Dennis' Opening Act

by **yogi** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:13 am

I actually think this( Air Supply & DDY) is a very good fit for where Dennis is now. Dan Folgelberg, or Rik Emmitt would be better. The ultimate and it would fill 20,000 seat venues would be pairing Dennis with Steve Perry. Some promoter somewhere has got to figure this out!!!!!

by **classicstyxfan** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 1:39 am

I'd actually like a Fogelberg/DeYoung Pairing.......D.F. rocks out in alot of his music that doesnt get played on the Radio and he released a new CD earlier this year.

......another good one that people wouldnt expect would be Ambrosia, once you get past the Radio hits.

by **sadie65** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 2:13 am

Hey I like Dan Fogelberg a lot, but I think even if that were an option, right now he couldn't do it. He just announced he has advanced prostate cancer. I do of course wish him to fully recover.

Peace,

Sadie

by **bugsymalone** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:00 am

Hey I like Dan Fogelberg a lot, but I think even if that were an option, right now he couldn't do it. He just announced he has advanced prostate cancer. I do of course wish him to fully recover.

Gosh, I am a big fan of Dan Fogelburg's music as well. And this is indeed sad news. I wish him well and that whatever treatments he needs to undergo will help him recover.

I agree with Yogi that the ideal big venue pairing would be Dennis with Steve Perry, but I sure do not see that happening. But wouldn't THAT be a great show!

I was happy about the Alan Parsons pairing with Dennis and not so happy about Air Supply. Turns out Parsons and Air Supply are sharing a bill at Cerritos Center tomorrow night. Thanks to a heads up from a friend on this bit of news.

Bugsy

by **classicstyxfan** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:30 am

I'm floored.....had not heard DF had any health issues. man, that really SUCKS !

DF and Styx had alot in common vocally, though Dan harmonized primarily with him self in the studio.....the man writes great songs with strong arrangements, and is an absolute perfectionist in the studio...( sound like anyone else we know ? )

by **LordofDaRing** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 6:33 am

D.F.'s Innocent Age is a great album.

by **BourgeoisPig69** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 7:37 am

AIR SUPPLY?
Good God, was David Naughton busy "Makin' It?" Or what about those ass-kickers Ambrosia? Firefall? Bread? How about the awesome rocker Paul Davis?
This is utterly pathetic and laughable. I don't remember who posted that they saw Air Supply MULTIPLE times live, but I've got a Yanni box set calling your name.
Anyone, I repeat ANYONE caught at an Air Supply show especially male, should be stripped naked, covered in fire ants and forced to watch 24 hours of the show "Enos" (is there even 24 hours?) straight until they beg for death.
DDY has stooped to an all-time low. Hopefully he had nothing to do with this "special"guest.
Yuk.

by **ek88** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:28 am

24 hours of the show "Enos"

Where do you come up with some of this stuff? Until just now, I'd completely forgotten about the existence of this show! LMAO thinking about it!

by **classicstyxfan** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:04 am

Wow, I find myself on the same side of an argument with BP69.....I gotta say though, Pig you are dead on - absolutely right on this one ! If they make a concert film out of this, it almost has to be titled

" The emasculation of Dennis DeYoung 2004 -05 Tour" with special guest, Air Supply...... or something similar.

by **bugsymalone** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 3:05 am

I have heard Dennis say lately that one nice thing about being his age is he does not have to be "cool" anymore. Well, apparently he has gone the whole 10 yards with that one, sharing the bill with Air Supply.

I know people have talked about the economics and the bringing in of new fans to DDY's music, but...... I am sorry, I just cannot get past how this will taint him and drive away as many fans as he might bring in.

MHO only, of course.

Bugsy

by **Monker** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:01 am

AIR SUPPLY?
Good God, was David Naughton busy "Makin' It?" Or what about those ass-kickers Ambrosia? Firefall? Bread? How about the awesome rocker Paul Davis?
This is utterly pathetic and laughable. I don't remember who posted that they saw Air Supply MULTIPLE times live, but I've got a Yanni box set calling your name.
Anyone, I repeat ANYONE caught at an Air Supply show especially male, should be stripped naked, covered in fire ants and forced to watch 24 hours of the show "Enos" (is there even 24 hours?) straight until they beg for death.
DDY has stooped to an all-time low. Hopefully he had nothing to do with this "special"guest.
Yuk.

That's funny

The only problem is that Air Supply puts on a better "stand up and sing the song" rock concert then Dennis does. The truth is that Russell Hitchcock works the crowd into the music better then Dennis does...and has just as good of a voice. The truth is that if Air Supply is given a 90min set that they may out perform and entertain Dennis in the same way that some believe Styx out performed Journey during the Main Event tour.

Dennis = sit down and watch the show, and laugh at my few jokes. Air Supply = stand up, sing along, and join in the give and take with the band. You may not like Air Supply, but their ability to entertain should not be under estimated.

I'd love to see Air Supply again - because I had a lot of fun at the concert. At Dennis' concert, well, I was almost BORED.

by **bugsymalone** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:13 am

Dennis' website has been updated with the two Air Supply shows.

The Columbus show description calls it the Rock 'N Romance Symphony Tour, I believe. It mentions that it will be 3 hours long, so I wonder if it is a 50/50 split or 1 hour for Air Supply and 2 for Dennis.

Whoop, there it is!

http://www.dennisdeyoung.com/

Bugsy

by **sadie65** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:01 am

Having seen Air Supply some 20 plus years ago, I thought back then they were okay. I'm sure they put on a decent show.

I think it's hard for people to see Dennis with them because they all have a perception of what they want him to be doing as an entertainer. Some like his "Broadway" style, some like when "rocks the house", and some like him in between.

This isn't my optimal choice to put them together, but like it or not, I do believe it will draw. And both parties will benefit. And I think given their ages, that's a good thing.

Just my unasked for opinion. :lol:

Sadie

by **BourgeoisPig69** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 2:54 pm

I feel bad for Dennis. Having Air Supply can only DAMAGE one's credibility, and even though I make fun of his solo career, the man is talented. I really hope he can somehow get back with Styx because the Styx show I saw in '97 blew me away. I've enjoyed every show since, but none more than with DDY.
That being said, I think his solo stuff is piffle. Air Supply are a joke. Will Ferrell and Chris Kataan did a hilarious "Storytellers" spoof on SNL a few years back where they sang "Lost In Love" and started making out! This is the perception the average person has of Air Supply.
They make my skin crawl. They are yukky. Eeeewwwwww!!!! Any rock fan would just laugh. I mean, Nelson are a joke but even the Headbanger's Ball played them. Air Supply would be lucky to be shown on the Proctologist's Ball.
I just think this a tragic mistake. And I agree with whoever said DDY doesn't have to worry about being "cool". This cements that idea!

by **yogi** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:10 am

Was Leo Sayer in Air Supply?? Rumor has it that Leo and the dark haired afro dude from Air Supply are the same guy. They have never been seen together!!!!!!! Will Air Supply perform When I Need You???????????? Headbangers Ball played Nelson?? Are you sure it wasnt Hairbraiders Ball?? Just one more reason to dislike MTV !!!!

by **Monker** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:18 am

I feel bad for Dennis. Having Air Supply can only DAMAGE one's credibility, and even though I make fun of his solo career, the man is talented. I really hope he can somehow get back with Styx because the Styx show I saw in '97 blew me away. I've enjoyed every show since, but none more than with DDY. {/quote]

I don't think this is going to happen...Styx (JY/Tommy) don't want him back - obviously.

Air Supply are a joke. Will Ferrell and Chris Kataan did a hilarious "Storytellers" spoof on SNL a few years back where they sang "Lost In Love" and started making out! This is the perception the average person has of Air Supply.

I think that is ONE perception...A funny one. It was more then just "a few years ago"...more like 10 years ago. I'm not denying that perception exists in a lot of people. I even wrote a bit about it in that review I posted.

South Park also did an "Air Supply" episode...Stan broke up with his girlfriend and ends up all depressed. There is a scene where they play "All Out of Love".

IMO, that is another perception of what people think of Air Supply...Remembering the songs and the feelings of love and hurt and romance. These are the people Air Supply perform to, and the audience they KNOW they have. It also overlaps a portion of Dennis' audience. I doubt EITHER Air Supply or Dennis expect to get people to become their fans who stayed up late 15-20yrs ago watching Headbanger's Ball...Some of those people will, but not many, and I doubt that they will be catered to by Air Supply or Dennis.

I just think this a tragic mistake. And I agree with whoever said DDY doesn't have to worry about being "cool". This cements that idea!

He'll never be 'cool' again. He seems to know that.

by **bugsymalone** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 5:30 am

He'll never be 'cool' again. He seems to know that.

I think this is why he makes joking references to it. He is a very self-aware person. He knows he is 57. He is doing performances that are age appropriate. He is slim and healthy and still a good looking guy, but he is not 25, 30, 35 years old anymore.

He is also, I firmly believe, very aware that this "second chance" he is getting can be hit or miss. He has always been VERY cognizant of the fact that all entertainers live on "borrowed time."

I applaud him for making the adjustments that fit into his current status in the music industry. Sharing the bill is just one aspect of this.

He is still gifted with the most amazing voice, and it is working for him very well right now, and he is trying to take advantage of the fact that it is, and he is able to share it with appreciative audiences.
However he can manage to do this -- sharing the concert bill, performing with or without an orchestra -- I am quite grateful that he is able to continue to be a viable entertainer.

Bugsy

by **classicstyxfan** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 6:53 am

Amen SISTER ! Your perspective on the issue is right on...

( but did it have to be AIR SUPPLY ? ) sorry, I'm having trouble getting past that...it's that darned testosterone coming to the surface again !

by **sadie65** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:35 am

Well Classic, look at it this way. On one hand you have Styx...who opts for the pitifully young Nelson to enhance their draw. On the other you have Dennis and Air Supply. In the long run, it'll even out.

I'll stick with Dennis though. :lol:

Sadie

by **ek88** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:30 am

I applaud him for making the adjustments that fit into his current status in the music industry. Sharing the bill is just one aspect of this.

Very good point. You know, I'd like to think that at this point in his career, Dennis is content to play to smaller crowds who truly appreciate his music. Let's face it, there were a lot of "fans" attending shows and buying albums back in the day because Styx was in and it was the thing to do, just like it is now with the latest and greatest. I doubt anyone is going to see DDY or Styx these days with the idea of improving their image among their friends or for bragging purposes. I expect that from adolescents, not from older fans.

I'd even go so far as to say that he (and Styx) are finding more satisfaction from their recent performances than they did from all the money and fanfare from days gone by. (Those things bring a lot of headaches). Besides, they've been there and done that. Sure, it would be nice and they would embrace it if it happened again, but I doubt they crave fame and sales like they once did.

In light of all this, I think it's of little use to spend too much time pondering the pairings with the Air Supplys and Nelsons of the world. The fact is that people will still attend the shows, those people will in all likelihood enjoy the show, and the performers will walk away fulfilled. End of story. Just my 2 cents!

by **styxfanNH** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:43 am

Just to set the record straight, Styx toured with Peter Frampton to increase the exposure. While Nelson was there, no one expected them to draw any type of an audience to the show, it was more to give them (Nelson) exposure.

As one who saw the summer tour twice, I was skeptical at what Nelson would bring to the show, but was very surprised at the show they put together.

by **piecesofeight** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 9:21 am

Yes, Nelson was very good, but I am also a fan of their dad.

by **Adam** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 12:08 am

Bugsymalone wrote:
“I applaud him for making the adjustments that fit into his current status in the music industry. Sharing the bill is just one aspect of this.”

He has every right, and probably every obligation, to appear with whomever the promoter(s) of the show(s) feel comfortable.

However, I wonder where all the Froy-esque 'Styx sucks because they can't draw without Journey or REO or Bad Company (or whoever)' pronouncements are now.

Funny how the door only swings one way for so many. Here's my theory. DeYoung fans judge Styx in a way they won't judge their boy, and most likely vice versa. If you cheer for one team, you criticize every move of the other team. It's overzealous fan attitude (as intolerant and polarized as the upcoming Presidential election.)

sadie65 wrote:
“Well Classic, look at it this way. On one hand you have Styx...who opts for the pitifully young Nelson to enhance their draw. On the other you have Dennis and Air Supply…I'll stick with Dennis though.”

And there you have it. Thank you, Sadie, for confirming my theory.

By the way, the Nelson twins are THIRTY SEVEN FREAKING YEARS OLD. I'm not sure what planet Sadie lives on, but I'd be willing to go out on a limb here and point out that not only is 37 NOT YOUNG, it's actually old enough for those guys to have SONS who are members of LINKIN PARK or The STROKES for Chrissakes.

ek88 said:
“I'd even go so far as to say that he (and Styx) are finding more satisfaction from their recent performances than they did from all the money and fanfare from days gone by”

Agreed. Well put.

By the way, Nelson was probably thrown on the tour because, like Joe Stark before them, they are managed by Styx' manager. Good grief.

by **sadie65** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 12:29 am

Adam,

My point was that both "sides" added people to their bill that appear to be laughable. I really how old the Nelson boys are. In comparison to Frampton and Styx however, they are boys. Chill.

I do not criticize every move this lineup makes. I've been fairly consistent in saying that those who enjoy this lineup should by all means go and enjoy them.

To be quite honest, I think any act that manages to continue to perform over 30 plus years must be doing something right. That would include both Dennis and Styx.

Do I agree with all their respective choices? Hardly. But I do believe each has made bad choices over the years. And yes, that does include Dennis.

Peace,

Sadie

by **classicstyxfan** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 1:55 am

Frankly, I'm not that passionate about all of this....Outside of this board I dont give it a 2nd thought. I just find the discussion here very entertaining. I Liked the group best when the "big 3" were together, working with instead of against each other, and cranking out a half dozen or so of my all time favorite albums........

I do like ( most of ) the rest of the music created by the other lineups as well, and some of the solo work, just not as much.

All of the he said/he said and whose controlling who tossed who out of the band etc...is nothing but a soap opera for/by rock stars to me....but as stated above on some level it IS entertaining to ALL of us here, or we wouldnt spend any time here. It's sad but sort of amusing to "watch" from a distance as these guys unscuccessfully try to co-exist or whatever the opposite of that is.

Maybe we all need a REAL hobby ??? :wink:

by **ek88** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 3:15 am

Frankly, I'm not that passionate about all of this....

I tend to feel quite passionate while I'm here at the board, but otherwise I don't spend a whole lot of time thinking about Styx issues! I consider this a very pleasant diversion, and a rather inexpensive hobby to boot! Besides, the people who frequent this forum seem to be quite intelligent and cool individuals, except maybe for that classicstyxguy, the jury's still out on him :wink:

by **bugsymalone** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 3:28 am

Maybe we all need a REAL hobby ???

What??? You mean THIS isn't our hobby?? :roll:

It just goes to show everyone that nearly 10 years after the tossing of Dennis and 20 plus since the really great albums and tours of the classic lineup are over, they still bring on the noise among their various fans.

It is fun to have these discussions even though everyone agrees that points-of-view are likely not to be changed.

Both the current lineup and Dennis are trying to do the thing they love --- sing for appreciative audiences. And both sides are getting diminishing returns simply because that is the way of it.

Touring with other performers makes economic sense to both what is now Styx and Dennis. It frustrates the fans sometimes and causes everyone to jeer from their particular perspectives on it, but, there it is and no one can change it.

Bugsy

by **classicstyxfan** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 4:31 am

geez ek.........dont you know what a sensitive guy I am ? you've pierced my thin skin with your cruel, heartless jab at me ! :wink:

by **Adam** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:49 pm

I will chill, Sadie. Your points are sound. I apologize if I came off a little confrontational.

by **kansas666** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:06 pm

bugsymalone wrote:I have heard Dennis say lately that one nice thing about being his age is he does not have to be "cool" anymore.

Was he ever cool?

MR

Dennis' Opening Act

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