93.3 Classic Hits / Kevin Klimek
Their first band name was ‘The Tradewinds’ with Chuck Panozzo on bass guitar, John Panozzo on drums and Dennis DeYoung on vocals/keyboard. After signing with Wooden Nickel Records in 1972, the official band name was “the only one that none of us hated” and the name was Styx. The band released three albums with Wooden Nickel and although none of the albums or songs made it mainstream they did have a couple songs that would not only make it on the Billboard’s Hot 100 chart but would play on radio. The song “Best Thing” charted in 1972 while staying on the charts for 6 weeks while peaking at NO. 82 while the ballad “Lady” from their 1973 album “Styx II” earned some radio time by being played on WLS in Chicago in 1974.
While the band had a few minor hits, Styx dropped from Wooden Nickel Records and signed with A&M Record and released their 1975 album, “Equinox”. Once again, the band made some minor hit songs but never something that was mainstream. As the band was about to go on their nationwide tour in 1975, John Curulewski left the band. While in a panic, Styx would being in guitarist Tommy Shaw. The first album to showcase Shaw’s talent was successful as his song “Mademoiselle” was another minor hit reaching NO. 36. The album’s title track “Crystal Ball” which was also written and sung by Tommy Shaw became another minor hit for the band.
Since being signed, Styx only had minor hits with some that had just made it on the Billboards Hot 100 until they released their seventh album, “The Grand Illusion” which was released in 1977. The album not only had multiple hits from the album including “Come Sail Away” and “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man” but it also reached Triple Platinum certification. After having their breakthrough, the band didn’t stop there. During the late 70s and early 80s, Styx had many other hits including; “Renegade”, “Babe” and “Why Me”. They were also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group in 1980.
Like some bands that play for decades, they don’t always stay together. John Panozzo, who was unable to perform from liver problems which later took his life that year, was replaced with drummer Todd Sucherman in 1995. Dennis DeYoung performed for the last time with the band in 1999 due to health reasons and was replaced by Lawrence Gowan who was a solo act under Sony Canada with Glen Burtnik filling in for Chuck Panozzo on bass due to health issues the same year.
Below are not only the current members of the band but the original members of Styx.
Studio Albums of Styx:
- Styx (1972)
- Styx II (1973)
- The Serpent is Rising (1973)
- Man of Miracles (1974)
- Equinox (1975)
- Crystal Ball (1976)
- The Grand Illusion (1977)
- Pieces of Eight (1978)
- Cornerstone (1979)
- Paradise Theatre (1981)
- Kilroy Was Here (1983)
- Edge of the Century (1990)
- Brave New World (1999)
- Cyclorama (2003)
- Big Bang Theory (2005)
- The Mission (2017)
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx_(band)
