What The F*ck Happened To Styx?

AC/DC's rocking the main stage at Netwavz this week, but it's time to take a time-warp back to 1977 and the days of arena rock when AC/DC was opening up for Styx.

Styx formed in 1961 as brothers Chuck (guitar) and John (drums) Panozzo. The brother's neighbor, Dennis DeYoung joined as vocalist and the trio remained the lineup for several years, performing first a the Tradewinds and then as TW4.

When Chuck left to attend seminary school for a year, another guitarist joined to fill his space and Chuck returned to play bass. John Curulewski, a fellow student at Chicago State University, replaced the former guitar player and James "J.Y." Young joined in 1970, making the band a quintet.

With this line-up, the band attracted the attention Wooden Nickel Records, and by 1972, had a record deal. The name was changed to Styx because "it was the only one we didn't hate." The band released four albums on Wooden Nickel before signing to A&M, including Styx I in 1972, Styx II in 1973, The Serpent Is Rising in 1973 and Man Of Miracles in 1974.

The band enjoyed successes with all of these releases, Styx I's "Best Thing" reaching the Top 100, The Serpent Is Rising entering the Top 200 Album charts a few months after it was released, Styx II's "Lady" was re-released and reached #6 on the charts, propelling the album to #20, and Man Of Miracles surpassing The Surpent Is Rising.

In 1975, Styx signed to A&M and released Equinox, which immediately went gold. Guitarist John Curulewski left the band this same year and was replaced by Tommy Shaw; the band released Crystal Ball with Shaw in '76 and the lineup had been set.

On 7/7/77, Styx made their breakthrough with The Grand Illusion. Boasting the single "Come Sail Away," The Grand Illusion rose up the charts to #6 and became the band's first album to reach platinum status.

By 1981,Styx had become the first band under the RIAA to put out 4 multi-platinum records, including The Grand Illusion, Pieces Of Eight in '78, Cornerstone in '79 and Paradise Theatre in '81.

While Styx was enjoying immense success, creative differences would get the best of the band following the release of the concept album Kilroy Was Here in 1983, which was in the rock opera format.

The style was suited to the direction DeYoung was pursuing, which was more theatrical in nature. JY and Shaw however, wanted to keep it a little more rock and roll and the group disbanded, Shaw and DeYoung pursuing solo careers.

Both artists saw success as solo artists, each releasing albums that would break the Top 50. Shaw formed another band in 1990 with Ted Nugent and Night Ranger's Jack Blades called the Damn Yankees and released an album that hit #26 in the charts.

In'96, Chuck Panozzo, Dennis DeYoung, James Young and Tommy Shaw reunited for "The Return Paradise Theatre Tour." That same year, Styx releases Edge Of The Century which reached the Top 10 during the Gulf War.

Also in '96, John Panozzo died of alcohol related health problems, and in 1998, Chuck Panozzo revealed to his bandmates that he was gay and battling HIV. Problems with his health prohibited him from touring although he would make occasional guest appearances whenever he was well enough to do so.

Dennis DeYoung by this point had returned to his theatrical calling, having released numerous solo albums including show tunes under Atlantic titled 10 On Broadway among others. At present, DeYoung is touring Germany for the Nokia Nights On The Proms Concert Series and was recently awarded the Jeff's Award for his Hunchback of Notre Dame album.

"After 1999 it's clear to me that I'm not in Styx anymore," DeYoung said in an interview about his writing style. "So I felt I could do musically whatever felt comfortable to me.

"When I was in the band the songs I wrote were by and large really written for the people in the band. By which I mean, for the talents that we had in the band, I wrote my songs specifically for the people that I knew were going to sing and play them. So on my solo album I didn't do that. I didn't even think like that, I just wrote songs."

Following his coming out to his bandmates in '98, Chuck Panozzo came out publicly in 2001 at the annual Human Rights Campaign Banquet. He is currently a spokesman for the HRC and an advocate of GLBT rights.

In 2003, the remaining members of Styx--excluding Panozzo and DeYoung--released Cyclorama and toured heavily for the remainder of the year.

Currently, Styx as Tommy Shaw, James Young, Todd Sucherman (drums), Ricky Phillips (bass) and Lawrence Gowan (vox, ax) are touring the U.S. Below are the dates for the remainder of 2008 and 2009.

Chuck Panozzo's official site may be found at: www.chuckpanozzosplace.com

Dennis DeYoung's official site may be found at:www.dennisdeyoung.com

Styx official webiste may be found at: www.styxworld.com

Styx Tour Dates:

12/31/08 - Tempe, AZ @ The Fiesta Bowl Block Party
1/22/09 - Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center
1/23/09 - Waukegan,IL @ Genesee Theatre
1/24/09 - Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre
1/25/09 - Kalamazoo, MI @ The State Theatre
1/30/09 - Harris, MI @ Island Resort and Casino
1/31/09 - Harris, MI @ Island Resort and Casino
2/6/09 - Grand Ronde, OR @ Spirit Mountain Casino
2/7/09 - Tacoma, WA @ Emerald Queen Casino
2/11/09 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues Los Angeles
2/12/09 - Valley Center, CA @ Harrah's Rincon Pavilion
2/13/09 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues Anaheim
2/14/09 - San Diego @ House of Blues San Diego
2/15/09 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues Las Vegas
2/19/09 - Salinas, CA @ Fox Theatre
2/20/09 - Stateline, NV @ Harrah's Casino South Shore
2/21/09 - Wendover, NV @ Peppermill Concert Hall
3/20/09 - Mescalero, NM @ Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino
3/21/09 - Durant, OK @ Events Center
3/28/09 - Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
4/24/09 - Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Crystal Grand Music Theatre
4/25/09 - French Lick, IN @ French Lick Casino Ballroom
10/09/09 - Biloxi, MS @ Hard Rock Casino & Resort