"I'm going to be in The Beatles or I'll form my own band and be The Beatles. That was it." Dennis DeYoung of Styx talks to Decades for Sounds of the Time.
The first thing I noticed was that his wife wasn't rail thin---to the point of looking emaciated, like so many other rocker wives do. They're Chicagoans, raised in the post war era, so they eat!
Dennis is still my favorite performer to see live, even after all these years. I was lucky enough to see Styx in the 80s when he was still with them, and it was magical. In later years, I saw Dennis with his new band and Styx with Lawrence Gowan. And while Gowan is a gifted pianist and singer, that classic Styx sound just wasn't there. But when I saw Dennis with his band, I could still hear and feel the old harmonies and magic.
Exactly. I've seen DDY 3 times without Styx, Styx 2 times with DDY, and 2 times without DDY. When DDY was gone from Styx, it really didn't draw me in like before.
Styx played here in 1972 with Steely Dan. Lady was a number one hit here, one of the first markets to play that song. If I remember correctly, I think Styx played here 3 or 4 times. One of the best times of my life was sharing the stage with Styx and Steely Dan....my band opened for both of them.
Went to grade school and lived just down the block from Dennis. l can still remember how he got started playing in his basement back in Chicago. He was a great friend to have back then and still is.
My horse had a brain infection. Fatal, and while I was waiting for the vet to come euthanize her, I was in my car at the end of the driveway. This beautiful song came on, and when the lyrics "Touch me, and my troubles all fade" came, I just flat lost it in that car. It brought back all the times I was at my lowest point in life, I'd go to the barn and Missy would put her nose against me. Her warm soothing breath and whiskers tickling me always brought me out of my funk. That night, I knew she would never be there to comfort me anymore... That was 19 years ago... this song takes me back to those sweet moments in the barn with her seeming to know I needed just that little touch... Thank you for this amazing masterpiece.
Lady and Lorelli are two of the best songs to come from the '70's... and... the 1970's produce some of the best music in a century! I am in awe of Styx! I grew up with Styx, Rush, ELP, Yes, Kansas.. etc... They have forever shaped the way that I appreciate music and hate the music industry!
DDY's current touring band is phenomenal and plays all of the hits. They put on an amazing 2 hour show and the vocals are still spot on after all of these years!
Rick Angelini , I just saw the real Styx in concert, and was amazed that they sounded exactly like the recording studio version, they even did a tribute to Tom Petty, and did one of his songs. The only versions I've heard of Dennis's band is what I've heard on UA-cam, and seems full of imperfections.
Such an incredible, underrated singer and songwriter... Dennis wrote most of the hits for Styx... they were a huge part of my teen years. Thanks for the music and the shows
Greg p Written by DeYoung “Babe", the band's only #1 hit to date "Mr. Roboto" (#3) "Show Me The Way" (#3) "The Best of Times" (#3) "Don't Let It End" (#6) "Lady", the band's 1973 breakthrough hit (#6 in March 1975) "Come Sail Away" (#8) “Too Much Time On My Hands” (#9) written by Shaw
Seen them at the Norfolk scope in 1980, Best concert i have ever been to! Showmanship is a under statement! No other band but Styx. They killed the CROWD with Perfection! Styx needs to be in the RRHOF!!!
I had the privilege of knowing and taking guitar lessons from John Curulewski. May he rest in peace. Much too young to go. He was such a funny guy, a brilliant teacher, and excellent guitar player.
Hi David. Indeed.. the Chicago burbs actually. I still have his lesson plans in my guitar case. I owe a lot to him. JC really was a great guy. He often spoke of how much he loved his son/family.
Saw him and his band last night at the Canadian National Exhibition bandshell in Toronto. Amazing show. One of my top 5 concerts from seeing over 50 concerts in 35 years (Motley Crue Carnival of Sins my favorite). Saw STXY (Gowan) twice previous and Dennis DeYong and his band blew them away last night. He is and always will be STYX.
Saw him perform in 2019 at MGM in Detroit. One of the best concerts I have ever witnessed, it helped the seats were close. But Dennis sounds so damn good still after all these years. Way better than the current Styx lineup, I'm sorry to say.
Wypipo Trippin I’ve seen them about 4 times just the past 2 years.. last one I was not impressed for some reason they were off a bit that night.. Otherwise ♥️
Correction, if I may, but there is no such band as Styx, without Dennis. I'm not saying the band, that's running around calling themselves Styx is a bad band musically, but they ain't Styx. Dennis is the mind and sound of Styx (I don't give a flying "F" what some idiotic judge said). However, reality is they are in their 60's and 70's now and if they did reunite, it would be for what? A farewell tour? A few minutes at the R&R hall of fame (which they are still not in!)?
Lady is one of the first songs that started my rock and roll life, Bowie, Beatles, stones, and my friend Freddy Murcray. You have given our society so much beauty. we must continue so much love. Thanks Rosario
Saw him in Toledo. I've been to over 50 different concerts. Ranging from heavy metal to gospel. He is by far my favorite show. And thousands of people singing come sail away is a spiritual experience.
My wife and I just seen him and the band in Atlantic City NJ. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, Dennis was spot on. Like he was 20. The band was insane. Great to see his beautiful wife. Please do another performance at the Borgata. I’ll start at 4 tickets. We took our friends. Loved it.
Dennis and I completely agree about melody being the driver of the song. We talked about the last time I saw him in the studio. I too am a Melody man in a Rhythm age
I still have my styx albums I bought when I was in highschool back in the '70's and I saw them in '78 Grand illusion . I wish there were more young bands as talented today . It was a memorable experience and show and at a reasonable price for a kid.
Lady was every girls favorite love song. It's a classic today. I had 3 of their albulms. Talented group, with masterful voices. Their songs created a new perspective about the world, and it's reality.
One of my favorite Styx songs is "Grand Illusion" Song is totally true! Lived in this foster home back then and they were very cruel to us, we were never good enough, there was the way they said it is and if you did not agree, you were everything bad. They would read the magazines and watch TV and then regurgitate what they were saying, not what you thought yourself. If you did not wear what the magazines said, "style" think what the newsman said you should think, you were the devil. Total assholes. I was a kid, they made you feel like something was wrong with you, and then I heard this song. It was truly liberating.
There were classic hits songs. I when from 1980s music back to 1970s classic hits songs. Fun listen to on record album. My high school days were 1980s to1983. Radio stations in Mason city Iowa. So go to concert I know songs. Last year was greatest, saw Styx in concert, to me was dream come true. Most parents never let kids in school run streets, back 1980s to 1983 , glad now Day my age kind look back old school days music was very special moments in there life. Lots great songs. Still enjoy more today. Thank you for share this video clip. Still greatest lead singer.
Dennis DeYoung a guy showing as much as he was betrayed by his bandmates, he powers on and is an example once again of displaying he's just like you and me and the rest is a Grand Illusion. God bless you Dennis. Thanks for hanging in there. I've had similar things happen to me in my life and have noticed this seems to be kind of an epidemic in rock and roll bands. I saw you guys twice in the 70s at Hammond Civic center Indiana. My first rock concert. Heard Lady. You were great and it was fun to watch you guys get big. Keep rocking. Those other guys are just fooling themselves!
He wasn't betrayed, he complained he could no longer tour due to stage lighting and he also wanted to do something with styx that completely went another direction.
He needed more time to recover from this ailment than they wanted to give him. He's the guy that started the band. He tours now. Its not like he didn't want to tour anymore. When a band finally makes it and gets pretty big things do change between members. Its now all about money, power and control. They did betray him.
No. He wanted Styx to become a broadway show. Read or see the videos with interviews about Mr Roboto on VH1. Fan base was turning away with the idea. So a group decision was made by other original members and Tommy to let him go because they wanted to keep playing rock n roll.
Only other original member was JY. When Dennis was sick they didn't want to wait for his recovery. I did watch the videos. Dennis started the band with john and Chuck panozzo. Jy was added later and then tommy. Brought in by dennis. Watch the videos. They may have disagreed on some musical direction but the main issue was dennis's health.
This is the truth. They betrayed him. I hope one of them doesn't become sick and need to take some time off to recover and find out what's going on. Sad the way they did him.
Great Interview! Fell in love with Styx when I was 12 to a guy dancing and performing to mr. Roboto at the Milwaukee County Zoo for zoo ala carte and thought it was the coolest thing I've ever seen at that time. Every time the robot in the music would say Domo his mouth would light up.The dancing and the music was so powerful and I had to discover what band it was. I asked my parents and found out it was Styx and my next favorite song that came after was Come Sail Away. I Saw Dennis Perform back in 2007 a year after In Milwaukee at Festa Itailana (on the Summerfest grounds ) and listened to them every day to this day and Im now 24. Thanks Dennis! Seen your show 3 times and got to see you last year in Milwaukee. Those nights always last, as long as I keep alive, the memories of Paradise.
Could it have been Downtown Harrison. He lives in my area and performs with dance in costume and sings. I have seen him do Mr Roboto. Also sings a great Louie Armstrong. I think he is on UA-cam
Dennis is a class act and probebly the best keyboardist we will hear and see in our life times. Styx, Rush, Yes . . . cannot be matched by anyone since. Especially today.
My interesting story about "Lady" is that I heard it just once and I was immediately intrigued. It was probably a few weeks later when our family took a ski vacation, driving from Minnesota to Colorado. My older sister had recently gotten her driver's license, and one evening, after skiing all day, we drove to a local tubing hill (without our parents!) The car radio had one of the presets set to our local (Minnesota) AM stations, and as you might recall, AM radio signals can sometimes travel hundreds of miles at night. And so there we were, driving in the car (freedom!) and "Lady" comes on again, magically, crossing nearly 1,000 miles from our local radio station. It was surreal, and the opening strains of the song made the experience complete.
DDY isn't the quintessential "rock star" type of figure by any stretch (Shaw and Young made up for that), but it's HIS singing that made me become a Styx fan in the first place. Even if I wasn't a huge fan of all their songs....er cough..Babe...cough... his voice still made it work, not to mention his amazing keyboard/piano skills.
I nearly died while listening to Styx in '79. Took a school bus trip from Virginia to Florida. Along the way, the volume of alcohol and drugs ingested would fill a hot air balloon. Somewhere in southern Georgia, I lost consciousness. Two days later I woke up in an Orlando hospital. But, I still recall the blissful feelings wafting over me from the Jack Daniels, Mary Jane, and amphetamines as "Come Sail Away" blasted out of a little 8-track boom box in the back of the bus. Glorious. I'll never top it.
my wife is filipina.i sent her a greatest hits cd when we first met and she was living in HK.when she finally moved to the usa,we went and seen styx as they were w/out dennis.it was good but a couple years ago we seen dennis w/his band and the wife does not even care to see styx ever again..i am that way to.styx music is my favorite but with out dennis styx is just another band.
I was in junior high when "Babe" was released. You knew if you got a girl to slow dance to that song with you then you were an item. I remember listening to "Too Much Time on my Hands" with headphones and how that album had the embossed images on the actual album. Only hope I get the chance to see Mr. DeYoung perform sometime.
I LOVE STYX!!!! I sing my heart out with you as I have done for YEARS!!! I saw you in Hampton Beach, NH........I will NEVER forget it! Love you.......ROCK ON STYX!!! ❤❤❤❤
dennis wrote some great lyrics,and what a voice,desert moon is my favorite.i had tickets to see him ,and one day before the show,he canceled,due to illness,sad,,,,,i probably will never get to see or hear him live now. sadly we cant stay 30 forever.
First time I saw Styx was on the Paradise Theater tour at the Forum in LA. Bought tix from a dude at school and went with my older brother. Turns out our seats were BEHIND the stage! There was a big black curtain that would block our view. My bro said "let's sit in those 2 empty seats on the floor until someone asks us to move." Turns out, no one ever showed up! Those seats were awesome! Best live vocals I've ever seen!
As DDY lays out in the video. DDY created the band and it's HIS band, period! If he had litigated all the way, he would completely own the Styx moniker! It's HIS band, period! The other band is just a tribute band, nothing more!
WoW OMG!!! he can still sing!!! I was i guess 6 yrs old when i heard " Babe" on the radio and I started to love Styx during my childhood days, " First Time, The Best of Times, Don't Let It End, Come Sail Away and a lot more" including his solo "Call Me" really love his voice!!! He is blessed!!! really glad to see him
Dennis, is such a professional. His singing voice is incredible!! Styks, I saw in 74 as an opening act. They are my favorite group of all. (the original Styx's that is)
I love those Wooden Nickle LPs. A Day, Man of Miracles, Witch Wolf, Southern Woman still kicks. Non Wooden Nickle, Ballerina. damn, the guitar war at the end w/ JY & Tommy. classic. CKLW, played the heck outta Lady.
Don't know if it was on the Wooden Nickle label, but Best Thing is still terrific and fav to this day. Really good rock, much like REO had in the same early days of their career.
My favorites were Come Sail Away and Too Much Time on My Hands... I can still remember the first time I heard Borrowed Times:" Don't Look Now; Here Come the eighties".
I saw you in Indianapolis in early 70s saw you perform lady I was captivated.I dont recall the rest but I can still hear an visually recall the moment.Thank you
Had the pleasure of seeing you three times in Fort Pierce. Hope to see you in Nashville with the symphony. Cheers! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home. Jay
This really hit home for me.The lifelong changes at age 15. For me it was 1975 instead of 1973. I was with the love of my life, also a girl who was 15. However her parents thought we were getting too serious and separated us.Many years later.I ended up doing stunts and acting in 45 movies, tv episodes, mini-series, music videos, and even high crew positions,with 80 of the biggest stars. But I would trade the 45 films for the girl in a minute. After all these years, I've never met anyone that has even come close. I didn't end up with my childhood sweetheart for the rest of my life. But I very much understand loving someone for the rest of my life.
Yeah - people give young love short shrift. Nature intends for young love to last. It should fostered and nurtured - encouraged. But instead society mocks it. And that only leads to lifelong regret. It's a lot of people's story. : /
Lady, when your with me I'm smiling.
Still married to his childhood sweetheart after all these years. I totally respect that.
The first thing I noticed was that his wife wasn't rail thin---to the point of looking emaciated, like so many other rocker wives do. They're Chicagoans, raised in the post war era, so they eat!
Suzanne's a hottie.
@@msr1116 ubuv
@77Wells 9
Dennis is still my favorite performer to see live, even after all these years. I was lucky enough to see Styx in the 80s when he was still with them, and it was magical. In later years, I saw Dennis with his new band and Styx with Lawrence Gowan. And while Gowan is a gifted pianist and singer, that classic Styx sound just wasn't there. But when I saw Dennis with his band, I could still hear and feel the old harmonies and magic.
Exactly. I've seen DDY 3 times without Styx, Styx 2 times with DDY, and 2 times without DDY. When DDY was gone from Styx, it really didn't draw me in like before.
Gowan makes me want stick an ice pick in my ears
I still listen to Dennis and will until I die
His voice still ROCKS!
Styx played here in 1972 with Steely Dan. Lady was a number one hit here, one of the first markets to play that song. If I remember correctly, I think Styx played here 3 or 4 times. One of the best times of my life was sharing the stage with Styx and Steely Dan....my band opened for both of them.
Went to grade school and lived just down the block from Dennis. l can still remember how he got started playing in his basement back in Chicago. He was a great friend to have back then and still is.
Great to hear from someone who knew him way back when. I wish I could hear your stories.
That's insane
i was 13 when i heard it in 77' Equinox did, changed allot of things.
lawrence leugoud so lucky you are to know him or meet him personally I'm a fan!!!
Did the video he made for "Desert Moon" ring true?
Dennis is a nice man. Same wife all these years. A great composure. A truly gifted man. He still sounds a great as he did in the 70s.
Bobcat Stillwell 2
Yes, saw him two years ago and he was right on, he put on a great show
I met him twice privetly. Hes very nice!
Screwed over his band mates.
My horse had a brain infection. Fatal, and while I was waiting for the vet to come euthanize her, I was in my car at the end of the driveway. This beautiful song came on, and when the lyrics "Touch me, and my troubles all fade" came, I just flat lost it in that car. It brought back all the times I was at my lowest point in life, I'd go to the barn and Missy would put her nose against me. Her warm soothing breath and whiskers tickling me always brought me out of my funk.
That night, I knew she would never be there to comfort me anymore...
That was 19 years ago... this song takes me back to those sweet moments in the barn with her seeming to know I needed just that little touch...
Thank you for this amazing masterpiece.
dobie gal A sad but beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. So glad you did. ❤️
💞
Lady and Lorelli are two of the best songs to come from the '70's... and... the 1970's produce some of the best music in a century! I am in awe of Styx! I grew up with Styx, Rush, ELP, Yes, Kansas.. etc... They have forever shaped the way that I appreciate music and hate the music industry!
Lady was a wonderful song, I’ve been enjoying it ever since!
One of the best singers of all time.
Brilliant,never lost his voice over the years xx.
He didn’t get into drugs so that helps.
DDY's current touring band is phenomenal and plays all of the hits. They put on an amazing 2 hour show and the vocals are still spot on after all of these years!
Rick Angelini , all of the hits?
Greg p he plays the songs that the other guys won't touch anymore plus all the Styx
songs you'd expect to hear.
Rick Angelini , I just saw the real Styx in concert, and was amazed that they sounded exactly like the recording studio version, they even did a tribute to Tom Petty, and did one of his songs. The only versions I've heard of Dennis's band is what I've heard on UA-cam, and seems full of imperfections.
They are much better without Styx then Styx is without him, that's for sure! :) I love Dennis!
Rick Angelini heard them they are a pale imitation of the band at its peak Dennis can't be replaced
I played the shit out of that Grand Illusion album in 78
THE ALBUM HAD < SHIT > IN IT ??????
I also played Grand Illusion over and over again-that’s what got me into Styx. It’s a real masterpiece!
This was one of my favorite songs from my teens and 43 years later I still love Lady, Thanks Styx!!
We need more human beings as decent as that man.
God bless you Dennis and thank you for the music.
Wonderful !!! Thank you so !!! Great music from Styx !!!
“I’m a Melody man in a Rhythm age”!
Dennis DeYoung: Great Tenor Voice, Great Songwriter, Great showman.
I am so grateful to be raised in this era of music.
Lady is the Best song I ever heard..This song rules all other's Thank You Dennis!!!!
Such an incredible, underrated singer and songwriter... Dennis wrote most of the hits for Styx... they were a huge part of my teen years. Thanks for the music and the shows
Joey P , WRONG Tommy Shaw wrote most of it.
Greg p
Written by DeYoung
“Babe", the band's only #1 hit to date
"Mr. Roboto" (#3)
"Show Me The Way" (#3)
"The Best of Times" (#3)
"Don't Let It End" (#6)
"Lady", the band's 1973 breakthrough hit (#6 in March 1975)
"Come Sail Away" (#8)
“Too Much Time On My Hands” (#9) written by Shaw
Joey P I don’t believe that’s correct
"Lady" still resonates with me over Decades and to this to moment🙏❤️
Dennis has
The VOICE of an ANGEL♥️💕🌟
Seen them at the Norfolk scope in 1980, Best concert i have ever been to! Showmanship is a under statement! No other band but Styx. They killed the CROWD with Perfection! Styx needs to be in the RRHOF!!!
Raymond Falls Sr. You are right!
Unlike a lot of other Chicago artists, Dennis still sounds 100% Chicago. He really is one of ours.
Still has his accent! (Although not nearly as strong as the other Chicago Dennis' (Farina R.I.P. and Franz).
@77Wells And the White Sax too !
@@bossfan49 Where did he peerk the cyar ? I'm tired of walking !
Ober by dar is the cyar
@Frankie G Steve Dahl used to do the accent. "over by dere"
Styx was my first concert. Amazing vocals and range by Mr. DeYoung
I had the privilege of knowing and taking guitar lessons from John Curulewski. May he rest in peace. Much too young to go. He was such a funny guy, a brilliant teacher, and excellent guitar player.
George really? Cool. Was this in Chicago?
Hi David. Indeed.. the Chicago burbs actually. I still have his lesson plans in my guitar case. I owe a lot to him. JC really was a great guy. He often spoke of how much he loved his son/family.
George nice one👍
Why did he abruptly leave the band? Was it family, or the rigors of touring, or both? He was a talented guy.
Watch the "behind the music" video on styx and you will find out why he left.
Saw him and his band last night at the Canadian National Exhibition bandshell in Toronto. Amazing show. One of my top 5 concerts from seeing over 50 concerts in 35 years (Motley Crue Carnival of Sins my favorite). Saw STXY (Gowan) twice previous and Dennis DeYong and his band blew them away last night. He is and always will be STYX.
Saw him perform in 2019 at MGM in Detroit. One of the best concerts I have ever witnessed, it helped the seats were close. But Dennis sounds so damn good still after all these years. Way better than the current Styx lineup, I'm sorry to say.
Yeah James Young fucked that band up.
I still have "Kilroy Was Here" album on cassette :) Double Life, Mr. Roboto, High Times, Heavy Metal Poisoning and the other tracks were GREAT! :)
Amazing voice; no one can ever replace him or even come close. Also, he was a great songwriter and lyrisist.
Roboto was one of the most entertaining concerts i ever got to see. I used to work the Roanoke civic center.I saw a ton of concerts...
Wish STYX would bury the hatchet n reunite w D.D
Richard Harrington me too!!
Wypipo Trippin I’ve seen them about 4 times just the past 2 years.. last one I was not impressed for some reason they were off a bit that night..
Otherwise ♥️
Correction, if I may, but there is no such band as Styx, without Dennis. I'm not saying the band, that's running around calling themselves Styx is a bad band musically, but they ain't Styx. Dennis is the mind and sound of Styx (I don't give a flying "F" what some idiotic judge said). However, reality is they are in their 60's and 70's now and if they did reunite, it would be for what? A farewell tour? A few minutes at the R&R hall of fame (which they are still not in!)?
@Wypipo Trippin It's Ok that you're wrong.
@Wypipo Trippin That's what they say. Hope it works out for you.
The only singer I can sing along with and be happy🌞
Lady is one of the first songs that started my rock and roll life, Bowie, Beatles, stones, and my friend Freddy Murcray. You have given our society so much beauty. we must continue so much love. Thanks Rosario
I was 7 when Lady came out.
I remember it back in my early youth.
I’m now 55 in 2020 and still love this song so much ❤️
Saw him in Toledo. I've been to over 50 different concerts. Ranging from heavy metal to gospel. He is by far my favorite show. And thousands of people singing come sail away is a spiritual experience.
Heavy metal to gospel? whoaaa, that's awesome! You have quite the broad palette there.
dennis!! thank you , you are STYX!!
My wife and I just seen him and the band in Atlantic City NJ. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, Dennis was spot on. Like he was 20. The band was insane. Great to see his beautiful wife. Please do another performance at the Borgata. I’ll start at 4 tickets. We took our friends. Loved it.
Dennis and I completely agree about melody being the driver of the song. We talked about the last time I saw him in the studio. I too am a Melody man in a Rhythm age
@Daniel Strickland I sure do
A masterpiece. Thank you, Dennis. Rock on! 💙
I heard it as a single in 72 or 73. Friends parents had access to lots of records and I heard it and fell in love with it back then!
I still have my styx albums I bought when I was in highschool back in the '70's and I saw them in '78 Grand illusion . I wish there were more young bands as talented today . It was a memorable experience and show and at a reasonable price for a kid.
Lady was every girls favorite love song. It's a classic today. I had 3 of their albulms. Talented group, with masterful voices. Their songs created a new perspective about the world, and it's reality.
I love Dennis de Young!!! my dream to sing with him!!!!
One of my favorite Styx songs is "Grand Illusion" Song is totally true! Lived in this foster home back then and they were very cruel to us, we were never good enough, there was the way they said it is and if you did not agree, you were everything bad. They would read the magazines and watch TV and then regurgitate what they were saying, not what you thought yourself. If you did not wear what the magazines said, "style" think what the newsman said you should think, you were the devil. Total assholes. I was a kid, they made you feel like something was wrong with you, and then I heard this song. It was truly liberating.
Life is a grind as well as a grand illusion, hope you are well.
There were classic hits songs. I when from 1980s music back to 1970s classic hits songs. Fun listen to on record album. My high school days were 1980s to1983. Radio stations in Mason city Iowa. So go to concert I know songs. Last year was greatest, saw Styx in concert, to me was dream come true. Most parents never let kids in school run streets, back 1980s to 1983 , glad now Day my age kind look back old school days music was very special moments in there life. Lots great songs. Still enjoy more today. Thank you for share this video clip. Still greatest lead singer.
Dennis DeYoung a guy showing as much as he was betrayed by his bandmates, he powers on and is an example once again of displaying he's just like you and me and the rest is a Grand Illusion. God bless you Dennis. Thanks for hanging in there. I've had similar things happen to me in my life and have noticed this seems to be kind of an epidemic in rock and roll bands. I saw you guys twice in the 70s at Hammond Civic center Indiana. My first rock concert. Heard Lady. You were great and it was fun to watch you guys get big. Keep rocking. Those other guys are just fooling themselves!
He wasn't betrayed, he complained he could no longer tour due to stage lighting and he also wanted to do something with styx that completely went another direction.
He needed more time to recover from this ailment than they wanted to give him. He's the guy that started the band. He tours now. Its not like he didn't want to tour anymore. When a band finally makes it and gets pretty big things do change between members. Its now all about money, power and control. They did betray him.
No. He wanted Styx to become a broadway show. Read or see the videos with interviews about Mr Roboto on VH1. Fan base was turning away with the idea. So a group decision was made by other original members and Tommy to let him go because they wanted to keep playing rock n roll.
Only other original member was JY. When Dennis was sick they didn't want to wait for his recovery. I did watch the videos. Dennis started the band with john and Chuck panozzo. Jy was added later and then tommy. Brought in by dennis. Watch the videos. They may have disagreed on some musical direction but the main issue was dennis's health.
This is the truth. They betrayed him. I hope one of them doesn't become sick and need to take some time off to recover and find out what's going on. Sad the way they did him.
Always love the stories of so many amazing bands .. it gives you the most important part of any relationship with a band and their music ..
The Ultimate showman! What a voice.
I love hearing his stories...very intelligent man...he is the charisma of Styx...
Great Interview! Fell in love with Styx when I was 12 to a guy dancing and performing to mr. Roboto at the Milwaukee County Zoo for zoo ala carte and thought it was the coolest thing I've ever seen at that time. Every time the robot in the music would say Domo his mouth would light up.The dancing and the music was so powerful and I had to discover what band it was. I asked my parents and found out it was Styx and my next favorite song that came after was Come Sail Away. I Saw Dennis Perform back in 2007 a year after In Milwaukee at Festa Itailana (on the Summerfest grounds ) and listened to them every day to this day and Im now 24. Thanks Dennis! Seen your show 3 times and got to see you last year in Milwaukee. Those nights always last, as long as I keep alive, the memories of Paradise.
I was there also!
Richard Schommer unfortunately I have no idea who the hell that guy was who performed to mr. Roboto or what his name is
Could it have been Downtown Harrison. He lives in my area and performs with dance in costume and sings. I have seen him do Mr Roboto. Also sings a great Louie Armstrong. I think he is on UA-cam
ua-cam.com/video/p5dN_aUWSo4/v-deo.html
Dennis is a class act and probebly the best keyboardist we will hear and see in our life times. Styx, Rush, Yes . . . cannot be matched by anyone since. Especially today.
My interesting story about "Lady" is that I heard it just once and I was immediately intrigued. It was probably a few weeks later when our family took a ski vacation, driving from Minnesota to Colorado. My older sister had recently gotten her driver's license, and one evening, after skiing all day, we drove to a local tubing hill (without our parents!) The car radio had one of the presets set to our local (Minnesota) AM stations, and as you might recall, AM radio signals can sometimes travel hundreds of miles at night. And so there we were, driving in the car (freedom!) and "Lady" comes on again, magically, crossing nearly 1,000 miles from our local radio station. It was surreal, and the opening strains of the song made the experience complete.
Great man, great writer, great voice!
What an iconic timeless song.
Wow that was an incredible amount of history packed into a short video. Bravo!
In his 70's, he sings like he did in the 70's.
Love this guy and "Grand Illusion", is their masterpiece.
Bad Ass Album!!!
Yep, the best album by Styx is definitely Grand Illusion. The closest to being Prog.
No doubt about that!
DDY isn't the quintessential "rock star" type of figure by any stretch (Shaw and Young made up for that), but it's HIS singing that made me become a Styx fan in the first place. Even if I wasn't a huge fan of all their songs....er cough..Babe...cough... his voice still made it work, not to mention his amazing keyboard/piano skills.
I nearly died while listening to Styx in '79. Took a school bus trip from Virginia to Florida. Along the way, the volume of alcohol and drugs ingested would fill a hot air balloon. Somewhere in southern Georgia, I lost consciousness. Two days later I woke up in an Orlando hospital. But, I still recall the blissful feelings wafting over me from the Jack Daniels, Mary Jane, and amphetamines as "Come Sail Away" blasted out of a little 8-track boom box in the back of the bus. Glorious. I'll never top it.
my wife is filipina.i sent her a greatest hits cd when we first met and she was living in HK.when she finally moved to the usa,we went and seen styx as they were w/out dennis.it was good but a couple years ago we seen dennis w/his band and the wife does not even care to see styx ever again..i am that way to.styx music is my favorite but with out dennis styx is just another band.
I was in junior high when "Babe" was released. You knew if you got a girl to slow dance to that song with you then you were an item. I remember listening to "Too Much Time on my Hands" with headphones and how that album had the embossed images on the actual album. Only hope I get the chance to see Mr. DeYoung perform sometime.
Dean M , Too much time on my hands is Tommy Shaw, not Dennis DeYoung.
Love Styx with Dennis DeYoung! Styx is not Styx without Dennis DeYoung. My favorite song is Lady.
Lady Blue is a good one, too.
You’re right, they’re better.
STYX IS SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER WITHOUT THIS IDIOT DEYOUNG !!!!!!!!
I LOVE STYX!!!! I sing my heart out with you as I have done for YEARS!!! I saw you in Hampton Beach, NH........I will NEVER forget it! Love you.......ROCK ON STYX!!! ❤❤❤❤
LOVE Styx! As a kid growing up in Jersey in the 70's, I still remember when my best friend Dean turned me on to 'Man Of Miracles', and I was hooked!
dennis wrote some great lyrics,and what a voice,desert moon is my favorite.i had tickets to see him ,and one day before the show,he canceled,due to illness,sad,,,,,i probably will never get to see or hear him live now. sadly we cant stay 30 forever.
Saw Styx on 3 tours in the 70s and the last original lineup tour in 99. There is no Styx without Dennis.
First time I saw Styx was on the Paradise Theater tour at the Forum in LA. Bought tix from a dude at school and went with my older brother. Turns out our seats were BEHIND the stage! There was a big black curtain that would block our view. My bro said "let's sit in those 2 empty seats on the floor until someone asks us to move." Turns out, no one ever showed up! Those seats were awesome! Best live vocals I've ever seen!
As DDY lays out in the video. DDY created the band and it's HIS band, period! If he had litigated all the way, he would completely own the Styx moniker! It's HIS band, period! The other band is just a tribute band, nothing more!
Lady sounds like Elizabethan music. It's simply beautiful and reminds one of Camelot. Hats off to Dennis from the UK. 🇬🇧🏴🏴🏴🇺🇸🇮🇪
Alberti bass on piano left hand gives it that feel. Mozart and many others used this style.
WoW OMG!!! he can still sing!!! I was i guess 6 yrs old when i heard " Babe" on the radio and I started to love Styx during my childhood days, " First Time, The Best of Times, Don't Let It End, Come Sail Away and a lot more" including his solo "Call Me" really love his voice!!! He is blessed!!! really glad to see him
Castle Walls, Crystal Ball, Man In The Wilderness. Dennis sang Castle, the others, Tommy.
Amazing a song like that would take that long to catch on.
You understand if you worked for that label
Dennis, is such a professional. His singing voice is incredible!! Styks, I saw in 74 as an opening act. They are my favorite group of all. (the original Styx's that is)
In the 1970's Styx toured up and down the coast of Wisconsin, Illinois & Indiana. I went to those shows. I knew this band was going to make it big.
He kind of looks like Dr. Smith from Lost In Space these days.
twinsmm1 he totally does. 😂😂😂
Oh dear!
YES!!!!
OMG...thats going back aways...I totally remember that tv show and us kids watching it on an old black and white set with the rabbit ears on top.
Oh the pain...
Lady is my wedding song
My favorite band of all time.
Great vid. Dennis rocks! Used to play Styx II on eight track over and over! Lady is on it, but it all rocked- under appreciated album!
Ageless, timeless. A huge, HUGE part of my soundtrack. Junior high was late 70's for me - enough said.
I love those Wooden Nickle LPs. A Day, Man of Miracles, Witch Wolf, Southern Woman still kicks. Non Wooden Nickle, Ballerina. damn, the guitar war at the end w/ JY & Tommy. classic. CKLW, played the heck outta Lady.
Don't know if it was on the Wooden Nickle label, but Best Thing is still terrific and fav to this day. Really good rock, much like REO had in the same early days of their career.
Styx was my first concert I went to when I was in high school. I’ll never forget it. I was in the third row.
My favorites were Come Sail Away and Too Much Time on My Hands... I can still remember the first time I heard Borrowed Times:" Don't Look Now; Here Come the eighties".
Great song! Nobody can make songs like that anymore.
I saw you in Indianapolis in early 70s saw you perform lady I was captivated.I dont recall the rest but I can still hear an visually recall the moment.Thank you
Had the pleasure of seeing you three times in Fort Pierce. Hope to see you in Nashville with the symphony. Cheers! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home. Jay
I loved styx growing up. And can sound vocally like Dennis.
So talented... all of them ❤️
Dennis De Young will always be 'young ' forever!
One of the most iconic American sound ever!
Music is magical.
Thanks for your music Styx. You’re da best 👏👏👏👍👍👍👌👌👌
I just saw them in Sugarland 10/03/19 and man they can put on show! If they come down to Texas again, I'll definitely go see them!
the year I was born, no wonder it's one of my favorite songs!
Thank you. Beautiful man and beautiful songs! 🌟 (Sounds like Mrs Roboto is narrating though! 😉)
Styx / Dennis has always been a favorite of mine. Lady of course was the best. Dennis does have pretty mad piano skills....!
You are truly one of the greatest rock legends
This really hit home for me.The lifelong changes at age 15. For me it was 1975 instead of 1973. I was with the love of my life, also a girl who was 15. However her parents thought we were getting too serious and separated us.Many years later.I ended up doing stunts and acting in 45 movies, tv episodes, mini-series, music videos, and even high crew positions,with 80 of the biggest stars. But I would trade the 45 films for the girl in a minute. After all these years, I've never met anyone that has even come close. I didn't end up with my childhood sweetheart for the rest of my life. But I very much understand loving someone for the rest of my life.
Yeah - people give young love short shrift. Nature intends for young love to last. It should fostered and nurtured - encouraged. But instead society mocks it. And that only leads to lifelong regret. It's a lot of people's story. : /
I think the word he was looking for is "versatility"!! The bands who have that, in my opinion, are the best bands!
Nice work!
Lady😍😍😍