'Domo Arigato,' Styx has not sailed away
By Scott Ehrlich
Old Gold and Black Reviewer

> February 1, 2001

The Chicago-based fivesome Styx may be the band responsible for the wave of overblown rock ‘n’ roll that filled the airwaves throughout the 1980s. Styx, named for the mythological river, was composed of guitarists James Young and John Curulewski, drummer John Panozzo, bassist Chuck Panozzo and vocalist Dennis DeYoung.

Styx was formed in the early 1970s but took several years to realize success. Styx II was the first album to produce a hit single, “Lady,” in 1975. The album reached No. 20, by far the highest for a Styx album at the time. The success of this album lead to interest from the label A&M, whichsigned Styx the same year. Shortly after this signing, Curulewski left the group and was replaced by Tommy Shaw, who took over lead vocals and song writing as well as guitars. Shaw’s arrival led to the beginning of commercial success for Styx. In 1977, the Shaw-led Styx released The Grand Illusion. The album, fueled by the hit single “Come Sail Away” (which reached No. 8), climbed as high as No. 6 during its nine-month stay on the charts. Subsequent albums Pieces of Eight and Cornerstone continued this success, with the No. 1 single “Babe” featured on Cornerstone. Paradise Theatre was an expensive, over-the-top album that produced the top 10 hits “The Best of Times” and “Too Much Time on My Hands” on its way to a three-week stay at No. 1.

Following this, the band started to go downhill. Kilroy Was Here was a rehash of the prior albums. Caught in the Act, a live album, followed. Neither was as successful as their prior releases. The band disbanded after the live album.

Styx reformed in 1990 with the original lineup, except for Tommy Shaw, who had joined the “super group” Damn Yankees (with Ted Nugent among others). Styx has released several albums since, to favorable reviews. In the mid-nineties, the band had to deal with the death of longtime drummer John Panozzo but was also able to entice Shaw into rejoining the band.

Currently, Styx is touring with REO Speedwagon and Survivor (the tour reached Ashville Jan. 29), two other groups of nostalgia rockers trying to make a name for themselves with a new generation of fans.

However, neither group has done for rock ‘n’ roll what Styx has done.

Styx was the biggest band of the late 1970s. It was their style of harmonizing vocals, heavy guitars and pop-ridden commercialized songs that gave birth to the glam rock decade of the 1980s. But these rock ‘n’ roll kings aren’t ready to give up their crowns just yet. As a song from their recent release Edge of the Century claims, Styx is “not dead yet.” And judging by the far-reaching effects of their music, they never will be.