This Day in Music History (06/16): Styx/The Mission

The Mission is the sixteenth studio album by the band Styx, released on this day in 2017. It was also a nice surprise for their fans, who basically had no idea a new album was being worked on. It is the band's first studio album since 2005's Big Bang Theory, their first album of original material since 2003's Cyclorama, and their highest-charting studio album in the United States since 1983's Kilroy Was Here, reaching #45 on the Billboard 200. 

A concept album, it tells the story of a mission to the planet Mars in the year 2033. The album's story was written by Tommy Shaw and Will Evankovich.

The album was conceived in 2015 when Tommy Shaw composed the guitar riff that became the record's closing track "Mission to Mars". The first lines Shaw wrote were "Now we can say it / This is the day / We'll be on our way / On our mission to Mars". The story was then formed around this idea.

Styx announced the album in conjunction with the release of the lead single "Gone Gone Gone", while "Radio Silence" and "Hundred Million Miles from Home" were later made available prior to the album's release.

My fave track:

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This Day in Music History: Styx/Paradise Theatre (01/19)

Paradise Theatre is the tenth album by the rock band Styx, released on this date in January, 1981. This is probably my most favorite album of all time.

The album consists of four charted singles. "The Best of Times", written by Dennis DeYoung, went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Too Much Time on My Hands", written by Tommy Shaw, went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, Shaw's only top 10 hit for Styx. "Nothing Ever Goes as Planned", written by DeYoung, went to #54 on the US Pop Chart. "Rockin' the Paradise" — written by DeYoung, Shaw and James Young — went to #8 on the Top Rock Track Chart.

Paradise Theatre became Styx's only US #1 album. It was the band's fourth consecutive triple-platinum album, and (as of 2015) the last multi-platinum album by the band.

This Day in Music History: Styx/Equinox (12/01)

Equinox is the fifth album by Styx, released on this day in 1975. The album was the band's first release for A&M Records (with whom they signed earlier in 1975, after the unexpected success of the single "Lady").

The album also marked the final appearance of original Styx guitarist John Curulewski who was fired abruptly following the release of Equinox. The band went into a frantic search to find a replacement for their upcoming tour to support the album. Soon after, they found Tommy Shaw.

The album's biggest hit was the track "Lorelei", which was Styx's second US Top 30 hit. Another well known song in the album was "Suite Madame Blue" which was written about the upcoming Bicentennial of the US. The track became a staple for all Styx tours with Dennis DeYoung.

Although Equinox stalled at #58, it went Gold in 1977 shortly before the release of The Grand Illusion.

I covered this album in more depth here (Side One), and here (Side Two).

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This Day in Music History (10/19): Styx/Cornerstone

On this day in 1979, Styx released its ninth studio album Cornerstone. This was Styx's follow-up to their second consecutive Top 10 selling Triple Platinum album in a row, 1978's Pieces of Eight.

Like the four previous Styx albums, the band produced the album themselves once again. However, the band started using a new recording studio Pumpkin Studios in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Plus, the album was the first where the band shied away from the art-rock/prog-rock influences that dominated their first eight studio albums and was the band's first move towards a more pop/rock direction (band member Dennis DeYoung stated in a 2009 interview that the change in direction came from reading bad reviews the group got in the rock press while on their first tour of England).

Regardless, the move towards "Barry Manilow's territory" set Tommy and JY on one side with DDY on the other.

This Day in Music History (10/09): Styx/Edge of the Century

On this date in 1990, Styx released their 12th studio album, Edge of the Century.

It was the first Styx album featuring Glen Burtnik (who replaced Tommy Shaw) and the last album to feature John Panozzo on drums (he would die six years later of liver cirrhosis).

The album spawned three singles. "Show Me the Way" was written by Dennis DeYoung (DDY!) and peaked at #3, due to the Gulf War Troops adopting the song as an anthem. Some radio stations played an edited version with the children of troops singing. "Love Is the Ritual" (which kicks ass!) and "Love at First Sight" were also released as singles, but neither garnered the same amount of success as "Show Me the Way".

I covered this album in more depth in these posts: Side One, Side Two.

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This Day in Music History (10/01): Styx/The Serpent is Rising/Crystal Ball

On this day, Styx released not one, but two albums (obviously in different years).

1973: The Serpent is Rising

The Serpent Is Rising is the third album by Styx, released in 1973. The band considers this to be their worst recording. Dennis DeYoung has gone far as saying it was "one of the worst recorded and produced in the history of music." The album peaked at #192 on the Billboard 200, their second-lowest charting album, and as of 2007 has sold less than 100,000 copies worldwide (two of these are owned by me!).

Music Monday: Styx/Cyclorama (Side Two)

The first side of this album can be found here.

As a quick review, the band had spent three years on the road and released a couple of live albums, but this was their first studio album with new keyboardist Lawrence Gowan.

This Day in Music History: Styx/Pieces of Eight (09/01)

As a follow up to the triple platinum selling The Grand Illusion, Styx released Pieces of Eight on this day in 1978. 

Some consider the album to be Styx' second concept album, The Serpent Is Rising arguably being the first. And it does have a darker, "grungier" feel to it at times. The theme of the album, as Dennis DeYoung explained was about "not giving up your dreams just for the pursuit of money and material possessions".

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Music Monday: Styx Live Albums (2000-2002)

After Brave New World, the band was ready to move forward touring, but Dennis DeYoung wasn't. They went on without him and replaced him with Canadian Lawrence Gowan. Also, with Chuck Panozzo focusing on his health concerns, Glen Burtnik returned to Styx (yay!), this time as bass player though, with Chuck participating on a part-time basis, sitting in as his health permitted. Styx's new lineup released several live albums and toured extensively during this period.

Styx World: Live 2001

Music Monday: Styx/Brave New World (Side Two)

Brave New World peaked at #175 on the Billboard 200 and notably reached the top 10 on the Top Internet Albums chart (yay?). However, its position on the Billboard charts was the lowest from a Styx album of all new material since 1973's The Serpent Is Rising. Ouch, just ouch.

That being said, there is still a lot of good music on this album, especially side two. Side one wasn't bad either...

Music Monday: Styx/Brave New World (Side One)

Well, that didn't last long...

The Styx "reunion" following the Return to Paradise tour was able to produce their 13th studio album in 1999 called Brave New World, but for Dennis DeYoung it would be his last with the band.

Music Monday: Styx/Return to Paradise

At this point, Styx has gotten back together due to reconciliation and a renewed popularity partially due to the release of their greatest hits album. They embarked on a reunion tour with everyone on board, except John Panozzo. If you remember Todd Sucherman had taken over for him for the "Lady '95" re-recording because he was fighting an illness. Before they embarked on the tour, they asked John to stay behind and get healthy while Todd would continue to fill in for him. John would never play with the band again. On July 16th, 1996 John Panozzo passed away from complications due to alcoholism. The band had lost one of its founding members. Styx dedicated the rest of the remaining tour to John. This tour was captured on Return to Paradise.

Music Monday: Styx/Greatest Hits

Styx - Classics, Volume 15 is a greatest hits compilation for the band Styx, released in 1987 by A&M Records as part of A&M's classics series of greatest hits albums for artists on its label. Like Best of Styx (one of my favorites that I covered here), this compilation is label-exclusive. Therefore it only contains Styx's hits on the A&M label. This means it excludes Styx's significant hit "Lady", which was recorded for Wooden Nickel Records.

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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. 

Music Monday: Styx/Caught in the Act

In 1984, Styx released a live album titled Caught in the Act. This is not to be confused with the VHS recording of the same name that depicted the band acting out the concept established in their Kilroy was Here album.

Music Monday: Styx/Kilroy Was Here (Side Two)

In the previous post covering side one of Kilroy Was Here I detailed how Dennis DeYoung came up with the story for this concept album. Now it is time to take a look at side two and see how it finishes out.

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Music Monday: Styx/Kilroy Was Here (Side One)

Directly caused by the accusations of backward Satanic messages on "Snowblind" from Paradise Theater, Dennis DeYoung conceived a concept album that was a rock opera telling the story of a future where rock music is outlawed by a fascist government and the "MMM" (the Majority for Musical Morality). The story's protagonist, Kilroy, is a former rock star who has been imprisoned by MMM leader Dr. Righteous. He escapes using a disguise when he becomes aware that a young musician, Jonathan Chance, is on a mission to bring rock music back. The album was called Kilroy Was Here.

Friday and the Random 10 (Your Move Edition)

Welcome to a new and improved, simplified and stripped down Random 10! 

Here's a picture.

Great album by Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades.

Music Monday: Styx/Paradise Theater (Act Two)

Act one told the story of the opening of the theater and the "best of times" it had in its glory days. Act two tells of its decline and eventual demolition.

The back side of the album cover shows the Paradise closed and in disrepair. You can barely make out the banner for Sparky the Flying Dog which states he was appearing until July 7th, 1958. That was the exact date that workmen finished the demolition of the theater.

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Music Monday: Styx/Paradise Theatre (Act One)

After the drama that took place and the disagreements that boiled over following the previous album Cornerstone, Styx released their 10th studio album in 1981. And I must say, it is one of my top five favorite albums of all time. I am speaking of course about Paradise Theatre.

Paradise Theatre is a concept album which details a fictional account of Chicago's Paradise Theatre (photo on the left) from its grand opening in 1928 (front cover of the album) to its closing and eventual abandonment and demolition in 1958 (back cover). Dennis DeYoung used it as a metaphor for America's changing times from the late 1970's into the 1980's. The band members are depicted as "players", and each side of the album is referred to as "Act One" and "Act Two".

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