STYX COMES THROUGH WITH TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE IN SOLD-OUT CALIFORNIA SHOW
By Gerry Gittelson
Melodicrock.com Los Angeles correspondent
ANAHEIM, Calif., USA -- It's been more than 15 years since Dennis DeYoung left the rock band Styx, yet the fivesome plays on -- performing a lot more shows every year than Styx did when their great founding singer was still around.
Styx made their way through Southern California just recently, including a sold-out performance Thursday, Jan. 21 at City National Grove in the shadow of Disneyland, and the capacity crowd was going crazy for all the hits like "Blue Collar Man," "Renegade" and of course "Come Sail Away."
Original guitarists Tommy Shaw and James Young remain, and both have done a good job combating the cruel realities of the calendar. At 61, Shaw, especially, still looks young and fit, and his voice was darn near perfect on "Man in The Wilderness" and "Crystal Ball."
Young took the microphone for "Miss America," proving full well that he can kick some ass, too.
Meanwhile, Canadian import Lawrence Gowan has settled in nicely as DeYoung's replacement -- no easy task -- and though the tenor of Gowan's voice sounds different, he still came through with well-executed versions of "Lady," "Come Sail Away" and "Suide Madame Blue," as all three selections proved among the evening's highlights.
For nearly two hours Styx rocked, and there was never a dull moment. The band has a keen feel for timing with a little choreography thrown in, and it never hurts to throw in a Beatles classic -- in this case, "I Am The Walrus."
Bassist Ricky Phillips from The Babys and Bad English did a fine job holding down the beat with drummer drummer Todd Sucherman, and original Styx bassic Chuck Panozzo even came out to join in for a few songs like "Fooling Yourself."
In all, a triumphant night for Styx, no question about it. The band is still among America's best, and the fact there was nothing offered that predated 1983 or so should be seen as a bonus, not a negative.
No reason to play new material when there are so many classics. It's a good position to be in. Nostalgic? Maybe. Thoroughly entertaining? You bet.
