Zan wrote:EXCEPT that Roseland's lyrics weren't much different from many of the lyrics on 100 Years, so I'm not entirely sure it wouldn't have been possible. I seriously doubt Styx will ever have a Santana moment - they are not that well-respected in the music community
The Santana moment was an exception indeed. Santana collaborated with younger rock musicians/singers and had the support and push of a mega music mogul behind his CD. I don't know if Jack Black and Billy Bob is what Styx had in mind to give them that Santana moment. While DDY has kind of had a little bit of that moment in Quebec, similar to Santana it was collaboration with a popular (French) rock singer that probably helped broaden the appeal (if DDY decides 100 years should be a duet in English, he should definately look to a young person to sing the other half of the song).
But, Styx and/or DDY do not need to gold or higher status. They have done that already. They only need to make good music and sell a few. This article has an interesting take on why older musicians are getting new record deals these days:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19512466/ It seems to me that if they sell 60k copies, they are doing OK and making some money for their label.