Styx (band)

Styx
Styx, 2009. L-R: Lawrence Gowan, Tommy Shaw, James Young, Todd Sucherman, and Ricky Phillips.
Background information
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Progressive rock hard rock art rock pop rock arena rock
Years active	1972–1984 1989–1992 1995–present
Labels	Wooden Nickel A&M Interscope Sanctuary CMC International New Door
Associated acts	REO Speedwagon Damn Yankees The Babys Bad English Don Felder Tradewinds TW4
Website	styxworld.com
Members	Chuck Panozzo James "J.Y." Young Tommy Shaw Todd Sucherman Lawrence Gowan Ricky Phillips
Past members	Dennis DeYoung John Panozzo John "J.C." Curulewski Glen Burtnik

Styx /ˈstɪks/ is an American rock band from Chicago that formed in 1972 and became famous for its albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are best known for melding the style of pop rock and hard rock with the power of a hard-rock guitar balanced with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre.

Styx is best known for the hit songs "Lady" (#6, 1973), "Come Sail Away" (#8, 1977), "Babe" (#1, 1979), "The Best of Times" (#3, 1981), "Too Much Time on My Hands" (#9, 1981) and "Mr. Roboto" (#3, 1983). Other major hits include "Show Me the Way" (#3, 1990), "Don't Let It End" (#6, 1983), "Renegade" (#16, 1979) and "Boat on the River", a big hit in much of Europe and Japan. The band has five consecutive albums certified multi-platinum by the RIAA as well as 16 top 40 singles in the US, 8 of which hit the top 10.

Twin brothers Chuck (bass guitar) and John Panozzo (drums) first got together with their neighbor Dennis DeYoung (vocals and keyboards) while living in the Roseland area, eventually taking the band name "the Tradewinds". Chuck Panozzo left to attend seminary school for a year but returned to the group by 1964. Tom Nardini had been brought in to replace Chuck on guitar and Chuck decided to play bass guitar when he returned to the band. John Panozzo was one of their first drummers, while Dennis DeYoung had switched from accordion to organ and piano. In 1965, the name "Tradewinds" was changed to TW4 (There Were 4) after another band called the Trade Winds broke through nationally. By 1966, the Panozzo brothers had joined DeYoung at Chicago State College and kept the group together doing gigs at high schools and frat parties while studying to be teachers. In 1969 they added a college friend, John Curulewski, on guitar after Tom Nardini departed. Guitarist James "J.Y." Young came aboard in 1970 making TW4 a quintet.