Styx Live - A Definite Must See

After living the last six years in spots where it's just damn near impossible to see a concert (Alaska and Hawaii), upon finalizing my decision to move back to the mainland I began seeking Styx concert tickets. Just prior to the events that had led up to my move I had noted online that they were touring and had been disappointed to realize that I really couldn't afford a flight to the west coast to see a concert. I have probably been to over a hundred live shows, everything from Peter, Paul and Mary or Simon and Garfunkel to Kiss and Metallica, I have very eclectic musical tastes, I used to sing with a country and western band, and I played cello for many years. Although I have attended many live shows I had yet to see one of my favorite bands - Styx, I don't know how or why - I guess the opportunity had just never presented itself..

I was moving back to Indiana, where my children and grand-children live, and I had, unfortunately, missed their Indianapolis show. In trying to find tickets to a show that wasn't too awfully far away, I ended up purchasing tickets for October at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Yes, it was supposed to be a 12 hour drive, but the only show I had been fortunate enough to see in the last six years was Elton John in Anchorage, AK, a six hundred dollar round trip flight from the bush village I was living and working in, and I was jonesing for a show....and not just any show - STYX! About a month after I purchased the South Carolina tickets, a Lexington, KY concert was announced, so I bought tickets there too.

I booked a hotel room at the Baywatch Resort in North Myrtle Beach for the night before and the night of the show, so my son and I could rest after the drive, and made my plans, including ordering a new digital camera to capture whatever footage I could at the show. I have often heard of Styx's graciousness and respect for their fans, and I was hopeful that the venue would be such that the bus was out in the open, in hopes of meeting one or all of the band.

The way I drive it ended up being a ten hour drive to Myrtle, we checked in to what turned out to be a lovely hotel and a very nice suite. Downside: non-smoking, but then almost all hotels are now, much to the chagrin of those stubborn smokers who have yet to quit, like myself. Sat on the balcony for a bit watching the surf and the sunset after we settled in, and crashed hard after a long day in the car. In the morning we got up and went out to breakfast at a local waffle house kind of joint. I had purchased two extra tickets for my daughter and her husband, as well, but they ended up not being able to attend - so in finding that my waitress was a big fan who couldn't afford to go to the show, I tipped her the two extra tickets. She was delighted and I felt great for being able to do it.

We spent the rest of the day anxiously waiting for the show, including a drive around Myrtle hoping to spot them out and about, as Tommy Shaw, at least, often goes biking when they are out on tour. We also went to scope out the venue in advance for parking. It was during this drive-about that we found the Styx bus parked out back of the venue! It looked like I just might be lucky enough to get an autograph after the show, if the band was up to it after performing.

We arrived to the House of Blues two hours before the show, as we had bought "Crash the Barricade" tickets which provide a meal and first chance in the door to those who buy them an hour before the concert. We had a couple drinks and waited for the CTB to begin. Once it did the group of fans who had also bought the tickets for CTB began jockeying for position in line. This, it turns out, ended up being somewhat futile, as once we got to the entrance to the hall itself they split the single file line into three or four lines and then funneled you back into one line - in other words it was a real, um, cluster...trying to get into the hall.

The House of Blues venue itself was very cool, with a funky (exterior) decor and a laid back vibe. My son and I ended up right against the barricade in front of stage right, Tommy Shaw's area. In fact, we were ultimately directly in front of where Tommy would play, unless he was running across the stage or making his presence felt in front of the rest of the stage. The were opened by The Dirty Guv'nahs, whom I had not heard of, but whom I thought had a very "Black Crowes" sound to them. I very much enjoyed them and the lead singer was a blast to watch, he was almost epileptic in his movements and I actually feared he may fall from the stage a couple different times during their short set.

When Styx came out there was an explosion from the crowd, the excitement, adoration and love was palpable, both from the crowd to the band, and from the band to the crowd. They sounded absolutely fabulous, except for one small sound snafu that was quickly corrected. Tommy was more energetic than I have felt since I was fifteen, Gowan's vocals and "ham" factor were exceptional, Todd was a drumming god, Ricky smiled as he rocked out on the bass guitar, JY was in rare form with over-the-top facial expressions, and I don't think his voice ever changes - Miss America was pure delight, and I was ecstatic when Chuck Panozzo came out to play. I couldn't have asked for more. One of my greatest wishes for the show as to see Chuck, as a founding member of the band AND in that he has amazed me with his candidness about his HIV/AIDS diagnosis in speaking out for LGBT rights and AIDS awareness.

There has been much debate through the personnel changes in the band as to whether or not without Dennis DeYoung they are still really "Styx", many feel that the "new" (they've been together 13 or more years as-is) form of the band is essentially a "tribute band" - I have been a fan for over 30 years, and I can only say that I completely and thoroughly enjoyed every moment, from "Man in the Wilderness" to "Crystal Ball", with it's soaring vocals, and "Come Sail Away". They sounded better than ever, they put on a helluva show, hamming it up for fans and posing for pictures as they played, throwing out guitar picks, drumsticks and towels, and generally just having as much fun playing for us as we had watching and listening to them. Their harmonies were as pure as ever, the intros, licks and epic solos didn't disappoint, and the lead vocals were as strong and moving as any one could hope for, exceeding all expectations I could have had. I had acknowledged (to myself) when I bought the tickets that they were all in their fifties and sixties now, and would have settled for a "good" show, but this show was amazing, and the energy expended put to shame many much young bands I have seen live. Gowan is one hell of a performer, and although there is a similarity, I did not feel as though he was up there trying to sound like someone else, he certainly brought his own vocal stylings to the table, further he was a solo headliner in his own right before joining Styx.

As I said, I bought tickets for the Lexington, KY, show when they came on sale as well, and was fortunate enough to score second row seats, and after seeing them in Myrtle Beach I am extremely glad that I did. But, I digress, I almost forgot to tell you about the cherry on top - after the show my son and I walked around back by the buses (where we purposely parked in case any one tried to shoo us away)...and with about twenty other people we patiently waited for about 30 minutes until one by one they began coming out to meet us, smile and pose with fans for pictures, and sign autographs.

First Gowan came out, he was very friendly, smiling for picture with me and signing autographs for my son and I. Ricky came out next, another extremely friendly (and handsome) fellow who was very down-to-earth, again posing and signing. Chuck came out and we spoke for some moments about his activism and his health, and he graciously posed for pictures with any askers, and signed autographs as well. When Chuck headed back in their were yells from the small crowd of "I love you Chuck" - I don't know how many out there that night knew the significance of his appearance and how fortunate we all were, as many of the crowd were younger and not around for much of their early career. Lastly Tommy Shaw came out to greet us. Again gracious, very much like running into an old friend. He chatted, posed, hugged, and signed autographs. JY and Todd didn't make an appearance, but after all that we did get from that night, we just could not have asked for any more.

When I told Tommy that we had driven down from Indiana just for the show he gasped and eyes wide asked, "Did you sleep???" I explained that we had come down a day early and got a room and weren't leaving until morning. I went on to tell him that I had procured tickets for the Lexington show as well and I would be in the second row 'please toss me a pick or a towel, I didn't catch anything from ya'll tonight'....and Tommy reached into his pocket and handed me a guitar pick and thanked us for coming so far to see them play.

I would recommend their show to every classic rock fan out there, I would also recommend, to Styx fans, that you purchase Regeneration I and II. It appears they lost the masters to some of the old staples, and they wanted to re-record with their current line-up - so they released Regeneration in 2010 and they are well worth the purchase price. If you want to follow up on the latest Styx news or tour info: www.styxworld.com.