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In 1964 twin brothers John and Chuck Panozzo and their neighbor Dennis DeYoung began what has become one of the greatest bands on the '70s, '80s, and even the '90s. After being joined by John Curulewski and James Young in 1968 they played in Chicago and the surrounding area under the name The Tradewinds. Two years later Wooden Nickel Records made a deal with them and the band became Styx. The going was slow at first but picked up with the release of Styx's first national hit, "Lady" in 1975. The road to success was uphill from there.
Curulewski quit the band in March of 1976 just before the beginning of a tour to promote the 1975 A&M Records release, Equinox. After a frantic search, Tommy Shaw joined Styx bringing his guitar and vocal abilities as well as magnificent writing talents.
With 1977 came The Grand Illusion. This self produced album included the single "Come Sail Away" which stayed on the charts for two years selling over three million copies. Also during this time, Equinox had gone platinum in Canada. Styx was now rising in popularity and would soon erase any doubt that they couldn't make it.
Pieces of Eight (1978) and Cornerstone (1979) introduced "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)," "Renegage," and "Babe." The latter of those went platinum plus. In 1980, Paradise Theatre brought about four hits: "The Best of Times," "Too Much Time on My Hands," "Snowblind," and "Rockin' the Paradise." Styx was voted most favorite rock group by the Gallup Poll.
Kilroy Was Here, released in 1983, became more than just an album of music. The story behind Kilroy Was Here was that of a society which imprisoned the last rock 'n' roller for his music. Told mostly from the point of view of the rocker, the songs were extremely powerful. A film was made for the album and band members acted out the story onstage during concerts. Three years later Caught in the Act hit the stores.
1984 saw what could have been the end of the Styx saga but, in 1990, Edge of the Century was released with Glen Burtnik taking the place of Tommy Shaw. "Show Me The Way" topped the charts as a single and the band began a cross country tour.
Dennis DeYoung, the Panozzo brothers, Tommy Shaw, and James Young got together in 1995 to record a new version of "Lady." Something must have sparked for a reunion tour was held in 1996 called "The Return To Paradise Theatre." DeYoung, Young, Shaw, and Chuck Panozzo played along with Todd Sucherman, a temporary drummer. Sadly enough, John Panozzo was too ill to tour and passed away in July of 1996. His death was caused by internal hemmoraging due to chronic alcoholism. The remainder of the tour was held in his honor.
In recognition of the 20th anniversary of "The Grand Illusion," the 1997 Styx tour was given the same name. No one can say for sure what the future holds but hopefully, it is the best of times for all Styx fans.