Yogi's Questions

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Yogi, I thought I'd start a new thread here with your questions

1. I don't know what the exact figures are for Cyclorama, hopefully I can find more information on the sales figures before summer. First we need to know how many cd's were actually printed, how many were sent out for promotions, how many are given out at meet & greets (to staff), how many are given out to family and friends, which sometimes can be over 100 alone. How many are set out at each concert? How many are sold from concert to concert? How many do they have aside for internet sales (per Styxworld)?

2. Why doesn't Dennis DeYoung have a record contract? That I don't know, but I wish I did know. Today's music industry is pretty sad. It's not all about music anymore. Record companies try to crank out this new music as fast as they can. Look at the artists they're working with and how much money they're forking out sell this crappy music. I'm not saying it's all bad, but record companies are using TONS of money for promotion. This is MY opinion for an example, does anyone really think Britney Spears can sing? I personally don't think she can, but the record companies are selling her, not her music. Look at the American Idols. TV's making them HUGE.

3. Why doesn't any members of Styx say anything positive about Dennis? To be honest, there are pretty many interviews from tv, radio and newspapers all over that have both positive and negative things said about Dennis. We mostly see or hear the negative ones. A LOT of reporters and deejays don't do their homework and believe it not, they don't know the history of Styx, the break-up, the law-suit, etc. Everytime there is an interview, even with Dennis, the history of Styx is brought up. I'd have to say, 9 out of 10 interviews that I have read since 2000 (after BTM) each member is always asked about a possible reunion. It's been 4 years and it's still brought up. I've even seen this at a few meet & greets, the same question from fans over and over and over. I personally don't know what it's like to work with Dennis or the other band members. I personally think that if Dennis wasn't so "controlling" as everyone makes him to be, I don't think their 4 biggest albums would have had the success they had. I think each band would need a leader, a spokesman, a person to make a final decision. I'm in contact with pretty many bands in my area. There is one band member that I'm in contact with each band, he's the "leader". It works out great. One band had 3 leaders, what a mess, they couldn't decide on anything together.

As for the history of John C., no one really knows the real story of what happened.

4. Let's see the famous break-up and hard feelings. This is from me personally. I think JY and Tommy wanted Styx to go in the direction of hard rock (not Metallica wise). They, JY and Tommy enjoy touring a LOT, even after Dennis got better I don't think he'd want to tour as much as they wanted to (don't know for sure). From what I read and what happened with Brave New World, I don't think Tommy wants to spend his time in the Chicago area working on a studio album. He's a California boy now. I don't think Dennis wants to spend endless day and nights working on a studio album outside of his studios in the Chicago area. Dennis & JY still live in the suburbs of the Chicago area. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think JY and his James Young Group was recorded in the Chicago area too. Chuck lives in Florida, Glen lives on the East coast and I think Todd still lives in California.

I think some of the band members probably didn't or don't want to budge from their locations and that could've caused friction, album, oops, I mean cd wise. Don't forget, you had Dennis, Tommy and JY who are very creative in there own way working together.

From what I do know, Dennis seems to be very happy doing what he's doing now. He's moved on, playing the music he wants to play and touring when he wants to tour. Maybe JY is jealous and that's why he won't let go and still making negative comments. Chuck seems to be happy doing what he's doing, opening a hot dog restaurant in Florida. And he's making special appearances when he feels like it. Tommy has been a special guests on a few projects recently and just going with the flow. Glen seems to be happy doing his own project that he's been wanting to do, but touring 360 days a year didn't let him do this. Todd will tour for at least 1 1/2 more years and then call it quits and move on. Larry will last just a little longer and go back to his solo work too. Ricky's just getting started so I don't know about him.

Sorry for the babbling, Yogi, did I answer anything for you? I hope so

[yogi]

Your responses were very good and make TOTAL sense!

[piecesofeight]

2. Why doesn't Dennis DeYoung have a record contract? That I don't know, but I wish I did know. Today's music industry is pretty sad. It's not all about music anymore. Record companies try to crank out this new music as fast as they can. Look at the artists they're working with and how much money they're forking out sell this crappy music. I'm not saying it's all bad, but record companies are using TONS of money for promotion. This is MY opinion for an example, does anyone really think Britney Spears can sing? I personally don't think she can, but the record companies are selling her, not her music. Look at the American Idols. TV's making them HUGE.

Okay if I jump in here on this one? First off, I totally agree with everything SMB said here. I will add this as to what I think/know. Dennis is well aware of the music biz today. There are a very limited amount of even large long lasting acts that have complete control. We know that Dennis is very controlling, wants to be in control and wants to control. Also, Dennis does not need money. He still gives a descent amount of money he draws in to various charities. For him, it doesn't come down to money because it doesn't have to at this point in his career. You put that with him wanting to be in control and do things his way on his time, this equeals into making a lot of sense as to why he doesn't have a record contract.
Going back to when he got really sick, lost a lot of loved ones, was going through all that with Styx, and then up til now...he just had enough of everything.
Dennis is very different than any other "rock star", if you will. He really is one of the most normal. At his age too, he just wants to do what he wants to do, when he wants to. As we all should at that age. His kids will be married at some point, he will too at some point be a grandpa and we all know what family means to him. Why would he want to be tied down with a contract when he doesn't need it. He's not trying to make a name for himself-been there and done that. How cool is it at his age that he can do whatever the he!! he wants.
All of his merchandise is doing very well at his shows and selling very well form his website. He's doing very well for being independent, so to speak.
He also wants to provide a means for taking care of those, and those things close his heart. In doing this tour, he takes care of a lot of peoples needs and missions.
Everyone is always quick to wonder how come someone doesn't have a contract. Just maybe, Dennis doesn't want or need one. I guarantee you he has been approached.
He's in more control now, even more so, then when he was with Styx. Why would he want to hand that over.
Say what you will about his wife, but let's not forget that she is his partner because he wants it that way because he believes in her insight to everything. That's all the control over him he needs!
Heck, he gets to do all this whenever HE wants to and how HE wants to-
Make new music
Tour
Travel
Put out whatever merchandise HE wants
Make the show whatever he wants
All this equeal total control-except for Suzanne
He just wants to make SOME new music here and there and the kind he wants, not the kind some exec is pushing for.
He wants to tour when he wants to and with his wife being his manager, he only has to answer to her
He really has it pretty good and has been smart. He didn't blow all his money on drugs, he stayed where he came from, he's able to work out of his own, he keeps those closest that he needs and can trust, he gets to tour when he wants, make whatever music he wants when he wants, and put out whatever he wants.
He gets to be a part of and create whatever he wants, when he wants.
Yes, I have repeated myself numerous times.
My whole point is that what he is doing makes sense for a guy who doesn't believe in all the commercial BS, is a control freak, and what's it his way on his time.
He gets to tour and sing a bit. Share his message and make people happy.
He already has quite a payroll going out, if you will, so why share it even more when it's really not necessary.
This whole mess with the Soundstage DVD proved to him once again, all the politics of the music biz.
If you could be in total control of what you have created, wouldn't you? Especially if you didn't have to do it to support yourself, or an addiction habit.
If you could still do what you enjoyed, and didn't have to do it for a LIVING, why share the pie!
If he had a brand new album of all new material AND wanted to go out on a full blown tour in support of that new album, then MAYBE he would want a contract with a major record label because it can be necessary depending on what level you want it to be on.
Most need a record label because they are just trying to break in or have been gone a while, have a total brand new album, with all new tunes, and they want to tour big time in support of that.
Dennis doesn't have anything totallt brand new and doesn't want to tour big time.
Even IF he wanted a major label, at this point THEY may not see it being worth their time/money.
Basically, it really is Dennis doing things his way.

[yogi]

What whole mess with the Soundstage DVD?? I'd believe alot of what you said, but dont you really think Dennis would like to hit BIG again?? I do. I'm sure he knows the only way to get airplay is to have new material, and to be on a pretty good label. Didnt he try to revive " Show Me The Way" somehow for our current war in Iraq? Without a major label behind you how do you get airplay? Even now I believe Dennis desires the fame of yesterday. So many of you believe Styx is just in it for the money with their nonstop touring since 1999. I dont and have never bought that. I think they are in it for the fame. They want to hit again like Aerosmith did. Since there is no Run DMC to help them along, I believe Tommy, JY, and their management team told em lets do it the old fashion way, which meant tour,tour, tour. Play anywhere for anyone, record quality new material, get the new material out by even more touring and hopefully this will create a break. They have done the touring and the quality material part, now what they need is that elusive break. Anyway, thats what I believe.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Yogi, there are musicians that are just happy playing their music anytime and any where. Then there are musicians that want that fame, having the hit albums (cds) and everything that goes with it.

Dennis and the Styx had it both ways. In their hey-day in the late 1970's and early 1980's they were one of the biggest bands around. I think deep down both Dennis and the current members of Styx would love to have that one big hit cd again and be on top. I don't how they feel, but I'm sure they crave to have their current music played on the radio and to have the new fans. But that's not going to happen with the way radio is today. We can't just call any radio station and hear what we want to hear anymore. Which is very sad.

I personally know Dennis is picking up a lot of new fans and they're going to his concert, young and old and in-between (I've been to several in the past few months). I've talked to many people at his recent concerts (and believe me, I enjoy talking to people-LOL) I'm sure it's the same with the current line-up of Styx too.

As for the Run DMC & Aerosmith, yes that worked. If both of these parties NEEDED to hook up with someone, which I don't think they would, who would you pick?

I personally feel that Dennis is doing fine on his own and seems very happy. I enjoy watching him perform with an orchestra in a theatre type setting, that I don't want any other way. BUT, if some miracle would occur, I guess I would like to see him perform with Steve Perry (ok, here we go again), but I know that wouldn't happen, on Steve's end. I guess in reality, I would love to see him write and perform a song with Rob Thomas, especially since he's going to be solo soon - whew, that would be a total dream.

As for Carrot Styx, I'm not sure who they would need to help them or jump start them again. Probably someone from a band of today, not Jack Black or Brian Wilson. Hmmm, I really don't want to give them any good ideas - just kidding

[classicstyxfan]

Yogi, I think hitting it BIG is way down Dennis list of things to do in life.....he's been there, done that. I dont know 1 thing more about him than anyone else here, but I do know myself, and how I have changed fom my 20's to my 30's to now.......my idea of a great weekend now includes finding time to take a nap on my bed with my yellow lab's back snug against my legs.....20 years ago, my goals were quite different ( though they could have still involved the terms snug and legs, amongst others....we wont go there in this post though ! )

At any rate, you get my point.....for many of us, having life slow down a little bit as we mature isnt such a bad thing, and I believe Dennis values are in line with that sort of thinking to a point I'd bet he's more interested in helping his children find their way in the world, making sure Suzanne has what she wants and needs, sneaking a peek down Dawn Marie's shirt when no ones looking ( OK, that last ones what I'd do if I was him.....)
than he is worried about that next #1 hit.

I could be wrong, maybe he's still driven the way you say, but I would not bet my paycheck on it.