Album Information:
Album ID: 9846
About Styx:
Styx is an American progressive rock band that was formed in Chicago in 1972. The band consists of members Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitar), James 'JY' Young (vocals, guitar), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums), Ricky Phillips (bass), and Chuck Panozzo (bass). Styx is known for their unique sound that has combined elements of hard rock, progressive rock, and pop throughout their career.
Styx's history began when brothers Chuck and John Panozzo formed the band in the early 1960s. Over the years, the band went through several lineup changes before settling on the lineup that would eventually bring them success in the 1970s. In 1972, the band signed with Wooden Nickel Records, eventually leading to the release of their debut album, Styx. However, it wasn't until their fourth album, 1975's 'Equinox,' that Styx achieved commercial success with hits such as 'Lorelei' and 'Suite Madame Blue.'
Styx's next album, 1977's 'The Grand Illusion,' cemented the band's status as one of the biggest acts of the 1970s. The album featured hits such as 'Come Sail Away' and 'Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),' and would eventually go multi-platinum. The band continued to release successful albums throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, with 'Pieces of Eight' and 'Paradise Theater' being particularly successful.
By the mid-1980s, Styx's lineup had changed once again and the band's popularity began to decline. However, they continued to tour and release new music throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 1990, the band released the album 'Edge of the Century,' which featured the hit single 'Show Me the Way.' Throughout the 2000s, Styx remained an active touring act and released several live albums.
In recent years, Styx has continued to tour and release new music. In 2017, the band released 'The Mission,' their first album of new material in 14 years. The album received positive reviews and debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart.
Overall, Styx has sold over 54 million records worldwide and is considered one of the most successful progressive rock bands of all time. Their unique sound and ability to blend different genres of music has made them a popular and influential band that has inspired many other musicians throughout their career.
About the album Styx II:
Styx II is the second studio album by the American rock band Styx, released in 1973. The album has a range of musical styles, from progressive rock to hard rock, and features prominent use of keyboards and vocal harmonies.
The opening track, 'You Need Love,' sets a high-energy tone with its driving guitar riffs and powerful vocals. The songs 'Lady' and 'A Day' are classic Styx ballads that showcase the band's talent for blending rock and pop sensibilities.
The album also features some progressive rock elements, particularly in the epic track 'The Grove of Eglantine,' which includes intricate instrumentation and changing time signatures.
Keyboardist Dennis DeYoung's skills are on display throughout the album, particularly on the tracks 'You Better Ask' and 'Earl of Roseland.'
The album closes with the track 'I'm Gonna Make You Feel It,' which features aggressive guitar work and dynamic vocals, leaving the listener with a lasting impression of Styx's sound and style.
Overall, Styx II showcases the band's versatility and musicianship, and is a solid example of progressive rock from the early 1970s.
Members:
Styx is an American rock band that formed in the 1970s. The key members of the band are:
1. Tommy Shaw (guitar, vocals):
Tommy Shaw was born on September 11, 1953, in Montgomery, Alabama. Before joining Styx, he was a member of the band A&M. He joined Styx in 1975, and his first album with the band was 'Crystal Ball.' Tommy has also released several solo albums during his career.
2. James 'J.Y.' Young (guitar, vocals):
James Young was born on November 14, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois. He was a founding member of Styx, and has been with the band since its inception in 1972. Besides his work with Styx, Young has also released a solo album.
3. Dennis DeYoung (keyboards, lead vocals):
Dennis DeYoung was born on February 18, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois. He joined the band in 1970 as the keyboardist and lead vocalist. He wrote many of the band's most popular songs, including 'Babe.' DeYoung left Styx in 1999 to pursue a solo career.
4. Chuck Panozzo (bass):
Chuck Panozzo was born on September 20, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of the founding members of Styx, and has been the band's bassist since the beginning. Panozzo announced his retirement from the band in 2021.
5. John Panozzo (drums):
John Panozzo was born on September 20, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the band's original drummer and played on all of their albums until his death in 1996.
6. Glen Burtnik (bass, vocals):
Glen Burtnik was born on April 8, 1955, in North Brunswick, New Jersey. He joined Styx in 1989 as a bassist and vocalist, and played with the band until 1991.
7. Todd Sucherman (drums):
Todd Sucherman was born on May 2, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois. He joined Styx in 1996 as their new drummer, replacing John Panozzo. Sucherman has been with the band ever since and has become a key member of the group. He has also released a solo album.
Note: This list only includes key members of Styx and not all of the members who have been a part of the band's history.
Track List for Styx II:
Certainly! Here are the tracks from Styx II by Styx in order along with their play time and a brief description of each:
1. 'You Need Love' (3:48) - This hard-hitting opening track features a catchy guitar riff and driving beat, with vocals that range from gritty to soaring.
2. 'Lady' (3:03) - One of Styx's most famous songs, 'Lady' is a tender ballad with a simple piano melody and emotive vocals that make it a classic.
3. 'A Day' (8:23) - This epic track takes listeners on a musical journey, with dynamic shifts in tempo and a variety of instrumental sections showcasing the band's versatility.
4. 'You Better Ask' (4:00) - A bluesy rocker with a funky groove, 'You Better Ask' features powerful vocals and a raunchy guitar solo.
5. 'Little Fugue in 'G' (1:15) - A brief classical piece showcasing the band's musical chops, this instrumental track offers a moment of reflection before launching into the final three songs.
6. 'Father O.S.A.' (7:07) - A haunting, cinematic track with eerie sound effects and sparse instrumentation, 'Father O.S.A.' builds to a climactic conclusion with layered vocals and pounding drums.
7. 'Earl of Roseland' (4:41) - An upbeat, catchy tune with a jazzy feel, 'Earl of Roseland' features playful keyboard and guitar solos and a sing-along chorus.
8. 'I'm Gonna Make You Feel It' (2:50) - Closing out the album with a blast of hard rock energy, 'I'm Gonna Make You Feel It' features distorted guitar and aggressive vocals that leave listeners wanting more.
Overall, Styx II showcases the band's diverse musical influences and talented musicianship, setting the stage for their successful career in rock music.
Discography for Styx:
Here is a complete discography for the artist Styx in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:
Albums:
- Styx (1972)
- Styx II (1973)
- The Serpent Is Rising (1973)
- Man of Miracles (1974)
- Equinox (1975)
- Crystal Ball (1976)
- The Grand Illusion (1977)
- Pieces of Eight (1978)
- Cornerstone (1979)
- Paradise Theater (1981)
- Kilroy Was Here (1983)
- Edge of the Century (1990)
- Brave New World (1999)
- Cyclorama (2003)
- Big Bang Theory (2005)
- The Mission (2017)
Singles:
- 'Best Thing' (1972)
- 'Lady' (1973)
- 'You Need Love' (1974)
- 'Lorelei' (1975)
- 'Mademoiselle' (1976)
- 'Come Sail Away' (1977)
- 'Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)' (1978)
- 'Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)' (1978)
- 'Renegade' (1979)
- 'Babe' (1979)
- 'Why Me' (1980)
- 'The Best of Times' (1981)
- 'Too Much Time on My Hands' (1981)
- 'Nothing Ever Goes as Planned' (1981)
- 'Mr. Roboto' (1983)
- 'Don't Let It End' (1983)
- 'High Time' (1983)
- 'Music Time' (1984)
- 'Love Is the Ritual' (1990)
- 'Show Me the Way' (1991)
- 'Everything Is Cool' (2004)
Other releases:
- Styx: Live at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas (2015)
- One with Everything: Styx and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra (2006)
- Styxworld Live 2001 (2001)
- Return to Paradise (1997)
- Caught in the Act (1984)
- Styx Classics Volume 15 (1987)
- Styx Greatest Hits (1995)
- Styx Greatest Hits Part 2 (1996)
- 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Styx (2002)