Happy 42nd birthday

http://somethingelsereviews.com/2015/01/09/styx-dennis-deyoung-journey-foreigner/

https://issuu.com/hinsdalemagazine/docs/hmjan2015_9b363dd6417b3b/1?e=0

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/richardson-lake-highlands/headlines/20150105-founding-member-of-styx-to-perform-at-eisemann.ece 

If you’ve been jamming out to Dennis DeYoung’s new Styx-tastic concert film (like we have), you’ve probably noticed his yellow ear plugs. That’s not just a function of growing into a late-period rocker. In fact, DeYoung is living with hearing problem that goes back to Styx’s 1979’s multi-platinum release Cornerstone.

That album found Styx working for the first time at Pumpkin Studios in Oak Lawn, Illinois. They’d previously recorded four straight studio projects, going back to 1975’s Equinox, at Chicago’s Paragon facility.

“I spent more hours mixing that album then any album I had ever worked on,” DeYoung says, “in an effort to prove to the band that the move was not folly.” The work paid off, and not just with millions in sales. Cornerstone, powered by his huge hit “Babe,” was nominated for both best group vocal performance and — in a nod to DeYoung’s efforts — engineering.

Still, Styx’s unfamiliarity with the new environs played a role in an eventual tinnitus diagnosis for DeYoung. As the group gathered for its traditional post-production listening party, their late drummer John Panozzo inadvertently pushed the wrong button and sent a 1K signal tone through the studio at about 110 decibels — with Dennis DeYoung standing mere inches away from an enormous speaker.

“I was momentarily disoriented and then the ringing began. It would not stop,” DeYoung adds. His hearing has never been the same. “I wore ear plugs daily for the next year and have worn them ever since when performing,” he says. “I took nearly four years for my ears to calm down.”

He can joke about it now, and does. But, as a result, Dennis DeYoung has “never heard any rock performance I have ever done” since then. “For both Paradise Theater and Kilroy, I used them in the studio when playing, singing and mixing. This has taken the true joy of performance away from me, because what I hear is muffled and quite simply uninspiring. … I say this not for sympathy but to clarify why you will see those bright yellow things sticking out of my ears. No, that is not wax build up.”

http://www.axs.com/dennis-deyoung-discusses-infectious-new-live-album-desert-moon-and-sty-27875#slide=2

This year marks the 30th anniversary of your first solo album, "Desert Moon". Can you tell me the origin of that song?

 

I was originally one of the songwriters who had been asked to toss a song in for a movie called "Dune", which was based on a science fiction novel and included references to a desert with two moons. But as I was writing it, I suddenly got word that they weren't looking for songs anymore. So I said, "Ok", and then started to think more about deserts and moons. “Desert Moon” is obviously a metaphor for lost innocence. When I look at the lyric to that song, it's very poignant now. It really captures the spirit of the loss of time and the passage of innocence. How those wondrous moments go by so quickly and the struggle to recapture it is something that human beings have been dealing with since the beginning of time. The gathering scene in the video beautifully portrays that idealized moment in time.

 

I don't recall DDY mentioning before that he was asked to write material for the movie "Dune".  So I found this tid bit interesting.

http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/show_interview.php?id=1075

I think this is a really good article. I found a lot of the comments that he makes to be more in depth than his usual answers to the questions. Especially his comments about how he focus on melody, i never heard that in one of his interview before that i can remember, and myself being someone who is going for a degree in music and engineering appreciated it, because i really like melody. 

His comments on the music industry are also newish and as usual i enjoy what he has to say. 

Also he basically confirms a new album in the next few years! 

© The Flash List | October 13, 2012

Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

Is there anything more sublime than the combination of classical music and classic rock? To us, the crossover of these two genres (think “

The elegant Meyerson turned cool rocker chic as guests filed into the auditorium adorned in denim, leather, lace, an ankle tat or two … even Conductor Arnie Roth was sporting a pony tail. As drumsticks ticked out 1-2-3-4 and a dozen roaming spotlights colored the stage, the first of several standing ovations occurred immediately as DeYoung bounded on stage belting out the lyrics:

Welcome to the grand illusion

Come on in and see what's happening

Pay the price, get your tickets for the show.

Vigorously energetic and extremely interactive with fans (many of whom were experiencing his live show for the first time ever), DeYoung was bedecked in a dapper set of shades and head-to-toe black (though admittedly sporting an

The DSO gave a powerful supporting performance, contributing emotion and technical strength to the skill and expertise of DeYoung’s own six-member band comprised of backing vocalist (and wife) Suzanne DeYoung, bassist Craig Carter, keyboardist John Blasucci, classical percussionist Tom Sharpe (whose front and center stage position showcased his

And as if we were all in some intense, speed-round version of

In a special tribute, DeYoung introduced Suzanne, his childhood sweetheart and wife of 42 years, who he kissed and chased across stage before touting her ‘attributes’ (exhibiting a bit of the sexy, babe-a-licious, Coco and Ice-T vibe that exists between them). He then encouraged the audience to sing along with him during “

DeYoung’s promise that “I don’t care what’s going on in your life; if you come see me, you’re going to have a good time” was thoroughly fulfilled and greatly appreciated as we enjoyed all our favorite Styx tunes sounding just the way we remember them especially during an encore including “

So we say “domo arigato” Mr. DeYoung (and all) for a phenomenal concert which was certainly “

For more information about Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx including tour dates and cities, visit the band online at http://www.dennisdeyoung.com

There are a ton of negative comments after the article (both against Styx and Dennis). Maybe some of you would be inclined to post your own comment.