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[yogi]

I think most of us would agree when going back to the day when Styx was a musical force that Dennis Deyoung was the 'straw that stirred the drink'. Looking back I'd say Dennis was the SUPERSTAR, Tommy was a MAJOR STAR, and JY, John, and Chuck were just decent players. Together they made up a GREAT GREAT team.

I am writing this because a real nice person here sent me a Dennis Deyoung bootleg performance where Dennis performed at the Beacon/w orchestra. On the second disc right before he performs Babe he talks about writing that song as a birthday present for his wife. He said 'I wrote this song and just me the drummer and bass player went in and recorded it'. I assume the drummer and bass player were John and Chuck Panozzo. Later he refers to them again. Again he calls them the 'drummer and bass player'. Never does he say John and Chuck. Later he says 'Tommy Shaw' came in and did a guitar solo. When Dennis says Tommy's name the crowd roars. Never once did he name JY, John, or Chuck.

Wouldnt it be funny, or tragic If Dennis and Tommy never really had any real hard feelings towards each,just creative differences. And all along it was just the bit players and Dennis who were feuding??? Do Chuck and Dennis get along?? Did Dennis and John?? Just wondering!!!

[Ash]

more likely that chuck and john panozzo are "better known" as the bass player and drummer for Styx than they are as chuck and John Panozzo.... at least to the casual fan. I wonder how many people would have known who chuck and john were even at the peak of Styx' popularity.

JY likely deserved a higher billing perhaps... but as I understand it, he wasn't involved in the recording of Babe in any way.

[Guest]

Will styx ever perform babe again?

[bugsymalone]

Do Chuck and Dennis get along?? Did Dennis and John?? Just wondering!!!

There are some recorded comments where Dennis talks about rooming with Chuck on the road. I guess on the trips where Suzanne was not along.

Matthew DeYoung really adored John Panozzo and John would goof off with Matt at their sound checks. I am guessing Dennis appreciated the baby sitting duties John performed!

As to "Babe", I have never thought of that song as a Styx song. The vocal harmonies on the original recording were quite beautiful, and they were all done by Dennis. Despite the drum and bass, and the Tommy guitar solo, this was a Dennis DeYoung song.

Yogi. Glad you enjoyed the NYC boot you got ahold of. That was a really great concert! I had a blast in NY and at this concert, and afterwards at the meet and greet, too!

Bugsy

[classicstyxfan]

Hmmmmmm.......that's interesting. It may be making a mountain out of a mole hill ( isnt that what a Styx chat room is for in 2004 ? ) but in a way, I find referring to the Panazzo's as " the drummer and the base player" In that context a little de-humanizing...

Weren't the Panozzo's 2/3 of the TRUE founding members of Styx ? would Styx as we know it have ever come to be without them ?

I'm wondering if Dennis isnt a bit ticked off at Chuck for his part in the whole breakup.........he does still appear with them when he is able.

It just seems to me that a good percentage of the Styx fans who come to see Dennis DeYoung in the 21st century know full well that the Panozzo's
were an important part of the Styx story...and what better opportunity to pay homage to that role trhan by mentioning them BY NAME in the story about Babe ?

And him mentioning Mr. Shaw by name has me daydreaming a little....
I'll tell you right now, I'd go see a Shaw/Deyoung show in a heartbeat ! they wouldnt even have to call themselves Styx, and they could play a small fraction of Styx songs...I wouldnt care ! Never happen, but "what if......."

[sadie65]

Well having attended several of his shows and reading/hearing many of his interviews, more often than not he refers to Chuck and John by name and usually calls TS and JY the 2 guitar players. I think it was nothing more than explaining how the song was recorded in the first place. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I'd be willing to bet that hard feelings are probably there in all of them, some just harder than others



Peace,

Sadie (who also enjoyed hearing that concert)

[piecesofeight]

I've heard him call John and Chuck, the twins. Especially when he tells his Exorcist/Castle Walls story.

[Abitaman]

As far as haering Styx sing Babe, I do not see it happening. Tommy said that was one of the songs he was glad to be done with. I do have a boot from 2000, where they do play it. It was horrible. LArry's voice just can't do it. One of the few songs he needs to stay away from.-ERIC

[froy]

I do have a boot from 2000, where they do play it. It was horrible. LArry's voice just can't do it. One of the few songs he needs to stay away from.-ERIC[/quote]

One of all the songs he should stay away from .

[classicstyxfan]

Gowan singing Babe has got to be down right comical !
(I'm sure I'd be cringing and laughing at the same time.... )

Here's an idea to ponder over, since Styx is busy trying to write Dennis out of Styx-history.......their next release will be
a re-mastered Styx Greatest Hits volume 3.....with Gowans voice replacing Dennis on all tracks ! The cuts will include:

First Time
Mr Roboto
The Best of Times
Pieces of Eight
Castle Walls
This Old Man
Show Me the Way
While There's Still Time
What has come Between Us ?

Hold me back, I've GOT TO HAVE that one !

[bugsymalone]

Gowan singing Babe has got to be down right comical !
(I'm sure I'd be cringing and laughing at the same time.... )

OK, so I watched the Styx segments on the VH1Classic All Roads Lead to Sturgis a couple of weeks ago.

Now I went in with an open mind. Ok, let's see what everyone is talking about how great this current lineup is. (This was in addition to other things I had seen video-wise of them where I was only moderately impressed. And those were all the Tommy Shaw standards).

The song "One With Everything" was not a bad song. The audience seemed to be sort of , "huh?" but that is another story. They sounded pretty good. Nowhere near their classic years, but ok.

Then I heard Grand Illusion, sung by Gowan. Ok, so I asked many, MANY friends --- this is a joke, right? He is just goofing? He doesn't REALLY sound like that, does he?
I was assured that yes, he does. He really does sound like the lost Chipmunk from Alvin and the .

So, I have not heard him sing Babe, and based on Grand Illusion, I don't want to hear it EVER, or any other Dennis song that Gowan attempts to sing. Stick to the Tommy numbers guys, with a bit of JY thrown in for good measure and leave Gowan to do the harmonies with Ricky.

I don't want to be subjected to that again.

MIND YOU. MY OPINION ONLY IS REFLECTED HERE.

a re-mastered Styx Greatest Hits volume 3.....with Gowans voice replacing Dennis on all tracks !

Classic, please. After what I heard, that list is scaring me!!

Bugsy

[ek88]

classic,

I'd be hard pressed to buy that track listing even if Dennis did the vocals! I like the 4th-6th tracks!!!!!

[styxfanNH]

Getting back to the original track of this thread,

I do believe there are issues between DDY and Chuck. I remember a few months back in Suzanne's Crib replies that she had said they were aware of Chuck's HIV issues and that was through a family member that is connected somehow through marriage.

Actually, I found it. It was in the April 1 post

"Also, neither JY or Tommy has been in contact with Dennis. We do however get occasional news regarding Chuck as there is a family connection."

It is to bad if there are issues.

While Styx did play Babe during the 2000 tour, they no longer play it live. I have read a number of places that they have agreed not to play it anymore because it is Dennis' song. Part of me wants to believe that it was part of the court settlement.

Also if anyone remembers, Styx does have the right to re-record the old Wooden Nickel songs if they choose. That was how they got around the copyright issues with Lady '96. But I also read somewhere (and I can't remember where) that Universal bought the Wooden Nickel Catalog from BMG when they put the Anthology together instead of just licensing the songs that were included, but i could be wrong on that one.

[yogi]

Not naming Chuck and John by name, knowing the orgins of Styx led me to post this new assembly line. I like, classicstyxfan also believe the majority of people attending a Dennis Deyoung concert were or still are Styx fans. They would know who John and Chuck Panozzo are, just like they cheered hearing Tommy Shaws name. I sure bet they would of cheered maybe even louder hearing the name John Panozzo again. There must be some REAL history most of us are not aware of.

As for Gowan singing Dennis led songs. I think they sound really good. Different, but good. To me it would be like Dennis joining Rush and singing Tom Sawyer, Closer To The Heart, etc.

Finally, how boudt' a new Styx CD where we get Gowan singing Unfinished Song, and Great Expectations? JY would contribute by singing Babe, High Time, Dont Let It End, Fallen Angel, and First Time. Tommy's songs would include the 'real' first time ever on a CD 15 minute version of Just Fell In, he would also cover Dennis's Hip Hop, and Music Time. The CD would close with Ricky singing Price of Love, Every Time I Think Of You, and Head First. A 30 minute version of Genki Desuka would end this 'CLASSIC'CD. For bonus tracks Gowan will sing Miss America, and what Styx CD is complete without Blue Collar Man?? This time Gowan with special guests Willie Nelson & Morris Day do the honors. Hopefully this will be available by Christmas. Keep checking Amazon.com for details.

[Abitaman]

I think Larry does good over all, jsut some songs, Babe one of them, he sould stay away from-ERIC

[styxfanNH]

Babe hasn't been part of the set list for almost three years