Music Monday: Styx/The Solo Albums (1984-1989)

I was in junior high when Kilroy came out. I spent all my high school years talking about the music of my favorite band without ever hearing anything new from them. For everyone else it was "oh yeah they did that roboto song". Grrr. By the time Edge of the Century came out in 1990, Styx was already losing favor with me as I was getting more and more into Yes. Besides, I was almost 1/2 way done with college at this point as well. That's a long time to go between albums (years to be exact).

Even though there were no Styx albums during this time, I picked up every solo album that came out. 

1984

Dennis DeYoung had a huge hit with Desert Moon. The title track hit #10 on the charts, as well as the follow up single "Don't Wait for Heroes" (#83)

Not to be outdone, Tommy Shaw released Girls With Guns. The title track hit #33 on the charts, with the second single "Lonely School" reaching #60.

1985

Tommy was back again with his album called What If?. The album peaked at #87 on the Billboard 200. The album is named after the track, "Remo's Theme (What If)", which is the theme song for the character Remo Williams in the movie Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. The song was not released on a soundtrack and was first made available on this album.

1986

DDY was back this time with Back to the World. It reached #108 on The Billboard 200 Charts. "Call Me" reached #5 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. The song "This is the Time" was included on the soundtrack to the movie Karate Kid II.

1987

Tommy Shaw again with an album called Ambition. "Ever Since the World Began" was the last single released and only reached #75. The first track was "No Such thing", and it's badass!

1989

DeYoung's Boomchild, is the first solo album that did not make it on any album charts and its failure caused DeYoung to be dropped by MCA.

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After these, Tommy would join up with Ted Nugent and Jack Blades to form Damn Yankees. Dennis would head back and re-form Styx, with Glen Burtnik taking Tommy's place.