After 40 years, Styx's Paradise Theatre Tour is STILL one of the greatest concerts I've ever been too. The music, the spectacle, the musicianship, these guys really knew how to play and put on a show. It was over two hours and my girlfriend at the time--who wasn't a huge Styx fan, became a diehard fan after this concert. I saw them at Vets Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa.
For their Wooden Nickel albums, he was one of the primary singers, and sang in a primarily high voice. After Curlewski left and Shaw joined, he went to backup and then lead on a few.
This version of Styx was legendary. A perfect blend of Pop and Rock. So great. Too bad Dennis and the rest of the band can't patch things up and give it one more go for all of us who supported them through the years.
Always thought that was the best song on the album. And you even got part of State Street Sadie in there. Five stars ain't enough for this masterpiece. Lol remembering my country bumpkin college roommate practically falling out of his chair in shock the first time he heard "YES, MRS. CLEAVER: YOU'RE SON'S HOME TO STAY! We all know it's the American Way!"
Shaw's solo is impeccable. How he manages to transit from a feedback dominated heavy metal solo to a wah wah dominated balladic solo with such suave is beyond me. It's brilliant.
YES!! Originally JY was going to do the solo on this song since he wrote it. But TS asked if he could do the solo and JY said yes… And OMFG here we are!!!
As much as I came to love the 80s hair bands, the 70s truly were the golden age of rock n roll. This song was a last hurrah of great guitar work. They don't do it like this anymore, and I really wish they would.
Styx guitar work now is very tight and played by excellent musicians. This is one song I would like to hear now. You can't predict what it would sound like though. Can anyone explain why Dennis was shaving at the begging of this song.?
He should have gotten more attention. His drumming is impeccable. Great parts. Great live. I would love to see a special on him. One of the first guys to use octabans.
When Tommy wrote Renegade, JY asked Tommy to let him play the solo on it. Then when JY wrote Half-Penny, Two-Penny, Tommy asked JY to return the favor and let him play the solo.
This is MY Generation of Music. Grew up to it, Watched it, LOVED it! Was back stage during the Kilroy Tour. Dennis was Before his Time with that tour, too bad the others couldn't see it. The beginning of the MTV Genre, that tour would have made for the greatest Music Video had it been a few years later. The telling of a story through Rock and Roll! I am the modern man, with this guitar in hand, I'll do my best to try, to keep Rock and Roll ALIVE.
The fans didn't't like mr. roboto either. It was a movie about Dennis and they did it once to keep him quiet. He was looking to change the band to this and a ballad type. That's not what they signed up for. He can't get passed it. Over 20 years and he's still crying about it.
Tommy Shaw looks like he’s about 12 but must be around 25. Dennis said about him when he first saw him. He “ he looked like an ameba when he walked in “.
It's funny how some people say albums from certain artists can take you on a journey...Styx has taken me on journeys in single songs and this one is one truly great example...
I often wonder that now he is 77. He is not this Dennis. He can still play and sing a beautiful song. As for touring he may find it taxing, to do a full tour but it's not possible to go back to the original way. John has passed and Chuck only plays a few songs when he feels up to it.
This is one of the songs why I rate PT just a hair over TGI. JY's 2 contributions on PT were probably his best IMO. And I will always love The Best of Times.
I seriously can't believe when you read the posts that you do not hear about James Young... He has the predominant background vocals..a Strat sound that Satan would be jealous of... and a stage presence that eclipses the rest of the band
Michael Baker ~ JY isn't given the credit he deserves in Styx... Everyone talks about Dennis, but if you listen to their Wooden Nickel music, JY was more dominate then... I believe A&M concentrated more on DDY's songs because he had a more commercialized pop sound then Tommy & JY... And Styx's musical integrity went downhill because of it... Dennis turned Styx into a bubblegum pop band...
hell yeah JY was my favorite singer of the 3 growing up...he brought the hard edge - heavy metal - to Styx, just look at this song live, it's heavy guitars. Haunting, psychedelic voice as well...Miss America another great one...come to think of it, JY is very similar to Chris Cornell and the Seattle grunge sound that followed much later
blinking bloody brilliant!!!! Thanks for posting all these '82 videos. Tommy looks about 12 yrs old. JY is freaking gorgeous. Styx at their best-rocking out!
What an incredible song! Such talented band members. Remember seeing Dennis DeYoung in the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar in Regina, Sask. in the early nineties. Fabulous!
What happened at that point . He didn't before or after cut his hair like this. He did cut it when he join back with Styx after Damn Yankees but it wasn't like this. Thank God he let it grow.
This was truly a great collaboration between the band members. Each one had a hand in the 3 biggest (IMO) songs off the album, Too Much Time, Best of Times, and Snowblind. I always loved this song though even though it didn’t get the same airplay.
Interesting to watch the historic moment in which Dennis DeYoung loses his musketeer prog moustache. Never thought he did it in front of the audience... end of an era, indeed.
The unexpectedly quintessential Styx song, performed amazingly. Okay, so Tommy blows the first solo... but the second, extended, "post-demolition" solo is, well, scorching triumphant, d00d. :-D Also, just noticed Chuck's cool little slide down during his chorus part... such good stuff!
Lime44 ~ They were purposely done that way to keep cost down... Sort of a video of the time... It's wasn't meant to be a live performance. I have seen Styx live several times, and I assure you, they are definitely NOT lip sinking...
I know this is cruel and every hair style looks good on him but he is so young looking all I could think of was Dennis the Menace. It is wet with sweat though so it's hard to tell.
+Paula' Smith living in the past is a lot better than living in the crap, if you study music you will notice that music harmony was way better "in da past" as you say.....just learn music for fun, it can be lot more than what styx are doing, styx arw stuck in the past by playing old songs and not composing
+Paula' Smith not really, if you would read about it, it started a long time ago, I could name Zappa, Metheny, Townshend, and many more, just google, there are people who also thinks that there is good music today, but there is a big lack of harmony, rythmns, and originality
thanks a lot, you had realy great time! exactly what it`s the best of times! I think they're a great talent but unfairly low evaluation. I can`t believe it.
When Tommy Shaw was growing up in Montgomery Alabama.. he used to annoy the living crap out of the neighbors on Madison... saw him on Bama Lanes many times
Lyn Neufeld ~ That was Tommy... He had locked himself out of his house, and broke a window open to get back in, hence, cutting his hand, and needing stitches...
After 40 years, Styx's Paradise Theatre Tour is STILL one of the greatest concerts I've ever been too. The music, the spectacle, the musicianship, these guys really knew how to play and put on a show. It was over two hours and my girlfriend at the time--who wasn't a huge Styx fan, became a diehard fan after this concert. I saw them at Vets Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa.
Yeah, that's one that I'm sorry I missed...but I was a little young at the time.
I was 8 years old, my Dad took me, I will never fotget hearing this song live,
I still have the ticket as well.
Me too Buddy! Saw Styx at The Hammersmith Odeon on this tour.
This is Styx at their best. I always thought this was one of the best songs from "Paradise Theater."
agree
I also love the song Snowblind
Saw this album tour in '79 and they played the Album in its entirety. Long Beach Arena, rock on dudes.
JY was always my favorite in this Band
I wish he had sang more back then because he was fantastic.
I love how JY's guitar tears through the mix
This songs have been forgotten by many fans..keep them alive, they are really memorables
For most bands, this album would be a greatest hits record.
In my humble opinion I reckon that this one of the greatest rock pieces of all time.
For their Wooden Nickel albums, he was one of the primary singers, and sang in a primarily high voice. After Curlewski left and Shaw joined, he went to backup and then lead on a few.
This version of Styx was legendary. A perfect blend of Pop and Rock. So great. Too bad Dennis and the rest of the band can't patch things up and give it one more go for all of us who supported them through the years.
All Dennis wanted to play is ballads at the end. John has passed and Chuck had become too sick. Go ahead and put them back together.
Always thought that was the best song on the album. And you even got part of State Street Sadie in there. Five stars ain't enough for this masterpiece.
Lol remembering my country bumpkin college roommate practically falling out of his chair in shock the first time he heard "YES, MRS. CLEAVER: YOU'RE SON'S HOME TO STAY! We all know it's the American Way!"
Shaw's solo is impeccable. How he manages to transit from a feedback dominated heavy metal solo to a wah wah dominated balladic solo with such suave is beyond me. It's brilliant.
YES!! Originally JY was going to do the solo on this song since he wrote it. But TS asked if he could do the solo and JY said yes… And OMFG here we are!!!
Yes Tommy is awesome
As much as I came to love the 80s hair bands, the 70s truly were the golden age of rock n roll. This song was a last hurrah of great guitar work. They don't do it like this anymore, and I really wish they would.
Styx guitar work now is very tight and played by excellent musicians. This is one song I would like to hear now. You can't predict what it would sound like though. Can anyone explain why Dennis was shaving at the begging of this song.?
I'm a big Styx fan. I even loved Kilroy Was Here. hehehe Paradise, Pieces of Eight, cornerstone and Grand Illusion are all pretty kick arse.
The Paradise Thetre Tour can't be matched! And I saw it!!
It was beyond amazing
John, we will always miss your amazing drumming faces.
My attention was quite often drawn to John..loved watching him..great drummer and very missed. Gone way too soon.
He should have gotten more attention. His drumming is impeccable. Great parts. Great live. I would love to see a special on him. One of the first guys to use octabans.
もう何度見に来たかわからんくらいだ・・・大好きだ！
やっと日本語のコメント見つけました‼️
一言言わせてください。
ボクも大好きです‼️
One of the greatest songs not well known.
This is just beyond ridiculously good. They were absolutely on fire here!
This is a hidden gem!!
For some reason, I always assumed JY played that guitar solo. Learn something new every day!
When Tommy wrote Renegade, JY asked Tommy to let him play the solo on it. Then when JY wrote Half-Penny, Two-Penny, Tommy asked JY to return the favor and let him play the solo.
styxの曲で１番好きな曲です。アメリカのいい意味での拝金主義を皮肉った正義を歌っています。だからアメリカは強くてしぶとい。途中のトミーのギターワークは絶品で、ギラついたメロディアスなフレーズは官能的で途中泣きのギターですね。静かにサックスをフューチャーしながら（albumでは）AD1958に繋げていくテクニックは、流石、シカゴの大学でクラシックを学んだdennisですね。エルガーの「威風堂々」にも似た伸びやかで雄大さの作風の中にも切なさを感じる素晴らしい作品です。美しい！！
Well I don't know about you Guys and Gals but I reckon this is the best piece of Live Rock footage on You Tube. Styx was phenomenal back in the day.
they are realy realy great ! and this song make me cry. and this live is realy perfect!
I can`t say anymore!
長年探し求めていたビデオだったので、感激は一塩でした。
NHKのヤングミュージックショウでonairされたと思います。
カッコいいです。
この曲で、tommyのギターは名古屋公演ではクールな表情だったのが印象的でした。
This has always been my favorite song by them. A masterpiece.
I saw this show in Frankfurt Festhalle Germany twice in the first row ........
I still have the tickets.
Absolutly Genius........Thanks
This to me is the Real STYX, all out balls to the wall rock and roll. Wish they could bring back this line up, it was awesome!!
rock and roll hall of fame, PLEASE!!!!!!
Most favourite number of "Paradise Theatre".
One of my favorite Styx songs, rocking the way Styx was meant to!
JY always wrote the harder rocking songs. JY and Tommy made a kickass guitar duo. They were the best.
Totally agree. Those two are so awesome.
And it’s really amazing how they would let the other have the solo in their own songs- this one and Renegade specifically.
This is MY Generation of Music. Grew up to it, Watched it, LOVED it! Was back stage during the Kilroy Tour. Dennis was Before his Time with that tour, too bad the others couldn't see it. The beginning of the MTV Genre, that tour would have made for the greatest Music Video had it been a few years later. The telling of a story through Rock and Roll! I am the modern man, with this guitar in hand, I'll do my best to try, to keep Rock and Roll ALIVE.
The fans didn't't like mr. roboto either. It was a movie about Dennis and they did it once to keep him quiet. He was looking to change the band to this and a ballad type. That's not what they signed up for. He can't get passed it. Over 20 years and he's still crying about it.
Tommy Shaw looks like he’s about 12 but must be around 25. Dennis said about him when he first saw him. He “ he looked like an ameba when he walked in “.
Man I wish I was around during the Paradise Theater tour and Caught In The Act this is amazing
Though I was really happy to see Styx recently
imo the best Styx song .
Whoda thunk that Tommy, JY, and Chuck (and Dennis on his own) would still be doing this 40 years later!? We're all so blessed.
The last time I heard Dennis do a talk with an interviewer I did think he was only doing a show not as often now.
JY Baby ! His tune,,,,also miss america.....snow blind....lorelie....
Styx at their near best here. Difficult to beat!
I saw Styx in concert when I was in Nagoya Japan. JY, Dennis and Tommy were so great at that night. I still remember!
Great band ive been fan styx since i was 13the first time iheared this song i was like james jy young has got a good voice
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!
This song totally rocks.
It's funny how some people say albums from certain artists can take you on a journey...Styx has taken me on journeys in single songs and this one is one truly great example...
This is one of the best film clips of Styx on RUclips - shows then at their true awesome best!
Wow. I love this song and have NEVER seen a proper version of it. THANK YOU!!
Hello from thornwood high school.
JY kicks ass on this song.
Styx at their best...
I often wonder that now he is 77. He is not this Dennis. He can still play and sing a beautiful song. As for touring he may find it taxing, to do a full tour but it's not possible to go back to the original way. John has passed and Chuck only plays a few songs when he feels up to it.
At the peak of their power. Thanks for posting.
This is one of the songs why I rate PT just a hair over TGI. JY's 2 contributions on PT were probably his best IMO. And I will always love The Best of Times.
I seriously can't believe when you read the posts that you do not hear about James Young... He has the predominant background vocals..a Strat sound that Satan would be jealous of... and a stage presence that eclipses the rest of the band
Michael Baker ~ JY isn't given the credit he deserves in Styx... Everyone talks about Dennis, but if you listen to their Wooden Nickel music, JY was more dominate then... I believe A&M concentrated more on DDY's songs because he had a more commercialized pop sound then Tommy & JY... And Styx's musical integrity went downhill because of it... Dennis turned Styx into a bubblegum pop band...
hell yeah JY was my favorite singer of the 3 growing up...he brought the hard edge - heavy metal - to Styx, just look at this song live, it's heavy guitars. Haunting, psychedelic voice as well...Miss America another great one...come to think of it, JY is very similar to Chris Cornell and the Seattle grunge sound that followed much later
blinking bloody brilliant!!!! Thanks for posting all these '82 videos. Tommy looks about 12 yrs old. JY is freaking gorgeous. Styx at their best-rocking out!
Wow TS with short hair! Album is a masterpiece and the first cassette I owned as a 12 year old!
That was the year they got Tommy out of his kindergarten class to play with the band.
Saw this tour live Stafford England, ' We all wannabee free'., great band.
Hugs from Brazil 🎉
Styx always shared leads to showcase each member throughout the song. It has as much to do about the live performance as anything else.
What an incredible song! Such talented band members. Remember seeing Dennis DeYoung in the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar in Regina, Sask. in the early nineties. Fabulous!
Viperkal Is there any video footage of DDY doing JC Superstar?
at tokyo final Japan concert.
this is killer, i love styx
Wow! The shortest I've ever seen Tommy Shaw's hair!
I know. I thought it was short during Kilroy, but this is even shorter
What happened at that point . He didn't before or after cut his hair like this. He did cut it when he join back with Styx after Damn Yankees but it wasn't like this. Thank God he let it grow.
Love it! I've always loved this song. And YAY, there's no hostility here. Won't say anything more.
Bam#1 Love this music!!!
I like this song i had just turned 13 when the album paridese theater come out in 1981
This was truly a great collaboration between the band members. Each one had a hand in the 3 biggest (IMO) songs off the album, Too Much Time, Best of Times, and Snowblind. I always loved this song though even though it didn’t get the same airplay.
I love Styx!
Unbelievable how short Tommy Shaw's hair was here. Great band, saw them in concert many times.
WOW
Tommy Shaw looks like he's 12. HAHAHA
Thanks for posting this. It made my night
They can play AD 1958 at my funeral.
Interesting to watch the historic moment in which Dennis DeYoung loses his musketeer prog moustache. Never thought he did it in front of the audience... end of an era, indeed.
Killer ass song.
incredible ending. just incredible...
Super underrated song
The unexpectedly quintessential Styx song, performed amazingly.
Okay, so Tommy blows the first solo... but the second, extended, "post-demolition" solo is, well, scorching triumphant, d00d. :-D
Also, just noticed Chuck's cool little slide down during his chorus part... such good stuff!
That's because back in these times, bands played and sang live; rather than recorded tracks and lip sync
thats not true. There are videos of styx doing Babe and Lights in 1980 and those are lip synced
Lime44 ~ They were purposely done that way to keep cost down... Sort of a video of the time... It's wasn't meant to be a live performance. I have seen Styx live several times, and I assure you, they are definitely NOT lip sinking...
I ... Comp...lete...ly ... Ag....ree ...
What is the DEAL! This is amazing footage and even decent sound, how can this not be released!?
4:16 Awesome! These guys were all so talented.
Tommy’s shorthair is rare ! His hair style suits him well. 🙋
I know this is cruel and every hair style looks good on him but he is so young looking all I could think of was Dennis the Menace. It is wet with sweat though so it's hard to tell.
One of JY's best songs, ever. What a hottie Dennis was in this video!
I would put 1000 likes at once. If I could..
Why don't they do this now. Great song
you surely dont want gowan to fuck it up! better leave these songs in the past, with the original line up! the best one!
andy T Gowen has done this before. Stop living in the past.
+Paula' Smith living in the past is a lot better than living in the crap, if you study music you will notice that music harmony was way better "in da past" as you say.....just learn music for fun, it can be lot more than what styx are doing, styx arw stuck in the past by playing old songs and not composing
andy T That is just your opinion.
+Paula' Smith not really, if you would read about it, it started a long time ago, I could name Zappa, Metheny, Townshend, and many more, just google, there are people who also thinks that there is good music today, but there is a big lack of harmony, rythmns, and originality
Amazing. Thx for posting this. had not seen it before.
Tommy probably got carded trying to get in that night....
Absolutely brilliant
James j ing young!!
Thank you for posting this and making my day.
Great Voice of Dennis De Young
Technically, Shaw DID do a solo version of Renegade, where he played lead guitar. It's on youtube. Check it out.
*.*Tommy is so cute in'82.
very cool!
thanks a lot, you had realy great time! exactly what it`s the best of times!
I think they're a great talent but unfairly low evaluation. I can`t believe it.
When Tommy Shaw was growing up in Montgomery Alabama.. he used to annoy the living crap out of the neighbors on Madison... saw him on Bama Lanes many times
Righteous recording !!!
Damn, John was FUCKED up....
They could put on a fantastic live show
PURE PERFECTION!!
JY rocks!!
Damn this is heavy af!
Me my brother and his friend were going to see them in Vancouver but one of the members cut their hand trying to open a window :\
Lyn Neufeld ~ That was Tommy... He had locked himself out of his house, and broke a window open to get back in, hence, cutting his hand, and needing stitches...
The band styx was fantastic back in the 80s when Dennis De young was thevlead singer
They were great in the 70's too ! And they still are, even with Gowan. Check out The Mission. Solid album, Tommy and JY as great as ever
Epic
Great song
First timer for me
EPIC