Today Just Went From A HIgh of Highs to a Low of Lows

[StyxCollector]

So I finally got my DDY interview today. All was right. REcording levels looked fine. It was one awesome interview ... we talked for a long time.

After the interview, I went out. I came back and checked what I had recorded and it was messed up. To say I'm heartbroken is an understatement. He said so much stuff that hasn't been in any other interview. And it's gone.

I don't even know what to say. I should pack it in. I know at this point my chances of getting another interview is pretty much over.

Live and learn.

[StyxCollector]

So here are some highlights from memory ... and trust me when I say I am close to tears. After that interview to have nothing I am flabbergasted.

1. The acoustic thing is DDY on piano, Glen on guitar, and someone TBD. Jimmy has another commitment. They haven't worked out a set list. They may do some Beatles stuff. He mentioned six dates at the moment (no other dates) and that NYC wouldn't have been his first place as it adds some pressure. He has no plans to record or release the shows a la the Music of Styx 2 CD set. He said that he went back and watched the Unplugged mini-set they did for VH-1 and thought it was great.

2. One Hundred Years (the US release) has songs that are remixed from the original Canadian release (about 4 or 5). Rain was one.

3. He validated that there are a few Styx demos out there, namely Chain Me Down (recorded but not put on GI) and Lighthouse (originally written but not recorded for Po8).

4. He said JY did NOT sing on any version - demo or otherwise - of CSA.

5. He was VERY complimentary to Tommy. In fact, he even said that TS wrote better songs for CB, hence his song getting the album title. He said CB and Mademoiselle are the two best songs on there. He knew that TS would put Styx over the top.

6. He talked about the WN years and how there's very little of it he feels is any good. Off the top of my head: Lady, Best Thing, Young Man, Father OSA, and he said Christopher, Mr. Christopher is a good song but a bad recording. He said Styx II is the only album worth owning from that era.

7. The main reason he doesn't play keys is that a) for this band, he feels he needs to be front and center and b) with all the variables in sound, and he's never on a proper tour, so he flies in and does a show. He can't easily just schlep a real piano and the Oberheim. He really loves that old synth stuff, but it's just not in the cards.

8. We talked quite a bit about some stuff around potential mistakes and such. DDY said A&M wanted to release SMTW as the first single from EOTC, but he said no and wanted to put Glen's song out (LITR) first. But he said in hindsight it was a mistake. Similar things were said about KWH (he would have never released High Time as a single and he wrote it ... he wanted Haven't We Been Here Before as a single but TS hated the video, etc. - so that's why High Time was released). First Time came up again.

9. DDY said JY did not play or sing on Babe OR BOTR.

10. He flat out said that no one is blocking any formal remasters or reissues.

11. Basically, he understands that the die hards want to hear other tunes, but most people are there for nostalgia and quite frankly, doing the lesser known tunes isn't getting him through the door. That's what things like the Lost Treasures show are for.

12. Rubicon may eventually make the live set. It was actually the original title for the album and artwork was even made up.

13. He said that not having a second guitarist earlier for the rock act was a mistake. The reason there wasn't one was that the initial shows were all orchestral, so two guitars would have been too much, but for the live rock act, it would have been better with two from the get go. It had nothing to do with copying Styx (but he basically said who better to do the songs like Styx than him).

14. He said multiple times he didn't have confidence in some things which ultimately turned out well (an example is the live album from a few years back).

15. Besides Babe and First Time, he said BOTR should have been the third single from Cornerstone.

16. We talked about the writing process and he feels he writes better alone. Everyone brought their individual playing to parts, but the final say on any tune was the guy who wrote it. We talked a bit about collaboration and how some Styx songhs - such as Renegade - were brought in as acoustic harmony numbers, DDY made some suggestions to Tommy, and you got the rocker you have today. Same with Crystal Ball. If you heard the leak of the old HArvest track a few years ago, you'll know it was all three part harmony. DDY suggested the chorus and that TS sing the verses alone, and it's the song we know and love today.

17. Told me an interesting story about the UK and Cornerstone. When Styx did the mini-tour of the UK/Europe in '78 they were panned. Punk was in, etc., and Dire Straits opened for them. Styx was doing its thing (i.e. the GI/Po8 sound) but he knew from that trip that they had to come back and change direction or they wouldn't survive. Hence, you have Cornerstone.

18. He doesn't understand why the fans are still split at this point (I'm paraphrasing). We talked a lot about fans and perceptions, etc.

19. He said "All For Love" was in consideration to be recorded for One Hundred Years (the US release) but ultimately didn't make it and there were better songs.

20. We talked about the Oscars thing - he said he nearly fell out of his seat.

That's all for now ... if I remember anything else, I'll post.

[Jodes]

Sorry Allan.. I really am.

Thanks for the info though.. sounds like it was a great interview!

[bugsymalone]

Thanks for sharing what you were able to remember, Allan, and perhaps you will be able to add a few more things to what you wrote above later on. It is such a disappointment to you, I am sure, to have the technical problems that ruined the final result.

Bugsy

[froy]

So I finally got my DDY interview today. All was right. REcording levels looked fine. It was one awesome interview ... we talked for a long time.

After the interview, I went out. I came back and checked what I had recorded and it was messed up. To say I'm heartbroken is an understatement. He said so much stuff that hasn't been in any other interview. And it's gone.

I don't even know what to say. I should pack it in. I know at this point my chances of getting another interview is pretty much over.

Live and learn.

I know your pain
What does messed up mean?
Total blank?
Maybe I can help
What did you record on?

[foolintherain]

So here are some highlights from memory ... and trust me when I say I am close to tears. After that interview to have nothing I am flabbergasted.

1. The acoustic thing is DDY on piano, Glen on guitar, and someone TBD. Jimmy has another commitment. They haven't worked out a set list. They may do some Beatles stuff. He mentioned six dates at the moment (no other dates) and that NYC wouldn't have been his first place as it adds some pressure. He has no plans to record or release the shows a la the Music of Styx 2 CD set. He said that he went back and watched the Unplugged mini-set they did for VH-1 and thought it was great.

2. One Hundred Years (the US release) has songs that are remixed from the original Canadian release (about 4 or 5). Rain was one.

3. He validated that there are a few Styx demos out there, namely Chain Me Down (recorded but not put on GI) and Lighthouse (originally written but not recorded for Po8).

Did he say why on his last tour with Styx he had a keyboard player side stage playing the parts while he mimed to them?

4. He said JY did NOT sing on any version - demo or otherwise - of CSA.

5. He was VERY complimentary to Tommy. In fact, he even said that TS wrote better songs for CB, hence his song getting the album title. He said CB and Mademoiselle are the two best songs on there. He knew that TS would put Styx over the top.

6. He talked about the WN years and how there's very little of it he feels is any good. Off the top of my head: Lady, Best Thing, Young Man, Father OSA, and he said Christopher, Mr. Christopher is a good song but a bad recording. He said Styx II is the only album worth owning from that era.

7. The main reason he doesn't play keys is that a) for this band, he feels he needs to be front and center and b) with all the variables in sound, and he's never on a proper tour, so he flies in and does a show. He can't easily just schlep a real piano and the Oberheim. He really loves that old synth stuff, but it's just not in the cards.

8. We talked quite a bit about some stuff around potential mistakes and such. DDY said A&M wanted to release SMTW as the first single from EOTC, but he said no and wanted to put Glen's song out (LITR) first. But he said in hindsight it was a mistake. Similar things were said about KWH (he would have never released High Time as a single and he wrote it ... he wanted Haven't We Been Here Before as a single but TS hated the video, etc. - so that's why High Time was released). First Time came up again.

9. DDY said JY did not play or sing on Babe OR BOTR.

10. He flat out said that no one is blocking any formal remasters or reissues.

11. Basically, he understands that the die hards want to hear other tunes, but most people are there for nostalgia and quite frankly, doing the lesser known tunes isn't getting him through the door. That's what things like the Lost Treasures show are for.

12. Rubicon may eventually make the live set. It was actually the original title for the album and artwork was even made up.

13. He said that not having a second guitarist earlier for the rock act was a mistake. The reason there wasn't one was that the initial shows were all orchestral, so two guitars would have been too much, but for the live rock act, it would have been better with two from the get go. It had nothing to do with copying Styx (but he basically said who better to do the songs like Styx than him).

14. He said multiple times he didn't have confidence in some things which ultimately turned out well (an example is the live album from a few years back).

15. Besides Babe and First Time, he said BOTR should have been the third single from Cornerstone.

16. We talked about the writing process and he feels he writes better alone. Everyone brought their individual playing to parts, but the final say on any tune was the guy who wrote it. We talked a bit about collaboration and how some Styx songhs - such as Renegade - were brought in as acoustic harmony numbers, DDY made some suggestions to Tommy, and you got the rocker you have today. Same with Crystal Ball. If you heard the leak of the old HArvest track a few years ago, you'll know it was all three part harmony. DDY suggested the chorus and that TS sing the verses alone, and it's the song we know and love today.

17. Told me an interesting story about the UK and Cornerstone. When Styx did the mini-tour of the UK/Europe in '78 they were panned. Punk was in, etc., and Dire Straits opened for them. Styx was doing its thing (i.e. the GI/Po8 sound) but he knew from that trip that they had to come back and change direction or they wouldn't survive. Hence, you have Cornerstone.

18. He doesn't understand why the fans are still split at this point (I'm paraphrasing). We talked a lot about fans and perceptions, etc.

19. He said "All For Love" was in consideration to be recorded for One Hundred Years (the US release) but ultimately didn't make it and there were better songs.

20. We talked about the Oscars thing - he said he nearly fell out of his seat.

That's all for now ... if I remember anything else, I'll post.

[foolintherain]

So here are some highlights from memory ... and trust me when I say I am close to tears. After that interview to have nothing I am flabbergasted.

1. The acoustic thing is DDY on piano, Glen on guitar, and someone TBD. Jimmy has another commitment. They haven't worked out a set list. They may do some Beatles stuff. He mentioned six dates at the moment (no other dates) and that NYC wouldn't have been his first place as it adds some pressure. He has no plans to record or release the shows a la the Music of Styx 2 CD set. He said that he went back and watched the Unplugged mini-set they did for VH-1 and thought it was great.

2. One Hundred Years (the US release) has songs that are remixed from the original Canadian release (about 4 or 5). Rain was one.

3. He validated that there are a few Styx demos out there, namely Chain Me Down (recorded but not put on GI) and Lighthouse (originally written but not recorded for Po8).

Did he say why on his last tour with Styx he had a keyboard player side stage playing the parts while he mimed to them?

4. He said JY did NOT sing on any version - demo or otherwise - of CSA.

5. He was VERY complimentary to Tommy. In fact, he even said that TS wrote better songs for CB, hence his song getting the album title. He said CB and Mademoiselle are the two best songs on there. He knew that TS would put Styx over the top.

6. He talked about the WN years and how there's very little of it he feels is any good. Off the top of my head: Lady, Best Thing, Young Man, Father OSA, and he said Christopher, Mr. Christopher is a good song but a bad recording. He said Styx II is the only album worth owning from that era.

7. The main reason he doesn't play keys is that a) for this band, he feels he needs to be front and center and b) with all the variables in sound, and he's never on a proper tour, so he flies in and does a show. He can't easily just schlep a real piano and the Oberheim. He really loves that old synth stuff, but it's just not in the cards.

8. We talked quite a bit about some stuff around potential mistakes and such. DDY said A&M wanted to release SMTW as the first single from EOTC, but he said no and wanted to put Glen's song out (LITR) first. But he said in hindsight it was a mistake. Similar things were said about KWH (he would have never released High Time as a single and he wrote it ... he wanted Haven't We Been Here Before as a single but TS hated the video, etc. - so that's why High Time was released). First Time came up again.

9. DDY said JY did not play or sing on Babe OR BOTR.

10. He flat out said that no one is blocking any formal remasters or reissues.

11. Basically, he understands that the die hards want to hear other tunes, but most people are there for nostalgia and quite frankly, doing the lesser known tunes isn't getting him through the door. That's what things like the Lost Treasures show are for.

12. Rubicon may eventually make the live set. It was actually the original title for the album and artwork was even made up.

13. He said that not having a second guitarist earlier for the rock act was a mistake. The reason there wasn't one was that the initial shows were all orchestral, so two guitars would have been too much, but for the live rock act, it would have been better with two from the get go. It had nothing to do with copying Styx (but he basically said who better to do the songs like Styx than him).

14. He said multiple times he didn't have confidence in some things which ultimately turned out well (an example is the live album from a few years back).

15. Besides Babe and First Time, he said BOTR should have been the third single from Cornerstone.

16. We talked about the writing process and he feels he writes better alone. Everyone brought their individual playing to parts, but the final say on any tune was the guy who wrote it. We talked a bit about collaboration and how some Styx songhs - such as Renegade - were brought in as acoustic harmony numbers, DDY made some suggestions to Tommy, and you got the rocker you have today. Same with Crystal Ball. If you heard the leak of the old HArvest track a few years ago, you'll know it was all three part harmony. DDY suggested the chorus and that TS sing the verses alone, and it's the song we know and love today.

17. Told me an interesting story about the UK and Cornerstone. When Styx did the mini-tour of the UK/Europe in '78 they were panned. Punk was in, etc., and Dire Straits opened for them. Styx was doing its thing (i.e. the GI/Po8 sound) but he knew from that trip that they had to come back and change direction or they wouldn't survive. Hence, you have Cornerstone.

18. He doesn't understand why the fans are still split at this point (I'm paraphrasing). We talked a lot about fans and perceptions, etc.

19. He said "All For Love" was in consideration to be recorded for One Hundred Years (the US release) but ultimately didn't make it and there were better songs.

20. We talked about the Oscars thing - he said he nearly fell out of his seat.

That's all for now ... if I remember anything else, I'll post.

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

[brywool]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

I've never heard this one...

[Rockwriter]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

I've never heard this one...

Uh, I don't think that's true. Maybe somebody to play some fills, and even that I'm not sure about. But they had that a lot of their career, someone playing single string lines while Dennis played main parts or whatever.


Sterling

[Jodes]

Yeah.. it was Larry Gowan! lol

[bugsymalone]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

I've never heard this one...

Because it is not true.


Bugsy

[brywool]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

I've never heard this one...

Uh, I don't think that's true. Maybe somebody to play some fills, and even that I'm not sure about. But they had that a lot of their career, someone playing single string lines while Dennis played main parts or whatever.


Sterling

Hmm. Never noticed it in all the years I saw them. I did notice that there was a roady playing acoustic guitar at a Journey show once, but that was it.

[foolintherain]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

I've never heard this one...

I wasn't aware that that was unkown, Dennis couldn't play the difficult passages as he had not kept in playing shape in his offtime.

[Toph]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

I've never heard this one...

I wasn't aware that that was unkown, Dennis couldn't play the difficult passages as he had not kept in playing shape in his offtime.

Why have you come on here to be an asshole and spew lies?

[Jodes]

Right Toph and you're a boy scout..

[froy]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

[/quote]

Yea he did he said you took to much PCP

[foolintherain]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

I've never heard this one...

I wasn't aware that that was unkown, Dennis couldn't play the difficult passages as he had not kept in playing shape in his offtime.

Why have you come on here to be an asshole and spew lies?

I'm just speaking the truth, the guy did come up with some pretty good lines though.

[StyxCollector]

OK guys ... I feel better.

Just got off the phone with DDY. This one was EVEN BETTER. I'm not posting audio. I have to transcribe it all which will take weeks. It's literally nearly three hours of me and Dennis.

So it won't be in the next few weeks, but I will start trickling it out in parts probably in late March.

[sadie65]

OK guys ... I feel better.

Just got off the phone with DDY. This one was EVEN BETTER. I'm not posting audio. I have to transcribe it all which will take weeks. It's literally nearly three hours of me and Dennis.

So it won't be in the next few weeks, but I will start trickling it out in parts probably in late March.

Very happy that Dennis understood and you got another interview. Thanks for sharing what you could of the first one. Looking forward to whatever you can of this one.

[sadie65]

Did he say why he had a keyboard player sidestage on his last tour with Styx playing his parts while he mimed them?

I've never heard this one...

I wasn't aware that that was unkown, Dennis couldn't play the difficult passages as he had not kept in playing shape in his offtime.

Whether true or not...really doesn't matter. Doesn't change anything certainly not the opinions of those that frequent this board anyway.

[StyxCollector]

BTW, I didn't ask him but I interviewed him for Keyboard magazine and talked with that roadie who did both the 96 and 97 tours. It is true he played some keys, but it was the string parts under songs like Babe and the Best of Times (where DDY is playing piano), and both Tommy and JY were playing guitar. Styx never does or did what Rush does with the MIDI foot pedals triggering things.

So that guy didn't play anything substantial.

Many bands have "ghost" musicians (VH did it for keys, so did U2).

EDIT: And for the record, DDY hasn't lost shit on his keyboard playing. What was spouted above wasn't true in 1997 nor is it true today. I have seen him during soundchecks, live, you name it ... and you'll hear in my interview when I transacribe it he talks about playing live.

[StyxCollector]

Very happy that Dennis understood and you got another interview. Thanks for sharing what you could of the first one. Looking forward to whatever you can of this one.

People can say what they want about Dennis, but the man gave me five hours of time over the past two days. He could have told me to fuck off especially after yesterday. This was a very relaxed, conversational interview.

I think this is the first time Dennis has really opened up about Styx in a very meaningful way (not just some journalist asking him why he's not in Styx or about Roboto) since, well, I can remember. For whatever reason he was willing to answer my questions (which I think some people will be surprised at some of the answers) and he didn't skirt around anything. There was only one thing he wouldn't answer and that was in regards to the upcoming Disney thing which I respect since I'm sure he can't say much right now.

Dennis has always been gracious towards me and I don't think badly of him. I feel the same about Tommy who I encountered once or twice as well. Both are very introspective guys.

So publicly, I say thank you to both Dennis DeYoung and Tim Orchard for making it happen.

[bugsymalone]

OK guys ... I feel better.

Just got off the phone with DDY. This one was EVEN BETTER. I'm not posting audio. I have to transcribe it all which will take weeks. It's literally nearly three hours of me and Dennis.

So it won't be in the next few weeks, but I will start trickling it out in parts probably in late March.

Wonderful news! Look forward to the postings.

DDY. What a guy!

Bugsy

[bugsymalone]

EDIT: And for the record, DDY hasn't lost shit on his keyboard playing. What was spouted above wasn't true in 1997 nor is it true today. I have seen him during soundchecks, live, you name it ... and you'll hear in my interview when I transacribe it he talks about playing live.

The spoutee is, and has been, a troll here before. No feeding rules should apply.


Bugsy

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Allan, I'm SO happy that everything worked out for you with the interview (s) !!! I told you it would - in time!!!! I'm SO excited, you waited and waited and things worked out, twice!!

I CAN'T wait to read your interview!!!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

By the way, when are you going to update your StyxCollector site?? I hope you'll add more information soon!!

[pinkfloyd1973]

Kewlness, and great job Allan


Robin

[The Styx Ninja]

Man, if I ever got to sit and talk to one of greatest vocalist (in my opinion) and ask him how I could improve my vocals, not to mention have him possibly look at music I've written in the past...

Well, dreams are dreams.

[KWH17]

That's great to hear everything worked out great in the end! He always came off as a great guy, and this further proof to that point. Thank you for telling as much as you could from the first interview as you could remember and thanks in advance for transcribing your second interview for us on here.

It's very interesting what Dennis has been saying recently about Styx. I believe his theory about the releases of First Time, and HWBHB. Styx has had a bad history of releasing the wrong songs as singles, which for awhile didn't hurt them, but caught up to them later.

What I found really interesting was the comment about nothing stopping the releases of remasters and re-issues, and his views on the split of the fanbase [which I hope is described in more detail.] That and DDY complimenting Tommy, and his contributions. In Sterlings book Tommy seemed complimentary of DDY in one of his interview segments, which kinda raises the hope for a reunion [I know, the dead horse again, but a man can dream].

[yogi]

I can't wait to read it !!!!

GREAT job Alan.

Tim Orchard is one GREAT guy!!!!!