Classic JY - the genius of the band

[brywool]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

[Saint John]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

Hard to argue with most of this. But I vehemently disagree with the bolded part.

[brywool]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

Hard to argue with most of this. But I vehemently disagree with the bolded part.

Anybody could sing DeYoung and Shaws HARMONY parts.

[Saint John]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

Hard to argue with most of this. But I vehemently disagree with the bolded part.

Anybody could sing the HARMONY parts.

I missed the word "harmony" the first time.

[Toph]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

You are just plain wrong here. Shaw is the high voice, JY is the middle voice, and Dennis is the low voice. Shaw sings the high part on just about every Styx song. If anything messes up the harmonies, it is JY's grating voice in the middle.

[brywool]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

You are just plain wrong here. Shaw is the high voice, JY is the middle voice, and Dennis is the low voice. Shaw sings the high part on just about every Styx song. If anything messes up the harmonies, it is JY's grating voice in the middle.

No YOU are wrong Toph. JY is the high voice in most of their harmonies. I guarantee you that's how it's laid out. Usually Dennis is the lower, Tommy the middle and JY the highest. Sometimes it's all Dennis (Babe, Roboto) but normally, they are laid out in the fashion above. Listen to their older live clips on Youtube. If you listen to his solo albums (I dare anyone to sit through one all the way) the harmonies sound VERY much like Styx. That's because JY is a very dominant and high voice in the Styx harmony layout.

JY is the higher voice in 90% of them.

[froy]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

The book and BTM were ten plus years ago Talk to us now Chuck

[Keiferb]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

I would agree. I've always maintained that the three principals (DDY, TS, and JY), together, is what made them great. He was by far the least of the 3, but yet, still integral. He's still a shit head.

[Keiferb]

Hey JY (and all band members/wives/mangement/sons/daughters etc. who read this site)

Not that this hasn't been said before, but you are really just a bitter jerk. Your spewing of hate toward the guy that got you to where you are is not only hypocritical, but childish. Have you ever had a song played on the radio JY? Do you know what that is like? Is Miss America really the defining Styx song? Uh...not even close. It's a pseudo hit. Most people have never even heard of it. Then we have to go down to the likes of Snowblind and then after that your role in the band is to provide that 1 filler song on every album that is often skipped by most of the folks that purchased those albums. So you can talk about how great this version of the band is and how talented it is, and how horrible DDY was for the band, but were it not for your buddy DDY who built the brand with HIS songs, you'd be sweeping a mall floor somewhere. Get over yourself - of all people to own the band's name, you are the least deserving. Yet, you control the most power - I can understand why they call you the Godfather of Styx....your theft of what was once a great brand name is appaling to state the least. Then you have the audacity to go off and be critical of DDY every chance you get...Can you at least get a little more creative with your put downs off DDY - this playing hockey on the river styx is been played out almost as much as the "backwards satanic messages" intro to Snowblind.

So, you can continue to revel in how you managed to kill a band that used to be my and many others favorite. And you can claim that this is the best incarnation of Styx...all while not having a record deal, not being able to play to any sizeable crowd without 2 other bands on the bill, and whose total creative output consists of poorly rerecording songs that were written, produced, and sung by a guy who you continually bash in any public interview that you have......Pathetic...

Well put.

[DerriD]

"We've played 2 superbowls since that other guy was in the band."

Yeah and you used to headline. Dickhead.

I've seen the new Styx 4 times since 'the split' and while it's nice to see Tommy (and the rest of the band...I do like Gowan), they've OPENED every time. Pa-Fucking-thetic!

A Foreigner (with 1 original member) has played later in the show on 2 of those tours.

[DerriD]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

Hard to argue with most of this. But I vehemently disagree with the bolded part.

Anybody could sing DeYoung and Shaws HARMONY parts.

Bry,

You are one of the few who seem to be sane around here. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Mr JY Roboto]

Amazing that a 60+ year old man could still harbor such bitterness towards someone whom he shared many years of success with. My granddad hated the Japs until he died at age 90, but he had a pretty good reason to since they had killed most of his buddies on Okinawa.

This ain't Okinawa, JY.

Why can't JY take the high road for just once?? To keep mentioning the "hockey on the River Styx" metaphor after ten years is definitely juvenile. And again with the jabs at 'Cornerstone'...you need to let it go, JY.

Were you in a band with Dennis? How can you or anyone else have an opinion on this when you don't have the slightest damned idea what it was like for JY or any of the other guys?

[Boomchild]

JY's favorite era of Styx was Equinox, Crystal Ball , The Grand Illusion & Pieces Of Eight. All these albums & tours were done with Dennis. The way I read that that includes EVERYTHING up until now and this was JY's favorite.

How is this a slam on Dennis?? This is a plus comment.

Shi t, he did a a good honest interview. Some of you are TOTALLY blind & twisted.

Wake up it is almost 2011!!

The Definition of Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Good statement. I think it could be said that is what Dennis was trying to do with Styx starting with Cornerstone. Trying to take the band to the next level. In my opinion if they stuck to the same thing they were doing they would have lost ground.

[Boomchild]

Amazing that a 60+ year old man could still harbor such bitterness towards someone whom he shared many years of success with. My granddad hated the Japs until he died at age 90, but he had a pretty good reason to since they had killed most of his buddies on Okinawa.

This ain't Okinawa, JY.

Why can't JY take the high road for just once?? To keep mentioning the "hockey on the River Styx" metaphor after ten years is definitely juvenile. And again with the jabs at 'Cornerstone'...you need to let it go, JY.

It's called an ego and JY has a big one. i'm sure he loves being the center of attention in Styx now that DDY is no longer there to steal the spotlight from him. That's not to say that Dennis does not have some ego issues as well.

[Boomchild]

"brywool"

Not true. Chuck has made his feelings known about Dennis. He doesn't like him.

Really show me the article.

I think it's safe to say that Dennis' and Chuck's relationship was not the best at the time of the split. If he didn't have issues with Dennis then why vote against him?

[Boomchild]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

I disagree about the harmonies. It was the combination of all three of their voices that made those Styx trademark harmonies. If it was mainly just JY that stuck out and anyone could fill in on the others then the harmonies of the current Styx would be exactly the same. That just isn't the case. They pale in comparison to the classic Styx harmonies.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

"brywool"

Not true. Chuck has made his feelings known about Dennis. He doesn't like him.

Really show me the article.

I think it's safe to say that Dennis' and Chuck's relationship was not the best at the time of the split. If he didn't have issues with Dennis then why vote against him?

In my opinion.........

Chuck had to look out for himself and how he was going to make money, income. Maybe he felt that he would be making money by being part of the tour and receiving money from the merchandise.

What what anyone do if they were in that position?

Don't forget, many musicians don't have health insurance and in Chuck's situation, with doctor's visits and his prescriptions, he probably felt this was the right thing to do, for himself.

[froy]

"brywool"

Not true. Chuck has made his feelings known about Dennis. He doesn't like him.

Really show me the article.

I think it's safe to say that Dennis' and Chuck's relationship was not the best at the time of the split. If he didn't have issues with Dennis then why vote against him?

In my opinion.........

Chuck had to look out for himself and how he was going to make money, income. Maybe he felt that he would be making money by being part of the tour and receiving money from the merchandise.

What what anyone do if they were in that position?

Don't forget, many musicians don't have health insurance and in Chuck's situation, with doctor's visits and his prescriptions, he probably felt this was the right thing to do, for himself.

Funny he did not sand bag Tommy in the 90's

[Mr JY Roboto]

"brywool"

Not true. Chuck has made his feelings known about Dennis. He doesn't like him.

Really show me the article.

I think it's safe to say that Dennis' and Chuck's relationship was not the best at the time of the split. If he didn't have issues with Dennis then why vote against him?

In my opinion.........

Chuck had to look out for himself and how he was going to make money, income. Maybe he felt that he would be making money by being part of the tour and receiving money from the merchandise.

What what anyone do if they were in that position?

Don't forget, many musicians don't have health insurance and in Chuck's situation, with doctor's visits and his prescriptions, he probably felt this was the right thing to do, for himself.

Funny he did not sand bag Tommy in the 90's

Because he wanted Tommy back in the band so he could make more money. That's what it's all about for Dennis...or didn't you know that?

[froy]

"Mr JY Roboto"


Funny he did not sand bag Tommy in the 90's

Because he wanted Tommy back in the band so he could make more money. That's what it's all about for Dennis...or didn't you know that?

I was talking about Chuck why are you bringing Dennis into this?

[Boomchild]

"Mr JY Roboto"


Funny he did not sand bag Tommy in the 90's

Because he wanted Tommy back in the band so he could make more money. That's what it's all about for Dennis...or didn't you know that?

I was talking about Chuck why are you bringing Dennis into this?

It's because Dennis is the scape goat for everything that people think was wrong with Styx.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Were you in a band with Dennis? How can you or anyone else have an opinion on this when you don't have the slightest damned idea what it was like for JY or any of the other guys?

Were YOU in a band with Dennis or JY or Tommy? Do you know what it was like for any of them? Do you seriously think it was ALL or MOSTLY Dennis? Well if you and others think so, then you're really living in a Grand Illusion.

This is just ONE example that it wasn't Dennis: if you didn't know this by now, JY use to correspond by letter through his attorney to a few of the band members. I'm pretty sure you can read 2 of the letters on-line. I mean, geez, that guy couldn't even talk with his own bandmates at times. And guess what, it wasn't only towards Dennis either.

[Boomchild]

Were you in a band with Dennis? How can you or anyone else have an opinion on this when you don't have the slightest damned idea what it was like for JY or any of the other guys?

Were YOU in a band with Dennis or JY or Tommy? Do you know what it was like for any of them? Do you seriously think it was ALL or MOSTLY Dennis? Well if you and others think so, then you're really living in a Grand Illusion.

This is just ONE example that it wasn't Dennis: if you didn't know this by now, JY use to correspond by letter through his attorney to a few of the band members. I'm pretty sure you can read 2 of the letters on-line. I mean, geez, that guy couldn't even talk with his own bandmates at times. And guess what, it wasn't only towards Dennis either.

Your right. It certainly is a "Grand Illusion" if you think that it was all or mostly DDY. With the voting structure in the band there is no way DDY could railroad the band on everything.

[Keiferb]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

Hard to argue with most of this. But I vehemently disagree with the bolded part.

Anybody could sing DeYoung and Shaws HARMONY parts.

Bry,

You are one of the few who seem to be sane around here. Thanks for clearing that up.

I've always fancied myself as pretty sane. JY, on the other hand is not.

[Keiferb]

And I just picked up on the following I missed when I first posted it.

A: There's a sense that (because) this line-up has kind of existed for a little over 10 years, and it's doing wonderfully, that it's just a way to put some nuances from the stage shows that weren't in the original recordings. Plus it's a representation of what the band is like live for the last 10 concert seasons and the next 12 concert seasons, as far as I'm concerned.

Now that's laughable.

[Toph]

And I just picked up on the following I missed when I first posted it.

A: There's a sense that (because) this line-up has kind of existed for a little over 10 years, and it's doing wonderfully, that it's just a way to put some nuances from the stage shows that weren't in the original recordings. Plus it's a representation of what the band is like live for the last 10 concert seasons and the next 12 concert seasons, as far as I'm concerned.

Now that's laughable.

JY is a tool.

[Ehwmatt]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

You are just plain wrong here. Shaw is the high voice, JY is the middle voice, and Dennis is the low voice. Shaw sings the high part on just about every Styx song. If anything messes up the harmonies, it is JY's grating voice in the middle.

No YOU are wrong Toph. JY is the high voice in most of their harmonies. I guarantee you that's how it's laid out. Usually Dennis is the lower, Tommy the middle and JY the highest. Sometimes it's all Dennis (Babe, Roboto) but normally, they are laid out in the fashion above. Listen to their older live clips on Youtube. If you listen to his solo albums (I dare anyone to sit through one all the way) the harmonies sound VERY much like Styx. That's because JY is a very dominant and high voice in the Styx harmony layout.

JY is the higher voice in 90% of them.

Bry, as a singer, why would JY be doing the higher parts? Note to note, Tommy and Dennis both of course have much bigger ranges. Is it because he can do them in falsetto and leave Tommy and Dennis (the much stronger singers, to be sure) to sound "fuller" in the low and middle parts?

[Boomchild]

And I just picked up on the following I missed when I first posted it.

A: There's a sense that (because) this line-up has kind of existed for a little over 10 years, and it's doing wonderfully, that it's just a way to put some nuances from the stage shows that weren't in the original recordings. Plus it's a representation of what the band is like live for the last 10 concert seasons and the next 12 concert seasons, as far as I'm concerned.

Now that's laughable.

I'd love to hear JY explain in detail the "nuances" he is referring to. It sounds nothing like a live performance. Talk about an over sell.

[brywool]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

You are just plain wrong here. Shaw is the high voice, JY is the middle voice, and Dennis is the low voice. Shaw sings the high part on just about every Styx song. If anything messes up the harmonies, it is JY's grating voice in the middle.

No YOU are wrong Toph. JY is the high voice in most of their harmonies. I guarantee you that's how it's laid out. Usually Dennis is the lower, Tommy the middle and JY the highest. Sometimes it's all Dennis (Babe, Roboto) but normally, they are laid out in the fashion above. Listen to their older live clips on Youtube. If you listen to his solo albums (I dare anyone to sit through one all the way) the harmonies sound VERY much like Styx. That's because JY is a very dominant and high voice in the Styx harmony layout.

JY is the higher voice in 90% of them.

Bry, as a singer, why would JY be doing the higher parts? Note to note, Tommy and Dennis both of course have much bigger ranges. Is it because he can do them in falsetto and leave Tommy and Dennis (the much stronger singers, to be sure) to sound "fuller" in the low and middle parts?

Hey Matt, sorry I didn't see this, plus the usual replies had me heading for the hills...
While JY's lead singing voice pretty much blows, his headvoice is incredibly distinct and incredibly high. It could be a falsetto, but I don't think so. Tommy also definitely does his share of the higher harmonies (Borrowed Time, Lady- to name a few- falsetto parts), but JY's headvoice has a lot of power to it and he can hit some seriously high harmony notes that aren't whimpy in the least. Having said that, his lead voice blows. Did I mention that? Dennis I can't remember doing any of the higher harmony parts other than the ones where his was the only voice on the track (Roboto, etc.). He does harmonies, sure, but not those super-high ones. He's usually on the bottom. The way they stacked their harmonies seemed to be based on range and power as it usually is. So yeah, having Dennis on the bottom with his full voice, then Tommy, then JY seemed to be a great way to go.

[brywool]

he mentions it in his book and also the behind the music deal. It's pretty apparent unless we're burying our heads in the sand. The fact that he voted Dennis out (twice) also speaks volumes on how he thinks of him.

Also, those that constantly say that JY hasn't brought anything to the band, listen to the harmonies on any Styx song. More often than not JY is the high voice of those signature harmonies. Anybody could sing the DDY, TS harmony parts. Not everyone could do those super high harmony parts that JY pulls off. He really has a lot to do with their signature sound. Maybe not the writing, but definitely the vocal sound which is a huge part of their success.

But we don't want to hear about that...

I disagree about the harmonies. It was the combination of all three of their voices that made those Styx trademark harmonies. If it was mainly just JY that stuck out and anyone could fill in on the others then the harmonies of the current Styx would be exactly the same. That just isn't the case. They pale in comparison to the classic Styx harmonies.

Not saying he was soley responsible. I am saying that his voice in those harmonies really added a LOT and people don't give him credit for it. Listen to his solo albums and tell me the harmonies don't sound like Styx. Now listen to Tommy's. Doesn't sound like Styx harmonies to me at all. Dennis' do more, but mostly JYs stacked harmonies on his solo stuff (at least to me) have that Styx sound. The albums are terrible, but when I tried to sit through them, I was immediately struck by the harmonies and how Styx they were compared to the others. If you listen to 100 Years From Now, Dennis has kind of gone out of his way (my opinion) to make the harmonies sound very Styx-ish. There's also a guy there in the harmony mix that sounds suspiciously like JY to me on some of the tracks. I think Froy said that was Kevin Chalfont, but I don't know enough of his stuff to comment.