Hello. May as well introduce myself and give a little background:)

[Pamela]

I've come to this site to support Dennis, obviously. My background:

I'm a healthcare professional who has spent more of her adult life in and out of school than I care to think about. Medical School being among them.

 

I have an interesting "Styx" story to tell.

My discovery of the band happened in 1981 when I fell in total infatuation with Dennis's voice and the song Best of Times. Ok, I had a GIANT crush on him, fessing up here.. (feeling sheepish).

 

So...I went out and got EVERY single Styx album my 14 year old pocketbook would allow, and within a year, I owned the whole discography up to that point. I also read every article possible on that band, and found myself HATING Rolling Stone (snobs) and the rest of the Rock Critic Establishment for the constant lambasting they gave the band.

 

Unfortunately, I missed the Paradise Tour. Living in the San Fernando Valley (Chatsworth), Styx likely came out to our area and had played their concert already by the time I discovered them. Sooooo my first "Styx" concert came in 1983.

 

By 1983, my ENTIRE room was plastered with Styx memorabilia, and MY favorite member from the get-go was Dennis. Vocals, music, and I thought he was better-looking than Tommy (snicker).

 

It so happens, that my PE teacher at Chatsworth High School's last name was....Lofrano. Bob Lofrano, the same guy who was my brother's baseball coach, and who I came to discover was Chuck Lofrano's (the guy who helped Dennis write Unfinished Song) cousin, and first cousin to the Panozzo brothers (RIP John). Mr Lofrano knew I was totally obsessed with the band Styx. When the Kilroy tour came out, I was sooo hoping he would help me to meet the band, especially Dennis. Busted my butt in his class too for an "A" in hopes of my "just reward."

But, it did not happen, despite the fact he sat in the row in front of me, said hello to me, and wanted to eyeball my program! I remember his backstage pass pinned to his lapel...I was crushed. Mr Lofrano was still a nice guy, but I was a little mad at him after that:)

 

Needless to say, I've loved Styx all my life, even if the whole Kilroy debacle wasn't exactly what I had hoped for when I saw them in concert. I love their progressive music years the most. Which is why 100 Years From Now KICKS butt. I wish I could have seen them in 1978...alas, an 11 year old is too young for a rock concert!

 

Sooo, given my stance as a bona fide DeYoungian, I cannot support that Shaw/Young Freakshow any longer. I believe they (JY more, perhaps) are hypocritical and ungrateful, for the reason they've enjoyed most of their success came via Dennis DeYoung's talent. To this day, I will hope for a reunification of that band. LG can go back to Canada where he's loved for HIS own work.

 

I got one more story to tell you all. I've only been to Chicago once, on March 27th 2005. My Husband and I were passing through, on our way to the airport, when of ALL things on the radio, we heard an advertisement for Dennis DeYoung playing his Lost Treasures and the Music of Styx, the NEXT evening!!! I could NOT believe it, and so, DH and I had to do one HECK of a lot of rearranging and last minute scrambling so we could go see his concert at the house of blues. It was SO worth it, and so meaningful for me to see him on my ONLY trip to Chicago I've ever made, and lo and behold if he did not sound SPECTACULAR and play EVERY song I've ever loved of his...

 

To this day, if I could meet anyone in person, Dennis is likely my #1 choice....even all these years later, I'd probably be all shy and stupid too...LOL. I'd like to meet Oprah too, so hey....maybe I oughta move to Chicago:)

 

So, this is why I am here everyone:)

Thanks for reading, if you made it this far!

 

Edited May 28, 2009 by Pamela

[pinkfloyd1973]

Lol, welcome to DDYtalk Pamela. Great story btw and i'm sorry you didn't get to meet Dennis. Years ago before I went to school (actually it was a little before I was born) Dennis taught in my grade school district (143) in the south suburbs of Chicago, i've been a Dennis/Styx fan since grade school and like you I went out and bought a lot of Styx albums

 

 

Robin

[Pamela]

Lol, welcome to DDYtalk Pamela. Great story btw and i'm sorry you didn't get to meet Dennis. Years ago before I went to school (actually it was a little before I was born) Dennis taught in my grade school district (143) in the south suburbs of Chicago, i've been a Dennis/Styx fan since grade school and like you I went out and bought a lot of Styx albums

 

 

Robin

Robin, I was always really envious of people who got to Live in Chicago, if they were Styx fans. It's like....."Oh, I was at the corner store and lookie who I ran into but Dennis DeYoung!!"

 

I wanted to live there just for a chance of that happening to me. Plus, LA County was HOT and SMOGGY. Yukola.

 

How cool to have gone to the same school district he used to teach in!

Pamela

Edited May 16, 2009 by Pamela

[ladybugking]

First of all, welcome. There were quite a few of us who hop on this board every now and then who were at that amazing HOB concert you saw. (I am impressed! You changed your flight!)

 

I have seen Dennis a few times and that concert ranks at the top of the rock band concerts I have seen him do. What a treat to hear the ONLY time he would ever sing "Unfinished Song" live. And as kick-ass a version of "Best Thing" I have ever heard. Sadly he has only performed that one a couple of more times and now dropped it from the set. It sounded sooooo good!

 

I hope to catch one of the acoustic shows if I can possibly work it out.

[Pamela]

First of all, welcome. There were quite a few of us who hop on this board every now and then who were at that amazing HOB concert you saw. (I am impressed! You changed your flight!)

 

I have seen Dennis a few times and that concert ranks at the top of the rock band concerts I have seen him do. What a treat to hear the ONLY time he would ever sing "Unfinished Song" live. And as kick-ass a version of "Best Thing" I have ever heard. Sadly he has only performed that one a couple of more times and now dropped it from the set. It sounded sooooo good!

 

I hope to catch one of the acoustic shows if I can possibly work it out.

 

We weren't even going to be staying in Chicago. We had been to Indiana to visit my DH's dying Grandmother, and were only IN Chicago to go to the airport. Then that radio announcement came over....

 

Nothing like concert tickets, a $600 hit on planetickets, and a hotel stay all being wrangled at the last second....LOL. That concert was WORTH it though. My Husband now likes Dennis too! Although he always loved "Come Sail Away."