Styx Bandmates Share Their Thoughts on Dennis DeYoung | The Big Interview

Dennis used to freqytge bookstore l worked in during the late 80's. He was very polite, but kept a low profile. I was a huge fan in the 70's and told him so. He smiled and thanked me and shook my hand. I really wish these guys could have worked things out.

Saw Styx in 1981 on the Paradise Theatre tour, great show. De Young is a phenomenal singer, I remember him walking on stage at the start with a player piano ringing out ,and singing ''Tonights the night we'll make history'' It was pretty cool.

I have seen Dennis DeYoung solo and was blown away. The man still has the pipes. Now don't get me wrong, l love Styx but I have never seen them live, with or without Dennis. To me, Dennis IS the voice of Styx.

Tommy Shaw was a huge influence on my playing and writing. I met him years ago in Nashville. We had a great visit and he could not have been nicer.

Styx is an incredible band with nothing but gushes of talent. Too bad they couldn't all agree on things, but the entirety of their work is unequaled. I grew up in the late 70s and early 80s and Styx music is a huge part of the soundtrack of my life.

I might be the outlier here but Styx, to me, was Dennis, Tommy, JY and the Panozzos. I know Tommy was a replacement, but even before Tommy was not the definitive band for me. I got into Styx' music at the same time Tommy joined the band and they have been definitive to me. "Come Sail Away", "Babe", "The Best of Times", "Lady", all belong to Dennis. It's like being at a karaoke concert without him. Journey is Steve Perry and Neal. Foreigner is Lou and Mick. REO Speedwagon is Kevin and Gary. Some people just make the band what they are and no one can really take their place. Having these strangers in their place losses something. Without those originals, you really just have a Kenney Jones.

They were my first true concert, 1978, The Grand Illusion Tour at Cobo Arena in Detroit. I was 15. They were still rocking hard in 78. Great show.

I really wish we could get along before it's all over. Each of you are so great and together you were magic.

Styx at Maple Leaf Gardens in the late 70's - my first concert. Such an enormous musical influence in me as a teenager, and I still love their music many, many moons later

Saw Dennis a couple of years ago. He looks and sounds great!

It's sad that so many great bands end up forever separated, unable to perform together the music that made them legends.

I have seen them twice over the past 10 years and loved both shows. These guys still rock and deliver great value for money. Long live Styx.

Got the autographs and pics with the drummer John Panozzo and guitarist James Young when they visited our Marine Corps Base in 29 Palms in '85! That was wild watching them come to our chow hall and tour the base.

Growing up during the 70’s Styx was a huge part of my life, but it seems when you have talented people who have different ideas on the future of the band, they break up! Every time I hear there music I always wonder what could of happened if they didn’t split up, anyway I’m glad to have the opportunity to enjoy the works of Styx! Rock on

It says a lot that these guys still perform many of the the songs that Dennis wrote, including Come Sail Away, The Grand Illusion and Lady. Say what you will, he was the main force in the band and when he left, I left with him as a fan.

Lawrence Gowan sure said some of the smartest and most-respectful things he possibly could here. Seems like a very cool dude.

Been listening to these guys since the 70s .. I was able to see them live in Biloxi Mississippi about 12 years ago .. they were the best live band I have ever seen hands down and I have seen many .

Im a Styx purist and never accepted Dennis’ departure but listening to Gowan he is sa class act.

There are some interviews that you wish would continue on. This is one of them. Bummed it ended so soon. Would enjoy hearing more.

Thank you Tommy, James and Lawrence!!! I LOVE Styx. We played many of your songs in cover bands in the 80s. What a blast! What a great band! Thanks for the memories and the great music. Saw you in Greensboro NC recently. GREAT SHOW!!!!