The Styx Feud That Just Won’t Go Away! Dennis DeYoung Zaps Tommy Shaw!

[@markfox8947]

Thanks! In my youth…I adored this band. Thanks for all your work brother ! YOU ROCK !

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

And thank YOU Mark yet once again! I hope you caught your Shout-Out tonight! ❤❤❤🏆🏆🏆

[@markfox8947]

@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine it’s good to be in the Tribe ! 🤙 Here in Alaska we have long winters so your videos get me through.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

@@markfox8947You just made my day Mark! I will do my best to keep you warm and toasty all winter long brother! ❤❤❤

[@stormcop55]

Thanks for supporting the tribe brother!!!!

[@markfox8947]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Hi Michael, love to keep supporting your work, but YT has blocked me from doing so. Any ideas ?

[@djknox2]

I was huge Styx fan back in the 70s when I was quite young. Equinox, Crystal Ball, Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight represents their hey day. But Styx without Denis is just not Styx.

[@Denozo88]

I agree but if the rumors are true he's better left out of the group rather than in it.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I have to agree with you DJ! Why can’t these band sweep their contentions under the rug for us fans? 👌😉❤️

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

@@Denozo88 Yeah, Dennis needs to get back into a bit more rock & Roll Denozo! ❤️

[@TerryKrysinski]

Somebody better tell them as they've been doing fine w/o him. But--so has DDY in his Styx tribute shows.. T

[@johnfort68]

Journey, Foreigner, and Styx are all basically cover bands without the singers that they are best known for.

[@georgejetson1379]

also Grand Funk without Farner?

[@poetsdreamsatc]

I’m so blessed. I got to see Styx 2 times in the 1970’s. It was one of the best bands touring at the time. I love Dennis DeYoung’s voice. It would be fantastic to see the original Styx band together one last tour anyway. No one sings/can sing/will ever sing “The Best Of Times” like Dennis. That’s one concert I would gladly pay to see.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Now that incarnation I just might pay to see Poet! Is there hope for me yet? 😉👌❤

[@poetsdreamsatc]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Michael yes there is hope for you! lol I should also say that what I’m asking for (Dennis DeYoung joining Styx on tour) will probably never happen anyway. It would be another “Hell Freezes Over” situation. -Debbie

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

@@poetsdreamsatc Except Dennis isnt a tyrant on the level of Frey and Henley. To my knowledge aside from forcing the Kilroy album onto the group and maybe too many ballads, no one expressed frustration to pour a beer over his head as Bernie Leadon, forced anyone to lash out at him as Randy Meisner and didnt try to take more profits away as in the case of Don Felder

[@poetsdreamsatc]

@@Thomasmemoryscentral I agree Thomas! The Eagles used to be one of my favorite bands in the 1970’s. I’ve seen them 3 times in concert. The first time when I saw the Eagles Bernie Leadon was still in the group. It was the Original Eagles band. 2nd time Joe Walsh was in the band and Bernie was out. Third time was The Hell Freezes Over tour. Henley has tuned me off to the Eagles and it breaks my heart. I can’t stand what Henley has become and how he has single handedly (lip syncing and all his….yawn…lawsuits) ruined the Eagles legacy. Glenn Frey was no Saint either btw. If money does this to people then I am so glad I’m living paycheck to paycheck.

[@Thataintnothing]

Am 67 and saw them several Times ,every time was Awsome!

[@phsjockstrap]

9 of Styx top 10 selling singles were written by Dennis DeYoung. Enough said.

[@gripweed67]

I saw Styx during the "Kilroy Was Here" tour. It was great! Styx is not Styx without Dennis DeYoung, IMO...

[@geekassets6479]

I am a huge Styx fan! I do not like the way Dennis has been bashed over the years. I won’t see them without him ever again.

[@thomaswery3087]

Being in Wisconsin saw Styx several times.I think Tommy Shaw and JY should look at their bank accounts and thank Dennis DeYoung every day

[@mikep5695]

And vice versa!

[@pepperdog2039]

@@mikep5695 deyoung turned shaw the rockers song renegade into a rock song it was an acoutsic ballad when shaw brought it in. no that's apples to oranges deyoung earned the most form of any of them through the success of his songs.

[@patrickcroft2906]

It amazes me when I see JY in interviews speak with animosity about Dennis. Talk about ungrateful.

[@grishyroy9271]

JY and Tommy kept Styx from being a forgotten pop band. So, Dennis should thank them.

[@BrandGuyTim]

What a load of crap. Tommy would be playing Alabama bowling allies and JY would be driving a cab if it wasn’t for DDY.

[@FoulOwl2112]

In order to fully appreciate Styx. One must have sung it in the shower. At the top of his lungs. At the age of 13. While it plays on Mom n Pop's Jc Penny HiFi. On 8 Track.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

LOL! So true, so true FowlOwl! 😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@kc0lif]

i like dennis deyoung & tommy shaw i wish both well.

[@jamesgoldman6942]

I am a HARD CORE Fan of Styx. I've seen the band over 25 times. The second concert I ever saw in my life was the 1978 Main Event Tour at the MN State Fair. I saw their Paradise Theater Tour 3 times as I did with their Kilroy Was Tour. The last time I saw their Kilroy show was the fateful Dallas Texas Jam Show at The Cotton Bowl. (I will get back to that show later) I've seen DDY solo 4 times once with Glen Burtnik in Wisconsin where I went to the sound check and spent the entre show backstage talking to Dennis son Matthew & his manager Tim Orchird. Met Dennis & Glen after the show. Some of the nicest people you will ever meet. At the same time I just saw Styx minus DDY along with Foreigner & John Waite last Saturday in Houston. What a GREAT show and as always Styx delivered 100%. It's the 7th time I've seen Styx minus DDY. Ive also seen Tommy Shaw solo on his Girls With Guns Tour. Their last two albums minus Dennis hold up to the best Styx albums ever done. Cyclorama was also brilliant. I'm in BOTH camps, which I believe puts me in the Styx fan minority. IMO both sides are right and both sides are wrong. Let's now go back to the Texas Jam show. I was there on the infield with a large group of college friends from two different colleges. Some of them had never seen Styx, some had. Some missed the Styx show because they left along with thousands of others after the Sammy Hagar finale. Sammy & his band were joined onstage by Rik Emmett of Triumph & Ted Nugent. Fantastic. This was highlighted on VH1 & their Behind The Music episode. This show broke DDY's heart and with good reason. Thousands did leave that show but not for the reasons Tommy Shaw & Jim Cahil said. The thousands that left the Styx show did NOT leave during the Styx movie or the opening songs Mr Roboto or the next song which I believe was Blue Collar Man they left before Styx EVER took the stage. They fans left because it was hotter then hell all day, fights broke out at different times for whatever reasons, restrooms were overcrowded and many shut down, people were just plain tired & worn out, they were there to see other bands, but mainly they left because beer sales were cut off and announced they were being cut off over the PA immediately after Sammy Hagar's encore with Rik & Ted. For Tommy to lie about this FACT was wrong. IMO Tommy, Cahil & JY lying about what really happened at the Texas Jam ( Dallas portion ), and then Behind The Music showing the fans booing, which was video from the song Heavy Metal Poisoning & plays into the Kilroy Was Here plot but was depicted on Behind The Music as the fans were booing & leaving the Styx Texas Jam Show forced DDY to sue the band. Those lies and Dennis's lawsuit ended the real Styx band. They lied, and they told that lie so long its become their truth. Still with that said, since they won the lawsuit they have the right to record and play live with whomever they want to. These guys are ALL great. Lawerence Gowan ( DDY's replacement ) is possibly the greatest live showman I've ever seen. Todd Sucherman along with Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy are the two greatest drummers I've ever seen. Todd replaced a legend in John Panozzo. JY elite, Chuck elite, Glen & Ricky, elite.... and DDY and Tommy Shaw are two of the GREATEST musicians & vocalists of my lifetime. Just like in politics we will never really know what really went on behind the scenes during Styx's DDY era, how $$$$, personalities and egos entered into the equation of all that happened. All those guys have their versions and beneath them all there are truths, lies & half truths. Just enjoy their music. I love it..... ALL of it!

[@georgejetson1379]

I saw them in Vegas at the Alladin on the Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight tours 77-79ish? and saw the DDYless version 4 times over 25 years span.. Here is my conclusion... .............Seems2me...They hijacked the brand and are now a real good 'STYX' tribute band... but Dennis is still the man and they should understand their sound was built upon this man.... but sadly it appears that Dennis was 'canned' perhaps 'pollitics' and religion are what may have hit the 'fans' who simply want Dennis back into their plans..........? ;)

[@everythingmatters6308]

Thank you for posting the truth about that show.

[@terrencereardon6374]

Dennis discusses the Cotton Bowl and he said that he wished they had a backup plan for Texxas Jam. Those who stayed LOVED THE SHOW. Kilroy was Rock Theater NOT BROADWAY (although you had U2, Green Day, Sting, Billy Joel, Springsteen all write musicals). The Kilroy performance was no different to Genesis playing The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway live in 1974/75 the whole double album with films, costumes and Peter Gabriel acting the story and he quit the band after the tour. He was replaced from within by Phil Collins and he had more of a Robin Williams and Steve Martin approach to stage bantering in between the songs.

[@catherineferguson7646]

I really like what you have said. I sometimes think back and forth there were more things than one . People's memories get twisted. Not putting him first but Tommy said they should have been told by their manager to take a year off . Miss each other. They may come back appreciating each other more.

[@Taffer9876]

Dennis does have a superb voice. They all do. When I saw them in 1981 I think, the vocals and harmonies were perfect.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Thanx Taffer, I’ll keep that in mind as I do my relisten! ❤❤❤

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Michael its worth noting Dennis wrote Babe for his wife's birthday. He forgot to buy her jewelry so he instead created a song Suzanne loved once he played it at her birthday and it turned into a top 10 hit for Styx

[@BigBri550]

DeYoung sang flat: "Babe" is one of the most excruciating examples.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

@@Thomasmemoryscentral Tommy added a guitar solo to the song for its album release. Tommy is the soloist on First Time which was the power ballad A&M wanted to release after Babe.

[@Lengsel7]

Pretty soon fans will have the opportunity to see HOLOGRAMS of their favorite bands fighting.

[@colinburroughs9871]

plops 200$ right down on the counter, 500$ for hologram Roger Waters and David Gilmour arguing over a bottle of wine- skip the music!

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

LOL! Say it isn;t so Lengsel! Nice to hear from ya! ❤️

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

@@colinburroughs9871 LOL! I’ll cover that bet Colin! I place $500 on David to whip Roger’s ass!

[@tproudboomer5965]

😂👍🏼

[@bartsullivan4866]

That is pretty clever but pretty accurate

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

Dennis has always taken the high road. Tommy is ungrateful and lacks gratitude. The truth about First Time was Dennis’s second child, his son Matthew was born prematurely and was in and out of hospital when A&M called Dennis about releasing it and radio stations were playing it and had potential to be another Top Ten maybe Top Three and caved in and when Tommy got the call from A&M about it he cried like a baby and threatened to quit. Tommy, JY, Chuck Panozzo and the manager Derek Sutton voted him out. John Panozzo (co-founder and Chuck's brother) was against the idea and was ironically also Matthew’s godfather and John had Dennis fully reinstated over the objections of the two blondes. Paradise Theater is a phenomenal album. Kilroy Was Here was different and Dennis embraced New Wave and Synthpop. Tommy wrote the first song for the album Just Get Through This Night and in interviews back then he was happy with how the album came out and his vocals were the best he ever made. What happened after that was he snowballed his drug addiction and alcohol addiction and had hangers on telling him he didn’t need the band and quit midway through a tour. Dennis and management Howard Kaufman convinced Tommy to stay and finish the tour and overdub the live album and after that was done, Tommy went solo. Dennis’s views on things never changed while Tommy is like the weather. Tommy is talented but a Napoleon like hypocrite. Crystal Ball was not a rocker, it was acoustic driven as was Foolin Yourself, Sing For The Day, Boat On The River and the introduction to Love In The Midnight. Tommy was the master of the acoustic guitar and was more country picker who could do anything. Dennis was a Beatles nut and adopted their “if The Beatles can do that, we can also”. JY was stifled on Jimi Hendrix, KISS and Deep Purple hard rock.

[@grishyroy9271]

Wow, that’s a lot of revisionist history, but you do you.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

@@grishyroy9271 Not revisionist history but TRUTH! Behind the Music is run by Liberal clowns and Obama loving Atheists. The truth was in the shadows. Roger Waters and Tommy Shaw are both Virgos, love power, money, being Liberals and Atheists.

[@Mark-fk3ei]

I think you mean Tommy that was playing bowling alleys until DDY saved him. JY a good guitarist whose ego far surpasses his talent who once told DDY to fire Tommy Shaw. Shhhhhh! Nobody is supposed to know that!

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

@@grishyroy9271 I set the record straight and you buy what VH1 tells you!

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

@@Mark-fk3eiDennis went to bat for Tommy more than once or twice. Dennis was like an older brother figure who saw Tommy as the little brother figure he stuck up for many times. I don’t watch the propaganda hit pieces Behind the Music or anything of that nature.

[@markbirchette8740]

Point of fact, Tommy Shaw isn't a founder of Styx, Dennis DeYoung is.

[@Lengsel7]

But Tommy Shaw's addition dramatically propelled Styx into bonafide stardom. I mean, Ringo technically wasn't a founder of the Beatles.

[@waltersimmons946]

Tommy's addition to Styx on filled in where John Curelewski vacated. . EQUINOX (1975) with Tommy's predecessor John Curelewski actually sold better than Tommy's debut album with Styx 👉 Crystal Ball. Tommy's only top 10 hit in Styx 👉 TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS. Deyoungs songs (the singles) sold and charted way better than Shaws tunes. 5:27

[@rayfordswindle3259]

Dennis DeYoung is not Rock and Roll. Tommy Shaw is Rock and Roll. 🎤 drop.

[@waltersimmons946]

@@rayfordswindle3259 Hmmm, the title track -The Grand ILLUSION is a Deyoung rocker and people to this day still remember that song 🎵 . Suite Madame Blue is a Deyoung rocker too also from Equinox before Tommy Shaw was a even thought. People still remember that song 🎵. I wouldn't credit Tommy as the only rocker in Styx or anywhere . J.Y was the real hard rocker compared to Deyoung and Shaw.

[@broeheemed32]

@@waltersimmons946 - Something to consider: It didn't much matter to the rock music market how many "hits" they had. People bought albums, not singles. Styx sold many millions of albums in the later 70's, and many of their best tunes were penned by Shaw and JT Young. Remember who is the odd man out in their dispute. DeYoung appointed himself director, tried to turn them into a theatrical production, and that didn't fly with any of the rest of them.

[@drmusic3641]

This has been going on for decades now. On Dennis' FB page he has been nothing but complimentary to JY and Shaw while they openly bashed him. His response now is being snarky since now that the band has finally started playing the songs they used to criticize and make fun of and I can't blame him. It was Dennis' band from the beginning when he started it with the Panozzo brothers as TW4 in the late 60's. If it werent for Dennis, Shaw wouldve been stuck playing in bars in Alabama. You mentioned the last two Styx albums but didnt mention Dennis' two solo albums that were released at the same time. Check them out, they sound more like Styx than Styx! I'm a HUGE fan being from Chicago and first heard them on WLS radio back in '75 ("Lady" on it's rerelease that year.) saw them on every tour from "The Grand Illusion" to "Kilroy Was Here". Dennis wants one more tour before it''s too late (his words). He has now retired from recording and for all intents and purposes from the road. Usually he hits the Chicago circuit a couple of times a year but so far this year there are no dates scheduled.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Great point DrMusic, I didn’t make it clear that this was a response, so I bow to your correction! ❤❤❤

[@kevinbrake9407]

Spot on!

[@mikep5695]

But, do you understand the snarkiness? Dennis was a controlling micro-manager who rubbed everyone else the wrong way! Why did everyone other than him go one way and him the other? There's always two sides to the story!

[@dalestroup9495]

​​@@mikep5695Now I want you to really think about all you said there about Dennis. The Facts are that He was actually one of the founding members of Styx w/ the Pannozo Bros. But he was always the leader really he's the one that said ya wanna start a band?! DeYoung was the bigger talent as he wrote songs,sang great,and played keyboards,piano and accordion...Not to mention he wrote their very first hit Lady! And many others afterwards. So he WAS the CashCow! So anyway you are just mimicking crap that you read or heard in interviews from KY and Tommy because they try to justify there greediness and power-tripping! Look at who the control freaks are NOW!? Anyway, all those accusations about DeYoung being controlling and micro-managing are pointless and Moot! The Facts remains that they haven't had a "single" since Dennis has been gone! All those criticisms you mentioned have also, all been leveled against McCartney/Beatles, Brian Wilson/Beachboys, John Fogerty/CCR, Tom Scholz) Boston, Gene and Paul/KISS...and many others! Regardless, these people were NEEDED to keep success going! Some people are leaders and trend-setters! Others are only followers and complainers and need to be kept under control... because they were out of control via drugs and alcohol or self-destructive rebelliousness, jealousy..and over-all "Dumb-assery".

[@TruthSurge]

"'If it werent for Dennis" they'd STILL be together!

[@tksarge6487]

Loved Styx...saw the Grand Illusion tour in 78 I think. They stuff before Shaw was excellent. The Grove of Eglantine always grabbed me. DeYoung is a natural showman, and his last album is wonderful. Amazing he can sing like that at his age. I wish a lot of things about this band history was different. Just a damn shame they could not make it work together in the long run.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day also i am a fan of Dennis deyoung to be honest ❤😊

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Thank you! Aminahmed! You have a wonder day as well! Good vibes to you and yours!❤❤❤

[@johnkimsey7164]

Do one last tour with Dennis, let him sing his songs and back up on the new ones. Do a Live album shake hands and retire.

[@williamlangan5902]

“That’s my story and I’m gonna Styx with it!” 😅 0:25 I remember seeing Styx in 2000 wondering “Where’s Dennis?” Lawrence Gowan had the keyboard licks but couldn’t sing like Dennis. Would it be great to see Dennis with Styx? Of course. The only chance of that is if and when they get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@scalzmoney]

Gowan just did one of those tutorial performance videos where he shows how to play and sing Mr. Roboto. It's here on KZbin. MF'er NEVER SAYS DENNIS' NAME. Just doesn't discuss the writer of the song.

[@georgejetson1379]

@@scalzmoney not surprised says Mark Farner also

[@brucemcintyre196]

The evolution of any band is just that. You can’t resurrect the dead, or bring back the magic of the times when it all worked. Hits or new stuff. Love em for who they are

[@ZTAudio]

Fact: the current “Styx” is a bunch of guys making their living (mostly) off of another guy’s songs. Nobody buys a ticket so that they can see/hear “Mission to Mars” or “Crash of the Crown”.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

Same thing with Roger Waters as no one wants to hear Amused to Death or Is This the Life We Really Want or Comfortably Numb 2022. They want Pink Floyd material.

[@fredbriggs2225]

The current Styx lineup rocks. And, the play alot of Tommy and JY songs.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

@ Who gives a damn. They have no original members anymore it’s a tribute band led by Napoleon. It’s the same thing with Roger Waters fans who believe his current band is his best solo band and Jon Carin is great (he sucks). The only members of Roger’s band I love are Dave Kilminster and Sheamus Blake (the main lead guitarist and sax player respectively).

[@bigboyoz]

It’s a great shame that they keep throwing darts at each other! They were a great band with Dennis songwriting and singing,I hope they can get back together for a reunion tour before it’s too late! Cheers Micheal. Glenn Sydney

[@bartsullivan4866]

That's the thing they made such good music together like The Eagles just a lot of friction. Much better together than apart.

[@sydneybird116]

I was at Dennis DeYoung - The Music of Styx Aug 11, 2017 and since then saw the Tommy Shaw version of Styx two times (the first time because I love Styx, the second to take a friend to see them). The DeYoung version had so much more energy and I didn't get distracted missing the other band members. Both times seeing the Tommy Shaw version I was distracted by the fact that DeYoung was not there and that there was an "imposture" pretending to be DeYoung. JY had the energy of a turtle like he had done this 10000 times before and just strumming through it. Tommy was great on his classics but that didn't make up for the melancholy when they performed the DeYoung classics.

[@georgejetson1379]

so true :(

[@dariosotherradio]

I loved STYX... when I was 10 years old, and even back then it was a guilty pleasure.

[@rangerrecon]

I saw Styx live twice recently - Introducing my daughter to the band's music. She completely lost it when she heard Mr. Roboto. She absolutely loved them and their songs are in her playlists now. I have to admit that, like all of us, their age is creeping up there, but they still put on a killer show with a lot of energy. And, of course, Todd Sucherman is one of my favorite drummers. Beyond what Todd does on stage, he is a driving force for inspiring drummers (new and experienced) off-stage.

[@abf9596]

Songs to listen to, in no particular order: Put Me On, Born for Adventure, Great White Hope, Queen of Spades, Man In The Wilderness, Mademoiselle, Grove of Eglantine, You Need Love, I'm Gonna Make You Feel It, What Has Come Between Us, Mother Dear, Castle Walls, Borrowed Time, Nothing Ever Goes As Planned, Heavy Metal Poisoning, Double Life, Cold War, Mr. Roboto, Love Is The Ritual, Edge of the Century, All in a Day's Work, The Message/Lords of the Ring, Snowblind, Sing for the Day, This Old Man, Jennifer, Just Get Through This Night, Love at First Sight, Never Say Never, Lights, First Time, Lonely People and dozens more, lol

[@joetanaka6446]

We were big STYX fans way back in high school. I like and very much agree with your Mt. Olympus band hall of fame. Spot on!!

[@robertedwards3822]

This is a really disappointing saga. Tommie was added to sticks at the grand illusion album and he really put the band over the top. I love Tommy’s solo work and his album with Jack Blades from Night Ranger. I really have a lot of respect for him. But man, throwing Dennis Young out of the band when he needed a break for medical reasons And blaming it on the time he needed away is BS. They didn’t like Dennis for overcontrolling the band. Dennis side he definitely takes some blame to. But the bummer is that they all belong together. They never should’ve split up. They probably would’ve made many more great records. What makes a band great a band like sticks is the stew of multiple opinions and the discourse between the band. They fill in the gaps in each other’s thinking and make great music. I really wish they could’ve gotten back together about 10 years ago they’d be filling bigger venues, and I would be there.

[@theschiznit8777]

I was in middle school Styx became big. Most of us denim jacket wearing guys were too cool to admit to liking their music. I'm older now and not afraid to admit that I secretly liked their music then and now. Keep the content coming!

[@seanherbeck9412]

“The Mission” is an amazing, classic Styx album. I love Dennis and Tommy’s work, and while a reunion could be beautiful, I think Styx should continue on their current path. They still sound tight and youthful live.

[@J344R3Y]

I have been watching the music video BORROWED TIME by STYX for a month now almost daily and why it only reached 64 on the charts is disturbing. It is a number 1 song!!!

[@waltersimmons946]

You're right. I had the CORNERSTONE album back in 1979 . "BABE" unfortunately by going number 1 as a strong ballad actually overshadowed all the other tracks on the album especially the rock tracks. 5:51

[@dalestroup9495]

​​@@waltersimmons946Yes, it is a great album! But don't blame Dennis for writing Babe? He made them sales and profit right? And if it wasn't for the single the album probably would have never made it because no one would have bought it or listened except real fans! Dennis knew what was Hip, happening and trending on the music scene and hit radio! He took what was successful on radio at the time which was a lot of electric piano stuff like Elton John and Billy Joel and used the same sound and style to make a Bit insuring that they make bank and album sales! I definitely hear Babe as an answer to Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are" competing for airplay...that's what was in then rock was on its way out then! Everything was getting to ballads, Disco had effectively killed Rock airplay and New Wave was soon ushering it's way in! Which is why Dennis answered by with "Mr. Roboto" and writing the "Kilroy Was Here..." album! Dennis kept the band progressing and keeping in touch with the music scene keeping Styx viable ...not to be left behind and fade away!

[@alisongilroy5304]

Still love Styx!! Especially Tommy’s songs!❤❤Seen them several times. Beginning in the 70’s and going june 26.

[@jakepepper2279]

As a classic arena rock band, Journey was always bigger than Styx, but both bands have a ton of classic hits in their catalogues. Dennis DeYoung is like Steve Perry in a sense that there was a band divorce. The only difference is that Perry is happy not being involved anymore, and DDY wants back in the band. Ballads or rockers, it does not matter to me. That period in late seventies/early eighties rock is still better than the crap being recorded today, which is always going to be a mix of radio hits and deep album tracks. It is what it is. It is kind of silly to see old band mates going back and forth at each other at this late stage of the game. Either get along or accept the reality that there was a divorce that will never be healed.

[@apwkastmaster2096]

Well said, brother. Saw both in their prime. Great memories!!

[@marty3888]

The way I understand it, Dennis always had to be in control. No matter what, you can't survive like that. I'm not real impressed with the new ones but if Dennis doesn't want to learn and do the new songs, I don't blame them for not wanting him back.

[@chuckfarley567]

STYX was great....Egos be damned...just play music and move forward....every band transforms....

[@adamfindlay7091]

Pieces of 8 is definitely a piece of fine art.

[@John-wm4xk]

Grand illusion, Pieces of Eight are MASTERPIECES ..... phenomenal

[@darat532]

The last 3 Dennis DeYoung solo albums are much better than the last albums from Styx

[@michaelbujanda8785]

The Queen Of Spades, Madame Blue and Castle Walls and Don't Let It End are my favorite Dennis De Young songs!!!! 😊😊😊😊❤👍👍👍

[@scottrodman802]

Tommy Shaw guitar playing makes castle walls rock

[@dalestroup9495]

​@@scottrodman802Don't forget JY too! Tommy didn't do it on his own!

[@dalestroup9495]

JY was always the real rocking lead guitarist between the two. JY was like Hendrix, Page and Ace Frehley combined! His solos were always more interesting to hear....back in the day 1970's.

[@leewaken5059]

Grand Illusion is a fabulous album! 🏁

[@JohnOlszewski-c4y]

Will not go see styk without Dennis now or in the future. Dennis is better with his new band. See his new group and have a better time.

[@carminelombardi9575]

The rarest element in rock bands is, can we all get along.

[@JC-fm9ps]

I have 2 tee shirts from 2001 when they toured in San Antonio Tx with Bad Company , bad ass show.

[@mavfin8720]

Styx was huge. Tommy is still pretty active today. Also for Tommy, Damn Yankees was important.

[@musicisajourney]

Dennis is someone I’d call a creative visionary. Like Roger Waters and Jon Anderson, Dennis had a concept for what the band should be doing. As the money came in, he saw his band as the means to realize his artistic vision. However, when his views clashed with those of other members, the feuding began. I don’t say either side is right. A person like Dennis can be difficult to work with if you’re one to have your own creative direction and input. Same goes for Waters and Anderson. In their respective bands, they all created legendary albums and music. But Styx, Pink Floyd, and Yes also made great music without their visionary leaders, Styx and Pink Floyd fairing the best, in my opinion.

[@JC-fm9ps]

New sub🤟✌️

[@andrewlaitres9080]

Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight are great albums.

[@sirphilo]

I believe they are all excellent musicians in their own right. I was lucky to see them in concert playing their new album first half, but the beer kicked in when they played the "oldies"... Awesome! I wish they could get together just for the children (fans)... :)

[@jameskinchen2148]

Scroll through these videos first. If you don’t see either of the named in the title in the video, it means it’s just some guy talking about it. Just unsatisfying.

[@stuarthecht8196]

I am a long-time fan of Styx. The first time I saw them was in 1977 at a theater in Boston, on their Grand Illusion tour, just before the single "Come Sail Away" broke out huge. I actually got to meet James Young, Dennis DeYoung, and Tommy Shaw backstage that night at the Orpheum Theater (I was a journalism major in college and scored an interview with JY). They were incredibly nice guys, and relatively humble for being rock stars, although when I asked Dennis about his interest in progressive rock, he recited some lyrics from a Genesis song to see if I knew them (I didn't, but probably would have figured the song out today!). I agree with you that modern day Styx risks becoming a tribute band, but the fact that they continue to release new and vital material saves them from that pitfall. Granted, they are not the same without Dennis, but they are still immensely talented performers and singers. As far as post-Dennis work, I particularly like the live album with the youth symphony orchestra, and also Cyclorama, which has the worst album cover imaginable (I won't even say what that descending carrot looks like), but contains the phenomenal hard prog song, "One With Everything."

[@buzztp5119]

at this point 40 years later who cares what these two old men say or do the music is there to listen to and that's all that matters

[@jeepz9618]

Dennis tried to make amends and wanted to get together for one last tour. Dennis is the one who brought Tommy into the band. They all turned on Dennis for being to theatrical and they didn’t want to play Mr. Roboto cause they wanted the tough hardcore image. Dennis has a KZbin that he was doing from his house around the pandemic and there was an interview back then about it. Check it out! I stopped going to see Styx when the replacement came in. It was like he was being theatrical yet they kicked Dennis out for that. I did see Grand Illusion tour, Paradise tour and return to Paradise tour and they rocked. Crystal ball album is okay too. Keep up the good work!

[@jeepz9618]

I know the dudes weird but he is the one that formed the band and sang and wrote most of the songs and they turned on him. I think they did him dirty.

[@mustlovepretzels]

Besides Carlos does Santana 🥨 have any remaining original members?

[@serdip]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing your perspectives and insights on my favorite band, Styx. I have been a fan since my high school days and my appreciation and admiration for this group hasn't diminished over the years one iota. It's a shame that personalities clash, resulting in internecine conflicts, public drama, and less rock music for fans to enjoy. I will always love this band and thoroughly enjoy both the classic and current lineup of uber talented musicians that, In the Best of Times, know how to keep their fans Rockin' In Paradise.

[@bosstime2010]

I’ve loved them for many many years with Dennis and without. Crash of the Crown is a great album. They are amazing live and Laurence has grown on me as a singer and performer.

[@DuggsMetalMovieJukebox]

Paradise Theater was my first concert.....really good live.....always liked the Tommy Shaw songs the best....

[@DeanWalker-b3f]

Shaw has an ego problem

[@terrencereardon6374]

Napoleon complex. His hero Roger Waters is Hitler and Maduro.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

Napoleon Syndrome. Roger Waters was Stalin and Mao Tsetung rolled into one.

[@THE_DRUMCAPELLA_10.0]

He appreciates Dennis's input? Is he delusional? Tommy was a great contributor, but he was just that, a contributor! Dennis was Styx, The undisputed identifiable voice of Styx.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

It’s funny that he now appreciates his input over 4 decades since the original breakup.

[@John-wm4xk]

So sad ... styx phenomenal... saw em at L.A. Forum Pieces of Eight , Cornerstone tours ... one the greatest bands of all time , PHENOMENAL

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

It’s sad that there are 3 solid Styx members from their early years (‘70’s) but they can’t set their personal differences aside and give us at least one final album and/or tour. Heck, I’d settle for a one-off final show.

[@kimnach]

The Grand Illusion album came out as I was entering my junior year of HS, and absolutely loved the album. Great songs, but my favorite came later: Renegade from Pieces of Eight. They were not one of my favorite bands, but their songs were catchy and always had a hook. Speaking of hooks: they jumped the shark with Mr. Roboto.

[@QuicKnDead911]

You want to know more about the feud with Young and Shaw look in to the Damn Yankees funny similarities personality conflicts and Shaw right in the middle of it.

[@craigblack7076]

Dennis DeYoung IS Styx!

[@randyorr9443]

I re-discovered this band when I saw them in 2013 or 2014 . At the time, I considered them a washed up caricature of there former self trying to survive without their former creative life force and lead singer, Dennis DeYoung. Boy was I ever wrong. That was easily near the best concert I had ever been to. Power, precision, old songs , new songs, lots of old band members but more importantly the new members were equal to or better than the original. Their 2 latest albums "The Mission" & "Crash of the Crown " shows true growth and evolution of the STYX sound and music. This new work is as good as the old music. It is not quite as "PoP" and not quite as memorable as the old stuff because we were inundated with the old styx songs over the radio over and over when we were kids. Due to the new music industry and radio today, nobody really gets to here this great new STYX music but it is truly well crafted and in some ways better than their old "POP" songs.

[@pnichols6500]

Grand Illusion is a great, very under rated album!

[@johnalbasini6790]

I absolutely love Styx. My first album was The Grand Illusion. I first saw them live at what I think was their last show before breaking up after the Kilroy tour. Saw them again when they came back in ‘96 and ‘97. Saw them again about 8 years ago. One of the best live bands ever, and they still sound fantastic. You could tell they were having a blast. Tommy Shaw is possibly the biggest rock star I have ever seen, and I’ve seen almost everybody. He just has “IT” on stage. While I would love to see them get back together, it is obvious there is too much bad blood. Kind of like a marriage gone bad. JY, Shaw, and even Chuck have moved on. Maybe Dennis wants to do it “for the kids” (songs), but the other guys feel like those kids have grown.

[@usaturnuranus]

Having grown up in the 70's, I will posit that Styx was kind of hit or miss in terms of general popularity until Shaw came on board. I'm not dissing them, they did ok, I'm just telling it like I saw it. Once TS joined, something lit them on fire, as "Grand Illusion" was a brilliant, well put together album, and it was bursting with dynamic songs and topical, smart lyrics. That one album caused a lot of your more cerebral (and stoned?), album-favoring rock fans, myself included, to do a sudden double take on the whole Styx thing. It was like they had suddenly hit their stride with a great balance between pop sensibilities (which they never lacked) and more esoteric, but concise prog-oriented fare (who knew?) and to this day I have a number of friends who don't much care for a lot of their pop songs, but who will readily agree that TGI was one damn fine album. DeYoung has loads of talent and a great voice, but it seemed like he saw himself as the big audience draw and the band as mostly backing musicians (which has some merit, at that time). Shaw's influence seemed to shape them into a tight, cohesive, and driven unit and it kicked them into high gear. And I can't imagine that it wouldn't rub DeYoung wrong in a whole lot of ways, like he was losing control of "his" band. Finally, If not for Shaw, I think Styx would have wound up as more or less a footnote in the annals of rock history. The bottom line is that Styx needed a Tommy Shaw, and Tommy Shaw needed a Styx. Just my 2 cents of course, YMMV. EDIT: I caught a Styx show in the 90's where they were playing a military base, on an outdoor stage. The weather was near terrifying with bouts of driving rain, wind, lightning and thunder. And Shaw stood up there and told the crowd something like: Normally, we would call it a night with weather like this - but we know that for a lot of you guys and girls, this is just another night on the job, isn't it? Well, if you'll stay for us then we'll play for you! " We all went crazy with applause. And they put on a (literally!) high energy, electric performance that night. Mad respect for that, Styx!!!

[@pepperdog2039]

facts are that crystal ball tommy's first styx album sold less than equinox its predecessor. i agree shaw needed styx because deyoung hired him out of a bowling alley in alabama where he was playing acoustic guitar. shaw and deyoung belong together to make styx.

[@usaturnuranus]

@@pepperdog2039 good points.

[@MrBonilla2010]

The people forget how born Styx. Dennis Deyoung Is the Master mind to create Styx. Tommy and James 🤔 coming to the group years later.

[@tomservo5607]

I heard a story (not sure if it was true or not) that sometime after Styx broke up Dennis DeYoung approached his local high school about putting on a theater production of Mister Roboto. The school was thrilled by the prospect but then soon realized that Dennis wanted to be the lead in the show. They agreed and Dennis performed his Mister Roboto surrounded by high school actors for 2 shows which were sold out. Dennis then approached the school about possibly putting on a show the next school year but it was a different show/screenplay he was working on. The school politely declined.

[@pepperdog2039]

that of course is a lie.

[@jamesreding6336]

The whole grandilusion album is great

[@LarryGonzalez00]

Pieces of Eight is my favorite Styx album. They did a covers album that was good. I really liked their takes on I Am the Walrus and Can't Find My Way Home.

[@TerryKrysinski]

Styx has been one of my all time fav bands even during their Wooden Nickel Days. But they started to lose me and lots of the fanbase with Kilroy Was Here and that tour. DDY wanted it to be a play but the band hated it. THey did reunite a few years later, but it still wasn't going to work between DDY & the band. When he became ill and they wanted to tour- they didn't want to wait for him and used it as an 'out' between them and him. Been that way since,and they've been very functional and happy without him. it's a shame but it happens between people as we all know. Meanwhile...the band has announced the release of another new album this year. Great news...the last two were VERY solid indeed. T

[@ericm.1245]

I have been a fan of Styx since I owned the Equinox 8 track back in the mid 70’s and of course Tommy Shaw hadn’t joined the band yet. I will say that still like all incarnations of the band and just wish these guys could put their differences aside and just get along!

[@billtaylor3382]

Loved Styx, But I always could see that Dennis probably was to full of his self!

[@avlisk]

For some, Styx without Dennis is OK, but it's not real Styx. Their new albums might even be good. But, for me, there is no Styx without Dennis.

[@markthomas2436]

Dennis figured that hey I wrote our biggest hits, and i sang dang near all of them. You chumps will do as I say. And he led them off a cliff with the Mister Roboto album, which was an epic disaster. It not only sucked; it alienated their huge fan base. Then you have a song like Babe, which the lead singer likes and wrote and sings... contrasting with the reality that the other guys see themselves as a ROCK BAND. Which is what they were at the core. Dennis thinks he IS Styx, and they ain't much without him. In my mind, he is wrong. I have seen their shows down thru the years, and even very recently; they are doing just fine without him, and I predict they will never play with him again.

[@jameskrys5286]

I’m from Chicago. Before Styx all Chicago bands used lots of Horns. Styx broke the mold and Survivor broke it too. Tommy Shaw was in a Chicago band called MS Funk. He also was in Dam Yankees with Ted Nugent. 4:44

[@tod3msn]

There is no "sharp response." You been spending too much time pondering the Beatles recording sessions where George Harrison "cut the cheese" in the Abbey Road recording studio when making Sgt. Pepper causing the band to cough at a key part which made the song a hit! Tommy and JY settled with Dennis and have use of the Styx name with both members a key part of the major success of the band, especially, Tommy. Styx has had 8 members in 50 years which is excellent. Tommy and JY are quite legitimate as the remaining Styx members. As for Dennis, who cares what he says? His opinion and $5 will get you a latte at Starbucks! Everyone here posting about not wanting to see The Rolling Stones or Styx because they don't meet their purity tests is just a lot of horse manure. I saw The Rolling Stones a few week ago and the show was spectacular and I saw Styx with and without Dennis and they were all great shows. Unlike people who break wind here with their opinions and never see a show anymore are nothing but blowing hot air and not worth focusing on.

[@joseconde8927]

Money talks, if they record a single with Dennis Deyoung keeping the new guy playing the spinning keyboard and Dennis a classical piano, and make a tour , they are going to make a lot of money.

[@andevil777]

"when people lock their doors and hide inside, rumor has it, It's the end of paradise.." Not a fan but I do like that tune.

[@83Roboto]

There's a lot to unpack in terms of this band's internal politics and the rift that ensued for so long. Which can't be really summed up in this latest response by DeYoung to the Shaw interview.

[@waltersimmons946]

Mr. Roboto charted at #3 back in 1983. Regardless of how negative the band, pundits or some fans felt, that song is a big hit . You dont get a song to chart at #3 on Billboard and swear its a flop. That dog dont hunt !!

[@PikesvilleAl]

Babe was #1 without Tommy and JY singing or playing on it

[@waltersimmons946]

@@PikesvilleAl Actually Tommy played the guitar solo on Babe. But you're correct Tommy and J.Y didn't no background on the vocals. All the vocals were 100% Dennis Deyoung.

[@SparePhone-x2r]

This is the fifth interview from Dennis DeYoung saying the same things this Week!! I guess it's just the KZbin posting and perpetuating the drama while making money. Dennis if you are watching. Dennis needs to stop doing these interviews on every venue they can find and stop amplifying the negativity. Styx has done nothing but pay homage to Dennis by playing the songs he co wrote (little known fact, all members had a hand in the creation of the original music). Get A Life Already. Sheesh.

[@pepperdog2039]

what interview this is a facebook post. deyoung has always said the styx albums were a group effort. what's your point?

[@pepperdog2039]

he has not given and interview in over a year. know something before you post.

[@kyokushin1375]

All i have to say is. Suite madam blue. Period.

[@54lex]

After reminiscing all the Styx songs, too me Equnox not Cornerstone was their best work. But Cornerstone was the album that introduced me to Styx.

[@richardmorgan1588]

Loved this band in the 70s! Had all their albums. Saw them with Tommy for the Chrystal Ball tour! Fantastic! They were truly great at that time! Then something went wrong! They lost the magic. Still love the classic records!

[@fry9700]

Dennis is very talented, but the band has been doing just fine without him for many years.

[@pepperdog2039]

playing his songs

[@pacard33]

Huge fan of Styx. Loved their old and new stuff. Dennis was overbearing, but you can't deny how talented he is. It's just so sad that it has come to this. "What has come between us..."

[@willswalkingwest7267]

They could send out 5 unknown musicians on tour, call themselves Styx, the crowds will pay out the nose to see them and tell everyone at work the next day how awesome the show was and Dennis and Tommy can sit in their houses, in their underwear and count the $$$$. As far as I'm concerned, no Dennis, no Styx. Tommy's awesome but without Dennis, he's just Tommy Shaw.

[@clintstryder1131]

There is something about the prog generation of rock/pop!! It seems that it was an Era of great musicians trying to be different while keeping a rock base. It seems to have created a situation where well rounded musicians that had so much individual talent couldn't collaborate. In my opinion, good rock bands need atleast a small amount of leadership and a point where the musicians just do there job and add to the collective sound of that band. Prog rock in short, seemed to have musicians that had over the top individual talent as well as egos. If you had a group of Picassos trying to make a work of art, it would most likely end badly! Again, just my opinion but that's the way I've come to see it! Never the less, that's the sound you get and some of it was truly great. I'm just amazed that some of them got their first albums and tours together in the first place. Can you imagine having to engineer and produce those albums!🤯

[@54lex]

Nice posting I just subscribed. I love Styx ever since I bought the cornerstone album. I’m 62 now. Dennis is the voice of Styx and always will be. I love their wooden nickel albums. But this crap that TS is putting on is trash. Their last two albums are all over the place. I wish they could mend the broken relationship but I don’t see that happening.

[@daviderickson8699]

Styx was one of those rare bands with multiple legit options for lead vocals within an album (Night Ranger, CSN/Y, the Cars, the Eagles being others). It actually made the concept albums more possible with different roles assigned, and obviously Dennis was more in love with that idea than Tommy and JY were. It is disappointing that it still drags on and in public. I've had disagreements and even falling outs with co-workers along the path of a 30+ year career, but you move on and find or create something new. I can't imagine going to, say, an industry conference and bashing on some old personal feud, decade after decade. Obviously both parties get publicity here that they may not otherwise get, but it's off-putting to many of us who loved their music in its prime.

[@jamesreding6336]

I love both groups music

[@rickallen1908]

Styx was up and down for me. I wasn't a big fan of Mr. Roboto, but a huge fan of The Grand Illusion. Although going back through tonight, (online catalogs are wondeful things) I remember more like than dislike. There's a reference here where someone said "Come sail away with me, lad" was creepy. It's a reference to 17th century captains trying to recruit sailors. "Come sail away with me lad, and we'll go on many adventures." Not creepy...

[@Gk2003m]

So we have the rock guitar faction vs the songwriting faction. Indeed Dennis did move more and more toward a “show tune” thing, because that’s who he is. A show tune writer/player/singer who made a living in rock for some years. One could argue that Genesis had a somewhat similar issue, and that’s why Steve Hackett left. And it’s not at all unusual for folks from these bands to, after years of working so closely together, end up disliking each other. Blackmore and Gillan, Gilmour and Waters, Page and JohnPaul Jones, David Crosby and a slew of mates in his different bands, Hall and Oates, the list is endless.

[@triandfit1]

No one gets that. Band line ups change all the time and everyone “thinks” they know what the truth is. It’s like the Roth and Hagar eras. All great music. Who cares. Just sit back and enjoy!

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

Sting and The Police, Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies. Not everyone was Rush, Phil Collins/Genesis (they accommodated Phil’s personal life issues in 1978 and were loyal), Zeppelin. Dennis was a Beatle at heart. He didn’t get into theater until 1992 during a break in Styx’s history. Tommy is a folkie at heart and a country picker. Dennis’ favorite albums are The Beatles Second Album, Rubber Soul, Sgt Pepper, Abbey Road, The Best of The Animals, Who’s Next, first Chicago Transit Authority. His ideas for theatrics were seeing Alice Cooper on the Welcome to My Nightmare Tour and seeing KISS while opening up for them.

[@billhawkins1236]

I'm a LONG time Styx fan, as a matter of fact, my daughters first exposure to the concert world was the Styx reunion at the Rosemont Horizon, we were in the 12th row and ended up on the video. (For about 2 seconds 😂) That being said, I think Dennis and Tommy are both kind of Prima Donas. I actually prefer the Wooden Nickel era Styx, to the later stuff, unfortunately the only live song that survives from then is " Lady " Not listening to those albums doesn't give you a complete picture.👍

[@azcop2]

I’ve seen both bands in recent years. Dennis DeYoung is always great, Styx comes across like a cover bad.

[@guitarsnstuff93422]

Their energy colliding is what made Styx. John P. was a killer drumer who had his brother in the pocket . James Young. Killer player. Put wirh the two egos made for a great band.

[@davidmonk4814]

I'm a Styx fan, I was there when they coheadlined with Sammy Hagar at the Texas Jam. They were not going"to die inTexas" ,they came out late,(afterSammy, Nugent, andRic Emmett, played" whole Lotta love")and played Mr Robato. Now you know why they got booed.