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A Brief Chronological
History of STYX |
1969:
After having formed a band known as "TW4" a few years prior, neighbors
Dennis DeYoung and brothers Chuck and John Panozzo enroll at Chicago State
University. Although the band had already performed in and around the
Chicago area, C.S.U. would become the group’s base. The trio soon hooks up
with another student, John Curulewski, who takes over the helm on guitar.
1970:
Guitarist James "JY" Young--who was performing with a rival band in
Chicago--joins the quartet, making it a five piece band. The new line-up
begins taking a different direction with more musical experiments,
including classical/rock fusions and electronic wizardry.
1971:
The band’s demo is heard by the Wooden Nickel label, who would
subsequently offer the band a recording contract the following year.
1972:
The band is renamed STYX after a mythological river of the dead--a
decision made by the band members. The first Styx album, dubbed "STYX I"
is released. Their single, "Best Thing" (written by Dennis and JY),
reaches the Top 100 on the charts by the end of the year.
1973:
STYX II is released. Although it doesn’t chart immediately, the Dennis
DeYoung penned ballad, "Lady" gets considerable airplay on Chicago radio.
The band concentrates on their touring efforts in support of the single’s
success, and creates a vast following of fans. The band would release
their next album, "The Serpent Is Rising" toward the end of the year.
1974:
"The Serpent is Rising" cracks the Top 200 Albums Chart in February,
followed up by "Man of Miracles", which reaches an even higher position in
November. "Lady" is re-released as a single with national promotion, and
propels to #6 on the U.S. charts.
1975:
A critical year in Styx history. Two years after it's original release,
STYX II rockets up the charts as a result of the success of "Lady". The
album reaches number 20 on the charts and sells over 500,000 units. In
September, after searching for a larger and more supportive label, STYX
signs with powerhouse A&M Records. Two months later, their next album
entitled "Equinox", featuring the single, "Lorelei" would be the first A&M
release, immediately reaching gold status (and eventually going platinum).
At the end of the year, guitarist John Curulewski leaves the band. The
band's road manager recommends 23-year-old Tommy Shaw--who at that time
was the guitarist for Chicago-based band "MS Funk"--as a replacement. A
week after auditioning, Tommy Shaw joins the band.
1976:
Late in the year, the album "Crystal Ball" would be released, marking the
first collaboration with new guitarist Tommy Shaw. The album, which had
four cuts written by Shaw, would mark the third consecutive album to go
gold for Styx. A single from the album, "Mademoiselle" would see
considerable chart success.
1977:
On July 7th (7/7/77), the band releases their next album, "The Grand
Illusion". This adds considerable wind to their sails and begins the
biggest upward trend in Styx history.
1978:
In January, A&M Records releases "Come Sail Away" as a single from "The
Grand Illusion" album, which would enter the Top 10 on the single charts.
The album, "The Grand Illusion", hits number 6 on the album charts as a
result of the single's success. It ultimately becomes the first Styx album
to go platinum. The singles, "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" and
"Miss America" also contribute to the success of the album. Later in the
year, the band would follow up with another platinum-selling album
(reaching #6) entitled, "Pieces of Eight", featuring the hit singles,
"Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)", "Renegade" and "Sing for the Day".
1979:
A national Gallup poll would reveal that STYX is the most popular rock
band with teenagers (13-19 year olds). By December, the band’s newest
album release, "Cornerstone", would hit #2 on the U.S. charts, earning the
band it’s third consecutive platinum album. The single, "Babe" reaches #1
on the charts and becomes the top selling single of their career. "Why Me"
and "Borrowed Time" generate mass sales as well.
1981:
Beginning early in the year, STYX would embark upon an ambitious 110 date,
six-month North American tour. In April, the album, "Paradise Theatre"
would be released, soon reaching platinum success. STYX would now have
four consecutive platinum albums under their belt. Paradise Theatre
remains at #1 on the U.S. charts for three weeks. Two hit singles from the
album, "The Best of Times" and "Too Much Time on My Hands" reach #3 and
#9, respectively on the U.S. charts. Styx becomes the first band in the
history of rock and roll to have four consecutive triple-platinum albums!
1983:
STYX releases the concept album, "Kilroy Was Here" and tours in support of
it most of the year. A stage act is built around the album, in which
costumed band members have roles and dialogue in addition to performing
songs. It would become one of the most ambitious rock and roll tours ever.
The single, "Mr. Roboto" reaches #3 and becomes the second million-selling
single in the band’s history ("Babe" being the first). Another single,
"Don’t Let It End" also goes the top 10.
1984: The band releases a double live album entitled, "Caught in the Act".
Although the album is well received by the record buying public, both
Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw decide to pursue solo projects, both on A&M
records. Subsequently, the band is put on hold. Dennis DeYoung’s "Desert
Moon" album and Tommy Shaw’s "Girls With Guns" both enter top 50.
1985:
In December, Tommy Shaw releases the album, "What If", which enters the
top 100 and spawns a single, "Ever Since the World Began".
1986: Dennis DeYoung releases his second solo album, "Back to the World"
and will also contribute a single (not from album), "This Is the Time" to
the movie, "The Karate Kid Part II". James Young releases his first solo
effort, "City Slicker", a collaboration with Jan Hammer.
1988:
Dennis DeYoung releases another solo album, entitled "Bloomchild" on MCA
Records.
1990:
Tommy Shaw forms a new band, "Damn Yankees", with former Night Ranger
vocalist/bassist Jack Blades, guitar virtuoso Ted Nugent and drummer
Michael Cartellone. Their self-titled debut album would produce two hit
singles, "High Enough" and "Coming of Age". The album would eventually
sell over 2 million copies on Warner Bros. Records. Damn Yankees tours
extensively with Bad Company and their album reaches #26. Toward the end
of the year, STYX reunites with all the original members except for Tommy
Shaw (Tommy is replaced by Glen Burtnik) and releases the album, "Edge of
the Century", which begins to garner acclaim.
1991:
A single from Edge of the Century entitled, "Show Me the Way" begins chart
ascension into the top 10 during the Gulf War. With the success of the
single, STYX joins an elite group of acts who have had top 10 hits under
each of the last four United States Presidents and top 10 hits in three
different decades.
1992:
Damn Yankees release their second album, "Don’t Tread" on Warner Bros.
Records. The album, which features the singles "Don’t Tread" and "Where
Are You Goin' Now?" would eventually reach platinum status. The video for
the title track would be aired throughout the 1992 Olympics.
1994:
In addition to playing the roll of "Pontius Pilate" in the national
company of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (to rave reviews), Dennis DeYoung cuts
an album of show tunes for Atlantic Records entitled "10 on Broadway".
1995:
STYX releases "Greatest Hits: Volume 1", featuring a re-recorded version
of "Lady" with Tommy Shaw (who had not yet joined the band when it was
originally recorded). Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades release an album,
"Hallucination", as "Shaw*Blades" on Warner Bros. Records. The album would
be co-produced by Don Gehman of REM/John Mellencamp fame. James Young
forms "The James Young Group", with other Chicago musicians and tours in
support of their album, "Raised by Wolves" on the Absolute/Whitehouse
label.
1996:
In May, the classic and most successful Styx member line-up is reunited
for the "Return to Paradise Theatre" tour, which was seen in over 50
cities. "Greatest Hits: Volume II" was released in the summer featuring a
few new songs. For the first time in thirteen years, Dennis DeYoung, James
Young, Tommy Shaw, and Chuck Panozzo were "Rockin' The Paradise" again.
1997:
In May, CMC International Records, a division of BMG Entertainment,
releases a double album of new studio tracks plus a live recording of
"Greatest Hits" from the '96 tour, appropriately titled, "Return to
Paradise". Due to popular demand, the now reunited members of STYX embark
upon a 50-city North American tour in support of the release.
1998:
Tommy Shaw releases a solo
album in CMC, "7 Deadly Zens" and hits the road opening shows for Lynyrd
Skynyrd. Dennis DeYoung returns to his theatrical calling as his
"Hunchback of Notre Dame" enjoys a successful run in Nashville. The band
starts making plans for a new studio album--the classic line-up's first in
16 years.
2000:
Styx embarks upon a 40 city co-headline tour with REO Speedwagon. The tour
is so successful that the two bands record and release a double live album
and DVD, "Arch Allies Live at Riverport". They then extend the tour and to
date, Styx and REO have played over 90 shows together, consistently
generating hugely successful box office numbers.
2002:
Styx plays over 90 shows and records a new studio album, set for release
in the winter of 2003.
2003:
Styx releases "Cyclorama" on February 18. The band tours extensively
throughout the year in support of the record. In September, Bassist Ricky
Phillips replaces departing member Glen Burtnik.
"You're Fooling Yourself If You Don't Believe It"
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