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Started In 1999 – The Tour That Never Ends… STYX!
Many classic rock-era bands have found second lives and extended careers by taking their shows on the road, but Styx not only survived the departure of two key members – Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw – but reformed and thrived.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen
of Styx
Styx became a year-round touring act in 1999 and in the intervening years has created a well-oiled machine and learned the fine art of balancing personalities, crew schedules and creating opportunities to keep the performances and music fresh. It’s a model that could be unique in the concert business.
Certainly, it could be emulated by any artist hoping to have a career last decades. Moderator Danny Zelisko, whom the band credits with being one of the promoters who unfailingly believed in it over the course of some 40 years, led the discussion with Styx manager Charlie Brusco of Red Light Management, agent Rod Essig of Creative Artists Agency, tour manager George Packer and band members James “JY” Young, Shaw (who returned to the band 20 years ago), and Lawrence Gowan.
Styx had its greatest success in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, but had been inactive for some time when its record label decided to issue a greatest hits album but couldn’t get permission to add “Lady” to the record. Young called Shaw, who had just wrapped a tour with Damn Yankees, to see if he’d be interested in re-recording the track for the album.
He wasn’t on the original recording of the hit single, but had sung parts many times and agreed. Shaw realized he hadn’t actually spoken to anyone in the band for some 14 years. The sessions went great, everyone went out to dinner when they were over and, the next thing they knew, were making plans to tour. That was in 1995.
Four years later, DeYoung left the band but the other members decided to soldier on. A new singer and keyboardist named Lawrence Gowan, well-known in Canada but not in the U.S., auditioned and won the job. The never-ending tour was about begin. Boredom on the road is always a challenge, let alone when a band is playing more than 100 shows a year, going on 16 years.
“Our most recent set was built so it can be made large enough for stadiums or small enough to go into the House of Blues in New Orleans,” Shaw said. “It can fit through the smallest door opening backstage. We worked for years to be able to have production wherever we go. We can get a couple of pieces in any room so that it looks like a Styx show.
“We never get bored. We like to get thrown into situations where we have to figure out a new stage. It’s different from how we used to do things, when we only played arenas and amphitheatres. When you’ve been around as long as we have, you don’t want to be bored or complacent.”
Styx also switches up how it performs. Whether it’s with Journey, REO Speedwagon or another band in a co-bill alignment or, as the band was doing the weekend of Pollstar Live, performing with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, flexibility and a willingness to play well with others keeps creativity flowing and people happy.
“This band and this organization does not fight,” Brusco said. “Everyone in the band, crew, organization, like each other and care for each other. George [Packer] and I take it upon ourselves to make sure big issues don’t bother the band. From all the stuff we’ve done together, we all know each other inside out. I’ve been with these guys longer than I’ve been married.”
Gowan pointed out that the band will go from playing with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra to playing a rodeo in a matter of a couple of weeks. They’ve recorded three concerts for DVD, including a performance of arguably their two greatest albums, “The Grand Illusion” and “Pieces of Eight,” which can be seen on AXS TV. They package tours with artists they get along with, and hire an independent production manager to maintain some balance between headliners when needed.
“This band does not have an elitist attitude about where we are going to play,” Gowan said “There’s the symphony tonight, and the rodeo in a couple of weeks. A great rock show is the greatest form of entertainment there is, and we’re going to provide that. We have a competent team of people who are going to make that work.”
The team extends beyond the immediate members. Essig said that Styx is “an all-CAA artist. Everyone works with them at some time. If I’m not in the office, any of the other agents can handle anything that arises without even having to ask what’s needed. Everyone knows what everyone else’s needs are.” The band is quick to acknowledge the contributions of the rest of the team.
“Every rock band is looking for a champion that understands what the band is about and has value for fans,” Young said. “And we talked to a lot of people in addition to Charlie. Rod and Danny believed in us forever and had no doubts what would succeed in whatever configuration we chose to do. In the mid-90s, everyone else said you are out, MTV is playing grunge. Our prime was in the ‘70s. But they believed,” Young said.
Zelisko added that it’s a two-way street. “If you’re a pain in the ass and you’re not making money, you won’t come back,” he emphasized. “When I book rooms with George, things go very smoothly. I will work with a lot of bands, but this band is one of the finest running machines on the road. Their tickets are priced correctly, everybody gets along, and the fans love them.”
It’s all working – Essig said that by mid-February, he had already booked the band for the entire year and they can now start talking about plans for 2016.