Tommy Shaw boosted STYX a lot with his songwriting ,vocal range and guitar skills ,he was so young and could write in a older mature way , just very insightful .. Pieces of 8 ,,Grand Illusion and Paradise Theater albums are all worth several listens
I was a mountain boy long hair (Evergreen High Class of 77) that went to Florida for college: college roommate talks me into seeing Styx on their Grand Illusion tour. What a show! Tightest band I'd ever seen and so much energy! Been a fan ever since.
Suite Madame Blue ....and don't forget the linking track previous leading into this song > "Prelude 12" They belong together. Brilliant track is a must !
Nick and Lex you should keep watch for Styx touring again. I see them around more than any other 70's/80's band. They are definitely worth seeing if you ever have a chance.
I’m only 24 but my dad raised me on Boston, Styx, Rush, Kansas, Queen etc. those were some of the bands that inspired me to pick up the guitar nearly 15 years ago
Kansas had 2 singers Steve Walsh who played also keyboards and violinist Robby Steinhardt. That was in the 70s and early 80s. Styx had actually 3 singers Dennis De Young who played keyboards and the 2 guitarrists Tommy Shaw and James Young. Great band Styx ❤️
John Elefante recorded 2 albums on vocals with Kansas in the 80's, and currently Ronnie Platt who currently has recorded 2 studio albums and 2 live albums with Kansas.
Lady 95 was re-recorded for the greatest hits album because it was originally on the 2nd Styx album which was on the Wooden Nickel record label and since they went to A&M Records, they didn't have the right to release the original on a different label. I prefer the original from 1973 but this version is good too.
This is the best "marathon" I've heard on YT so far. Thrilled that you've discovered Styx, my favorite band of all-time. Finally, a channel that reacts to "Queen of Spades"! Long overdue. Very important point that Styx influenced those other bands and not the other way around. Great reaction, great channel. Thank you.
I listened to the Pieces of Eight album non-stop as a 7th grader. I always loved songs that no one else seemed to care about like "Queen of Spades". Great song. Another song that fits in that category is "It's Late" by Queen. It's on the "News of the World album and is an underplayed masterpiece.
Great reaction guys. Styx is undoubtedly one of the greatest rock 'n roll bands ever. And they're still going strong today and Tommy's voice is as clear and powerful as ever. Yet they're not in the Rock Hall. Must be something personal with someone on the board. You might want to check out Styx playing with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra - amazing concert for the band and the kids involved. So inspiring.
Great choice and great reaction guys - "Pieces of Eight" which Blue Collar Man and Queen of Spades are both from is an awesome album that I bought on vinyl when it first appeared in 1978 and it's still my favourite album of theirs.
Tommy Shaw singing Blue Collar Man. Steve Walsh(outstanding voice) lead singer of Kansas(original singer) saw them both back in the day! Couldn’t get any closer! Paid $6.50-$7.50
Tommy Shaw tells the story of how he was working in a bowling alley lounge and he performed Crystal Ball and he got a call from the people in Styx and they asked him to join and Crystal Ball was the first song on the title album of the same name and the rest as they say is history as other hit albums soon followed with Styx going on to performing their hits all over the world
Yes!! Crystal Ball, one of my most favorite songs of all time! Saw them in concert front and center on Paradise Theatre Tour and got a guitar pic from Tommy Shaw.You should check out Suite Madame blue, Renegade, Babe, Fooling Yourself, The Best of Times, just to name a few!
Queen of Spades, Blue Collar Man and Renegade were all originally released on the album Pieces of Eight which is one of my 2 favorite albums along with The Grand Illusion.
Great Styx marathon. Been listening to this awesome band since 1977. Seen them twice in concert. I’ve been Air Guitaring for almost 50 years but Alexis was playing like a seasoned pro. Wow !!! 🥰
Styx I loved in the mid 70's . A very talented band my fave album ' The Grand Illusion ' Tommy Shaw's voice is as good today as it ws then, His concert wuth the Contemporay youth orchestra is very special. Man in the Wilderness is a great Tommy song.
I saw Styx at a high school in Chicago in 1974 for $1.50. An amazing concert! “Lady” was their big hit at the time, along with “Best Thing”, another great rocker. An old gem that you two would REALLY LOVE is Father O.S.A. Go for it! Love you guys! Keep up the good work! 😎🎶❤
The version of "Lady '95" was great. The original version off of the Styx II album was more, how can I say, authentic perhaps?? May I request that you guys take a listen (or react) to "You Need Love" and "You Better Ask" from Styx II. The epitome of Classic Rock at its finest. I'm aware of your backlog of requests are quite a bit long, so I will always listen and watch.
Agree. It's just not the same sparkle and magic. Apparently, "Lady '95" exists because of a copyright dispute on the original recording, which I believe has been resolved since. But that prevented them from including the original on the Greatest Hits album in the '90s.
Lady "75" was just a hair faster in tempo, and the vocal had a bit more urgency(?) in it. The mix was a bit different, too. The lead guitar was more out front in 95, which is the only thing I prefer in 95.
These guys are still playing 100 shows a year and in addition to still sounding GREAT are still turning out great work! I've seen them probably 15 times and the only time I have ever been disappointed, it was their turn to open the show instead of closing... I missed their opening song and their set was shortened as the opening act😩 Just saw them last month at Ball Arena as the headliners on the ticket with REO and Loverboy.... They just celebrated their 50th Anniversary and never sounded better and still get from one side of the stage to the other without needing a sundial to time them. Styx started their careers as a prog/rock band but they evolved into a great rock band. They still have great keyboards, world-class drumming, bass and guitars AND three great vocalists and great writing throughout their 'discology'. You'll find some real gems on some of their deep tracks, but their catalog is rich with a lot of rock anthems. MISS AMERICA MAN IN THE WILDERNESS LORELEI BABE SUITE MADAM BLUE LIGHTS THE GRAND ILLUSION BOAT ON A RIVER and some of my favorites are lesser known with the same first tier songwriting... LOVE IS THE RITUAL SHOW ME THE WAY THESE ARE THE TIMES FIELDS OF THE BRAVE KILLING THE THING THAT YOU LOVE WAITING FOR OUR TIME BRAVE NEW WORLD BEST NEW FACE Love
Good to that someone else has an appreciation for their whole catalog. I have every Styx studio album and EP's, some live, some compilations. I think Lawrence Gowan is fantastic on vocals and keys, and even he's been with them 24 yrs.
I remember this song well from my youth. It was song that spoke of the political, social, and economic woes of the late 1970s and early 80s in America: energy crises, runaway unemployment double-digit inflation, societal upheaval. I remember sleeping in my car just to buy the rationed gasoline. In the US, at that time, you could only buy gasoline on an odd or even day that your license plate reflected. It was a crazy time, but I was young. Styx captured our feelings in their music. Thanks for the interesting commentary.
When there was mention of Kansas and the 2 singers it brought to mind that while Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw get the lion's share of lead vocal duties, I think one needs to also be aware of the songs James Young sings lead on to appreciate the variety STYX brought to the table.
Thank you. JY doesn't get the credit with all the great tracks he's written for the band. Including songs such as, "Queen Of Spades, "Lorelei" and "I'm Ok", which he co-wrote, but of course Dennis sings the lead...
Big smile on my face :) Thanks for that! I won't know without reading every comment, but I'm sure others answered your questions. Lady was released in 1973, and yes, their first big hit, written and sung by Dennis DeYoung. Tommy Shaw joined the band in 1976 and wrote, as well as lead vocals on Crystal Ball and Blue Collar Man. Queen of Spades was sung by Dennis DeYoung who co-wrote it with James Young. I mentioned before that I was a fan, saw them 5x within 6 years, but no Styx song appears on any of my Playlists, but y'know? I might have to reconsider, especially with Crystal Ball. They definitely could Rock, and Nick - for the most part a 70s band, not 80s. I enjoyed this.
This band was so tight in concert- they could replicate the harmonies and instrumentals perfectly. And James Young (JY) is the quintessential rock star. He has the moves, the talent, and the attitude. Check out a live version of Suite Madam Blue with Dennis DeYoung. Styx is the best in concert! ❤️
Hi Guys, what a great marathon. Excellent choice of tracks. Crystal Ball is such a great track among my favourites and the album.....There are some mind blowing tracks you have yet to hear > " Born For Adventure " ... "Castle Walls" & the 2 parter "Prelude 12 + Suite Madame Blue" that is erm ? .... Just wait till to you get around to hearing this little beauty ! Love these tracks and "Born For Adventure" has a great surprise near the end, I just love playing again & again ! Great reactions, thankyou ! Jim X
Queen of Spades is actually from the same album (Peices of Eight) as Blue Collar Man. I used to listen to that album over and over again as a kid! You might want to also check out "Great White Hope."
I took bands like this for granted in the 70s because there were a ton of them. Some stick with you, this this one. Now, 45 years later I'm amazed how great they are. I am so pleased new generations take the time to listen. I can only hope it stirs something in you even a fraction of what it did for me.
Two different vocalists here guys. Dennis DeYoung on Lady , Queen of Spades and Tommy Shaw on Blue Collar Man , Crystal Ball. You could literally put any four Styx songs together and not be disappointed.
I got the chance to hang out with Dennis DeYoung a few times and can tell you he's such a great guy and family man with a quick wit and always a consummate professional. It's such a shame that Tommy and JY decided to steal the name Styx from him when he couldn't tour, I know Dennis was very hurt by this, especially since he was one of the founders. Great reaction, all great classic Styx, especially Queen of Spades! Thanks!
I agree the best version of Styx is with Dennis Deyoung. However, I don't see how you can say Tommy and JY stole the name from Dennis. It wasn't Dennis' name. Keep in mind JY, along with Chuck were both in the band before they became Styx. So, both of them would have just as much rights to the name as Dennis.
@@RushTrader I agree. Tommy and JY wanted to tour nonstop and Dennis was not a big fan of long tours. It's too bad it ended the way it did. The best show I've seen was 1996 when Tommy reunited with them and they all were getting along great at least for a couple of years. I was just referring to the name itself because some people think since Dennis started the band, he should have rights to the name. But of course, they weren't named that when the band was started. Nonetheless, despite their differences, those 3 guys wrote some great songs together.
I love metal. but then again, i like music. At a certain point in my life I was committed to choosing bands that were relatively unknown...I reveled in the fact of how talented musicians they were, and that the 'unwashed masses' have yet to jump on the band wagon. Styx was a band which were not well known in the Pacific Northwest of the U;S, They were not headbangers, or balladeer's, however they had the chops for either or...The way that they weave the styles together and use their harmonies to meld the differing styles is genius. So, to the young ones who think that a group with a greatest hits album, is just showcasing the POPular. songs, open your mind and listen and learn....I now know for me, that music is the one thing in my life which transports my soul, and allows me the ability to time travel and be transported to the furthest reaches of space and time...It is so easy to say, oh this band reminds me of ????. but think of the seventies as a time of exploration and origination. for the people in 2022 who can listen to any music they want at any time, there weren't seven bands which sounded like Styx, those bands came later and incorporated the music they heard as younger people. Crystal ball wasn't a derivative, it was a stand alone original. Man in the wilderness, castle walls, angry young man. music to meditate on.
@@JohnMacRae23 I guess Kevin talks about the first albums, the first Top 10 album was Grand Illusion, and he also says in the Pacific Northwest. Glory sometimes starts locally and then spreads all over the country .... just think of music of the East coast or West coast or Southern rock, specially back then with local radio stations it took its time to become famous all over the country. What do you think ?
@@rudolfbecker4313 Correct, I was speaking of The first Styx album i had ever seen and heard was 1973 The Serpent Is Rising. Witchwolf, Young Man...etc...Back then, if I Took a trip across the country, the hits on the radio were not consistently hits at the same time...I think of Steve Miller as one example The Joker, it was a hit in the Seattle Area, but the kids In Missouri were just discovering the song and were eager to play it for me.
Love this band and ty for the memories. ❤🥳 Styx pre-dates Kansas and those others...70's. Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw shared lead vocals but JY steps up to the mic too. Dennis on keyboards, heavily into synth but Tommy, JY and the Panazzo bros kept it (real) rock. I adore all of these, thanks again. 🔥🤩
There's an American way and a European way to looking at Styx. The American way starts with "Lady" because it's a song that did well in the charts, then there's the European way which starts with "Crystal Ball" because we don't care about charts but we care about music. Styx's history starts with the album "Man Of Miracles" from 1974. That's when guitar player John Curulewski made plans to leave the band and Tommy Shaw started shuffling in. It took another album (1975's Equinox) before Curulewski departed and Styx got their sound together. Pure melodic Hard Rock. Then there was the battle between James Young (singer & keyboard player) and Dennis De Young (singer and keyboard player). The former was more heavy rock orientaed while the latter had a more melodic, soft-rock inclination. Tommy Shaw, who replaced John Curulewski, was also more heavy rock oriented just like Curulewski had been. Except that, Curulewski was more mild-mannered and often went along with De Young to keep the peace. Tommy Shaw was more combattive and stood his ground, and as a result we got a few albums that were far more rock than melodic. "The Grand Illusion (1977)", "Pieces Of Eight (1978)" and "Cornerstone (1979)". After that, things came to a stand-off within the band and we got the decline with "Paradise Theatre (1981)" and "Kilroy Was Here (1983)" all on the account of Dennis De Young, the fool.
GREAT GREAT choices. Thanks so much for playing this. For you're next Styx set may I suggest : Suite Madame Blue, followed by Man In the Wilderness, followed by Renegade, concluding with Come Sail Away. Thank you this was great!
A KANSAS marathon PLEASE!!! It's been so long since we've heard from these prog masters 1. Lamplight Symphony (from Song for America - 1975) 2. Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman (from Song for America - 1975) 3. The Pinnacle (from Masque - 1975) 4. The Wall (from Leftoverture - 1976) 5. Miracles out of Nowhere (from Leftoverture - 1976) 6. Hopelessly Human (from Point of Know Return - 1977) 7. Hold On (from AudioVisions - 1979?) Btw, the original lineup of Kansas had 2 great singers: Steve Walsh (one of the best singers in rock & an organist), and Robbie Steinhardt (the violinist whose voice blends beautifully with Steve's). There was never a Kansas singer who sang for Styx. When Steve left Kansas around 1980, John Elefante took over for several years, then Steve came back to Kansas and stayed until his voice gave out in the early 2000s. Then Ronnie Platt took over vocals for their last 2 albums in the 2010s. The vocal combination of Steve & Robbie just couldn't be beat. In fact, the original 6-man lineup was unbeatable. One of the top 3 prog bands in the world! Kerry Livgren, "The Maestro" was one of the finest prog composers, orchestrators, lyricists, and multi-instrumentalists in the world (lead guitarist, piano, synth, mellotron, pipe organ, etc. All the songs listed in my marathon were performed by the original lineup and composed by Kerry Livgren. These songs are incredible and all deep tracks - no radio hits here. But it's music like this that should have automatically qualified Kansas for the Hall of Fame. What a travesty! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, please your listeners with this amazing band and awesome songs. Thanks in advance. Love you guys!
My favorite was "Angry Young Man". Could so relate to back in late 1970s. Would love to hear your comments on a contemporary group to Styx--The Baby's? "Back On My Feet Again", from the Babys, fits nicely with ""Foolin' Yourself" or "Angry Young Man".
Lady was the song that introduced me to Styx. I really enjoyed the song and still do. Then came Crystal Ball. I need to check these guys out more . Then Come Sail Away . They seem to just write great stuff. Too bad with all the drama that occurred later and broke the band up. Thanks for the music
One thing cool about Styx, especially when Tommy Shaw joined....they had 3 different lead singers, two guitarists and a keyboardist, bass and drums. The bassist and drummer were brothers.
Recommend "Prelude 12/Suite Madame Blue", "Castle Walls", "Snowblind", "Babe", "The Grand Illusion", "A.D. 1928/Rockin' The Paradise". Too many great ones to list.
Styx has always been my favorite band. The Paradise Theatre concert was my first real concert that I actually drove into Philadelphia from the suburbs to go see. Truly a classic and under rated band IMO.
Lady '95 (1995) is an interesting take on the original (Lady), but the original is just the better version in my opinion. It doesn't have the punch of the original and seems over polished to me. Crystal Ball is one of Styx's best songs in their catalog, and everything off the Equinox album...no skips on that one!
I think Nick would really like Clair de Lune/Ballerina. Castle Walls and I’m OK are some other deep tracks to check out. The King of Instruments features prominently on I’m OK!
'Queen of Spades' came out in 1978 on 'Pieces of Eight'. I was still in High School, so I wasn't 18 yet. I only ever got into the albums 'The Grand Illusion' and 'Pieces of Eight'.
Lady was earlier 70's. It hit our airways around 74. I believe Crystal Ball was Tommy Shaw's 1st album with Styx. Blue Collar would have been off of Pieces of Eight. Thanks guys!
Yes, though the album was released a year earlier and the "Lady" single was released at that time in '73 but it didn't receive any backing or push on radio stations. WLS AM radio in Chicago began playing it in their rotation in late Summer early Fall of '74 and since their transmitter was 50kw clear channel it could reach well into Tennessee at night. The station began getting requests for it as well as record stores in many states and also Canada. The original record company, Wooden Nickle was too small to handle the demand so they entered into a distribution agreement with a major label for national distribution. But "Lady" was their breakout single from their second album though at the time of it climbing the singles chart Styx were working on their fourth album.
@@joeljoy4144 I was in the Chicago area in 1974, heard it all the time on both AM and FM radio during the fall of that year. Lady peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot 100 for two weeks around the 2nd of March in 1975. Not sure what happened in 1979 but by then, Styx had a string of commercial hits.
@@elgonwilliams7624 you are right. But was only a local Chicago hit until later. In California, where I lived, didn't hear it on airwaves until after Styx was a popular, successful band.
16:52 .. Many years later and each time I hear, 'Crystal Ball', I'm reminded how incredible of a Rock & Roll band that STYX were in their prime: just insanely good.
One of the great privileges I had in my life was after missing Yes and Led Zeppelin shows when I was an exchange student in Pennsylvania USA was having attended the Styx show at Steelers Stadium in Pittsburgh in 1979 (I dropped the almanac ) They featured basically The Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight and I think one or two songs from what would become Cornerstone. It was my first rock show in a stadium and I was blown away for life. It's rock but it has a lot of progressive. Nick always mentions "Kansas" or "Boston" but there's another great band of that time that had similar ingredients and it's "Foreigner" almost all sang or did background vocals. Recordings or productions from the late 70s are also very clear, you can hear or perceive each of the sounds and arrangements. Something strange was that Dennis DeYoung with a peculiar voice timbre did not seem like a rocker. I find it strange how few suggest a reaction to his first big international hit "Come Sail Away"
Hey kids, you are just scratching the surface, Renegade, Castle Walls, Pieces of Eight, Come sail away, I could go on. What you are hearing is real rock music performed by real musicians, enjoy!!! #nicknlexrequest
![Megan Thee Stallion - Bigger In Texas [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QxTkZTLWdo4/mqdefault.jpg)
Tommy Shaw boosted STYX a lot with his songwriting ,vocal range and guitar skills ,he was so young and could write in a older mature way , just very insightful .. Pieces of 8 ,,Grand Illusion and Paradise Theater albums are all worth several listens
Man... sometimes I forget about it, but Crystal Ball is SUCH a great song.
Crystal Ball really captured me when it came out. I played it over and over!!
Blue-Collar Man (Long Nights) and Queen Of Spades are from the album "Pieces Of Eight". Great album with a great cover.
Miss prog so much
It's my favorite by them....
I was a mountain boy long hair (Evergreen High Class of 77) that went to Florida for college: college roommate talks me into seeing Styx on their Grand Illusion tour. What a show! Tightest band I'd ever seen and so much energy! Been a fan ever since.
"Man In The Wilderness" or "Suite Madam Blue" are worth a listen.
They've reacted to Man in the Wilderness (one of my Top 5 faves), so maybe "Castle Walls"?
Second Suite Madam Blue 💙.
@@mvunit3 Nice substitute, Castle Walls is epic.
Suite Madame Blue ....and don't forget the linking track previous leading into this song > "Prelude 12" They belong together. Brilliant track is a must !
@@mvunit3 Agree, castle walls for sure.
Their harmonies are second to none!!!
You guys are awesome!! This isn't just for "Ray" it's for all of us who are watching and listening too!!
Nick and Lex you should keep watch for Styx touring again. I see them around more than any other 70's/80's band. They are definitely worth seeing if you ever have a chance.
Crystal Ball is one of my favorite songs from Styx
That whole Crystal Ball album is great from the beginning with "Put Me On" til the end.
All the songs on the album Equinox was epic . Pure Classic Rock
Styx was such a great 70s band. With their musical resume, they should have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, decades ago.
I’m only 24 but my dad raised me on Boston, Styx, Rush, Kansas, Queen etc. those were some of the bands that inspired me to pick up the guitar nearly 15 years ago
Kansas had 2 singers Steve Walsh who played also keyboards and violinist Robby Steinhardt. That was in the 70s and early 80s. Styx had actually 3 singers Dennis De Young who played keyboards and the 2 guitarrists Tommy Shaw and James Young. Great band Styx ❤️
People don't forget JY!
JY Miss America! Hell yes!!!
John Elefante recorded 2 albums on vocals with Kansas in the 80's, and currently Ronnie Platt who currently has recorded 2 studio albums and 2 live albums with Kansas.
Lady 95 was re-recorded for the greatest hits album because it was originally on the 2nd Styx album which was on the Wooden Nickel record label and since they went to A&M Records, they didn't have the right to release the original on a different label. I prefer the original from 1973 but this version is good too.
Styx still holding its own! Saw them this summer, great show! Check out their 2021 album Crash of the Crown!
And the Mission, and there's some killer songs on Cyclorama.
Crystal Ball!! Definitely one of their best songs. Love the entire record too.
This is the best "marathon" I've heard on YT so far. Thrilled that you've discovered Styx, my favorite band of all-time. Finally, a channel that reacts to "Queen of Spades"! Long overdue. Very important point that Styx influenced those other bands and not the other way around. Great reaction, great channel. Thank you.
I've had 2 reactors react to Queen Of Spades -- The Adventures Of TNT & King Blitz.
I listened to the Pieces of Eight album non-stop as a 7th grader. I always loved songs that no one else seemed to care about like "Queen of Spades". Great song. Another song that fits in that category is "It's Late" by Queen. It's on the "News of the World album and is an underplayed masterpiece.
Great reaction guys. Styx is undoubtedly one of the greatest rock 'n roll bands ever. And they're still going strong today and Tommy's voice is as clear and powerful as ever. Yet they're not in the Rock Hall. Must be something personal with someone on the board. You might want to check out Styx playing with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra - amazing concert for the band and the kids involved. So inspiring.
Great choice and great reaction guys - "Pieces of Eight" which Blue Collar Man and Queen of Spades are both from is an awesome album that I bought on vinyl when it first appeared in 1978 and it's still my favourite album of theirs.
Still have it on vinyl
My favourite Styx album and the title track my favourite Styx song.
CHRISTMAS DAY 78' was lost listening to this over and over again as a 10 yr old getting this for a present ❤❤
I adore Styx!!!! Are they Prog? I don’t care!!! They’re amazing!!! ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍
AOR prog
Styx is Rock and Roll not Prog. 😎
@@retiredfirelt586 Well Dennis DeYoung has said they use a lot of different elements, prog too, but considered themselves a Hard Rock band.
@@retiredfirelt586 It has prog elements so it is at least prog related
@@retiredfirelt586 Their early stuff is a bit proggy. Just a bit.
Tommy Shaw singing Blue Collar Man. Steve Walsh(outstanding voice) lead singer of Kansas(original singer) saw them both back in the day! Couldn’t get any closer! Paid $6.50-$7.50
Tommy Shaw tells the story of how he was working in a bowling alley lounge and he performed Crystal Ball and he got a call from the people in Styx and they asked him to join and Crystal Ball was the first song on the title album of the same name and the rest as they say is history as other hit albums soon followed with Styx going on to performing their hits all over the world
Yes!! Crystal Ball, one of my most favorite songs of all time! Saw them in concert front and center on Paradise Theatre Tour and got a guitar pic from Tommy Shaw.You should check out Suite Madame blue, Renegade, Babe, Fooling Yourself, The Best of Times, just to name a few!
Crystal Ball was an amazing album. Ohhh the glory of album cover art work!!! It is absolutely beautiful.!!!
Queen of Spades, Blue Collar Man and Renegade were all originally released on the album Pieces of Eight which is one of my 2 favorite albums along with The Grand Illusion.
Came for the Styx (all hail the 70s!), stayed for the pup.
Great Styx marathon. Been listening to this awesome band since 1977. Seen them twice in concert. I’ve been Air Guitaring for almost 50 years but Alexis was playing like a seasoned pro. Wow !!! 🥰
Glad you're doing a great band like Styx. Started listening to Styx in 1978. Styx had two main singers, Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw.
@@stevecontini5386 Thanks. I know the album.
Guitarist James Young also sings some songs
@@markhaus2830 Yep, hence why I said "main singers"
Back during their Wooden Nickle era, James Young had done more lead vocals, and writing...
Crystal Ball had always been my favorite Styx song. Love that 12- string guitar intro
Hadn't heard those last two cuts literally for decades. Great jams! And the air guitar was awesome, hope to see Lex bust that out more!
And QUEEN OF SPADES!!! One of my absolute Styx favorites! Great selections!
Styx I loved in the mid 70's . A very talented band my fave album ' The Grand Illusion ' Tommy Shaw's voice is as good today as it ws then, His concert wuth the Contemporay youth orchestra is very special. Man in the Wilderness is a great Tommy song.
Hey guys
Just want to thank you for letting me relive my teenage years!!
I saw Styx at a high school in Chicago in 1974 for $1.50. An amazing concert! “Lady” was their big hit at the time, along with “Best Thing”, another great rocker. An old gem that you two would REALLY LOVE is Father O.S.A. Go for it! Love you guys! Keep up the good work! 😎🎶❤
My favorite band, they are awesome.
The version of "Lady '95" was great. The original version off of the Styx II album was more, how can I say, authentic perhaps?? May I request that you guys take a listen (or react) to "You Need Love" and "You Better Ask" from Styx II. The epitome of Classic Rock at its finest. I'm aware of your backlog of requests are quite a bit long, so I will always listen and watch.
100% on the original Lady
Agree. It's just not the same sparkle and magic. Apparently, "Lady '95" exists because of a copyright dispute on the original recording, which I believe has been resolved since. But that prevented them from including the original on the Greatest Hits album in the '90s.
Agree, original much better
They should have never redid "Lady". The original was too perfect to mess with. "Lady '95" is lame in comparison.
Lady "75" was just a hair faster in tempo, and the vocal had a bit more urgency(?) in it. The mix was a bit different, too. The lead guitar was more out front in 95, which is the only thing I prefer in 95.
My wife first saw Styx in concert at her high school in Rockford Illinois. Her favorite song Crystal Ball.
They played at the Homecoming Dance at my g/f's HS in Merrillville, Indiana. They were her favorite band.
I saw styx at my high school in Downers Grove Ill.
I wonder if Alexia's mom was there, since that's where she used to live back then!
Lex, your "stank face" when you do your air solos is delightful!
Lady 1973 wowsers
These guys are still playing 100 shows a year and in addition to still sounding GREAT are still turning out great work!
I've seen them probably 15 times and the only time I have ever been disappointed, it was their turn to open the show instead of closing... I missed their opening song and their set was shortened as the opening act😩
Just saw them last month at Ball Arena as the headliners on the ticket with REO and Loverboy....
They just celebrated their 50th Anniversary and never sounded better and still get from one side of the stage to the other without needing a sundial to time them.
Styx started their careers as a prog/rock band but they evolved into a great rock band. They still have great keyboards, world-class drumming, bass and guitars AND three great vocalists and great writing throughout their 'discology'.
You'll find some real gems on some of their deep tracks, but their catalog is rich with a lot of rock anthems.
MISS AMERICA
MAN IN THE WILDERNESS
LORELEI
BABE
SUITE MADAM BLUE
LIGHTS
THE GRAND ILLUSION
BOAT ON A RIVER
and some of my favorites are lesser known with the same first tier songwriting...
LOVE IS THE RITUAL
SHOW ME THE WAY
THESE ARE THE TIMES
FIELDS OF THE BRAVE
KILLING THE THING THAT YOU LOVE
WAITING FOR OUR TIME
BRAVE NEW WORLD
BEST NEW FACE
Love
Good to that someone else has an appreciation for their whole catalog. I have every Styx studio album and EP's, some live, some compilations. I think Lawrence Gowan is fantastic on vocals and keys, and even he's been with them 24 yrs.
Excellent marathon, thank you! Styx were so creative and so talented.
Try “Snowblind”, one of my fav Styx songs
Yessss
I remember this song well from my youth. It was song that spoke of the political, social, and economic woes of the late 1970s and early 80s in America: energy crises, runaway unemployment double-digit inflation, societal upheaval.
I remember sleeping in my car just to buy the rationed gasoline. In the US, at that time, you could only buy gasoline on an odd or even day that your license plate reflected. It was a crazy time, but I was young.
Styx captured our feelings in their music.
Thanks for the interesting commentary.
Oh cool! Alexia on this one 👍🏻 can’t wait to watch this tonight. 🔮
Yay! Thanks Ray for having the 2 brilliant reactors react!
When there was mention of Kansas and the 2 singers it brought to mind that while Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw get the lion's share of lead vocal duties, I think one needs to also be aware of the songs James Young sings lead on to appreciate the variety STYX brought to the table.
Thank you. JY doesn't get the credit with all the great tracks he's written for the band. Including songs such as, "Queen Of Spades, "Lorelei" and "I'm Ok", which he co-wrote, but of course Dennis sings the lead...
I'm up for more Styx marathons. So many great songs in their catalog.
That was awesome. Thank you!
Big smile on my face :) Thanks for that! I won't know without reading every comment, but I'm sure others answered your questions. Lady was released in 1973, and yes, their first big hit, written and sung by Dennis DeYoung. Tommy Shaw joined the band in 1976 and wrote, as well as lead vocals on Crystal Ball and Blue Collar Man. Queen of Spades was sung by Dennis DeYoung who co-wrote it with James Young. I mentioned before that I was a fan, saw them 5x within 6 years, but no Styx song appears on any of my Playlists, but y'know? I might have to reconsider, especially with Crystal Ball. They definitely could Rock, and Nick - for the most part a 70s band, not 80s. I enjoyed this.
“Crystal Ball” has always been my favorite Styx song!! Thanks for the reaction!!👏👏
This band was so tight in concert- they could replicate the harmonies and instrumentals perfectly. And James Young (JY) is the quintessential rock star. He has the moves, the talent, and the attitude. Check out a live version of Suite Madam Blue with Dennis DeYoung. Styx is the best in concert! ❤️
I had to laugh at Lex doing Nick's air guitar face 🤣🤣
The 70s were hard times all over. That's what I see Blue Collar man is about. What a great tune! That solo!
Great job you 2. Loved this. Been listening to Styx since I was 15. God Bless.
You two are adorable! The air guitar is priceless. You guys should do a full performance with air instruments
Hi Guys, what a great marathon. Excellent choice of tracks. Crystal Ball is such a great track among my favourites and the album.....There are some mind blowing tracks you have yet to hear > " Born For Adventure " ... "Castle Walls" & the 2 parter "Prelude 12 + Suite Madame Blue" that is erm ? .... Just wait till to you get around to hearing this little beauty ! Love these tracks and "Born For Adventure" has a great surprise near the end, I just love playing again & again ! Great reactions, thankyou ! Jim X
Can’t wait for someone to commission a TRIUMPH marathon.
My absolute favorite band!
Well, I have a couple of Marathon Ideas I threw at Nick with Triumph tracks, and sent them 4 CD's :).
Queen of Spades is actually from the same album (Peices of Eight) as Blue Collar Man. I used to listen to that album over and over again as a kid! You might want to also check out "Great White Hope."
Dennis singing Lady and Queen
Tommy singing blue collar and crystal ball
Great 70s rock
My favorite band of all time
DDY was an amazing vocalist. He's still touring, revisiting many Styx hits
Dennis hasn't toured since 2019/early 2020. With his age and health issues, I'd be surprised if he ever tours again...
Crystal Ball was Tommy's debut to us, a song so good it became the title track to the album.
Like this. Attention to Styx. Very underrated and my everlasting guilty pleasure. They are very allround my friends. 🎸🎹🎤🎧🤘
I took bands like this for granted in the 70s because there were a ton of them. Some stick with you, this this one. Now, 45 years later I'm amazed how great they are. I am so pleased new generations take the time to listen. I can only hope it stirs something in you even a fraction of what it did for me.
Obviously lady is a song for this beautiful woman. ♥️
70's was the best music decade but 80's was such a fun time to be alive!
Two different vocalists here guys. Dennis DeYoung on Lady , Queen of Spades and Tommy Shaw on Blue Collar Man , Crystal Ball. You could literally put any four Styx songs together and not be disappointed.
I got the chance to hang out with Dennis DeYoung a few times and can tell you he's such a great guy and family man with a quick wit and always a consummate professional. It's such a shame that Tommy and JY decided to steal the name Styx from him when he couldn't tour, I know Dennis was very hurt by this, especially since he was one of the founders. Great reaction, all great classic Styx, especially Queen of Spades! Thanks!
Very sad! It’s not Styx w/o Dennis! How cool you got to hang out with him! He is talented beyond words!
I agree the best version of Styx is with Dennis Deyoung. However, I don't see how you can say Tommy and JY stole the name from Dennis. It wasn't Dennis' name. Keep in mind JY, along with Chuck were both in the band before they became Styx. So, both of them would have just as much rights to the name as Dennis.
@@danr4137 They took it upon themselves to kick Dennis out of the band because they wanted to capitalize on the Styx brand.
Who knows the full story behind that whole ordeal, but right or wrong, Styx ain't Styx without DeYoung. Period.
@@RushTrader I agree. Tommy and JY wanted to tour nonstop and Dennis was not a big fan of long tours. It's too bad it ended the way it did. The best show I've seen was 1996 when Tommy reunited with them and they all were getting along great at least for a couple of years. I was just referring to the name itself because some people think since Dennis started the band, he should have rights to the name. But of course, they weren't named that when the band was started. Nonetheless, despite their differences, those 3 guys wrote some great songs together.
I love metal. but then again, i like music. At a certain point in my life I was committed to choosing bands that were relatively unknown...I reveled in the fact of how talented musicians they were, and that the 'unwashed masses' have yet to jump on the band wagon. Styx was a band which were not well known in the Pacific Northwest of the U;S, They were not headbangers, or balladeer's, however they had the chops for either or...The way that they weave the styles together and use their harmonies to meld the differing styles is genius.
So, to the young ones who think that a group with a greatest hits album, is just showcasing the POPular. songs, open your mind and listen and learn....I now know for me, that music is the one thing in my life which transports my soul, and allows me the ability to time travel and be transported to the furthest reaches of space and time...It is so easy to say, oh this band reminds me of ????. but think of the seventies as a time of exploration and origination. for the people in 2022 who can listen to any music they want at any time, there weren't seven bands which sounded like Styx, those bands came later and incorporated the music they heard as younger people. Crystal ball wasn't a derivative, it was a stand alone original. Man in the wilderness, castle walls, angry young man. music to meditate on.
hmmm... not well known? They had multiple triple and double platinum records.
@@JohnMacRae23 I guess Kevin talks about the first albums, the first Top 10 album was Grand Illusion, and he also says in the Pacific Northwest. Glory sometimes starts locally and then spreads all over the country .... just think of music of the East coast or West coast or Southern rock, specially back then with local radio stations it took its time to become famous all over the country. What do you think ?
@@rudolfbecker4313 Correct, I was speaking of The first Styx album i had ever seen and heard was 1973 The Serpent Is Rising. Witchwolf, Young Man...etc...Back then, if I Took a trip across the country, the hits on the radio were not consistently hits at the same time...I think of Steve Miller as one example The Joker, it was a hit in the Seattle Area, but the kids In Missouri were just discovering the song and were eager to play it for me.
Love this band and ty for the memories. ❤🥳
Styx pre-dates Kansas and those others...70's.
Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw shared lead vocals but JY steps up to the mic too.
Dennis on keyboards, heavily into synth but Tommy, JY and the Panazzo bros kept it (real) rock.
I adore all of these, thanks again. 🔥🤩
KANSAS's eponymous first album was released in 1974.
@@katesjanice~ Styx was still before Kansas. Their first album was released in 1972...
Shocked you never said anything about how great their voices are Too notch Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw
"Crystal Baaall" Great song, powerful!
🤘😎👍🍁 THX Ray & Cheers guys
There's an American way and a European way to looking at Styx. The American way starts with "Lady" because it's a song that did well in the charts, then there's the European way which starts with "Crystal Ball" because we don't care about charts but we care about music. Styx's history starts with the album "Man Of Miracles" from 1974. That's when guitar player John Curulewski made plans to leave the band and Tommy Shaw started shuffling in. It took another album (1975's Equinox) before Curulewski departed and Styx got their sound together. Pure melodic Hard Rock. Then there was the battle between James Young (singer & keyboard player) and Dennis De Young (singer and keyboard player). The former was more heavy rock orientaed while the latter had a more melodic, soft-rock inclination. Tommy Shaw, who replaced John Curulewski, was also more heavy rock oriented just like Curulewski had been. Except that, Curulewski was more mild-mannered and often went along with De Young to keep the peace. Tommy Shaw was more combattive and stood his ground, and as a result we got a few albums that were far more rock than melodic. "The Grand Illusion (1977)", "Pieces Of Eight (1978)" and "Cornerstone (1979)". After that, things came to a stand-off within the band and we got the decline with "Paradise Theatre (1981)" and "Kilroy Was Here (1983)" all on the account of Dennis De Young, the fool.
Ohh lord luvs ducks!!!!
Amazing cuts....
Lady thats me old man says so🤣 ohhh
Great song pics! Crystal Ball 🔮 my favorite of all Styx but Queen of Spades kicks so much ass.
GREAT GREAT choices. Thanks so much for playing this. For you're next Styx set may I suggest : Suite Madame Blue, followed by Man In the Wilderness, followed by Renegade, concluding with Come Sail Away. Thank you this was great!
A KANSAS marathon PLEASE!!! It's been so long since we've heard from these prog masters
1. Lamplight Symphony (from Song for America - 1975)
2. Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman (from Song for America - 1975)
3. The Pinnacle (from Masque - 1975)
4. The Wall (from Leftoverture - 1976)
5. Miracles out of Nowhere (from Leftoverture - 1976)
6. Hopelessly Human (from Point of Know Return - 1977)
7. Hold On (from AudioVisions - 1979?)
Btw, the original lineup of Kansas had 2 great singers: Steve Walsh (one of the best singers in rock & an organist), and Robbie Steinhardt (the violinist whose voice blends beautifully with Steve's). There was never a Kansas singer who sang for Styx. When Steve left Kansas around 1980, John Elefante took over for several years, then Steve came back to Kansas and stayed until his voice gave out in the early 2000s. Then Ronnie Platt took over vocals for their last 2 albums in the 2010s.
The vocal combination of Steve & Robbie just couldn't be beat. In fact, the original 6-man lineup was unbeatable. One of the top 3 prog bands in the world! Kerry Livgren, "The Maestro" was one of the finest prog composers, orchestrators, lyricists, and multi-instrumentalists in the world (lead guitarist, piano, synth, mellotron, pipe organ, etc. All the songs listed in my marathon were performed by the original lineup and composed by Kerry Livgren. These songs are incredible and all deep tracks - no radio hits here. But it's music like this that should have automatically qualified Kansas for the Hall of Fame. What a travesty!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, please your listeners with this amazing band and awesome songs. Thanks in advance. Love you guys!
Great post mate. My second band after Queen. Top 5 band in my view!
My favorite was "Angry Young Man". Could so relate to back in late 1970s.
Would love to hear your comments on a contemporary group to Styx--The Baby's?
"Back On My Feet Again", from the Babys, fits nicely with ""Foolin' Yourself" or "Angry Young Man".
Dennis deyoung and Shaw ' voices together is what i love in styx
Lady was the song that introduced me to Styx. I really enjoyed the song and still do. Then came Crystal Ball. I need to check these guys out more . Then Come Sail Away . They seem to just write great stuff. Too bad with all the drama that occurred later and broke the band up. Thanks for the music
One thing cool about Styx, especially when Tommy Shaw joined....they had 3 different lead singers, two guitarists and a keyboardist, bass and drums. The bassist and drummer were brothers.
Tommy Shaw for the win! Tanks for sharing Styx!
Lady is my favorite Styx song!!
Recommend "Prelude 12/Suite Madame Blue", "Castle Walls", "Snowblind", "Babe", "The Grand Illusion", "A.D. 1928/Rockin' The Paradise". Too many great ones to list.
Styx has always been my favorite band. The Paradise Theatre concert was my first real concert that I actually drove into Philadelphia from the suburbs to go see. Truly a classic and under rated band IMO.
Styx has 2 main vocalist. The first was Dennis DeYoung and the second was Tommy Shaw. Note that Chuck Panazzo and James Young also sang in some songs.
Lady '95 (1995) is an interesting take on the original (Lady), but the original is just the better version in my opinion. It doesn't have the punch of the original and seems over polished to me. Crystal Ball is one of Styx's best songs in their catalog, and everything off the Equinox album...no skips on that one!
Styx was great. Even better in the 70's in concert.
All the Styx music was awesome to me back in the day
12 string on “Crystal Ball”, and “Queen Of Spades”, nothing sounds like a 12 string guitar, great sound….
I think Nick would really like Clair de Lune/Ballerina. Castle Walls and I’m OK are some other deep tracks to check out. The King of Instruments features prominently on I’m OK!
Crystal Ball is one of my favorite Styx songs. I definitely have a preference for Tommy Shaw sung songs over Dennis DeYoung
I went to high school in the 70s crystal ball was my favorite Styx track 🔥
Lady was 73.They we’re about a decade before journey. I think 3 of 4 songs in 70’s.
'Queen of Spades' came out in 1978 on 'Pieces of Eight'. I was still in High School, so I wasn't 18 yet.
I only ever got into the albums 'The Grand Illusion' and 'Pieces of Eight'.
Styx is awesome especially in concert!! Lady is very special!
Lady was earlier 70's. It hit our airways around 74. I believe Crystal Ball was Tommy Shaw's 1st album with Styx. Blue Collar would have been off of Pieces of Eight. Thanks guys!
Yes, though the album was released a year earlier and the "Lady" single was released at that time in '73 but it didn't receive any backing or push on radio stations. WLS AM radio in Chicago began playing it in their rotation in late Summer early Fall of '74 and since their transmitter was 50kw clear channel it could reach well into Tennessee at night. The station began getting requests for it as well as record stores in many states and also Canada. The original record company, Wooden Nickle was too small to handle the demand so they entered into a distribution agreement with a major label for national distribution. But "Lady" was their breakout single from their second album though at the time of it climbing the singles chart Styx were working on their fourth album.
You said it all!👍🏻👍🏻
No, Lady was a commercial hit in late 1979.
@@joeljoy4144 I was in the Chicago area in 1974, heard it all the time on both AM and FM radio during the fall of that year. Lady peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot 100 for two weeks around the 2nd of March in 1975. Not sure what happened in 1979 but by then, Styx had a string of commercial hits.
@@elgonwilliams7624 you are right. But was only a local Chicago hit until later. In California, where I lived, didn't hear it on airwaves until after Styx was a popular, successful band.
16:52 .. Many years later and each time I hear, 'Crystal Ball', I'm reminded how incredible of a Rock & Roll band that STYX were in their prime: just insanely good.
One of the great privileges I had in my life was after missing Yes and Led Zeppelin shows when I was an exchange student in Pennsylvania USA was having attended the Styx show at Steelers Stadium in Pittsburgh in 1979 (I dropped the almanac ) They featured basically The Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight and I think one or two songs from what would become Cornerstone. It was my first rock show in a stadium and I was blown away for life. It's rock but it has a lot of progressive. Nick always mentions "Kansas" or "Boston" but there's another great band of that time that had similar ingredients and it's "Foreigner" almost all sang or did background vocals. Recordings or productions from the late 70s are also very clear, you can hear or perceive each of the sounds and arrangements. Something strange was that Dennis DeYoung with a peculiar voice timbre did not seem like a rocker. I find it strange how few suggest a reaction to his first big international hit "Come Sail Away"
It was great meeting you two at Guitar Center yesterday, and I love watching you react to music that has meant so much to me for many years!
Man of Miracles is an underrated album imo, you should give it a listen!
Hey kids, you are just scratching the surface, Renegade, Castle Walls, Pieces of Eight, Come sail away, I could go on. What you are hearing is real rock music performed by real musicians, enjoy!!! #nicknlexrequest