Tommy Shaw interview

[Archetype]

Full interview here

Looking back, how do you feel about the split with [original co-lead singer] Dennis DeYoung?

You know, you’re with each other more than you are with your families for a lot of time. We had this great chemistry for years, and we just went our separate ways. We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

That sounds pretty healthy and friendly…

It really is healthy. He gets to do whatever he wants to do, and we get to carry on the tradition of Styx, and we look forward to every gig. He went his way, we went ours. We came to an agreement, everyone signed off on it, and we’ve coexisted peacefully ever since.

[cittadeeno23]

Nice interview. Tommy and Dennis have been saying decent things about each other (at least publicly) for a while now.
I will always think the best work either of them has ever done was when they were working together.
Tommy said Dennis can do his own thing and his band can carry on the tradition of Styx.
I think Dennis and his band are also carrying on the tradition of Styx. Maybe even more so.

[gr8dane]

Nice interview. Tommy and Dennis have been saying decent things about each other (at least publicly) for a while now.
I will always think the best work either of them has ever done was when they were working together.
Tommy said Dennis can do his own thing and his band can carry on the tradition of Styx.
I think Dennis and his band are also carrying on the tradition of Styx. Maybe even more so.

That was indeed nice.

[froy]

Full interview here

Looking back, how do you feel about the split with [original co-lead singer] Dennis DeYoung?

You know, you’re with each other more than you are with your families for a lot of time. We had this great chemistry for years, and we just went our separate ways. We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

That sounds pretty healthy and friendly…

It really is healthy. He gets to do whatever he wants to do, and we get to carry on the tradition of Styx, and we look forward to every gig. He went his way, we went ours. We came to an agreement, everyone signed off on it, and we’ve coexisted peacefully ever since.

Kinda funny this band has lost hundreds of millions of dollars and Shaw just say's no problem. We are carrying on the name of STYX
from when 1970?

[Boomchild]

Full interview here

Looking back, how do you feel about the split with [original co-lead singer] Dennis DeYoung?

You know, you’re with each other more than you are with your families for a lot of time. We had this great chemistry for years, and we just went our separate ways. We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

That sounds pretty healthy and friendly…

It really is healthy. He gets to do whatever he wants to do, and we get to carry on the tradition of Styx, and we look forward to every gig. He went his way, we went ours. We came to an agreement, everyone signed off on it, and we’ve coexisted peacefully ever since.

While he doesn't bash Dennis as his partner is so fond of doing, he is putting a spin on it. If this was your only source about the break up you would think that Dennis was looking to split from the band. As if he was looking to be out of Styx. They came to an agreement alright, only after Dennis' lawsuit forced them to.

[froy]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner? Wow I hope you don't teach that philosophy to your kids..

[Toph]

Full interview here

Looking back, how do you feel about the split with [original co-lead singer] Dennis DeYoung?

You know, you’re with each other more than you are with your families for a lot of time. We had this great chemistry for years, and we just went our separate ways. We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

That sounds pretty healthy and friendly…

It really is healthy. He gets to do whatever he wants to do, and we get to carry on the tradition of Styx, and we look forward to every gig. He went his way, we went ours. We came to an agreement, everyone signed off on it, and we’ve coexisted peacefully ever since.

While he doesn't bash Dennis as his partner is so fond of doing, he is putting a spin on it. If this was your only source about the break up you would think that Dennis was looking to split from the band. As if he was looking to be out of Styx. They came to an agreement alright, only after Dennis' lawsuit forced them to.

And let's not forget that DDY has indicated that he wants to come back and is not allowed to.

Would love to see what is in that agreement. For example, how much of the touring proceeds do they have to give DDY? Does DDY collect even though he is not working?

Would be interesting to see what that agreement says.

[Boomchild]

Full interview here

Looking back, how do you feel about the split with [original co-lead singer] Dennis DeYoung?

You know, you’re with each other more than you are with your families for a lot of time. We had this great chemistry for years, and we just went our separate ways. We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

That sounds pretty healthy and friendly…

It really is healthy. He gets to do whatever he wants to do, and we get to carry on the tradition of Styx, and we look forward to every gig. He went his way, we went ours. We came to an agreement, everyone signed off on it, and we’ve coexisted peacefully ever since.

While he doesn't bash Dennis as his partner is so fond of doing, he is putting a spin on it. If this was your only source about the break up you would think that Dennis was looking to split from the band. As if he was looking to be out of Styx. They came to an agreement alright, only after Dennis' lawsuit forced them to.

And let's not forget that DDY has indicated that he wants to come back and is not allowed to.

Would love to see what is in that agreement. For example, how much of the touring proceeds do they have to give DDY? Does DDY collect even though he is not working?

Would be interesting to see what that agreement says.

It would be interesting to know some details of that settlement. What I find laughable is how the TS/JY explanation of what happened changes. I remember the first time I read about it. I think it was an article in Goldmine and the story then was that Dennis "passed the Styx baton" to Tommy. On the flip side of things Dennis' explanation of what happened has never changed. Hmmm.

[RedWingFan]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner?

Knocked that one out of the park dude!!!

I went to both those tours. DDY put on the best vocal performance I've seen live.

[Monker]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner?

Knocked that one out of the park dude!!!

I went to both those tours. DDY put on the best vocal performance I've seen live.

I think what they realized is that nobody in Styx was happy working with DDY in the band, except DDY. And, they would rather play to smaller crowds and be happy doing it then playing for larger crowds and be miserable.

[Baron Von Bielski]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner? Wow I hope you don't teach that philosophy to your kids..

They weren't a warm up act or how you so put it at that time.

[Toph]

Full interview here

Looking back, how do you feel about the split with [original co-lead singer] Dennis DeYoung?

You know, you’re with each other more than you are with your families for a lot of time. We had this great chemistry for years, and we just went our separate ways. We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

That sounds pretty healthy and friendly…

It really is healthy. He gets to do whatever he wants to do, and we get to carry on the tradition of Styx, and we look forward to every gig. He went his way, we went ours. We came to an agreement, everyone signed off on it, and we’ve coexisted peacefully ever since.

While he doesn't bash Dennis as his partner is so fond of doing, he is putting a spin on it. If this was your only source about the break up you would think that Dennis was looking to split from the band. As if he was looking to be out of Styx. They came to an agreement alright, only after Dennis' lawsuit forced them to.

And let's not forget that DDY has indicated that he wants to come back and is not allowed to.

Would love to see what is in that agreement. For example, how much of the touring proceeds do they have to give DDY? Does DDY collect even though he is not working?

Would be interesting to see what that agreement says.

It would be interesting to know some details of that settlement. What I find laughable is how the TS/JY explanation of what happened changes. I remember the first time I read about it. I think it was an article in Goldmine and the story then was that Dennis "passed the Styx baton" to Tommy. On the flip side of things Dennis' explanation of what happened has never changed. Hmmm.

I am betting they are still paying him today. The "we get to use the name Styx and he gets to use formerly of Styx, etc." is only a small part of the settlement. There is an entire financial piece. Either DDY sold his rights to the name back to them for a boatload of cash or he takes a piece of everything that they do.

[Toph]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner? Wow I hope you don't teach that philosophy to your kids..

They weren't a warm up act or how you so put it at that time.

They are now. They weren't in 96/97

[Toph]

Full interview here

Looking back, how do you feel about the split with [original co-lead singer] Dennis DeYoung?

You know, you’re with each other more than you are with your families for a lot of time. We had this great chemistry for years, and we just went our separate ways. We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

That sounds pretty healthy and friendly…

It really is healthy. He gets to do whatever he wants to do, and we get to carry on the tradition of Styx, and we look forward to every gig. He went his way, we went ours. We came to an agreement, everyone signed off on it, and we’ve coexisted peacefully ever since.

While he doesn't bash Dennis as his partner is so fond of doing, he is putting a spin on it. If this was your only source about the break up you would think that Dennis was looking to split from the band. As if he was looking to be out of Styx. They came to an agreement alright, only after Dennis' lawsuit forced them to.

And let's not forget that DDY has indicated that he wants to come back and is not allowed to.

Would love to see what is in that agreement. For example, how much of the touring proceeds do they have to give DDY? Does DDY collect even though he is not working?

Would be interesting to see what that agreement says.

It would be interesting to know some details of that settlement. What I find laughable is how the TS/JY explanation of what happened changes. I remember the first time I read about it. I think it was an article in Goldmine and the story then was that Dennis "passed the Styx baton" to Tommy. On the flip side of things Dennis' explanation of what happened has never changed. Hmmm.

The fact of the matter is that Tommy is a compulsive liar - always has been. "They've lost the masters at A&M...." Give me a break.....

[Baron Von Bielski]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner? Wow I hope you don't teach that philosophy to your kids..

They weren't a warm up act or how you so put it at that time.

They are now. They weren't in 96/97

That is true. He just didn't clarify that very well.

I wonder at this point in the game how much difference DDY would make in a live setting. I mean if Tommy has SOOO much going on... another Shaw/Blades, maybe another Bluegrass album, etc. Why not have DDY in the band? They can do the Styx thing half of the year or so and the remaining time can be reserved for rest or Tommy's projects or Dennis' projects. That could work. They would clearly make more money touring with DDY for a shorter tour cycle then touring all year without. The rest of the band can figure out things to do as well. It'll never happen, but if they were smart it would.

[brywool]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner?

Knocked that one out of the park dude!!!

I went to both those tours. DDY put on the best vocal performance I've seen live.

I think what they realized is that nobody in Styx was happy working with DDY in the band, except DDY. And, they would rather play to smaller crowds and be happy doing it then playing for larger crowds and be miserable.

Definitely. There are things that are more important than money in life. They've obviously got enough and now just would rather be happy. Dennis gets COMPLETE control over his career and doesn't have to run everything by Shaw and Young any longer. He gets to be his own man and steer his own ship which is what he's always wanted. Dennis wins. Tommy wins.

I'm not sure how anybody really lost here. Maybe the fans, but hey, go to both shows, and you can't expect these guys to live their lives for their fans, that's just silly.

[froy]

="Monker"

I think what they realized is that nobody in Styx was happy working with DDY in the band, except DDY. And, they would rather play to smaller crowds and be happy doing it then playing for larger crowds and be miserable

The 96-97 tours were fantastic nobody was miserable, The only one who was seems to be Shaw who was broke,

[Boomchild]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner? Wow I hope you don't teach that philosophy to your kids..

They weren't a warm up act or how you so put it at that time.

They are now. They weren't in 96/97

That is true. He just didn't clarify that very well.

I wonder at this point in the game how much difference DDY would make in a live setting. I mean if Tommy has SOOO much going on... another Shaw/Blades, maybe another Bluegrass album, etc. Why not have DDY in the band? They can do the Styx thing half of the year or so and the remaining time can be reserved for rest or Tommy's projects or Dennis' projects. That could work. They would clearly make more money touring with DDY for a shorter tour cycle then touring all year without. The rest of the band can figure out things to do as well. It'll never happen, but if they were smart it would.

It's all about the money. Do you think that TS, JY and CP are making more or less off the business now then when they had to share the profits with a founding member that had a huge stake in the business? I am willing to bet 10 to 1 that they are taking home more of the profits then when Dennis was there. That and that alone is a big reason for them not to invite Dennis back. It would be an instant pay cut. I don't know about you but, most people don't choose to make less money then they do now.

[froy]

Tommy Shaw


It's all about the money. Do you think that TS, JY and CP are making more or less off the business now then when they had to share the profits with a founding member that had a huge stake in the business? I am willing to bet 10 to 1 that they are taking home more of the profits then when Dennis was there. That and that alone is a big reason for them not to invite Dennis back. It would be an instant pay cut. I don't know about you but, most people don't choose to make less money then they do now.

Who cares really bottom line is the fans got fucked. To have to sit and listen to Gowan sing Dennis is a slap in the face
All of that just to get a few bucks. Sure they are making more but working 100 times more to do it,
That's why Shaw looks like an old man and Glen is gone, There is no new music never again in fact so Its who is left to shack up with and sell the T Shirts and home made cds, That's the abyss my friend

[Baron Von Bielski]

Tommy Shaw

We tried putting it back together in ’96 and ’97, and realized, this is just who we are.

You realized you are a warm up act instead of a headliner? Wow I hope you don't teach that philosophy to your kids..

They weren't a warm up act or how you so put it at that time.

They are now. They weren't in 96/97

That is true. He just didn't clarify that very well.

I wonder at this point in the game how much difference DDY would make in a live setting. I mean if Tommy has SOOO much going on... another Shaw/Blades, maybe another Bluegrass album, etc. Why not have DDY in the band? They can do the Styx thing half of the year or so and the remaining time can be reserved for rest or Tommy's projects or Dennis' projects. That could work. They would clearly make more money touring with DDY for a shorter tour cycle then touring all year without. The rest of the band can figure out things to do as well. It'll never happen, but if they were smart it would.

It's all about the money. Do you think that TS, JY and CP are making more or less off the business now then when they had to share the profits with a founding member that had a huge stake in the business? I am willing to bet 10 to 1 that they are taking home more of the profits then when Dennis was there. That and that alone is a big reason for them not to invite Dennis back. It would be an instant pay cut. I don't know about you but, most people don't choose to make less money then they do now.

Money isn't everything my friend. I'm sure all the guys were making plenty when they toured with DDY though. No matter what he share was.

[Monker]

It's all about the money. Do you think that TS, JY and CP are making more or less off the business now then when they had to share the profits with a founding member that had a huge stake in the business? I am willing to bet 10 to 1 that they are taking home more of the profits then when Dennis was there. That and that alone is a big reason for them not to invite Dennis back. It would be an instant pay cut. I don't know about you but, most people don't choose to make less money then they do now.

And, this is where that argument falls apart. If it is 'all about the money', having DDY come back for a tour would increase their profits in a positive way - no matter how you look at it. It can not possibly be 'all about the money' when they refuse to tour with him. There are other factors there that you absolutely refuse to admit.

I think you are absolutely looney for believing with such certainty that you know how much they are making now compared to when Dennis was in the band in the mid-90's. It seems pretty obvious that they were taking in big cash performing in larger venues then they are now. Even if DDY was taking a larger share then Gowan, it is impossible to know with any certainty if Tommy and JY are making more or less money now. The pie is divided up so differently now, according to posts on this forum, that the comparison is ridiculous.

What IS certain is that having Dennis back and going on a big reunion tour would sell a lot more tickets. Even froyline would go to that. That is the golden ticket...Styx continuing to turn their back on DDY because they are only thinking of money is a laughable statement.

[Boomchild]

It's all about the money. Do you think that TS, JY and CP are making more or less off the business now then when they had to share the profits with a founding member that had a huge stake in the business? I am willing to bet 10 to 1 that they are taking home more of the profits then when Dennis was there. That and that alone is a big reason for them not to invite Dennis back. It would be an instant pay cut. I don't know about you but, most people don't choose to make less money then they do now.

And, this is where that argument falls apart. If it is 'all about the money', having DDY come back for a tour would increase their profits in a positive way - no matter how you look at it. It can not possibly be 'all about the money' when they refuse to tour with him. There are other factors there that you absolutely refuse to admit.

I think you are absolutely looney for believing with such certainty that you know how much they are making now compared to when Dennis was in the band in the mid-90's. It seems pretty obvious that they were taking in big cash performing in larger venues then they are now. Even if DDY was taking a larger share then Gowan, it is impossible to know with any certainty if Tommy and JY are making more or less money now. The pie is divided up so differently now, according to posts on this forum, that the comparison is ridiculous.

What IS certain is that having Dennis back and going on a big reunion tour would sell a lot more tickets. Even froyline would go to that. That is the golden ticket...Styx continuing to turn their back on DDY because they are only thinking of money is a laughable statement.

Sure there are other factors but bottom line it's money. Band members used to complain in the past about how much Dennis made compared to themselves. To say that they would earn more with Dennis in the band at this point is speculation. It's been pointed out here many times that the casual fan does not care about the original members of a band being intact just as long as they play the bands hits and ones they are familiar with. The casual fan is their market. To say that money was not a part of it is silly. BTW, I never said I know how much they are making. I said I bet which is speculation. With Dennis out of the band their would be more of the bulk profits to split among the remaining original members.

[Baron Von Bielski]

It's hard to believe that they could not come together and hammer out some deal where the big 3 would have equal share money wise and equal input. Todd and Ricky would get less with little or no power. But not so much less that it's ridiculous and Todd should earn more than Ricky due to time served. If they did hammer out some deal that might lure Glen back which would only make the band stronger live. It'll never happen, but it's not impossible to come to a fair and equitable agreement.

[Monker]

Sure there are other factors but bottom line it's money.

So, this guy that you and others think is so crucial to the band, that he wrote all the best songs, out performs/sings Gowan, was the leader of Styx, Styx was his band...

He just doesn't matter and the band is just as profitable without him.

It must be fun to live in a world where all the right angles are 33 degrees.

[Saint John]

It's all about the money. Do you think that TS, JY and CP are making more or less off the business now then when they had to share the profits with a founding member that had a huge stake in the business? I am willing to bet 10 to 1 that they are taking home more of the profits then when Dennis was there. That and that alone is a big reason for them not to invite Dennis back. It would be an instant pay cut. I don't know about you but, most people don't choose to make less money then they do now.

And, this is where that argument falls apart. If it is 'all about the money', having DDY come back for a tour would increase their profits in a positive way - no matter how you look at it. It can not possibly be 'all about the money' when they refuse to tour with him. There are other factors there that you absolutely refuse to admit.

I think you are absolutely looney for believing with such certainty that you know how much they are making now compared to when Dennis was in the band in the mid-90's. It seems pretty obvious that they were taking in big cash performing in larger venues then they are now. Even if DDY was taking a larger share then Gowan, it is impossible to know with any certainty if Tommy and JY are making more or less money now. The pie is divided up so differently now, according to posts on this forum, that the comparison is ridiculous.

What IS certain is that having Dennis back and going on a big reunion tour would sell a lot more tickets. Even froyline would go to that. That is the golden ticket...Styx continuing to turn their back on DDY because they are only thinking of money is a laughable statement.

The point is that Dennis DOESN'T want to tour EVERY year and do long tours. He'd like to tour 30-40 shows every other year. That amolunts to LESS money, reagrdless of slightly bigger venue size. So, it IS about money.

[masque]

="Monker"

I think what they realized is that nobody in Styx was happy working with DDY in the band, except DDY. And, they would rather play to smaller crowds and be happy doing it then playing for larger crowds and be miserable

The 96-97 tours were fantastic nobody was miserable, The only one who was seems to be Shaw who was broke,

they were fantastic but i thought shaw wasnt the one broke....i thought it was another member????? JY or Chuck????

[Boomchild]

Sure there are other factors but bottom line it's money.

So, this guy that you and others think is so crucial to the band, that he wrote all the best songs, out performs/sings Gowan, was the leader of Styx, Styx was his band...

He just doesn't matter and the band is just as profitable without him.

It must be fun to live in a world where all the right angles are 33 degrees.

When it comes to the casual fan, who's in the band may not be all that important to them. I never said that Styx was Dennis' band. It was the combination of TS,JY and DDY what made Styx what it was. I never said that he wrote all the best songs. Personally, I think that Dennis does out perform\sing his own work then someone else. Styx without Dennis just is not Styx to me. At this stage in Styx' career I am not sure they can do more then what they are doing even if Dennis was to return. In my opinion, the bands resurgence ended in '96/'97. You always seem to lump people in the same group. Please stop putting words in my mouth.

[Boomchild]

It's all about the money. Do you think that TS, JY and CP are making more or less off the business now then when they had to share the profits with a founding member that had a huge stake in the business? I am willing to bet 10 to 1 that they are taking home more of the profits then when Dennis was there. That and that alone is a big reason for them not to invite Dennis back. It would be an instant pay cut. I don't know about you but, most people don't choose to make less money then they do now.

And, this is where that argument falls apart. If it is 'all about the money', having DDY come back for a tour would increase their profits in a positive way - no matter how you look at it. It can not possibly be 'all about the money' when they refuse to tour with him. There are other factors there that you absolutely refuse to admit.

I think you are absolutely looney for believing with such certainty that you know how much they are making now compared to when Dennis was in the band in the mid-90's. It seems pretty obvious that they were taking in big cash performing in larger venues then they are now. Even if DDY was taking a larger share then Gowan, it is impossible to know with any certainty if Tommy and JY are making more or less money now. The pie is divided up so differently now, according to posts on this forum, that the comparison is ridiculous.

What IS certain is that having Dennis back and going on a big reunion tour would sell a lot more tickets. Even froyline would go to that. That is the golden ticket...Styx continuing to turn their back on DDY because they are only thinking of money is a laughable statement.

The point is that Dennis DOESN'T want to tour EVERY year and do long tours. He'd like to tour 30-40 shows every other year. That amolunts to LESS money, reagrdless of slightly bigger venue size. So, it IS about money.

Last I checked Dennis has been touring consistently since about 2001. Granted he has not performed as many dates as Styx has. I am sure that touring was part of the problems they had with each other.

[Baron Von Bielski]

It's all about the money. Do you think that TS, JY and CP are making more or less off the business now then when they had to share the profits with a founding member that had a huge stake in the business? I am willing to bet 10 to 1 that they are taking home more of the profits then when Dennis was there. That and that alone is a big reason for them not to invite Dennis back. It would be an instant pay cut. I don't know about you but, most people don't choose to make less money then they do now.

And, this is where that argument falls apart. If it is 'all about the money', having DDY come back for a tour would increase their profits in a positive way - no matter how you look at it. It can not possibly be 'all about the money' when they refuse to tour with him. There are other factors there that you absolutely refuse to admit.

I think you are absolutely looney for believing with such certainty that you know how much they are making now compared to when Dennis was in the band in the mid-90's. It seems pretty obvious that they were taking in big cash performing in larger venues then they are now. Even if DDY was taking a larger share then Gowan, it is impossible to know with any certainty if Tommy and JY are making more or less money now. The pie is divided up so differently now, according to posts on this forum, that the comparison is ridiculous.

What IS certain is that having Dennis back and going on a big reunion tour would sell a lot more tickets. Even froyline would go to that. That is the golden ticket...Styx continuing to turn their back on DDY because they are only thinking of money is a laughable statement.

The point is that Dennis DOESN'T want to tour EVERY year and do long tours. He'd like to tour 30-40 shows every other year. That amolunts to LESS money, reagrdless of slightly bigger venue size. So, it IS about money.

I think at this point if he were with Styx, they would do more. Not as much as they do now, but more than 30-40.

[Archetype]

Dennis's band is the best thing going for a Styx fan right now. Fact is Dennis can deliver a terrific Styx show without having to deal with Tommy and JY. He does everything his way, and it's pretty clear that his way results in an absolutely phenomenal show. I'd love to see a reunited Styx, but I think that ship has sailed and Dennis is doing incredibly well with his band. He has some of the coolest guys you could ever talk to playing for him and they're all superb musicians. He's also marketing this show very well. People know about it and like it.