Carrot Styx Fans - Answer This

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Okay, my post got buried and my question didn't get answered by any Carrot Styx Fans (fans of the current line-up).

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.)

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.

Please don't come back and say "what solo songs will Dennis be remembered for" - that's not the question here!!!

[bugsymalone]

In defense of the current lineup. Yes, Bugsy is defending them! The salad days of Styx were over mid-90's.

No one in this day and age is very accepting of new stuff from old groups. Even ones far more popular than Styx.

So I feel their lack of producing a hit record/hit song is not from lack of talent on their part, it is just that the times changed and anything new would be accepted by and bought by their long-time fans only.

Try as they might to claim "I Am the Walrus" was a "hit", it, in truth, was not.

And, yes, they will be remembered for the hits that Dennis was a part of. I do not think this will change.

Bugsy

[yogi]

Gowan sang lead on the closest thing they have had to a hit since Love At First Sight.

He has been a 100% team oriented player who was put in a very tough( almost impossible) situation( replacing a legend), and he has handled it with class and respect.

He has brought his A game almost every night to well over 600 shows in areas and countries that normally would not have gotten to see Styx. He helped write, sing and produce a tremendous CD of new Styx material that many Styx fans do love and appreciate.

New GREAT songs that I will remember them for these past six years include: These Are The Times, Waiting For Our Time, Kiss Your Ass Goodbye, and One With Everything. They may not be hits but the music is great, and I realize its not 1979 anymore.

I thought Born For Adventure and Suite Madame Blue were two of the best songs Styx ever sung and they were never Top 40 hits either. Also, If it would have been 1980 the song Paradise would have been #1, so is this not a great song?????

Finally he( Gowan) no longer has to work at the Gap to support himself or his family. OOOOPPPPS................................... Thats Steve A. of Journey

[Adam]

SuiteMadameBlue: What has Gowan done since joining the group?

Adam: He has enabled the band to perform places they never had before, and never would’ve with Dennis. He has enabled the band to continue, to flourish even, in a way they previously weren’t able to.

SuiteMadameBlue: (Sure he can swirl around the rotating keyboards.)… Please don't come back and say "what solo songs will Dennis be remembered for" - that's not the question here!!!

Adaqm: I thought you were asking a question. I thought you only want a straight answer. Apparently you can set the parameters AND THEN COMMENTING SARCASTICALLY SIMULTANEOUSLY AS WELL.

SuiteMadameBlue: Where are their "hit songs" these past 6 years?

Adam: There were no ‘hits’ off Cyclorama. However, I Am The Walrus has made more of a dent than anything off Brave New World. If I were ALLOWED to ask a question in response, my question would be WHERE IS THE DEYOUNG HIT OFF BRAVE NEW WORLD?

SuiteMadameBlue: In the last 6 years, what great songs will they be remembered for?

Adam: In the last 6 years, their list of great and memorable songs includes There Are The Times, Yes I Can, Kiss Your Ass Goodbye and One With Everything, which will all be remembered fondly by the countless thousands who’ve seen the band and bought Cyclorama in the last six years” (the time period you asked about). And yes, If you ALLOWED me, your Highness, to ask a question in response, I’d add what solo songs will Dennis be remembered for in the past 6 years?

Bugsy's right. He states the obvious. The salad days of Styx were over mid-90's. How many hits can you name in the past six years by Kiss, Fleetwood Mac and even Aerosmith?

How about Paul McCartney? How about Stevie Wonder? How about Paul Simon? How about Bruce Springsteen?

If they haven't had a hit, does this mean they're no good? If that's what matters to you, break out your Ashlee Simpson & William Hung CDs and have a great weekend!

[Zan]

DDY was lucky for the Gulf war in 1990. That was his last hit with or without Styx. The glory days of Styx have been over since Kilroy Was Here (or before). For the mathematicians here, that was over 20 years ago. (and I believe Gowan had charting songs long after that as a solo artist in Canada, BTW - I know it might kill some of you to think of Gowan as more than a spinning keyboard, but...such is life)

Since hits seem to be the main justification behind DeYoung's existance, maybe Styx can hire Britney Spears or Ashlee Simpson to front the band. They have "hits" all the time. In some of your books, that would make them worthy.

[bugsymalone]

Question to Adam.

If you stopped, say, 50 people on the street. Or 50 people at a bar. Or 50 people in an office. And you sang a few bars of Babe or Come Sail Away or Too Much Time or My Hands or Blue Collar Man or Mr. Roboto.
Then you sang a few bars of Waiting for Our Time, Kiss Your Ass Goodbye, whatever off Cyclorama.
WHICH songs would a few (maybe even a lot) of those 50 random people know?

If you sang part of I Am the Walrus, would some respond, "Oh yeah. Styx did a cover of that, didn't they. I heard it all over the radio" ?

You are right, there are fans of the Current Styx who simply love the songs off Cyclorama. Are crazy about I Am the Walrus, but none of those songs has made a dent in the minds of most music fans. And certainly not the casual music fans.

Bugsy

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Adaqm: I thought you were asking a question. I thought you only want a straight answer. Apparently you can set the parameters AND THEN COMMENTING SARCASTICALLY SIMULTANEOUSLY AS WELL.

Suite: Adam, when I posted this last time a couple people came back and asked about Dennis' solo songs that's why I added it. Why the heck do I have to explain things to you. Sheesh.

Adam: If you ALLOWED me, your Highness, to ask a question in response, I’d add what solo songs will Dennis be remembered for in the past 6 years?

Suite: Real nice, by the way you're a real SWEETHEART!! I don't think that I'm a "highness" and I don't mean to appear to be one. I don't have room to add that on my tagline!!

A few of you bash Dennis left and right and then some, I just wanted this current line-up will be remembered for and any "hits" or I guess I'll have to change it to songs.

Adam: If they haven't had a hit, does this mean they're no good? If that's what matters to you, break out your Ashlee Simpson & William Hung CDs and have a great weekend!

Suite: No, if they don't have a "hit" it doesn't mean that they're no good, DUH. Sorry to burst your bubble, sweetheart, I don't own a Ashlee Simpson or William Hung cd.

[Zan]

You are right, there are fans of the Current Styx who simply love the songs off Cyclorama. Are crazy about I Am the Walrus, but none of those songs has made a dent in the minds of most music fans. And certainly not the casual music fans.

Bugsy

Question: WHO CARES? (seriously)

[sadie65]

I think the band in terms of popularity will be remembered for their salad days. There has been some really music they've produced that have not hit the airwaves.

I think Gowan will be remembered as the guy who took over DDY's slot, but in all honesty, I don't think he will be remembered for his songs with Styx. That is in no way meant as a slam of his material, rather that, since it will take an act of God to ever have ANYONE from Styx score a chart hit, his time with Styx will be marked as the replacement. Whether I care for his singing or not, I think he was put in an extremely difficult spot and I think he has handled it well.

Since we here on this board are more hard core fans, the songs mentioned by people here resonate with them. But for the general public, they don't. Because the general public by and large hasn't heard them. Neither good nor bad, just how it is.

Peace

[ChicagoSTYX]

The same can be asked of Dennis. What has he done in the last six years except to put out a live CD with 3 new songs on it with absolutely no air play at all. I have heard several songs from Cyclorama on the radio in Chicago and Walrus many times on the Loop. Styx has had at least 3 songs on the Radio & Records rock chart and Cyclorama made it to 127 on the Billboard hot 200. I know that this is by no means anywhere close to their past success and I would be shocked if they ever came close to that kind of success again but I believe if Cyclorama had been released in place of Kilroy back in 1983 it would have been a huge hit. I also believe that if DDY was still in the band it would make no difference as to how well their new music would do on the charts. A good example of that would be Brave New World. I think a big difference is if DDY was still in the band that he would be the only one left in the band. You might get a reunion tour and another greatest hits package with 2 left over songs from Edge part 2 every six or 7 years. I like the direction Styx has taken with their new music. It is much more true to the music they recorded in the 70’s then anything else they recorded with Dennis from 1990 to 1999.

[froy]

SuiteMadameBlue: What has Gowan done since joining the group?

Adam: He has enabled the band to perform places they never had before, and never would’ve with Dennis. He has enabled the band to continue, to flourish even, in a way they previously weren’t able to.

Thats correct they are now playing airports Rodeos Picnics and Carnivals
Love that A Game Gowan brings its more like an F game.
'

SuiteMadameBlue: Where are their "hit songs" these past 6 years?

Adam: There were no ‘hits’ off Cyclorama. However, I Am The Walrus has made more of a dent than anything off Brave New World.

Dent in what your head
Its a Beatles song not a Styx song

If I were ALLOWED to ask a question in response, my question would be WHERE IS THE DEYOUNG HIT OFF BRAVE NEW WORLD?

How could he have a hit he was thrown out of the band
He could never promote it.

I’d add what solo songs will Dennis be remembered for in the past 6 years?

Not the issue
Dennis is not carrying on the STYX name
He has noting to prove,.

How about Paul McCartney? How about Stevie Wonder? How about Paul Simon? How about Bruce Springsteen?

If they haven't had a hit, does this mean they're no good? If that's what matters to you, break out your Ashlee Simpson & William Hung CDs and have a great weekend!

There solo artists who don't claim to be better than the bands they were in like Styx proclaims.

[onestilllearning]

Suite, I answered your question in that post. As for this one here goes...

Q. What has Gowan done since joining the group?

A. 1. He has replaced DDY on keyboards with equal if not better skill 2. His vocal style is good but no where near as good as that of DDY. 3. He has written a few good songs. 4. His stage pressence is excellent , lots of energy.

Q. 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?

A. There are no hit songs. They will be rememberd by current fans for many great songs..Yes I Can , Together , Fields of the Brave and One with Everything are my picks

Would the band be better with DDY instead of Gowan ? Definetly. Would they have great songs? I am sure that they would. Would the have hit songs ? NO and this is where your question is not fair. Styx could never have another hit song becouse their time has come and gone. The recording industry would not help to promote a band whos hey day was in the 70,s and 80's. While I enjoy the new songs the reason I and most others go to see Styx is to hear the great hits of the past, that said yes it would be a better show with DDY but as I said in my response to your previouse post For me Styx was TS , DDY and JY with JY and TS being my favorites becouse I am not a fan of the softer side of Styx.

Does this answer your question to your satisfaction?

[Zan]

Would the band be better with DDY instead of Gowan ? Definetly. Would they have great songs? I am sure that they would. Would the have hit songs ? NO and this is where your question is not fair. Styx could never have another hit song becouse their time has come and gone. The recording industry would not help to promote a band whos hey day was in the 70,s and 80's. While I enjoy the new songs the reason I and most others go to see Styx is to hear the great hits of the past, that said yes it would be a better show with DDY but as I said in my response to your previouse post For me Styx was TS , DDY and JY with JY and TS being my favorites becouse I am not a fan of the softer side of Styx.

Does this answer your question to your satisfaction?

You answered it to mine! Thanks!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

onestilllearning says:

Does this answer your question to your satisfaction?

Yes, you have satisfied me. Thank you for your response

[Guest]

The point is that Styx is living off it's past. If they were really interested in maintaining some level of artistic integrity they wouldn't do Dennis songs. Same as they shouldn't have done Tommy songs on the EOTC tour. That was wrong too.

Burtnik was right... for this line-up to approach any form of relevency they have to have some sort of "hit". It's my opinion that they'd need several... after all who remembers that one post-Paul Rodgers Bad Company hit.

This whole things reminds me of what Roger Water's said about Floyd's "Momentary Lapse Of Reason"... he called it a "reasonable forgery".

[Adam]

Dear Bugsy,

The question SuiteMadameBlue asked was “In the last 6 years, what great songs will they be remembered for?” My answer stands. IN THE PAST SIX YEARS, THEIR GREAT SONGS ARE OFF THE CYCLORAMA. Hell, ALL THEIR SONGS IN THE PAST 6 YEARS ARE ON CYCLORAMA!

Now if the question YOU pose is supposed to be somehow proving this to not be the case, I’m sorry. Would you really like my answer? Or do you think you’re making a chess move?

The phrase “Remembered For” is the trick here. On this board ancient Styx non-hits (Castle Walls, for example) are discussed with more passion than Mr Roboto ever will be. Guess which was a ‘hit’?

My answer is – and it’s silly to even waste the time typing something so obvious – is there is absolutely no doubt that Styx’ biggest hits were released so long ago that the majority of today’s music fans weren’t even ALIVE yet.

[Adam]

Hey! Look whose back!

Froy: they are now playing airports Rodeos Picnics and Carnivals

Adam: and Superbowls and Japan and Europe and the Ryman Auditorium and…

Froy: Love that A Game Gowan brings its more like an F game.

Adam: Dude, sometimes I just can’t tell what the hell language you’re using

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Adam says:

My answer is – and it’s silly to even waste the time typing something so obvious – is there is absolutely no doubt that Styx’ biggest hits were released so long ago that the majority of today’s music fans weren’t even ALIVE yet.

Sad, but you're right, most of them weren't even born yet. I work at the local high school and see these kids wearing old Styx shirts that were once their parents. There's quite a few that I talk to that LOVE Styx and it's their favorite band. One of our babysitters and her friends saw Carrot Styx last year and they're only 12 & 13 years old. They've been burning my Styx cd's, especially Equinox.

[Guest]

The same can be asked of Dennis. What has he done in the last six years except to put out a live CD with 3 new songs on it with absolutely no air play at all. I have heard several songs from Cyclorama on the radio in Chicago and Walrus many times on the Loop.

No shit. If Dennis could call himself "Styx" I'm sure he'd get a bit more airplay too.

Styx has had at least 3 songs on the Radio & Records rock chart and Cyclorama made it to 127 on the Billboard hot 200. I know that this is by no means anywhere close to their past success and I would be shocked if they ever came close to that kind of success again but I believe if Cyclorama had been released in place of Kilroy back in 1983 it would have been a huge hit.

And I believe the children are our future.

I also believe that if DDY was still in the band it would make no difference as to how well their new music would do on the charts.

Possibly, but at least it wouldn't be a fraud.

A good example of that would be Brave New World. I think a big difference is if DDY was still in the band that he would be the only one left in the band.

I'd prefer that.

You might get a reunion tour and another greatest hits package with 2 left over songs from Edge part 2 every six or 7 years. I like the direction Styx has taken with their new music. It is much more true to the music they recorded in the 70’s then anything else they recorded with Dennis from 1990 to 1999.

To me it sounds mostly like Shaw-Blades/Damn Yankees/Show Solo... blah blah blah.

There are definite attempts to mimick the classic Styx sound but it's completely disingenuous.

I wonder if they made Gowan sit down and listen to the 70s albums and then said "play it just like that!"

[Adam]

Okay, so ItsMyLife questions Styx' "artistic integrity" through ALL their regimes. (I mean, you REALIZE Tommy sang and played John Curlewski songs and parts, right?)

Although you could say Burtnik was a questionable "authority" to site in a forum like this, he makes an reasonable point. The word "relevency" is a hot one. One could say this ENTIRE BOARD is irrelevant...

And I like Fleetwood Mac' Rumours, Pink Floyd's Momentary Lapse Of Reason and Cyclorama.

[froy]

Hey! Look whose back!

Froy: they are now playing airports Rodeos Picnics and Carnivals

Adam: and Superbowls and Japan and Europe and the Ryman Auditorium and…

SuperBowl?
They played in the parking lot

Froy: Love that A Game Gowan brings its more like an F game.

Adam: Dude, sometimes I just can’t tell what the hell language you’re using

Sorry your having problems maybe lay off the pipe for awhile

[Guest]

Okay, so ItsMyLife questions Styx' "artistic integrity" through ALL their regimes. (I mean, you REALIZE Tommy sang and played John Curlewski songs and parts, right?)

Although you could say Burtnik was a questionable "authority" to site in a forum like this, he makes an reasonable point. The word "relevency" is a hot one. One could say this ENTIRE BOARD is irrelevant...

And I like Fleetwood Mac' Rumours, Pink Floyd's Momentary Lapse Of Reason and Cyclorama.

You can site Fleetwood Mac but for all intents and purposes their previous to Rumours line-ups were insignificant.

Many bands have line-ups that predate their "classic" line-ups... the significant line-up is the one with the most success not the first one.

[froy]

The point is that Styx is living off it's past.

Its funny the Drive fm yesterday started a commercial about there birthday and up comes LIGHT UP and they announce a FREE concert featuring YES Tom and Jim and there yes men Then comes Lady and I said why the hell are they using 2 Dennis songs to promote a free Styx concert when he's not there. I would love to have them put Gowans version of Lady in there that would be great, I guess nobody cares about a free Styx concert here ,

[Adam]

ItsMyLife: "You can site Fleetwood Mac but for all intents and purposes they're previous Rumours line-ups were insignificant"

Adam: SAYS YOU! So much for your regard of rock history. Peter Green pretty much INVENTED the cult of British Blues Guitar God and cast a shadow so long it touched on everyone from Eric Clapton to Carlos Santana to Tommy Shaw.

I get it. We have a generational diference here. I'm guessing the 60s don't matter to ItsMyLife (you don't like Bob Dylan) and your favorite bands are from 1978-1990, right? Hence all previous history matters not.

Fair enough. I guess references to Fleetwood Mac AND "Classic" Styx are brought up about as often as that of David Cassidy and Rip Taylor over on the "New Punk" chat boards. Likewise with the Sinatraphile boards (think they exist? They MUST!)

Still, there's a little song called "Black Magic Woman" you might wanna familiarize yourself with...

[Guest]

ItsMyLife: "You can site Fleetwood Mac but for all intents and purposes they're previous Rumours line-ups were insignificant"

Adam: SAYS YOU! So much for your regard of rock history. Peter Green pretty much INVENTED the cult of British Blues Guitar God and cast a shadow so long it touched on everyone from Eric Clapton to Carlos Santana to Tommy Shaw.

Zzzzzzzzzzz

I get it. We have a generational diference here. I'm guessing the 60s don't matter to ItsMyLife (you don't like Bob Dylan) and your favorite bands are from 1978-1990, right? Hence all previous history matters not.

I love a lot of 60s music... Beatles, Stones, Doors... don't like Dylan at all. In the grand scheme of things the only Fleetwood lineup that really matters is the Rumours line-up. The people have spoken.

Fair enough. I guess references to Fleetwood Mac AND "Classic" Styx are brought up about as often as that of David Cassidy and Rip Taylor over on the "New Punk" chat boards. Likewise with the Sinatraphile boards (think they exist? They MUST!)

You lost me Ramblin' Man.

Still, there's a little song called "Black Magic Woman" you might wanna familiarize yourself with...

I'm too busy jamming to "Fields of the Brave".

[bugsymalone]

Question to Adam.

I should have KNOWN better!!!!!

Suite! Look what you started......AGAIN!!

And I am USING CAPS! Sorry Ash!

I guess it is time to get back into the HazMat suit.

Bugsy

[Adam]

It figures that someone on a Styx board with a freaking Bon Jovi title as a screename would show irreverence about Peter Green (and Bob Welsh) and their effect on rock music. (I don't think you'd enjoy the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, ItsMyLife.)

ItsMyLife: "Zzzzzzzzzz"

Adam: Cute

ItsMyLife: "Sadam wrote"

Adam: Now THAT'S funny! I gotta give it up for THAT one.

[Zan]

And I believe the children are our future.

SEXUAL CHOCOLATE!

[Zan]

The point is that Styx is living off it's past.

And some of their fans are living IN their past.

[Ash]

DDY was lucky for the Gulf war in 1990. That was his last hit with or without Styx.

Zan... I love ya and respect your opinion. But please don't make the leap that ANYONE was "lucky" or somehow benefited when they shouldn't have because of a war. I'm sure if you talk to DDY he would say that he'd have preferred that war not be necessary than to have his song be a hit because of it.

I do understand the point you are making - I just think it's not right to talk about how lucky someone is because they benefited from a war.