Pieces of Eight Question

by **BidForGreen** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:18 am

A question for those of you who were old enough to remember the Pieces of Eight album when it came out.

According to what I've read about Styx, Blue Collar Man was the first single off that album, peaking at #21. Then it seems like that Sing For the Day was the second single and its flip side was Renegade. Evidently Sing For The Day was a bit of a chart disappointment, peaking at #41. So, my question is, how did Styx get radio to flip over the single and start playing Renegade and how did it get so popular? I would think that after the success of the Grand Illusion that Styx was hoping to really make it big with PO8. And the first single BCM just does okay and the second single SFTD doesn't even crack the top 40. Was there a sense of panic at that point? It seems like Renegade really came out and reignited that album and made it the success that was. I can only wonder that if Renegade hadn't been a B side and been the first release, if it would have hit the top 10. I am not sure how radio worked back then, but isn't it interesting how the B side was the highest charting song on that album.

Rock On!

by **elmotano** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:55 am

From what I recall from way back then......radio was different, they played what people wanted to hear. Also, in the Rock category, people didn't really buy singles, we bought albums. I can tell you that it was all but impossible to get tickets to Styx shows even in NYC. Anyway, back then , a good song had a better chance of reaching the masses than today. Today it's mostly driven by someone who thinks they know what people want to or should listen to. The only panic I recall when it came to Styx was 1)getting tix when shows went on sale and 2)being at the record store at midnight to try and get an album when it first came out.

Howie

by **jrnyman28** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:28 am

Remember the days when the DJ might actually flip the single over and play the B-side?!?!?! You could trust a DJ when they said something was cool, you WANTED to know what the DJ liked, THEY brought the music to us!

by **styxfanNH** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:35 am

I remember radio shows that wer dedicated to just the B sides. Durin some shows they played both sides. And even others that use the B side as trivia.. Now there is no such thing as a B side to singles or albums. CD's really changed the concept of how to record an album. No longer could a band orchestrate two different sides with different feels. Fans had to listen to a a whole album and not just one side. Its very different now.

by **jrnyman28** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:46 am

styxfanNH wrote:Fans had to listen to a a whole album and not just one side. Its very different now.

Sounded like a good thing. Now no one listens to an entire CD. But then most of it is crap anyway...

by **MCM** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:01 am

When was the last time that you heard a DJ play an entire album all at one time??? I haven't heard that in my area in a long time, years maybe... Ahhhh Clearchannel..

by **gr8dane** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:02 am

MCM wrote:When was the last time that you heard a DJ play an entire album all at one time??? I haven't heard that in my area in a long time, years maybe... Ahhhh Clearchannel..

Here in Toronto,a rockstation does an album side once or twice a day.
And yes,radio isn't what it used to be.Therefore i put 5 discs in my player and push random ,or play my Pod.

by **brywool** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:48 pm

Radio has become a dumpster.
I never listen to it, especially in Seattle. It's terrible.

by **Barbara** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:21 am

BidForGreen wrote:So, my question is, how did Styx get radio to flip over the single and start playing Renegade and how did it get so popular?

I think I remember calling and requesting they play "Renegade". Although that is admittedly Quite a while ago for me to remember, for sure.

But, I would have to agree with elmotano on this subject. Back then, radio played what people requested and I guess "Renegade" got played cause people knew what good music was, back then.(OMG! I've reached the age of saying "back then.."

lol) ...And I guess it wasn't STYX getting them to flip the record over...was it?

by **elmotano** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:17 am

Barbara wrote: ...And I guess it wasn't STYX getting them to flip the record over...was it?

That might depend upon if you believe in the power of Penguins

by **piecesofeight** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:19 am

elmotano wrote:
Barbara wrote: ...And I guess it wasn't STYX getting them to flip the record over...was it?

That might depend upon if you believe in the power of Penguins

MR

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