GOWAN

[yogi]

Lawerence Gowan does NOT sound ANYTHING like Dennis Deyoung. He NEVER has and NEVER will. Even way back in 1999 he did NOT try to sound like Dennis. What Gowan brings to the table is a writing style, a flair on the keyboards and in his showmanship that is VERY VERY much like the Dennis Deyoung most of us grew up idolizing. He is 100% professional in the way he carries himself much like Dennis.

From Cyclorama, his songs Fields Of The Brave and More Love For The Money are songs that DDY easily could of penned and sung on albums such as Paradise Theatre. Criminal Mind and Guerrilla Soldier are songs that fit the DDY mold from Equinox, or The Grand Illusion.

Dennis Deyoung he is NOT, was he a GREAT choice to replace Dennis? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I agree about the part that he doesn't sound like Dennis. I just can't believe that people think he does sound like him. Especially people (newspapers) that review the shows!!

[bugsymalone]

My impression of Gowan is he is a truly nice guy. A guy hired because he could handle the keyboard work of Dennis DeYoung. (Not an easy task)

His voice was secondary, but, because he could carry a tune, he was slotted in to sing the Dennis DeYoung songs.

That was a poor choice in my book, and I am one of those who wish they would take out all the DDY songs so no one would have to hear Gowan attempting to sing Lady, Grand Illusion (shudder!) and even Come Sail Away.

Maybe with the release of the covers CD they will take out the Classic DeYoung numbers (and I guess pigs will fly too), and leave those to him and HIS concerts.

Bugsy

[kansas666]

What Gowan brings to the table is a writing style, a flair on the keyboards and in his showmanship that is VERY VERY much like the Dennis Deyoung most of us grew up idolizing.

Yes he has a good writing style. Yes he has a flair for the keyboards. And yes he is a showman. But No he is not like Dennis.

Gowan RAWKS! Dennis is a fop.

[sadie65]

That was a poor choice in my book, and I am one of those who wish they would take out all the DDY songs so no one would have to hear Gowan attempting to sing Lady, Grand Illusion (shudder!) and even Come Sail Away.

While I myself don't enjoy Gowan's renditions on those songs, I respectfully disagree. They are well known songs in the Styx catalog. As long as the band plays, those songs will be identified as Stys songs, and the band, in any incarnation, will have to play them.

Maybe with the release of the covers CD they will take out the Classic DeYoung numbers (and I guess pigs will fly too), and leave those to him and HIS concerts.

I think for the most part they have removed most of "Dennis'" material. I have no qualms about the material they choose to play. It's a business decision, and I wish each party continued success.

Peace

[bugsymalone]

Gowan RAWKS! Dennis is a fop

And I hear you were fawning like a little girl over that "fop" at a Valentine's concert, Dave.



And I will take the good looking guy with the fantastic voice, the one you call a fop, over that sad, tiny, little unattractive keyboard spinner who cannot sing.

Bugsy

[froy]

Lawerence Gowan does NOT sound ANYTHING like Dennis Deyoung.

Your right Dennis sounds great Gowan sounds terrible

What Gowan brings to the table is a writing style,

Writing style ?
Please gimmie a break
He brings to the table a guy who never knows when to quit
He has done nothing for the STYX name NOTHING

a flair on the keyboards and in his showmanship that is VERY VERY much like the Dennis Deyoung

Yogi are you really that blind or are you being paid to pump Gowan?
Big deal he spins the keys around and jumps off the rigg
Thats more like Steve Walsh then Dennis.

. He is 100% professional in the way he carries himself much like Dennis.

So what Im 100 percent professional the way I carry myself just like Dennis also.

From Cyclorama, his songs Fields Of The Brave

Was copied right from Show Me The way
It did nothing nobody talks about the song but they do talk about Come Sail Away and Lady and Mr Roboto Big difference

Criminal Mind and Guerrilla Soldier are songs that fit the DDY mold from Equinox, or The Grand Illusion.

Fine then let Gowan go start his own band ,

Dennis Deyoung he is NOT, was he a GREAT choice to replace Dennis? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There was no great choice to replace Dennis because it was a stupid idea right from the start ,

[Hippie]

The once thing I noticed about Gowan back in 1999 was how quickly and how well he gelled with rest of the band. My impression was that someone who wasn't familiar with Styx probably wouldn't have known he hadn't always been the keyboard player.

And that chemistry seems to only have grown.

I think Gowan has brought a lot of energy to the band.

[Zan]

And I will take the good looking guy with the fantastic voice, the one you call a fop, over that sad, tiny, little unattractive keyboard spinner who cannot sing.

That's funny on so many levels!

[froy]

I think Gowan has brought a lot of energy to the band.

[/quote]

There was always energy in the band.
Have you seen Styx with Dennis since the 70's ?
The energy level was always high
Gowan brought nothing /.

[bugsymalone]

That's funny on so many levels!

Glad you thought so! Sometimes I feel the need to simply punch back....can't help myself.

I guess my feeling is, if you don't like Dennis, DON'T go to his concerts and, I assume, "pretend" you are having a good time?

I am NOT a fan of Current Styx or Gowan (alert the media!), but I am not going to their concerts and behaving in a hypocritical fashion there and here.

Sorry, Dave, but you riled up this Texan.

Bugsy

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Think about this:

Dennis wrote, produced and sang a lot of hits that Styx "had".

What has Gowan done since joining the group? Sure he can swirl around the rotating keyboards, I'll be swirling around a merry-go-round today for entertainment. LOL

The current band has had 6 years without Dennis. Where are their "hit songs" these past 6 years? In the last 6 years, what great songs will they be remembered for?

The band STYX will always be remembered for the "hit songs" that Dennis was a part of.

Just my .02 cents of the day

[froy]

to their concerts and behaving in a hypocritical fashion there and here.

Sorry, Dave, but you riled up this Texan.

YEEE HAAAA

[froy]

Think about this:

Dennis wrote, produced and sang a lot of hits that Styx "had".

What has Gowan done since joining the group?

Absolutly nothing

Sure he can swirl around the rotating keyboards, I'll be swirling around a merry-go-round today for entertainment. LOL

Is this the same swirl as in the Seinfeld episode?

The current band has had 6 years without Dennis. Where are their "hit songs" these past 6 years? In the last 6 years, what great songs will they be remembered for?

They won't be remembered for anything .
Nobody even cares about them now except for Yogi Chicago Styx
Kansas and Adam
Woopie they have 4 fans

The band STYX will always be remembered for the "hit songs" that Dennis was a part of.

Exactly

[ek88]

That was a poor choice in my book, and I am one of those who wish they would take out all the DDY songs so no one would have to hear Gowan attempting to sing Lady, Grand Illusion (shudder!) and even Come Sail Away.

I could do without Lady, but I like the other two in the setlist. Grand Illusion's strengh is in its instrumental composition, so I think it's a good choice. And Come Sail Away is such a classic Styx song, it almost has to stay, although I think I saw a few recent setlists without it listed.

They won't be remembered for anything. Nobody even cares about them now except for Yogi, Chicago Styx, Kansas and Adam.
Woopie, they have 4 fans.

Truthfully, I don't think a whole lot more people would care even if Dennis was back. The whole "hits" argument would be much more convincing if this change was made back in 1980. We could make the same argument about Dennis. What hits will he be remembered for without Styx?

[froy]

Truthfully, I don't think a whole lot more people would care even if Dennis was back. The whole "hits" argument would be much more convincing if this change was made back in 1980. We could make the same argument about Dennis. What hits will he be remembered for without Styx?

[/quote]

It depends if a new cd came out with great music on it
Then there would be a buzz
Dennis has a bunch of songs out of Styx he will be remembered for

Desert Moon, This Is The Time, Call Me, Esmerelda, With Every Heart Beat, Hello God

Not hits but songs true Dennis fans know all about

[Adam]

FROY: Nobody even cares about them now except for Yogi Chicago Styx
Kansas and Adam
Woopie they have 4 fans

ADAM: Yeah, that's true, Froy's completely correct again. Somehow the band continues touring, year after year after year, promoters keep buying the act, venues keep inviting them back, record labels keep releasing their recordings...all with only 4 fans!

It's a gosh-derned miracle, I tell ya people!

[Guest]

That was a poor choice in my book, and I am one of those who wish they would take out all the DDY songs so no one would have to hear Gowan attempting to sing Lady, Grand Illusion (shudder!) and even Come Sail Away.Bugsy

I could respect this lineup more if they'd do this.

There is no way I can bring myself to go to a show and sit through someone else singing Dennis' songs.

[yogi]

Esmerelda......, With Every Headache....., you have got to be kidding Froy!!! While your at it add Hip Hop & Great Expectations to these songs Dennis fans know and love. Hell I may be wrong but in concert doesnt Eldred( or his now replacement player) and Dawn of The Dead sing the headache march???

I can promise you WAAAYYYYY more people have heard These Are The Time, Kiss Your Ass Goodbye, One With Everything, Waiting For Our Time To Come than EVER has heard the above Tennessee Hillbilly Theartre reject songs you just noted.

Millions have seen Styx since 1999 so there is more people then the 4 of us you listed going to the shows, and purchasing their music.

Froy, you are the voice of............. No one but................. Froy, how you say you speak for the millions of fans that have turned away from the current band is laughable and delusional.

As for the newbie above, I felt the EXACT way until I went and saw the BEST concert of my life. It DID WORK 100%!!!!!!

[Hippie]

Froy Wrote

There was always energy in the band.
Have you seen Styx with Dennis since the 70's ?
The energy level was always high

Ok Sultan of Sensitivity!
It is possible to compliment one person without denegrating another.

My comment wasn't a slight on the DDY-era Styx; just an observation that Gowan puts on a good show and his personality fits well in the band.

[froy]

Esmerelda......, With Every Headache....., you have got to be kidding Froy!!!

No Im not kidding these are great songs very moving



Hell I may be wrong but in concert doesnt Eldred( or his now replacement player) sing them

YES they do and there great versions
Dennis sharing the spotlight once again'

I can promise you WAAAYYYYY more people have heard These Are The Time, Kiss Your Ass Goodbye, One With Everything, Waiting For Our Time To Come than EVER has heard the above Tennessee Hillbilly Theartre reject songs you just noted.

So what they heard them thats not the point
The point is what songs they were remembered by
Nobody cares about Kiss Your Ass Goodbye believe me.

[Hippie]

Yogi Wrote:

I can promise you WAAAYYYYY more people have heard These Are The Time, Kiss Your Ass Goodbye, One With Everything, Waiting For Our Time To Come than EVER has heard the above Tennessee Hillbilly Theartre reject songs you just noted.

Froy Wrote:

So what they heard them thats not the point
The point is what songsthey were remembered by
Nobody cares about Kiss Your Ass Goodbye believe me.

WHOOSH!
Hey look Froy! There goes the point!

[bugsymalone]

Pointing out more points on some of the points made, pointedly, so far:

Yogi

Millions have seen Styx since 1999 so there is more people then the 4 of us you listed going to the shows, and purchasing their music.

I doubt the "millions" thing, but you are right, Yogi. Many people have seen the Current Styx and they do go out and purchase their music. But what do they purchase? Greatest Hits, Anthology, and the Classic lineup albums. Those far outsell Cyclocarrot. I have a feeling when all is said and done, the Wooden Nickel Collection will outsell anything by the Current lineup.


ek

Truthfully, I don't think a whole lot more people would care even if Dennis was back

I honestly agree here. The better days of Styx are behind them now. It is simply a fact of life.
WE will continue to support either Dennis, Current Styx, or both, depending.

My feeling is if the group, or Dennis, happened to catch some sort of wave of popularity for a song, there might be a minor ripple of response and the CD might sell well. But the days of triple platinum and stadium sell-outs are long over for all of them.

Bugsy

[Monker]

And I will take the good looking guy with the fantastic voice, the one you call a fop, over that sad, tiny, little unattractive keyboard spinner who cannot sing.

Sorry to let you know this...

But, Steve Perry doesn't play keyboards.

[Adam]

Bugsy: My feeling is if the group, or Dennis, happened to catch some sort of wave of popularity for a song, there might be a minor ripple of response and the CD might sell well. But the days of triple platinum and stadium sell-outs are long over for all of them.

Adam: Agreed. And for better or worse, I think this is the PRECISE way of thinking which led to the "Classic" lineups demise. I consider JY a bit more BUSINESS-MAN than MUSIC-MAN and in 1999, when South Park (at it's peak) was bringing "Come Sail Away" into the current generation, while Adam Sandler was including Styx as a subplot in his major motion pictures, Volkswagon was using them for a national TV campaign & they'd just had a successful couple of tours, JY probably felt like 'THIS IS IT! WE'VE GOT THE BALL NOW LET'S GO!'

You must understand the band didn't become successful overnight, or even the standard way. While they released ONE album which was flopping, a forgotten track off an earlier flop album suddenly gained momentum and gave them a career (Lady). JY was coming off a solo career that was nowheresville in the 90s and he'd learned that opportunities were coming less and less frequently. It made sense for the band to release & support a new studio album and hit the road.

But Dennis wasn't up for that (for whatever reason you wanna believe). He also didn't NEED it like JY & the others.

(oh boy...look at the old argument I may have started with that thought...)

[yogi]

Esmerelda, With Every Headache as Froy states these songs are very MOVING. Soooooo damn moving in fact these type of songs forced Tommy, JY and Chuck( the remaining living members of Styx) to ask themselves 'is this the kind of dribble Styx ( rock and roll ) fans want to hear'. 'We damn near lost our loyal fan base with Kilroy'. 'Now our leader brings the Esmerelda, Quasimoto inspired Hip Hop, Fallen Angel, Great Expectations and his other Tennessee Hillbilly Theatre inspired While Theres Still Time to the table for our comeback CD'.

Moving these songs are. So moving its songs like these that help MOVE his ass out of the band. Now thats MOVING!!!!!!!!!

[Monker]

No Im not kidding these are great songs very moving

Your point is like saying Steve Perry will be remembered for "I Stand Alone". It's just a foolish thing to say.

Dennis will be remembered for his songs in Styx and having a bit of success with "Desert Moon"...and that's about it.

Quote:
I can promise you WAAAYYYYY more people have heard These Are The Time, Kiss Your Ass Goodbye, One With Everything, Waiting For Our Time To Come than EVER has heard the above Tennessee Hillbilly Theartre reject songs you just noted.


So what they heard them thats not the point
The point is what songs they were remembered by
Nobody cares about Kiss Your Ass Goodbye believe me.

There is no difference. Only somebody with a very think skull would not admit that. The people who go see Dennis' live shows care about the songs you mentioned. The people who go to Styx shows care about their songs. To say one group's opinion matters more then the others is very arrogant and foolish.

[froy]

Esmerelda, With Every Headache as Froy states these songs are very MOVING. Soooooo damn moving in fact these type of songs forced Tommy, JY and Chuck( the remaining living members of Styx) to ask themselves 'is this the kind of dribble Styx ( rock and roll ) fans want to hear'.

'

Its not up to Tommy Jy and anyone else to decide what STYX fans want to hear if thats the case STYX is gone today with this cover cd
Is the cover cd the music STYX fans want to hear NO way

I said Esmerelda and WEHB are songs true Dennis fans will remember him by not the masses .READ what I said

We damn near lost our loyal fan base with Kilroy'.

'

Yea and now its more popular then ever,
Shows just how wrong Tommy and JY were
Plus Cold War was the worst song on the disc.

Moving these songs are. So moving its songs like these that help MOVE his ass out of the band. Now thats MOVING!!!!!!!!!

And the band is lost in cover land
Case and point
Check Mate .

[froy]

No Im not kidding these are great songs very moving

Your point is like saying Steve Perry will be remembered for "I Stand Alone". It's just a foolish thing to say.

No its foolish to once again bring Steve Perry into this

Dennis will be remembered for his songs in Styx and having a bit of success with "Desert Moon"...and that's about it.

Once again you need to learn how to read
I said remembered buy true die hard Dennis Fans not the mass audience

[kansas666]

And I hear you were fawning like a little girl over that "fop" at a Valentine's concert, Dave.

???

Did you read my review?