STYX: Renegade REACTION and ANALYSIS | The Daily Doug (Episode 436)

[@MattKrogmeier]

The Tommy Shaw songs will always be my preferred Styx stuff. "Crystal Ball" is incredible.

[@patrickmcevoy5080]

Shaw's voice was a great addition to the band. I tended to get tired of DeYoung's vocals, but Shaw always did it for me.

[@robertakerman3570]

Because I hear this frequently, I can't help but believe I'd prefer the acoustic mellow version.

[@jasonremy1627]

I agree. I always found Dennis DeYoung had a little too much Broadway for me. Tommy's songs always had a bit more rock edge.

[@NT-fo3me]

Once he joined them for sure. He wrote their best songs hands down. Overall though, Equinox is still my favorite Styx album. He should react to Lorelei or Suite Madame Blue. Or both. Can toss in Light Up too.

[@robertakerman3570]

@@NT-fo3me NT U got Me there. I've never even heard an "album" side of Styx

[@LSqrd1960]

Check out some of their more “progressive” stuff: Prelude 12 / Suite Madame Blue, Man In The Wilderness / Castle Walls

[@karenherrmann1323]

Definitely Suite Madam Blue!

[@RonNaeve]

Suite Madame Blue, Man In The Wilderness / Castle Walls , 3 of my favorite Styx songs.

[@roberteltze4850]

In addition to those I really like some of their older songs when they were really progressive, like Man of Miracles, or A Day. Golden Lark is probably the best ballad they've written, the cello part in that song is absolutely beautiful.

[@zachmoore4550]

I totally vote with suite madam blue

[@HandOfDoom9349]

Prelude 12, 'inspired by' And You And I...

[@neilesposito5460]

May I recommend doing the entire “Grand Illusion “ album. Absolute masterpiece!!!

[@jimilove7773]

Amen!

[@SeriouslyLarry]

Agreed!! Would make for a great video!

[@Dan-C-71]

Yes, especially Fooling Yourself

[@chrishamrick4205]

In total agreement here😎

[@blanewilliams5960]

I Agree, used to listen to the 8-track cruisin' in my '64 Impala

[@davidstephens6462]

STYX is what you get when you have 3 superior songwriting vocalists, 1 that writes amazing ballads, murders the keyboard and has the vocal chops of an angel. One that writes great pop/rock tunes with amazing guitar and keyboard skills and vocals to match. The last one writes darker rock tunes, is an incredibly creative lead guitarist as well as top notch keyboardist and a voice that can sometimes be borderline demonic or psychotic. Then add an amazing pair of brothers as your rhythm section and there you are.

[@EdHerzog1]

What's amazing is that Tommy and Dennis are 68 and 75 years old and still have incredible voices. (no idea about JY).

[@stephensdygert7600]

DDY must of been in a mellow mood. When he composed Queen of spades, Castle walls, This old man, Grand Illusion. Most of their heaviest songs were written by DDY. The best "real" Styx sounding album since 1995 is "100 years from now" by DDY

[@ChrisHinton1967]

@@stephensdygert7600 Cyclorama and 100YFN came out about the same time. If you take the best Tommy songs from Cyclo plus These are the Times, plus the best songs from 100 YFN, and you will have the best Styx album of all time.

[@stephensdygert7600]

@@ChrisHinton1967 The carrot had to two decent songs. The rest of the album sucked. The two best Styx albums are Grand illusion and Crystal Ball. The Shawoung band is lost without DDY! Their last Two album sounded like the Moody Blues.

[@ChrisHinton1967]

@@stephensdygert7600 Had no interest in anything from Styx after Cyclorama. "These are the Times", however, is one of the best Styx songs from any era.

[@edcorn4351]

"Queen of Spades" from this same album is one of their best and somewhat an forgotten gem. Thanks for running a great channel 👍.

[@SeriouslyLarry]

Yes! My all time favorite Styx song.

[@MDElam]

Yup, and I'd say you pretty much have to play out to the end of the album with "Aku Aku."

[@generoberts9151]

Yeah, “Queen of Spades”and “I’m OK”is another under the radar.

[@zeffantm]

Dude, if you haven't been to a Styx concert, you NEED TO!! My wife and I have seen them 12 times in the last 20 years. We raised our kids on 80s music and took them to several concerts and met the musicians several times. Great people! Last fall our 6-year-old granddaughter asked her mom to listen to Styx, so for Christmas we bought all 3 of them tickets to join us at the next concert, which was in March. We all had a great time, and our granddaughter said partway through the concert, "These guys are amazing, and even better in person! I'm so happy we're here!"

[@vickiconley3638]

I was in high school in the 70's. Doug oh Doug, let me tell you...Styx, Boston, Kansas, Aerosmith, Bad Company, Mellencamp, I could go on and on...it's a wonder we studied at all. Great times!

[@mousiebrown1747]

Moody Blues

[@vickiconley3638]

@@mousiebrown1747 yes! Too many to mention!!

[@vickiconley3638]

Styx and the 70's go together like P.B. and Jelly! Dig deeper, they are great.

[@cozmicpfunk]

I always had the most respect/love for STYX- they remind of RUSH in the sense that they always did their music with integrity and every album was different and unique. Tommy Shaw is such a great guitarist, vocalist and songwriter- the ensemble of the entire band allows STYX to produce music at a time where innovation, imagination, and amazing musicianship were recognized and deeply rewarded. They have rocking music, beautiful music and everything in between. They must be a staple in any Prog or Classic rock play list! Thank you for sharing Doug- I love it

[@Edman116]

This rabbit hole is deep! Like down to China over to Australia and a right turn at Albuquerque deep.

[@madman1366]

Doug, you need way more Styx in your life! Go really deep, Man of Miracles. 🔥

[@NoLegalPlunder]

Their music is a rabbit hole to definitely go down. From their very first album to their most recent album, they always churn out excellent music. My favorites are Born for Adventure and Queen of Spades. Their early Wooden Nickel albums are major hidden gems where they were more hard rock mixed with prog. The Serpent is Rising is one of my all time favorite albums. Mysterious lyrics backed by heavy prog sounds. A masterpiece. A few albums back was the album Cyclorama which is criminally underrated.

[@LinkinVerbz44]

I'll be damned, someone else who likes _The Serpent Is Rising._ Thumbs up for "Jonas Psalter."

[@lisaberry862]

The Serpent Is Rising!!! Thank you, thank you!! What a great album!

[@Stoovey24]

I love Serpent Is Rising! It was a true prog album for Styx, but I wish some of the pieces on that album were a lot longer.

[@roccaclassico9028]

"Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" and "Suite Madam Blue" should be next Styx reactions. Both are epic! 🔥🔥

[@catherineferguson7646]

Dennis wrote Sweet Madam blue, a beautiful song..Tommy wrote Angry Young Man they say I think tongue and cheek about Dennis.

[@robertmitchell1049]

Thanks Doug and all the comments it has gotten me back to listing to more than just the greatest hits. I had forgotten how much I enjoy there music. I would like to hear your take on Boat on the river.

[@toyfreaks]

My older sister had this album and I listened to it a lot! Along with Kansas - Leftoverature, this was the pinnacle of Midwestern Prog Rock!

[@lawrenceheadrick]

Styx was my very first concert I ever went to in Jan. '79 S.F. At the Cow palace and this song is the reason I wanted to go see them!! And BTW The Baby's opened for them!! Incredible show!!

[@Rabant777]

The Boston debut was a game changer that really influenced existing bands like Styx and Journey (more progressive / jazzy bands) to move in a more commercial direction without sacrificing their sophistication. Bringing in Shaw to Styx and Perry (or first Fleischman) into Journey were masterstrokes, but to some extent off the back of Delp in Boston...... and then we had Foreigner, and Survivor and to some extent the changes to Kansas and even REO Speedwagon.

[@Ken5244]

I remember Tommy joking, back in the day in a radio interview, that the first incarnation of the song sounded like something that Linda Blair's possessed character in The Exorcist might've sang (because it's kinda spooky). Thankfully Dennis had other ideas and helped develop it into the great song that it turned into. On a side note, Tommy did an interesting version of this song with Daryl Hall in a Live at Daryl's House episode a few years back. It's Tommy and Daryl with Daryl's band. It's a bit raw because they hadn't rehearsed it together in person before the show, but they traded back & forth on the lead vocals and it's pretty good. (It's here on KZbin.) Tons of potential great Styx songs to consider: Fooling Yourself, Suite Madame Blue, Sing for the Day, Come Sail Away, Man in the Wilderness, Borrowed Time, Why Me?, Rockin' the Paradise, Snowblind, Crystal Ball, Half Penny Two Penny ... I could go on.

[@lisaberry862]

Thank you so much for pointing out that Dennis had a hand in creating this song! Only the serious Styx fans seem to be aware of this.

[@Ken5244]

@@lisaberry862 You're welcome. I've never understood why so many people claim "Styx IS Tommy Shaw and J.Y." or "Styx IS Dennis DeYoung." It is/was all of them, collaboratively.

[@ThisIsMeOnYoutube]

I saw them on this tour. It's still one of the best shows I've ever seen.

[@memelordmark7532]

I've seen Styx many times including this tour. It was my first Styx show with April Wine as the opener. They never disappoint. 😎👍

[@neillenet291]

April Wine were no slouches either.

[@Mikey_Sea]

@@neillenet291 Saw them in '93 or '94. Tight, kick ass rock n Roll!

[@neillenet291]

@@Mikey_Sea I saw them with bad company and Billy squier in 2001. Good show.

[@memelordmark7532]

That concert turned me on to April Wine. Bought First Glance the next day. I then backtracked through their catalog of Canadian LPs. Alas, I lost track of their progress after Animal Grace. 😢

[@memelordmark7532]

The last time I saw April Wine was a triple bill with Rik Emmett (Triumph), A.W. & Kansas as the headliner. Sold out show. 7,500 seat theater. We had fifth row seats. It turned out to be the worst of over a dozen Kansas shows I'd seen. They opened with six consecutive slow tempo ballads. When they finish their first up tempo song the audience response was very lackluster. I turned around to see if everyone fell asleep or what. There was only about 1,500 people left in the theater. 6,000 fans walked out during the opening snooze fest. 😲

[@beeramebroham9210]

I've sat thru 6 Styx Concerts and never on my hands. PURE ROCK At it's Finest

[@guitarscatsandmusic7733]

Styx is a great band! They're prog-ish and would be a great addition to the channel!

[@phred23]

Classic Styx is a great raucous band, with just enough pomp, theatricality, and even a hint of progginess to make any fan happy. Hard to go wrong with Grand Illusion, Pieces of 8, or Paradise Theater.

[@ronchiles399]

All three are their classics.

[@memelordmark7532]

Cornerstone was trashed by the music press. I kinda liked it. Not their best, but a descent Lp.

[@dhfenske]

I don't understand how you can leave out Equinox and Crystal Ball from that list. I think all 5 are primo. I think Equinox edges the others out a bit to be my favorite.

[@ronchiles399]

@@dhfenske Equinox is an excellent album that paved the way for the original band. No doubt that it is fantastic. I wish they would have continued that path.

[@phred23]

@@dhfenske I was going for the first three that came to mind, not an exhaustive list which definitely includes those.

[@stoppropaganda2573]

I have a soft spot for Equinox - "Suite Madame Blue" as it was the album that encouraged Tommy Shaw to join. I prefer Tommy's vocals to Dennis but there has to be a source and Equinox was it. James was still a crunchy guitarist! Thanks Doug.

[@han-dell]

Styx is EASILY top 2 best shows I've ever seen live. They're incredible to watch live.

[@tazyou11]

They are amazing to see live. Even though I saw them a few years ago for the first time without Dennis DeYoung, they were amazing and there were 2 other performances from Tesla and Joan Jett. The show overall was great, especially the tribute to Queen by Styx. I forget the name of the newer singer.

[@michaelakkerman407]

Tommy Shaw is my music hero. He can't read or write music, but creates such profound music.

[@MarkSmith-ws1mb]

My wife and I love watching you. Keep up the good work! The Caddyshack gopher dance was great!

[@stcif]

My favorite song as a kid.

[@Frostrazor]

styx has been called a lot of things - "fun" as you put it is def one of the more common. I've seen them live 8 times, and I tell you - no other band I've seen makes me smile like they did. Just a lot of heartfelt good warming genuine good time. You cant help but smile. Almost a religious experience kinda good time! The first song you called to memory "Crystal Ball" is an amazing song. One of top three along with "Man In the Wilderness" and "Suite Madame Blue" I know you'll love all of these - especially these last two because of the amount of musicality in both of them.

[@sandyferati3044]

This is a show to see. After all these years, I finally saw them. They were my favorite when I was a teen, cranked in my car! DT is my fave, but they put on a very energetic and entertaining show.

[@kipwhitler6804]

seeing Doug riff on the piano to songs he's literally just heard gives me life. I need to see tons more of this kind of content

[@taylortyler1867]

"Castle Walls" is my favorite Styx song. It _HAS_ to be where the movie "Halloween" got it's theme from. "Queen of Spades" is also a great tune. Check them out.

[@daveellcey]

Love STYX.....I met Tommy Shaw one time and I have a met my share of Rockstars and Tommy is one of the most down to earth guys you'll ever meet....Very Cool !!!

[@relativetimeworx8459]

Three guys each take lead vocals, depending on who was the primary writer of any particular song. From "Crystal Ball", the title track is a classic; "Ballarina" from that album, begins with "Claire de Lune". My high school band played tons of Styx... potentially dating me.

[@st3v444]

the back and forth solos is one of the best Styx moments ever. Chills every time, Ballerina is a top tier song and a perfect pick for Doug

[@ChrisHinton1967]

Styx does some of the best harmonies I have ever heard.

[@NewBritainStation]

They also have one of the best set openers: “Rockin’ in Paradise,” especially with the lead-in, “AD 1928.” Styx is a band that always straddled the line between progressive and more straightforward rock. To me they fit a progressive mold, particularly if you consider the songs in the context of an album where they cover a lot of territory. The major difference between English prog and Styx is that Styx leans heavily on American musical styles - especially theater. One of the things that I think really defines prog to me are dynamic arrangements. It’s how they expand upon what could otherwise be a simple song. The story of, “Renegade,” is all about the expanded arrangement.

[@MrStarchild3001]

Very tasteful rock'n roll and blues. A timeless classic.

[@richpeltrick1492]

That's really amazing how you pick up something just heard and transfer the idea straight to the piano. Great ear and music knowledge.

[@tacklejunkie6887]

Queen of spades is an under appreciated classic on an album full of classics.

[@lisaberry862]

Like so many have said, 'Ballerina' is a seriously underrated masterpiece of music! And if you want a truly in your face rocker, listen to 'Midnight Ride' off of the Equinox album. JY (James Young) was one of the first early '70s guitar players to get a string lock on his guitar. JY was the first guitarist to introduce me to a tremolo, and, IMO, nobody is better at it than he. Lisa 💖🎸

[@rg807]

The Who, Queen, and Styx are some of the few bands that can be "operatic."

[@mr.scurvy]

Can't wait to watch the whole thing later. Clicked and skipped ahead just to watch his reaction to the intro. Gonna be a fun one!

[@henrysteves8075]

Crystal Ball, Suite Madam Blue, Miss America, Man In The Wilderness, Castle Walls... they are all Fire!

[@LinkinVerbz44]

Two words: "A Day." It's an 8-minute prog tune featuring vocals by John Curulewski, Tommy's predecessor. Doesn't ramp up quite as quickly as "Renegade," but damn if it doesn't get groovy. RIP John Curulewski and John Panozzo.

[@tomdolman8158]

I would love your take on "Man in the Wilderness" and "Suite Madame Blue". Also, for multiple time signature changes, listen to "Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man)".

[@Mikey_Sea]

Fantastic in concert. Great 'live' harmonies, too.

[@joanbounacos8958]

You can't attend a Styx concert and sit on your hands. It's impossible! And as good as they are in studio they are better in concert!! ❤️

[@txa1265]

I was 12 when the album came out, and my ‘cool aunt’ bought it and I remember listening to it at my grandmother’s house with her … everyone else stayed out of the room :D. Really a great album from an amazing run of great albums

[@markwilliams6394]

The Styx Grand Illusion tour was my first concert when I was 12. The opening band was Legs Diamond, another good band.

[@alanonder2955]

I saw Styx a few years ago in concert. Great live show. This was the last song they did.

[@ileanaospino126]

I met this Great Band in the 80's with the Hit "Mr. Roboto" Excellent!! 👌🏻✌🏻🤘🏻

[@papasquat6]

Castle Walls is one you would enjoy, very dynamic sound scape

[@erchl54]

i enjoy very much watching your videos... you are a happy person... Keep it up. Thanks.

[@rickandgen]

Love it! Almost knocked Doug out of his seat!😂😂

[@StevesFunhouse]

Hey Doug, awesome reaction, man !!! You never disappoint.

[@richarddeese1991]

Thanks. I'm one of those weirdos who grew up loving - and still love - Styx. BTW: Alan Parsons has a new album out, and Tommy Shaw sings on "Ouroboros". At age 68, he's still got the voice! tavi.

[@gmanvidz]

Can't wait to hear Jennifer, so exciting! Will be a long wait though I'm afraid.

[@lisaberry862]

What a great song!!

[@StephenCaudillPhoto]

Got to see them a couple of times in their prime. Energy was off the charts. Also, got to see JY solo live in a small venue (right up against the stage) during the Raised By Wolves tour. Dude is a beast on the guitar. The Dennis scream at the beginning of this one still give the chills :-)

[@jimilove7773]

Pieces of eight [the song], Castle walls, Man in the wilderness, Rockin the paradise, grand illusion [the song],........many more

[@lenordcurry3170]

I first heard of Styx in late 1974 I remember because that was also the year I separated from the Army after 6 years. They were the first concert I saw as a civilian again and they were a last minute replacement for the lead band, major boos ensued and a lot of Who!?! I can't remember who the headliner was supposed to be because when Styx started playing they just blew the roof off of the old Basketball arena at U.T.E.P. it went from STYX who to WoW STYX.

[@79personalities]

The song Pieces Of Eight is my favorite from this album. The guitar solos on Lords Of The Ring is also my favorite from this album.

[@jamesgoldman6942]

Suite Madame Blue from The Caught In The Act Video or from their Return To Paradise Video IMO is the best song Styx ever did. Thank you so much for playing this and you're GREAT musical insight. Renegade is a GREAT song. I'd delve into Suite Madame Blue next and follow it with Man In The Wilderness, then Castle Walls & Blue Collar Man. Thanks

[@lauscho]

Paradise Theater would make a fantastic full album dive.

[@davek6949]

You really need to do "Suite Madame Blue" with the acoustic intro "Prelude 12".

[@ephesians.6]

Thanks for doing a great job with Styx, Doug! Worth waiting for, for sure! (Also better copyright "shards of memories" before a metal band swipes it haha) Hope this piqued your curiosity so you're excited to dive further. But yes absolutely, not only the encore song...but the gateway song as well. The organ and high vocals are Dennis DeYoung - can't wait for you to hear some of his works at a Daily Doug near you! Or...me...? 😆 Thanks for two for one as well! ❤️❤️

[@markhollin]

Someone may have mentioned this already (don't have time to go through 300+ comments), but this became battle-cry song of sorts at Pittsburgh Steelers games over the past 15 years or so in the 4th quarter to get the home crowd revved-up during TV timeouts. The entire stadium stands and roars through the whole thing waving their Terrible Towels to get the team fired up. Now, many other sports teams use it in the same way---and has introduced the song to a whole other audience, 40+ years after it was released.

[@sergeymineychev7482]

STYX actually made lots of good/above the average rock stuff to recall, even after 70s. Its always made great and arranged same great way. (my humble op) So if i need another rock memories revisited id put them on, and maybe, BOC and other guys from the era. Thank you ^^ Even tho its in all that Dorian mode, E /Gminor it still have sounds in this that makes you clamping, kicking, dancing

[@kerrijohnson2303]

Dennis DeYoung has a great voice but Tommy Shaws is just so smooth and natural sounding to me! Pieces of Eight is my fav Styx album too!

[@ryanm2579]

Love when you play the keyboard with the songs rock on

[@guibox3]

I love the harmonic structure of this song. The first trio at the beginning has the melody on the bottom with the two harmonies above it. In the middle after the guitar solo, you have the melody an octave higher and the harmony above it and one below it. The untrained ear might not think the structure is any different. Very cool!

[@paullowder7932]

First time I heard this song was when Tommy played it in Damn Yankees. I love the song and then went back to discover the band.

[@sunandsnowmusic]

Dennis de Young was the sound generator for STYX! Without DDY there would never have been the typical STYX sound!

[@getexis8685]

Styx are an excellent band with a very danceable rock beat. They use some wonderful chords that they use with great imagination. The drum section is perfect and the music stays in the ear which is the most important thing.

[@davorzmaj753]

"... the peppiest, most rockin' song about a guy that's just about to be executed..." Then I presume you haven't heard Led Zeppelin's "Gallows Pole". Dunno about peppy, but it definitely rocks. (Speaking of Led Zep, I never noticed until now that the riff in Renegade's chorus is very like the one from Trampled Underfoot.)

[@FarrellMcGovern]

It's very reminisant of a lot of Irish & Scotish folk songs. It is like a first person version of (Hang down your Head) Tom Dooley. It is also sort of a sequel to the song "Born for Adventure" off their Equinox album. And yes, in concert , Renegade is an awesome song.

[@mikepetrucha2774]

I was waiting for your reaction to the yell in the beginning!

[@JoriDiculous]

Nice one. Its ben decades since i last listened to Styx and Pieces of eight. Pretty sure i got the vinyl somewhere on the attic. (Or it was in the pile that got missing)

[@josephferreira4917]

My friend at the 45 RPM record of this he played it so much you could hear the track on side to playing backwards.

[@catherineferguson7646]

This band broke up got back together a couple a time. They are still playing and touring today. You can still hear this song live. A guitar instructor explained that their cords are manipulated by a little change of the of cord by touching.. Hard for me to understand. He wrote this song on his way to a practice I believe just like it is. Listen to the Damn Yankees and tell me Tommy writes song that are ballady. Dennis lies like a rug. It was written as a rock song. Dennis himself wanted to turn the band into one that played ballads. These harmonies are a trade mark of Styx. The starting off slow and laying it open is a Styx trade mark. Part of the reason Dennis was thrown out years ago. Tommy still at 70 sings and plays better than he ever did. Take a trip down the Styx hole like the rabbit hole. Listen to it done by the Damn Yankees.

[@captainpike8908]

I learned about Styx as a local club band in Southern Wisconsin/Northern Illinois in the early 70's. Who knew at the time they along with me would still be kicking around. OH and I still think they were better with Dennis.

[@mournblade1066]

I was fortunate to see them live back in 1996 when they were still Styx and not just a Styx-tribute band. Got to meet them all afterwards.

[@tedhorton6315]

To quote Doug "If you have sat through a Styx concert and sat on your hands for the whole time, you can not possibly stay in your seat". This is partly why the song is used sometimes to fire up Pittsburgh Steelers fans between plays at Heinz field. Styx has a connection to Pittsburgh because, starting in the 70s, the city became a popular place for prog rock bands to play.

[@donnazasgoat2274]

I'd forgotten how cool this song still is!

[@NT-fo3me]

Pre Tommy Shaw Styx doesn't get a lot of love. Equinox, the last album before he joined, is still my favorite Styx album. Lorelei was a minor hit, Suite Madame Blue is the opus and Light Up is just fun.

[@richgoebel6650]

Tommy's first Styx song, Foolin' Yourself (angry young man) was recorded with a youth orchestra with him playing lead guitar in front. Both their 7th Crystal Ball and 8th Pieces of eight would make a great album side reaction like you did with Boston.

[@willheil7591]

Listening along with you I was wondering how I could’ve missed all these years that the harmonies sound like CSN. Then you read Dennis DeYoung’s comments confirming this, neat!

[@barryeaton6796]

Yes ..you hear a chord and can name it...most of the time.. So can I... Well done

[@Herobrine2112]

I agree with most of the comments. Everything from Equinox to Paradise Theatre should totally be listened to. But I would not count out Man of Miracles or The Mission either. Very good albums

[@EvanWeber1234]

This has been rock radio staple for 30 years

[@sethkaicer319]

Doug welcomed me to the Grand illusion.

[@memelordmark7532]

Seth, did Doug guide you far beyond the Castle Walls? 😎😏😎

[@sethkaicer319]

@@memelordmark7532 meme Lord mark instructed Elvis Presley on the Fine Art of making fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

[@Paul_Halicki]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Doug!

[@margueritewood7036]

Saw a Styx/Yes tour a few years back. I am a huge Yes fan, but Styx knocked it out of the park that night, even without the original lineup. The same could not be said of Yes that particular night.

[@mcwulf25]

Love this song. And Crystal Ball. Yes a bit like Boston. From my British listening perspective, there's a style running through US rock bands of mid/late 70s including Foreigner, Toto, Kansas and even the Eagles. It's a sound you don't hear in British bands who were either heavy or proggy during this period.

[@Arrow2theACL]

Great episode. That was very enjoyable.

[@chenstormstout9456]

It’s weird, I listened to this album at the request of my dad. Now not knowing anything about Styx at the time, I had no idea this was the big hit from it. Honestly all of the songs on Pieces of Eight are good.

[@jefftobin4034]

Doug, if you and your audience like this, there's plenty more as the other commenters attest to. And this leads us to Kansas, another band of similar ilk (meant in the most positive way). Two of my favorite bands from this era. Please go down this rabbit hole.....

[@davemessinger723]

LectricDave here. Tommy Shaw & Youth Orchestra a must. Will hit the Heart of Music.

[@MattKrogmeier]

That performance of Foolin' Yourself is SO GOOD.

[@metalmark1214]

This song is a good one to start with. I brought this one in to my 5th grade class to play for the class. My start into being a metal head. My wife saw Styx play at her high school before they hit it big. Other Styx songs to do are Blue Collar Man, Suite Madam Blue, Pieces of Eight and Miss America.

[@Wild1BillS]

Great picks

[@george.kollaros]

Listen to "Blue Collar Man" from the same album. I first listened to it in my early teens and that put me into Hard Rock/Heavy Metal world because the guitar sound blew me away and it had melody, too! I recorded it from radio and played it over and over.

[@quaylewd2511]

At last….you reviewed Styx…..yay!!!! SUBSCRIBED👍