I am a rocker. I may have said it before earlier, in spite of the softer side of our original music, I am rock all the way through. And while I do not mean to derail the upcoming redd appearance with the Dazzling Weasel Faces (when you get the website right, Marty?), the irony of Styx coming to town here in Dallas in mid-November, and me sitting on the back porch listening to Dennis DeYoungs greatest hits cd….well, somehow it just seemed a bit ironic. Some say the parting of the ways from him in Styx (he truly being the founder with the Panozzo bro’s, not JY like the current lineup likes to say in concert) was a rift of musical styles. Some say it was his big ego. Some say he became an emotional wreck difficult to deal with. I do not know or care. While I adore the current line-up, including Lawrence Gowen (why do Canadians like the voices of DeYoung and Gowen ((who is Canadian)) so much?), I do miss DeYoung. OK. Could not take “Babe” in concert. But I sit here listening to his greatest hits, and this is music that flows, is insightful, jazz influenced, man, it is good shit…..So I thought I would do a shout out. And if any of you have not picked up his latest cd…100 Years From Now….do it. Get on the website and look for info on it www.dennisdeyoung.com , see if you can get a copy. The title song is one of my top 20 of all time, and, if you can believe this, a number 1 hit in Quebec….remember the Canadian reference? Well, there you go. Not sure how up to date the website is, the last post from his wife was June of 2009.
A Bit Older Now
And to sure folks, right now as I finish this post, “Black Wall” is playing on the CD, and this is one of my top 10 of all time, as is Styx’s “Show Me The Way”, another DeYoung penned song. I do not think even my beloved Doors have 2 songs in my top 10….there you go. Hats off to you Dennis. I understand the tiff, the lawsuits, the current guys bagging on you on occasion, but you know, really, Styx was the best, and I mean the best, when all of you were together…Shaw, Young, Panozzo x two, DeYoung….the chemistry, talent for song writing, voices, performance was second to none. I still remember growing up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Styx was a local icon before the market ever knew of them…..and I miss you guys
And Dennis, if you do come through Dallas playing music of Styx with DSO….well, I think it is cheesy, but I will be there, in the front row
