Styx, the #81 Artist of the Rock Era, Part One

"Definitely one of the best bands ever."

"What a band!!!"

"Immeasurable talent."

"Long live Styx!  The best music!"

"Always loved Styx's excellent soaring harmonies."

"They were true visionaries."

"Undeniable talent."

"Styx is one of greatest bands of all-time."

"The sheer artistry of this group is mind-blowing."

"These guys were a fantastic band, especially live."

This great group formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1962 when brothers Chuck (bass) and John Panozzo (drums) and neighbor Dennis DeYoung (vocals and keyboards) started under the name the Tradewinds.  Chuck briefly left for seminary school but  returned, and took up bass as Tom Nardini, who had replaced him, played lead guitar.  

In 1965, the group changed their name to TW4 (There Were 4) after another group called the Trade Winds became known.  The next year, the Panozzo brothers and DeYoung were at Chicago State College and did gigs at high schools at fraternity parties while they studied to become teachers.  

In 1969, Nardini left, replaced by John Curulewski.  The group added another guitarist in 1970, James "J.Y." Young.  After being seen by a talent scout at a show in Western Springs, Illinois, the group signed a recording contract with Wooden Nickel Records.  At that time, the members decided to select a new name, and settled on Styx because it was, as DeYoung stated, "the only one that none of us hated."

Styx released their self-titled album in 1972, which generated a fan base in Chicago but failed to break the group.  Styx II and The Serpent Is Rising in 1973 and Man of Miracle in 1974 experienced similar results.

 

Then, "Lady" from Styx II began receiving radio airplay, first on WLS in Chicago, and other stations in the U.S. quickly followed suit.  It became a big hit in 1975, almost two years after the album was released.  "Lady" persistently climbed up to #6 (underrated even at that peak) and sold over one million copies.  Styx was on their way.

 

While Styx took some time to gain a major following, the material on their early albums is nonetheless some of their best.  "You Need Love" should have been a single.  

 

We also want you to hear "Father O.S.A.", another Top Track* on the album and a composition which showed their potential for greatness.

 

The popularity of "Lady" opened doors for the group and they signed with A&M to release their next album, Equinox.  "Lorelei" reached #27, another of several songs Styx recorded in their career that would be underrated. 

 

We mentioned that early Styx is some of their best, and Equinox is filled with great songs.  The DeYoung ballad "Lonely Child" is one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*. 

 

Styx fans also like the rocker "Midnight Ride".

Equinox has since gone Gold.  "Light Up" was also a concert favorite among Styx fans.

 

And this song, largely ignored at the time, has become a classic--"Prelude 12/Suite Madame Blue".

Just as Styx was set to go on a national tour late in the year, Curulewski left.  Being that the tour dates were already set and they were fast approaching, Styx conducted a pressure-packed search to find a new lead guitarist and chose Tommy Shaw.

 

But the group got more than a guitarist; they got another great new lead singer and a fantastic songwriter.  Shaw began exerting an influence on the 1976 album Crystal Ball.  His song "Mademoiselle" was another underrated song at #36.  We like the intro to the song on the album, "Put Me On", as well.

 

Shaw also wrote and sang on the great title track from Crystal Ball, the group's second straight Gold album.

 

Styx's strength was their ability to record great rock & roll as well as ballads.  "Shooz" is one of their best rockers.

 

In 1977, Styx released the compilation Best of Styx (which includes only those songs on Wooden Nickel Records that has now gone Gold) prior to releasing the studio album The Grand Illusion.  Although their earlier material contains some of the group's best work, most notably Equinox, it was The Grand Illusion which catapulted them to superstardom.  "Come Sail Away" gave the group their second Top 10 hit and peaked at #8.

Even though Equinox and Crystal Ball were better albums, it was The Grand Illusion which sold over three million copies thanks to "Come Sail Away".  Shaw's "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) peaked at #29.  It is one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.

 

The song "Superstars" is something of an autobiographical song written before the band became superstars, which they achieved as a result of The Grand Illusion (their first Top 10 album at #6).

Young's guitar work is showcased on "Miss America".

Be sure to catch Part Two of Styx's story!