Saw Foreigner last night

[Blue Falcon]

I have to say this touring version of the band is extremely good, with Bonham on drums and all the others. I think Foreigner did the right thing by getting a singer who sounded like Lou Gramm...I kept hearing comments all night that the "new guy" sounded great!

Styx didn't do itself any favors with Larry, the pole-tossing Scot. He may play DDY's keyboard parts well (and it technically better than him to boot), but his vocals just don't cut it. Styx could have done like Foreigner, Boston, and Journey and got lead singer sound-alikes, but for whatever reason they chose not to.

Maybe they just thought Styx fans would love hearing A Criminal Mind every single night.

[froy]

I have to say this touring version of the band is extremely good, with Bonham on drums and all the others. I think Foreigner did the right thing by getting a singer who sounded like Lou Gramm...I kept hearing comments all night that the "new guy" sounded great!

Styx didn't do itself any favors with Larry, the pole-tossing Scot. He may play DDY's keyboard parts well (and it technically better than him to boot), but his vocals just don't cut it. Styx could have done like Foreigner, Boston, and Journey and got lead singer sound-alikes, but for whatever reason they chose not to.

Maybe they just thought Styx fans would love hearing A Criminal Mind every single night.

Yep Larry Gowan has ruined this version of STYX
JY has ruined STYX overall
Great job Jimmy

[piecesofeight]

That really is still one thing I still cannot understand..granted..Larry may be a great 'team mate' and play the hell out of the keys..and be a great on stage..but to replace one of the best voices out there..with someone who doesn't sing that well..I just don't get it..granted..Dennis wasn't the only one who sang..and they more and more Tommy songs anyway..I do believe if Dennis had been the main lead/only lead singer..this could have been a bigger disaster..

[styxfanNH]

I can understand it. JY and Tommy at the time of the split couldn't stand Dennis. Not one thing about him. They simply didn't want a replacement that would remind them of Dennis in any way. So they got Larry. An accomplished musician that had a great career in Canada as a solo act, that they hoped would be able to cross the border with his success.

Brian May said it all during the JSS/Journey debacle. A band that looses it's lead singer can either replace him with a sound alike and continue on as if nothing happened or they can replace him with a very different guy and go in a completely different direction. They chose the latter. I also think they jumped at the first person who agreed to tour with them as a lead singer because they wanted to tour and prove they could make it on their own without Dennis.

I think where the real disappointment is two fold. 1) They have pretty much stepped away from Dennis' songs when even Tommy could have covered some of them fairly well. They have stepped away from their true history. and 2) over the past ten years we have only seen 1 new material album. Certainly if we had seen 3 or 4 new material albums then that would have become the bulk of the songs that they could have chose from where the songs were written for more of Larry's strengths. But because they didn't, they have relegated him to Dennis' songs which he doesn't cover as well as many would have hoped for and forever will be compared to how well he does or doesn't do each song justice.

[Roboto750]

It's funny, I was just thinking about this the other day. Foreigner, and even the new singer for Journey, is excellent at singing the songs they do. I never saw Foreigner with their original front man, but I have seen them with Kelly, and I wouldn't want it any other way!

What I think would have worked for Styx is that when Glen left the band, they could have gotten a bass player that could sing the majority of Dennis' songs. Gowan could have still sang a few (I actually like his version of "Grand Illusion" as well as some of his own songs) and played keys. Instead they got a bass player that hangs around in the shadows and have stuck with Gowan for better of worse. I still enjoy seeing the current Styx, but there is certainly room for improvement.

[Toph]

It's funny, I was just thinking about this the other day. Foreigner, and even the new singer for Journey, is excellent at singing the songs they do. I never saw Foreigner with their original front man, but I have seen them with Kelly, and I wouldn't want it any other way!

What I think would have worked for Styx is that when Glen left the band, they could have gotten a bass player that could sing the majority of Dennis' songs. Gowan could have still sang a few (I actually like his version of "Grand Illusion" as well as some of his own songs) and played keys. Instead they got a bass player that hangs around in the shadows and have stuck with Gowan for better of worse. I still enjoy seeing the current Styx, but there is certainly room for improvement.

I still am trying to figure out what Ricky Phillips brings to the table....

[froy]

It's funny, I was just thinking about this the other day. Foreigner, and even the new singer for Journey, is excellent at singing the songs they do. I never saw Foreigner with their original front man, but I have seen them with Kelly, and I wouldn't want it any other way!

What I think would have worked for Styx is that when Glen left the band, they could have gotten a bass player that could sing the majority of Dennis' songs. Gowan could have still sang a few (I actually like his version of "Grand Illusion" as well as some of his own songs) and played keys. Instead they got a bass player that hangs around in the shadows and have stuck with Gowan for better of worse. I still enjoy seeing the current Styx, but there is certainly room for improvement.

I still am trying to figure out what Ricky Phillips brings to the table....

The same thing as Gowan
Nothing

[chowhall]

It's funny, I was just thinking about this the other day. Foreigner, and even the new singer for Journey, is excellent at singing the songs they do. I never saw Foreigner with their original front man, but I have seen them with Kelly, and I wouldn't want it any other way!

What I think would have worked for Styx is that when Glen left the band, they could have gotten a bass player that could sing the majority of Dennis' songs. Gowan could have still sang a few (I actually like his version of "Grand Illusion" as well as some of his own songs) and played keys. Instead they got a bass player that hangs around in the shadows and have stuck with Gowan for better of worse. I still enjoy seeing the current Styx, but there is certainly room for improvement.

I still am trying to figure out what Ricky Phillips brings to the table....

Zan,

This is not a diss on Chuck, but what did Chuck bring to the table in Styx besides looking cool in the tux and the sneakers? What is Ricky supposed to do? Glen tried to make the 4 lead singer gig work but it didn't. Glen got 2 songs a night and decided it wasn't worth it. Chuck and Ricky did and do what they are supposed to do. They keep the groove going and look cool while they do it. That is what a bass player does. Look at Bill Wyman from the Stones during Jumping Jack Flash. The coolest Bass Line in Rock and he doesn't move. Oh BTW, you guys should get a life. Gowan is probably close to doing more live gigs as a member of Styx than Dennis has. I know he's done more than Dennis since 1980. Dennis has his wonderful life. Tommy and JY have theirs. If Tommy and JY want to forget 30 years of disputes and demeaning then they'll ask Dennis back. If not, the rest of us will enjoy both groups as it is today.

PS I addressed this to Zan because she is very protective of Chuck and won't stand for any criticism of Styx's original bass player.

[StyxCollector]

Back in the day Chuck had a big hand/say in the artwork for the band's albums, so he contributed more than just playing bass. As a bass player, Chuck and Ricky are doing what they should be. They may not be doing insanely flashing things, but they serve the song. Period.

[Toph]

Back in the day Chuck had a big hand/say in the artwork for the band's albums, so he contributed more than just playing bass. As a bass player, Chuck and Ricky are doing what they should be. They may not be doing insanely flashing things, but they serve the song. Period.

Glen had a lot more energy than either one. And if new Styx is all about rockin....you need a bass player that shows a little flash..you can stand their if you are just doing ballads, but since new Styx doesn't do ballads, you need someone who will bring a lot of energy.

[DracIsBack]

Yep Larry Gowan has ruined this version of STYX

... in your personal subjective opinion.

I happen to like Styx with DeYoung and Styx with Gowan (was a fan of Gowan's before he joined Styx).

Just because you don't like it personally, doesn't make it "fact". kindly quit expressing your personal subjective opinions as such.

[Blue Falcon]

A band that looses it's lead singer can either replace him with a sound alike and continue on as if nothing happened or they can replace him with a very different guy and go in a completely different direction. They chose the latter.

And the problem is, the direction they went in was straight down the tubes!

over the past ten years we have only seen 1 new material album. Certainly if we had seen 3 or 4 new material albums then that would have become the bulk of the songs that they could have chose from where the songs were written for more of Larry's strengths.

Bingo. Styx is not Van Halen circa 1985. They did 6 albums with Roth and then were just as successful with Hagar for many years, while making VH more of a real band and not just getting some goofball who acted like Roth on the stage to replace him.

That's the problem with Styx. They went in a "different direction" that has produced exactly one studio album, and a covers album. Exactly who were they trying to kid? If they hated DDY so much that they don't even want a singer who sounds like him in the band, then they're just idiots. Methinks they keep Larry around because he's easy for JY to control and doesn't cause too many waves.

And Kelly does sound darn good fronting Foreigner. No one was wondering where Lou Gramm was.

[gr8dane]

A band that looses it's lead singer can either replace him with a sound alike and continue on as if nothing happened or they can replace him with a very different guy and go in a completely different direction. They chose the latter.

And the problem is, the direction they went in was straight down the tubes!

over the past ten years we have only seen 1 new material album. Certainly if we had seen 3 or 4 new material albums then that would have become the bulk of the songs that they could have chose from where the songs were written for more of Larry's strengths.

Bingo. Styx is not Van Halen circa 1985. They did 6 albums with Roth and then were just as successful with Hagar for many years, while making VH more of a real band and not just getting some goofball who acted like Roth on the stage to replace him.

That's the problem with Styx. They went in a "different direction" that has produced exactly one studio album, and a covers album. Exactly who were they trying to kid? If they hated DDY so much that they don't even want a singer who sounds like him in the band, then they're just idiots. Methinks they keep Larry around because he's easy for JY to control and doesn't cause too many waves.

And Kelly does sound darn good fronting Foreigner. No one was wondering where Lou Gramm was.

Sorry I forget.
How many albums has Kelly done with Foreigner?

[Blue Falcon]

Sorry I forget.
How many albums has Kelly done with Foreigner?

That's not the point I was making...Foreigner never claimed that they were going off in a new direction with a different-sounding singer, although they are putting out an album later this year from what they said at the concert. Boston and Journey are also not going off in "new directions"...although Journey tried it. Van Halen DID go off in a somewhat different direction with Hagar.

I'm just saying Styx's original mission to go off down a new path with a new singer hasn't really yielded much in terms of a "new direction." One studio album, one covers album, and about 15 live albums?

[styxfanNH]

oh no, I am agreeing with blue turkey or he is agreeing with me,

As i said earlier, the disappointment with this core lineup is the lack of output. One new material album in 9 years is way to little. I would have expected more like 3 by now.

I think Ricky brings a lot of energy to the Styx shows and fits the type of look that they are looking for. For me the biggest disappointment with Ricky is that we haven't had a real chance to see what he could bring to new Styx music, just his interpretations of the old stuff. With his resume, I expected to hear something interesting that touched on the harder side of Styx. To date we have only heard him on the covers album.

[Zan]

Glen had a lot more energy than either one. And if new Styx is all about rockin....you need a bass player that shows a little flash...

I wasn't reading this thread until someone pointed out to me that I was personally addressed, but before I go there, I just wanted to say that I first read this to say "shows a little flesh," in which case, I agree!

Ya hear that, Ricky? Show some more flesh, would ya? Thank you.

Now, onto more important issues:

Zan,

This is not a diss on Chuck, but what did Chuck bring to the table in Styx besides looking cool in the tux and the sneakers? What is Ricky supposed to do? Glen tried to make the 4 lead singer gig work but it didn't. Glen got 2 songs a night and decided it wasn't worth it. Chuck and Ricky did and do what they are supposed to do. They keep the groove going and look cool while they do it. That is what a bass player does. Look at Bill Wyman from the Stones during Jumping Jack Flash. The coolest Bass Line in Rock and he doesn't move. Oh BTW, you guys should get a life. Gowan is probably close to doing more live gigs as a member of Styx than Dennis has. I know he's done more than Dennis since 1980. Dennis has his wonderful life. Tommy and JY have theirs. If Tommy and JY want to forget 30 years of disputes and demeaning then they'll ask Dennis back. If not, the rest of us will enjoy both groups as it is today.

PS I addressed this to Zan because she is very protective of Chuck and won't stand for any criticism of Styx's original bass player.

I'm glad you clarified that, lest I think you are trying to suggest that I am Toph, when we all know who Toph really is

OK, maybe not really, but you know.

Anyway, I wasn't even reading this thread but a little birdie told me I should see it because I guess I'm able to get involved in arguments in which I'm not even present. I always knew I was damn talented.

Let me clarify or attempt to define my "protectiveness" of Chuck for a second, if you will. Maybe it will shed some light (tho, history has taught me it'll do about as much good as any other time I've tried to explain anything here, but nevertheless...). First, and foremost, I'll say that Chuck can take care of himself. He's a big boy, and obviously not afraid to stand up for himself (anymore). What gets me riled up is ignorance about most anything. People who presume to understand things they couldn't possibly comprehend (like Chuck's battle with his sexuality and whether or not to come out of the closet when doing so could have jeopardized Styx's career, or about how the Panozzo brothers were nothing but Dennis' lackies and contributed nothing of real substance to Styx's success. Stuff like that). It reeks of ignorance and egotistical foolishness. THAT is what I take issue with, not some need to "protect" Chuck. Believe me, if he reads anything here, I'm sure he keeps plenty of salt handy, and it seems fairly obvious, at least to me, that he doesn't mold his life based on the opinions of a select few who have an axe to grind with their former musical heroes. Nope. Suffice it to say that Chuck has a full life, filled with close friends and family, lots of great clothes, and a magnificently decorated home.

My axe is reserved for ignorance only.

Now, aren't you glad you brought it up, Trent? lol

Seriously, to answer your question (which wasn't a dis, I know), as for "energy on stage," Chuck was never much of a frontman. His place was always at his brother's side, keeping the backbone of Styx (rhythm section, which is IMO< the most important of any music) strong and steady, allowing Dennis, Tommy, and JY to keep the arms, legs, and face of the music going strong. That was their role. So, Glen added a new element - he writes, sings, and is a bit apeshit on stage. That's his style, and while I admit *I* rather enjoyed the hell out of it (not sure how I would have reacted had Chuck gotten in my face and humped his bass, however), I understand that he wasn't meant to be a permanent part of the Styx fixture. I could use metaphors or examples about relationships and dating, but I'll refrain. Glen just wasn't a perfect fit for the band as a whole. He's his own leader as has always been. I am glad, however, we had him for the short time we did. It was really, really special. Ricky is exactly what I believe Styx was looking for all along, assuming Chuck would never return full-time, so everything worked out for everyone. And based on what I've heard, Ricky seems like a very down to earth guy. Even better.

As for your "what did Chuck bring to the table in Styx besides looking cool in the tux and the sneakers," all I can say to that is: That was one thing he was able to do that Dennis couldn't.

[pinkzeppelin]

It's funny how you guys say it's bad that Styx has only released two studio albums, a bunch of live albums, and some great live dvds between their unbeleivably hectic tour schedule. What's your almighty god dennis done, hmmm, oh yeah, 1 album in french( i know some idiot is going to say, "hey only one songs in French"), and oh yes how could i forget, 8 or 9 concerts.

[bugsymalone]

and some great live dvds

You tell some funny jokes for a first post!!

your almighty god dennis

Thanks for referring to him by his proper appellation! So few people remember to do this.


Bugsy

[styxfanNH]

It's funny how you guys say it's bad that Styx has only released two studio albums, a bunch of live albums, and some great live dvds between their unbeleivably hectic tour schedule. What's your almighty god dennis done, hmmm, oh yeah, 1 album in french( i know some idiot is going to say, "hey only one songs in French"), and oh yes how could i forget, 8 or 9 concerts.

Touring schedule aside, Styx should have put out more than the 2 albums. And if you get your head out of your ass and read back a bit, Dennis has been criticized for the same thing. If it makes you feel any better, then here it is..... The biggest disappontment of both Styx and Dennis is that both sides have/had forgotten why everyone is drawn to their music. It was their uncanny ability to speak to the everyday issues and dreams of the every day guy/gal. Whether together or alone since their last breakup they have forgotten what created their fans by stepping away from what their fans loved most about them. Each of their ability to find ways to reach out and touch us, their fans, through new music and unique outlook on life. When each looks back on their career, this period of time will show that they lost the fire within to do what each of them says they love to do, but really doesn't show it in new and inspiring ways.

[Blue Falcon]

It's funny how you guys say it's bad that Styx has only released two studio albums, a bunch of live albums, and some great live dvds between their unbeleivably hectic tour schedule. What's your almighty god dennis done, hmmm, oh yeah, 1 album in french( i know some idiot is going to say, "hey only one songs in French"), and oh yes how could i forget, 8 or 9 concerts.

Touring schedule aside, Styx should have put out more than the 2 albums. And if you get your head out of your ass and read back a bit, Dennis has been criticized for the same thing. If it makes you feel any better, then here it is..... The biggest disappontment of both Styx and Dennis is that both sides have/had forgotten why everyone is drawn to their music. It was their uncanny ability to speak to the everyday issues and dreams of the every day guy/gal. Whether together or alone since their last breakup they have forgotten what created their fans by stepping away from what their fans loved most about them. Each of their ability to find ways to reach out and touch us, their fans, through new music and unique outlook on life. When each looks back on their career, this period of time will show that they lost the fire within to do what each of them says they love to do, but really doesn't show it in new and inspiring ways.

Damn straight...Styx was great because you had 3 singer-songwriters with three different styles, and together it made them better than the individual parts. What galls me is the absolute HATRED that JY has for DDY that remains after all this time. JY is the one who has tried to marginalize DDY's contributions to Styx ("our former keyboardist"), which just needs to stop.

I understand that personality conflicts exist within Styx. That shouldn't be a big deal any more, though, considering that neither Styx nor DDY is producing much new material. One would think they could tolerate each other on the road. (DDY is not blameless in any of this...but he at least seems to have learned from his past and doesn't bad-mouth the others any more.)

Why can't they realize that folks like me would KILL to see a reunited Styx on tour?

[pinkzeppelin]

hey it's funny how you guys have no idea about anything in Styx and continue to talk as if you do.
You can either see STYX, which is amazing or you could go see Dennis sing sappy songs with his wife.

[classicstyxfan]

Please dont feed the troll..........

[sadie65]

Obvious baiting. I just wish once they had some new material to use to bait with...oh but that would take original thought.

[bugsymalone]

Please dont feed the troll..........

Oh I know. And normally I stay far away. But when they leave themselves so open........


Bugsy

[T-Bone]

hey it's funny how you guys have no idea about anything in Styx and continue to talk as if you do.
You can either see STYX, which is amazing or you could go see Dennis sing sappy songs with his wife.

Play nice Patrick....

[Blue Falcon]

hey it's funny how you guys have no idea about anything in Styx and continue to talk as if you do.
You can either see STYX, which is amazing or you could go see Dennis sing sappy songs with his wife.

Great post, JY!

[Zan]

LOL...well, you need to remember that not everyone can be as clever and cunning as Blue Falcon.

[Toph]

hey it's funny how you guys have no idea about anything in Styx and continue to talk as if you do.
You can either see STYX, which is amazing or you could go see Dennis sing sappy songs with his wife.

Sappy? Come Sail Away, Suite Madame Blue, Rockin' In Paradise, Black Wall, 100 Years From Now.....to name a few....I guess I missed the definition of what sappy is...

[Angiekay]

That's not the point I was making...Foreigner never claimed that they were going off in a new direction with a different-sounding singer,

Actually, yes they did...or I should say Mick Jones did. After Lou left,(or was unceremoniously asked to leave-however you wanna look at it)Mick Jones said he wanted to do things different. Lou wasn't the only one in the band to leave or get booted. There were several others who'd been with them for ages who aren't with them anymore.

[froy]

hey it's funny how you guys have no idea about anything in Styx and continue to talk as if you do.
You can either see STYX, which is amazing or you could go see Dennis sing sappy songs with his wife.

Sappy? Come Sail Away, Suite Madame Blue, Rockin' In Paradise, Black Wall, 100 Years From Now.....to name a few....I guess I missed the definition of what sappy is...

Born For Adventure
This Time Next Year
Rain

all sappy