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THE GRAND DELUSION - The Unauthorized True Story Of Styx (Paperback) By Sterling Whitaker |
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Posted: 02/20/08Reviewed by: Dirt Category: Classic Rock Released: 03/08/07
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Styx was one of the first rock bands that I really got into as teenager. I especially enjoyed their hard rock side, but I think the real secret to their success was the fact that the band had three lead singers that appealed to various fans. Dennis DeYoung pulled in the fans of sensitive ballads ("Babe"), Tommy Shaw pleased those that enjoyed pop rock anthems ("Two Much Time On My Hands," "Renegade"), and James Young's heavier tracks ("Miss America," "Half Penny Two Penny") attracted the hard rockers. Few bands could appeal to such a cross-section of fans. Unfortunately, the band derailed with the release of Kilroy Was Here, but as I learned in this unauthorized biography of the band, problems existed in the band even during its most successful period.
Author Sterling Whitaker certainly did his homework to create The Grand Delusion (a great title!), despite the fact that he was unable to secure many (if any) quotes from the classic band lineup. The book is basically told through the use of interviews conducted with people that surrounded the band - record label executives, band managers, booking agents, road managers, crew members, and more recent additions to the band (Todd Sucherman - current drummer and Glen Burtnik - former guitarist/bassist). Whitaker adds his own comments to connect the interviews, but the focus is definitely on those interviewed.
The book covers the band's entire career, from their beginnings as TW4 (There Were 4), all the way up to the present version of Styx that is fronted by Tommy Shaw and James Young. The interviews paint a picture of a dysfunctional unit, which isn't a surprise to those that have followed the band, but much of the dysfunction seems to have come from Dennis DeYoung's self-centered, controlling nature. It seems that the band has ended up in its current formation, minus DeYoung, because Shaw and Young finally got sick of him. To me, the most fascinating part of the book, though, was the information uncovered about Kilroy Was Here and all of the failed solo releases from DeYoung, Shaw, and Young.
The Bloody Truth: While there are sporadic quotes from DeYoung, Young, Shaw, and Chuck Panozzo throughout the book, it is unfortunate that the key members couldn't have told their stories in detail here. Ironically, though, we may have actually gotten a truer account from those that surrounded the band. Sterling Whitaker has delivered an engrossing read that I simply could not put down. If you grew up during the 70s and 80s, were/are a fan of Styx, or just classic rock in general, you'll want to dig into this 364 page paperback.
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