the "signature" of Styx. That's what ties all the disparate stylistic elements together and stamps them as "Styx".


Sterling

[cittadeeno23]

The vocals are it, baby! That's what drew me to them.
As far as Cornerstone goes, Yes, I can live without 'First Time'. But that album came out when I was in Highshool and at the time, my buddy had the only car in the group. And that Tape NEVER, EVER left his tape deck for 12 months straight. So that is all we listened to on the way to school, on the way home and at lunch time. And of course when Cruising on the weekends!
So It really grew on me. He litterally did not remove that tape from his car tape-deck until the day Paradise Theatre came out.
I am not making this up!

That's why Cornerstone is in my top 5 favs. But GI and P08 still are my alltime favs.