Note from Todd

[chowhall]

I wonder how much Todd gets paid for being in Styx, it might be time to give him a raise. I have a hard time thinking what the band will be like without him. It is very strange times for the band, playing without JY and soon to play without Todd.

It's all just a coincidence, just ask Zan .

[Zan]

What criteria is everyone using when they say John "wasn't the best" or "wasn't very good?" Is it because all you know of his abilities is Babe and Mr. freakin Roboto?

I'm not disagreeing with anyone here - I have no idea what John was capable of outside of Styx music. I never heard him play anything else. Have any of you?

Serious question.

Oh, and I can say with 100% certainty that decent drummers are NOT a dime a dozen. And finding a decent drummer to play Styx music properly is even harder. Trust me. I've auditioned enough of them. Most can't even get TMTOMH right.

[equinox]

It would be cool if Michael Cartellone could come on as a guest drummer (If he wasn't busy with Lynard Skynard those nights). I think that would be enjoyable for Tommy, too.

[chowhall]

Serious question.

Oh, and I can say with 100% certainty that decent drummers are NOT a dime a dozen. And finding a decent drummer to play Styx music properly is even harder. Trust me. I've auditioned enough of them. Most can't even get TMTOMH right.

My Dad always loved the offbeat of John in TMTOMH. It's the drumming that makes that song stand out. I don't know if Tommy wrote the offbeat or not, but it is definitely unique.

[Toph]

What criteria is everyone using when they say John "wasn't the best" or "wasn't very good?" Is it because all you know of his abilities is Babe and Mr. freakin Roboto?

I'm not disagreeing with anyone here - I have no idea what John was capable of outside of Styx music. I never heard him play anything else. Have any of you?

Serious question.

Oh, and I can say with 100% certainty that decent drummers are NOT a dime a dozen. And finding a decent drummer to play Styx music properly is even harder. Trust me. I've auditioned enough of them. Most can't even get TMTOMH right.

Actually did John even play on Babe or Mr. Roboto? I thought Babe was just Dennis or some producer doing a soft drum thing...and as for Roboto...I guess if John programmed the drum machine..then ok he had something do with it, but I don't think there is an ounce of "real" drums in that entire song...

[Zan]

Actually did John even play on Babe or Mr. Roboto? I thought Babe was just Dennis or some producer doing a soft drum thing...and as for Roboto...I guess if John programmed the drum machine..then ok he had something do with it, but I don't think there is an ounce of "real" drums in that entire song...

He must not have been good enough.

[kansas666]

Drummers ARE a dime a dozen. And you don't have to be a graduate of Juliard to bang the skins for STYX. The guy Todd replaced was not a very good drummer, and any good basher with 4x4 time can fill in for a weekend.

The guy Todd replaced was John Panozzo and you're an asswipe.

Classy

[Zan]

Classy

Yeah. Somehow, I don't think that was what chow was shooting for. lol

But ya know, I'd rather read a little profanity every now & again than some of the other horsesh*t that gets posted here everyday. Just 'cuz it doesn't have a curse word in it, doesn't mean it's not rude or classless.

[styxfansite]

How about John Miceli? He is Meatloaf's drummer and is pretty good. Meatloaf is off till the last part of October.

http://www.john-miceli.com/johnmiceli.htm

[StyxCollector]

What criteria is everyone using when they say John "wasn't the best" or "wasn't very good?" Is it because all you know of his abilities is Babe and Mr. freakin Roboto?

John was a very good drummer and we only heard him in the context of Styx. And in that context he was perfect.

But based on that vs. other folks, he certainly had less technique (see: Neil Peart), but good feel. He was a tasteful drummer.

My reaction to Todd early on and somewhat later when he changed some of those fills was that John did them so perfectly, but damn I love Todd's drumming (and he's a heckuva nice guy, too!).

Being a bass player who has played everything under the sun, I know good drummers when I hear 'em. I'll agree with you Zan - having played with drummers who tried to play Styx, it's not an easy task. While he won't ever go down with the greats like Buddy Rich and so on - and there's NOTHING wrong with that - in my book he was and will always be the quintessential drummer for Styx (and no slag against Todd).

[StyxCollector]

Actually did John even play on Babe or Mr. Roboto? I thought Babe was just Dennis or some producer doing a soft drum thing...and as for Roboto...I guess if John programmed the drum machine..then ok he had something do with it, but I don't think there is an ounce of "real" drums in that entire song...

Babe, yes. The demo is John, Chuck, and Dennis. They touched it up a tad, added the guitar, and there you have it.

Roboto I've always wondered about. It's beat perfect and doesn't have any swagger, so it could be a drum machine. I'm pretty sure John also did get into Simmons drums at the time and used them on Kilroy (they're in the video but it doesn't mean he used 'em).

[LtVanish]

I never meant John was never a good drummer or anything like that. To me Todd has now been in Styx so long that I cant imagine the band with out him. Back before the 1996 tour I had a hard time imagining Styx without John. Basically what I am saying is I dont like change to much, only exception is to set lists

[yogi]

So much for my Chuck idea???????????????????

[Rockwriter]

What criteria is everyone using when they say John "wasn't the best" or "wasn't very good?" Is it because all you know of his abilities is Babe and Mr. freakin Roboto?

I'm not disagreeing with anyone here - I have no idea what John was capable of outside of Styx music. I never heard him play anything else. Have any of you?

Serious question.

Oh, and I can say with 100% certainty that decent drummers are NOT a dime a dozen. And finding a decent drummer to play Styx music properly is even harder. Trust me. I've auditioned enough of them. Most can't even get TMTOMH right.

Actually did John even play on Babe or Mr. Roboto? I thought Babe was just Dennis or some producer doing a soft drum thing...and as for Roboto...I guess if John programmed the drum machine..then ok he had something do with it, but I don't think there is an ounce of "real" drums in that entire song...

Yes, John played on "Babe". The record was the original demo that contained Dennis, John and Chuck, to which Tommy added a guitar solo, and Dennis sang all the harmonies. So the Styx member that's not on it is JY. And "Mr. Roboto" as far as I can tell contains real drums, just probably synched up to a click to give that stiff, robotic sound. I think that's John as well. It wasn't until a bit later that he wasn't on certain things. I wouldn't be surprised if he's not on parts of EOTC, for instance.

As far as Todd goes, I wouldn't take this as a sign that he's getting ready to leave, and I also wouldn't take it that he's going to stay until the end of the ride. Todd is genuinely a way better drummer than he'll ever get to be with Styx, and I'm sure playing those same songs every night for years and years is kinda like driving around in second gear for him. But it's also a great job with guys he has deep connections to. So what are you gonna do? My guess is that until Todd decides it's time to have kids, he'll be in Styx. He'll still be young enough to come off the road and he'll have his pick of whatever studio/live gigs he might want, because he's had the opportunity to play with so many far-more-respected artists than Styx. My guess has always been that Todd would be the next to go, but I don't think it's time quite yet. Who knows? My guess is this is just an unforeseen confluence of events that doesn't mean as much as we might read into it.

I hope all is well.

Sterling

[StyxCollector]

Yes, John played on "Babe". The record was the original demo that contained Dennis, John and Chuck, to which Tommy added a guitar solo, and Dennis sang all the harmonies.

Methinks they may have redone a drum fill or two from the demo. But what do I know.

So the Styx member that's not on it is JY. And "Mr. Roboto" as far as I can tell contains real drums, just probably synched up to a click to give that stiff, robotic sound. I think that's John as well.

The sound is also very tight (snare probably very gated) to almost give it an electronic effect.

As far as Todd goes, I wouldn't take this as a sign that he's getting ready to leave, and I also wouldn't take it that he's going to stay until the end of the ride. Todd is genuinely a way better drummer than he'll ever get to be with Styx, and I'm sure playing those same songs every night for years and years is kinda like driving around in second gear for him. But it's also a great job with guys he has deep connections to. So what are you gonna do? My guess is that until Todd decides it's time to have kids, he'll be in Styx. He'll still be young enough to come off the road and he'll have his pick of whatever studio/live gigs he might want, because he's had the opportunity to play with so many far-more-respected artists than Styx. My guess has always been that Todd would be the next to go, but I don't think it's time quite yet. Who knows? My guess is this is just an unforeseen confluence of events that doesn't mean as much as we might read into it.

To some degree, I'm surprised Todd has stayed this long. I know he could almost walk into Brian Wilson's drum chair (and had that opportunity at one point I think), which in some ways is a much better gig. He doesn't rock as much as Styx, but definitely more musically diverse. Todd has done the smart thing all along - do your day job but build your cred at the same time. Ricky has that as well. I also don't think Todd is leaving tomorrow, but I wouldn't guarantee he'll be around 10 more years, either. This is just one of those situations that happens, but what's going on with JY and Susie magnifies it.

It is good fodder to chat about.

[Archetype]

Mike Portnoy is the only possible drummer that could play Todd's parts almost perfectly. Todd has added so many fills, etc. to Styx songs that they wouldn't sound right without them.

[chowhall]

Mike Portnoy is the only possible drummer that could play Todd's parts almost perfectly. Todd has added so many fills, etc. to Styx songs that they wouldn't sound right without them.

Styx songs without Todd were just fine. Styx concerts in 1981 were second to none. Todd was nowhere to be found. They somehow managed.

[bugsymalone]

Styx songs without Todd were just fine. Styx concerts in 1981 were second to none. Todd was nowhere to be found. They somehow managed.

Word!!


Bugsy

[Archetype]

Mike Portnoy is the only possible drummer that could play Todd's parts almost perfectly. Todd has added so many fills, etc. to Styx songs that they wouldn't sound right without them.

Styx songs without Todd were just fine. Styx concerts in 1981 were second to none. Todd was nowhere to be found. They somehow managed.

That was before Todd basically re-wrote many of the drum parts. The songs would seem very empty now without his fills.

[classicstyxfan]

No Doubt Todd has put his stamp on the Setlists, and you cant argue that he's not a great drummer...

but

If he leaves, i'd prefer they look for someone who could re-create a sound closer to John P's then to Todds

[SheriH]

No Doubt Todd has put his stamp on the Setlists, and you cant argue that he's not a great drummer...

but

If he leaves, i'd prefer they look for someone who could re-create a sound closer to John P's then to Todds

Sheesh people! Todd's NOT LEAVING STYX! He's merely missing 2, count them... TWO shows to honor his commitment to attending the Drummer Fest in New York on 9/20 & 9/21 before these were on the tour schedule.

[classicstyxfan]

Sheri,

I don't think he's leaving either, but conversation topics are few and far between thse days hypotheticals are about all there is...

I'd also add that Styx is just a Rock and Roll Band, no matter what happens to/with them, it should way down the list of life altering events (IMO) I'm just an interested observer, nothing more.