Styx Information

Formed in Chicago in 1961, Styx began as the Tradewinds. Brothers Chuck and John Panozzo played guitar and drums, respectively, and Dennis DeYoung was responsible for the vocals, piano, keyboard, and accordion. Soon enough, the band shorted their name to "TW4" and gained a guitarist/vocalist in James "J.Y." Young and John Curulewski eventually they would change their name to Styx because it was the only name "none of us hated," according to Dennis DeYoung.

Signed to Wooden Nickel, Styx released Styx, Styx II, The Serpent Is Rising, and Man of Miracles, from 1972 until 1974. Styx II went gold. After changing over to A&M Records, Styx released a number of new albums. Equinox was released in 1975, and John Curulewski left the band and was replaced with singer and guitarist Tommy Shaw.

Crystal Ball, released in 1976 and the first with Tommy Shaw, was mildly successful; yet 1977's The Grand Illusion would go on to become triple platinum with the Top 10 hit "Come Sail Away." Pieces of Eight, released in 1978, had a number of singles, but Cornerstone, released in 1979, had the first No. 1 hit for Styx in the song "Babe."

By the '80s, Styx had built up a reputation for themselves as a positive band for their lyrics criticizing unemployment, consumerism, and materialism. The 1980 release Paradise Theatre hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts and saw five singles, two if which hit the Top 10. Paradise Theatre would become their fourth consecutive multi-platinum album.

During this time, Styx was experiencing plenty of inner tensions between Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw. Kilroy Was Here was released in 1983, eventually went platinum, and featured two Top 10 hits in "Mr. Roboto" and "Don't Let It End." Caught in the Act was released in 1984 as a live album in 1984, around the same time as when Tommy Shaw and Dennis DeYoung began to explore opportunities as solo artists. Meanwhile, Styx planned a comeback in the '90s.

Now that Tommy Shaw was with the Damn Yankees (including Ted Nugent, Jack Blades, and Michael Cartellone), Styx regrouped without him using Glen Burtnik to replace him. Edge of the Century was released in 1990, went gold, and saw three singles reach the charts. Following a brief hiatus, Styx regrouped in 1995 for Styx Greatest Hits and a 1996 tour, this time without John Panozzo but with Tommy Shaw. Todd Sucherman replaced John Panozzo, and in 1997 released the two-disc live set Return to Paradise.

Brave New World was released in 1999 as their first studio release in over a decade. The trouble between Dennis DeYoung and the rest of the band continued, and in 1998 Chuck Panozzo left the band. While Dennis DeYoung was out with an illness, he was replaced with Lawrence Gowan before he had a chance to return; Glen Burtnik returned to replace Chuck Panozzo. Glen Burtnik then left Styx and was replaced with Ricky Phillips.

Cyclorama was released in 2003 and Big Bang Theory was released in 2005. Styx was the first band to have four consecutive triple platinum albums. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Styx has sold over 17.5 million albums in the United States. Styx is just as popular as ever with audiences and Styx concerts taking place worldwide.

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