“I was fortunate enough to be a musician at the greatest time in the history of mankind,” DeYoung said. “There was that sweet spot — from the late ’60s to the late ’80s, where young people were focused heavily on music. They didn’t have all the distractions they have today. Most people had three or four TV channels, so young people turned to musicians and we were standing there.”
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That period was also when groups like Styx toured relentlessly and were still expected to record a new album each year. The band maintained that schedule for years, releasing 12 albums between 1972 and 1984. The most successful releases were the triple-platinum sellers “The Grand Illusion” (1977) and its follow-up, “Pieces of Eight” (1978).
"We released all those albums and we did 100-plus shows a year," DeYoung said. "That's quite a rigorous schedule. I'm most proud of the fact the band made me a lot of money. No, I'm just kidding. I'm most proud we somehow, with that hectic schedule, were able to have a series of albums I can look back and be proud of in terms of songwriting. It was good."
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Hits like “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” “Babe” and “Mr. Roboto” have stood the test of time. Fans still come out to hear the songs in concert. A version of Styx still tours with James Young and Tommy Shaw. DeYoung, who wrote all but one of the group’s eight Top 10 hits, is touring with his own band playing material from the Styx catalog.
"The idea of this band was to recreate the sound of those albums and the spirit of those Styx concerts and, doggone it, mission accomplished," he said. "All you have to do is go to my Facebook page, Ticketmaster or anywhere else and see what people say about it. You'll see how much they think this music really reminds them of the glory days.
“When I play those songs, I’m recreating for people, what they believe are the best of times in their lives,” DeYoung said. “When they hear that music, they’re no longer their current age, with their current problems — they’re young, innocent and the whole world lies ahead of them. I provide them with the ability to connect with those ideas.”
Want to go?
WHO: Dennis DeYoung's Music of Styx with Blue Oyster Cult
WHERE: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 21
COST: $25-$35 in advance, $30-$40 at the door
MORE INFO: 937-296-3300 or www.fraze.com
ARTIST INFO: www.dennisdeyoung.com
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