Styx on King Biscuit

[Boomchild]

I was just looking around on YT and came across this posting of Styx on KBFH. I know that most of us more then likely have a copy of this in our collections. I had not listened to this stuff in quite some time and it was really enjoyable for me. It sure made me feel like a teenager again. It always amazed me just how good these guys were even early on. How they were able to recreate those vocals live like they did on their studio recordings. That has always been one of the things that drew me to them. Also, you can tell just how hungry they were and where there to make their mark on the music scene. I think I get more of a kick listening to this stuff then I do the live stuff they did after they hit the big time. Take a listen and share your thoughts and memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7QBvF_cvqc

[Everett]

Thanks for sharing boomer. I have heard the '76 one before but never heard the '75 one.
It just bugs me that these early shows are always too short. Cool to hear some early tommy
background vocals though. Damn those high notes

[FormerDJMike]

Back when I worked in radio we ran the KBFH. I specifically asked them to release this complete show on CD. At the time they had a record label and were releasing some of the complete shows. I was told they had no plans for this one. This is one of my favorite too, it is sooooo good. Born For Adventure is simply outstanding. There are a few different ones, some with Lorelei, something without, some with SMB or Midnight Ride. All from the same Providence show but never released complete. The verison I have on CD is the one with The Outfield. An enjoyable disc since I like The Outfield almost as much as I like Styx.

[Boomchild]

Thanks for sharing boomer. I have heard the '76 one before but never heard the '75 one.
It just bugs me that these early shows are always too short. Cool to hear some early tommy
background vocals though. Damn those high notes

I'm sure I have the show from '75 (RI) on CD. The '76 show I'm not sure if I had that one. I don't think KBFH ever released what they have for Styx on CD like they did for many other bands. Which is a shame. Wolfgang's Vault had a few of these early shows on their site.

[Boomchild]

Back when I worked in radio we ran the KBFH. I specifically asked them to release this complete show on CD. At the time they had a record label and were releasing some of the complete shows. I was told they had no plans for this one. This is one of my favorite too, it is sooooo good. Born For Adventure is simply outstanding. There are a few different ones, some with Lorelei, something without, some with SMB or Midnight Ride. All from the same Providence show but never released complete. The verison I have on CD is the one with The Outfield. An enjoyable disc since I like The Outfield almost as much as I like Styx.

That's interesting with how Styx was such a huge act. They have released other bands and artists that weren't as big as them. Sometimes this reasoning astounds me but then again, I am sure the personal opinions and tastes of those in charge effect these things. I don't know if rights and royalties would have had play in it.

[Boomchild]

Also, after listening to this I find it odd that the current version of Styx hasn't been doing Midnight Ride. That song clearly is a good track live. Sure it wasn't a hit but they have been adding things to their set list other songs that weren't.

[Everett]

Also, after listening to this I find it odd that the current version of Styx hasn't been doing Midnight Ride. That song clearly is a good track live. Sure it wasn't a hit but they have been adding things to their set list other songs that weren't.

They played it around '07 ish. I remember because i was freakin stoked to finally hear that one live for the first time.
Was also cool to see gowan on guitar.

[yogi]

The April Wine King Biscuit show is TREMENDOUS. It was on their Power Play tour and its a GREAT GREAT show. Its a full close to 70 minute show and you can get it on Amazon.

Styx & King Biscuit ought to work something out to release their show. When they announce 'please welcome A&M recording artist' Styx and they break into the guitar solo for the opening # Born For Adventure its classic!! Great stuff!!!

[brywool]

Not to rag on a great show here...
but what was with the JY growling thing?


Suite Madame Blue here is the best live version I've heard... and I've heard a lot of live versions.

[Everett]

Not to rag on a great show here...
but what was with the JY growling thing?


Suite Madame Blue here is the best live version I've heard... and I've heard a lot of live versions.

At least it doesn't have the annoying 5 minute long "more" part in this one
anyway

[brywool]

The other thing- WHY doesn't the current Styx play "Mademoiselle" live? Great great song and Tommy handles the lead vocal. Not sure why they keep ignoring that one. Having said that, they don't play it great on this recording, but they should revisit it.

[FormerDJMike]

The April Wine King Biscuit show is TREMENDOUS. It was on their Power Play tour and its a GREAT GREAT show. Its a full close to 70 minute show and you can get it on Amazon.

Styx & King Biscuit ought to work something out to release their show. When they announce 'please welcome A&M recording artist' Styx and they break into the guitar solo for the opening # Born For Adventure its classic!! Great stuff!!!

Ain't gonna happen as King Buscuit went out of business. The name is owned but the record company is defunct. Just look how much a used copy of Steve Miller costs used these days. And, it wasn't King Biscuit who didnt want to release the Styx show. I'll leave it at that. It wasn't in their power to release it.

[Boomchild]

[
They played it around '07 ish. I remember because i was freakin stoked to finally hear that one live for the first time.
Was also cool to see gowan on guitar.

That song is good enough to be a staple song in their set list. Plus it would give more focus on JY's stuff which at this point you would think he would want instead of adding more DDY stuff. It doesn't matter to me since I do not support or care for the current version of the band.

[Boomchild]

Not to rag on a great show here...
but what was with the JY growling thing?


Suite Madame Blue here is the best live version I've heard... and I've heard a lot of live versions.

Err... It's "JY", what were you expecting??

[Boomchild]

Ain't gonna happen as King Buscuit went out of business. The name is owned but the record company is defunct. Just look how much a used copy of Steve Miller costs used these days. And, it wasn't King Biscuit who didnt want to release the Styx show. I'll leave it at that. It wasn't in their power to release it.

Speaking about what we feel are missed opportunities, I feel A&M and now Universal missed a lot of things they could have done with Styx' back catalog. One thing that really grinds my gears is that they never released remastered versions of their catalog for the U.S. market. All the while doing it for bands and artist that I and I think many could not give a shit about having remastered versions.

[Boomchild]

BTW, was anyone in this forum actually at any of these two shows that were featured on KBFH?

[Toph]

Ain't gonna happen as King Buscuit went out of business. The name is owned but the record company is defunct. Just look how much a used copy of Steve Miller costs used these days. And, it wasn't King Biscuit who didnt want to release the Styx show. I'll leave it at that. It wasn't in their power to release it.

Speaking about what we feel are missed opportunities, I feel A&M and now Universal missed a lot of things they could have done with Styx' back catalog. One thing that really grinds my gears is that they never released remastered versions of their catalog for the U.S. market. All the while doing it for bands and artist that I and I think many could not give a shit about having remastered versions.

That is maddening, at a minimum the big 5 (GI, Po8, C, PT, KWH) should be remastered and the other 3 A&M releases (Eq, CB, EOTC) also probably deserve to. Those albums were so big and really should have been remastered. Styx is the Rodney danger field of rock n roll. No respect.... No respect...

[Boomchild]

That is maddening, at a minimum the big 5 (GI, Po8, C, PT, KWH) should be remastered and the other 3 A&M releases (Eq, CB, EOTC) also probably deserve to. Those albums were so big and really should have been remastered. Styx is the Rodney danger field of rock n roll. No respect.... No respect...

I think a good part of this lack of respect has to do with how the band interacted or didn't with the media. Their management dropped the ball too many times in my opinion.

[FormerDJMike]

I know for a fact, around 2003 or 2004 or so Grand Illusion was going to be remastered and reissued as a double disc set. I had a contact at Universal that would send me lots of classic rock reissues (The Who's Next, My Generation, Meat Loaf Bat Out Of Hell 2). These were the digipack doubles that came in a plastic sleeve (and I also have several others he sent me including Donna Summer, Lionel Ritchie and Joe Jackson). I saw this on an upcoming schedule release and I called him to confirm (his name was Elliot, I forgot his last name but I think I remember seeing his name in the credits for "Rockers"). Anyway, it was supposed to be reissued and remastered with extensive liner notes, pictures and the second disc was going to contain a show from that tour recorded in Germany. StyxCollector may remember a little more about it, I don't remember. At that time Alan and I were in contact via e-mail and snail mail quite a bit concerning this kind of stuff and collectibles. He may have verified too that it was coming out. Then I got word that "someone in the band shot it down and did not want the live show released". No names were mentioned but I have an idea of who it is and the reasons seem to be very petty.

Mike

[Boomchild]

I know for a fact, around 2003 or 2004 or so Grand Illusion was going to be remastered and reissued as a double disc set. I had a contact at Universal that would send me lots of classic rock reissues (The Who's Next, My Generation, Meat Loaf Bat Out Of Hell 2). These were the digipack doubles that came in a plastic sleeve (and I also have several others he sent me including Donna Summer, Lionel Ritchie and Joe Jackson). I saw this on an upcoming schedule release and I called him to confirm (his name was Elliot, I forgot his last name but I think I remember seeing his name in the credits for "Rockers"). Anyway, it was supposed to be reissued and remastered with extensive liner notes, pictures and the second disc was going to contain a show from that tour recorded in Germany. StyxCollector may remember a little more about it, I don't remember. At that time Alan and I were in contact via e-mail and snail mail quite a bit concerning this kind of stuff and collectibles. He may have verified too that it was coming out. Then I got word that "someone in the band shot it down and did not want the live show released". No names were mentioned but I have an idea of who it is and the reasons seem to be very petty.

Mike

I've heard this before and think it's a shame it never came to be. What I don't understand is if the label is releasing material that they own and want to release it, how can the band or one member stop them from doing it? I'm sure there are other releases that have happened that the band or a member wouldn't put their stamp of approval on it either.

[FormerDJMike]

I know for a fact, around 2003 or 2004 or so Grand Illusion was going to be remastered and reissued as a double disc set. I had a contact at Universal that would send me lots of classic rock reissues (The Who's Next, My Generation, Meat Loaf Bat Out Of Hell 2). These were the digipack doubles that came in a plastic sleeve (and I also have several others he sent me including Donna Summer, Lionel Ritchie and Joe Jackson). I saw this on an upcoming schedule release and I called him to confirm (his name was Elliot, I forgot his last name but I think I remember seeing his name in the credits for "Rockers"). Anyway, it was supposed to be reissued and remastered with extensive liner notes, pictures and the second disc was going to contain a show from that tour recorded in Germany. StyxCollector may remember a little more about it, I don't remember. At that time Alan and I were in contact via e-mail and snail mail quite a bit concerning this kind of stuff and collectibles. He may have verified too that it was coming out. Then I got word that "someone in the band shot it down and did not want the live show released". No names were mentioned but I have an idea of who it is and the reasons seem to be very petty.

Mike

I've heard this before and think it's a shame it never came to be. What I don't understand is if the label is releasing material that they own and want to release it, how can the band or one member stop them from doing it? I'm sure there are other releases that have happened that the band or a member wouldn't put their stamp of approval on it either.

Because said member was in possession of the sole tape! When they were told they couldn't have it they scrapped the whole project. My guess being because they didnt have enough material for a double disc like those other releases mentioned above.

[Boomchild]

Because said member was in possession of the sole tape! When they were told they couldn't have it they scrapped the whole project. My guess being because they didnt have enough material for a double disc like those other releases mentioned above.

If I was to guess which member that was, I could see that there may have been several factors that led to that member not willing to release it. From the stand point of record label to artist, the labels only want to cut the artist in for peanuts and we are not talking about a current hot act. It could also be that the recording or performance wasn't that great. Then you have the issue that if it is who I think it is, he was no longer in the band. Hence, if the release was to garner any benefit it would be going to a band this person is no longer a part of and the others made it clear that they wanted nothing to do with said person. Sure you have the "it would nice for the fans to have" but, in the end it's still a business.

[pinkfloyd1973]

Not to rag on a great show here...
but what was with the JY growling thing?


Suite Madame Blue here is the best live version I've heard... and I've heard a lot of live versions.

At least it doesn't have the annoying 5 minute long "more" part in this one
anyway

Even that version's better than Gowan's squeaky, nails-on-the-chalkboard, high-pitched version