Dennis DeYoung on Styx: "The fans want a reunion"

[Rick]

Cyclorama and Can't Slow Down are pretty damn good albums, post real lead singer.

When Perry dropped down to a lower register, he sounded fricken' awesome. Captured by the Moment blew me away. Don't know why he didn't do more of that.

Awesome song. Probably my favorite of his solo stuff.

[Everett]

Not all fans. Just my two cents carry on.

[G.I.Jim]

That's it. Screw Styx. I'm done with them.

But..but...Jimi Jamison is getting back with Survivor. There's good times ahead for sure.

Now, Jim Peterik needs to as well.

Dude, are you being serious about this? Survivor is an embarrassment of a band. My God, you must be high.

I don't even know why I'm bothering to respond to this, but.....for what it's worth, I think Survivor has a better overall back catalog than Journey does.

I agree. Almost faultless catalogue.

I'm telling Steve!

[kgdjpubs]

[Now, I'm not a Journey dick-puller by no means, but I never bought not one Survivor cd in my life. After reading this, I think I need to.

Ditto, I usually take note of most of his posts. I don't own even one, either. But do like the few songs I've heard. I do prefer Jamison's vocals to Bicklers tho.

I'm tied between the two. Jamison is certainly the more versatile singer of the two. That said, Bickler had a certain raw edge and "street credibility" attitude on his vocals that added something special to the songs. Bickler is similar to Richie Sambora to an extent in that both are limited vocally because of style, but put them on the right song and they shine and the difference is pretty evident on Eye of the Tiger. In summary, Jamison was the better singer, but Bickler was the better hard rock singer.

I'd say this was Dave's best vocal, and one of my favorite Survivor songs to boot.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdGmXIq5Ho8

And Kev, knowing my tastes, has never steered me wrong on other vocalists and/or cds he's recommended. The HLS one he recommended gets regular play on my IPOD.

speaking thereof, did I ever suggest this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1EZwvDhyz0 Matchbook is one heck of a good album.

[Journey/Survivor]

As I've mentioned before, my favorite singers, in order, are....

#1 Jimi Jamison
#2 Steve Perry
#3 Lou Gramm
#4 Dave Bickler
#5 Joe Lynn Turner

Dave Bickler has a great voice for a Hard-Rock song. Not so much with the ballads. He was perfect for early Survivor and their Hard-Rock riffs and drumming.

Jamison is a much better ballad singer than Bickler. But he can Rock too. Listen to Survivor's "Too Hot To Sleep" album, Cobra's "First Strike" album (which was bordering on Heavy Metal) and Jamison's "Empires" solo album. He can Rock.

I agree that Survivor's overall catalog is stronger than Journey's. Some of the Rolie era Journey songs did border on being filler. Which is part of the reason that Evolution ranks as my least favorite of Journey's albums.

[Seven Wishes2]

It'd be hard for anything to stand up to the brilliance of Escape and Frontiers, consecutively. Survivor's serving up the EOTT album, Caught in the Game, and their best effort, Vital Signs, definitely holds up well against the Departure-Escape-Frontiers trio. Those 3 Survivor albums yielded "Eye of the Tiger," "The One That Really Matters," "I'm Not That Man Anymore," "Ever Since the World Began," "Jackie Don't Go," "I Never Stopped Loving You," "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way," "Ready For the Real Thing," "Santa Ana Winds," "I Can't Hold Back, " "High on You," "First Night," "The Search Is Over," "Broken Promises," "Popular Girl," "Everlasting." "It's the Singer, Not the Song," "I See You in Everyone." Each one of those songs is brilliant and timeless...

I think Vital Signs is only eclipsed by the ORIGINAL track listing for Frontiers ("Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)," "Send Her My Love," "Chain Reaction," "After the Fall, ""Faithfully," "Edge of the Blade," "Troubled Child," "Frontiers," "Rubicon," "Only the Young," "Ask the Lonely," and "Only Solutions.")

[kgdjpubs]

"Popular Girl," Each one of those songs is brilliant and timeless...

or the absolutely worst piece of annoying bubblegum pop that Survivor ever released. Your mileage obviously varies....

[Archetype]

Not all fans. Just my two cents carry on.

For every fan that doesn't want a reunion, there are 100 that do.

[Babyblue]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

I love the current line up, the way they are now.Gowan Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ehwmatt]

You've gotta be retarded to not want to see DDY back with Styx. The guy sang on well over half the hits and most importantly, he still has his voice in a way that almost none of his peers do (see, e.g., Tommy Shaw himself, Steve Perry, Lou Gramm etc).

[Deb]

[Now, I'm not a Journey dick-puller by no means, but I never bought not one Survivor cd in my life. After reading this, I think I need to.

Ditto, I usually take note of most of his posts. I don't own even one, either. But do like the few songs I've heard. I do prefer Jamison's vocals to Bicklers tho.

I'm tied between the two. Jamison is certainly the more versatile singer of the two. That said, Bickler had a certain raw edge and "street credibility" attitude on his vocals that added something special to the songs. Bickler is similar to Richie Sambora to an extent in that both are limited vocally because of style, but put them on the right song and they shine and the difference is pretty evident on Eye of the Tiger. In summary, Jamison was the better singer, but Bickler was the better hard rock singer.

I'd say this was Dave's best vocal, and one of my favorite Survivor songs to boot.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdGmXIq5Ho8

JMHO, and not sure what it is but there is a quality to Bickler's vocals that just doesn't do anything for me. Jamison's vocal has more feeling, and IMO a little more texture to it. Bickler's, to me, sounds more nasally or squeaky (nah that's not the right word?). But then I compare everything of theirs to this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRyRaqYor7I easily my favorite song of theirs, and probably right up there as one of my favorite songs from the 80s.

And Kev, knowing my tastes, has never steered me wrong on other vocalists and/or cds he's recommended. The HLS one he recommended gets regular play on my IPOD.

speaking thereof, did I ever suggest this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1EZwvDhyz0 Matchbook is one heck of a good album.

Mmmm, very nice! Especially the live version of it.......like it even better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Lp-gFcH0c He's got that (certain/intangible/R&Bish influence?) quality that I look for in the delivery. Like HLS who has it in spades, along with that gritty tone of his, IMO makes for a great vocal. But thanks, will have to look into a couple other songs of his, never heard of him before.

[brywool]

You've gotta be retarded to not want to see DDY back with Styx. The guy sang on well over half the hits and most importantly, he still has his voice in a way that almost none of his peers do (see, e.g., Tommy Shaw himself, Steve Perry, Lou Gramm etc).

Shaw's voice now is better than it's ever been. DeYoung's seems intact as well.
A reunion would be nice, but Dennis kind of got what he wanted. He wanted to devote more time to his side projects and not tour the way Styx does now. He should be more than happy. He's totally in charge now. Shaw/Young got what they wanted - to tour seemingly non-stop.
Both DeYoung and Styx put out great new albums (100 Years From Now/Cyclorama) but now none of them seems eager to do new music which as a Styx fan Sux.

For Dennis to kind of be saying "I want a reunion" is kind of a slap to his present band, you have to wonder how they like reading that. Maybe it's cool with them. Everyone seems pretty happy at this point other than Froy.

[Everett]

Not all fans. Just my two cents carry on.

For every fan that doesn't want a reunion, there are 100 that do.

The 1100-1500 fans a night they get might disagree with that statement.

[Rick]

You've gotta be retarded to not want to see DDY back with Styx. The guy sang on well over half the hits and most importantly, he still has his voice in a way that almost none of his peers do (see, e.g., Tommy Shaw himself, Steve Perry, Lou Gramm etc).

Shaw's voice now is better than it's ever been. DeYoung's seems intact as well.
A reunion would be nice, but Dennis kind of got what he wanted. He wanted to devote more time to his side projects and not tour the way Styx does now. He should be more than happy. He's totally in charge now. Shaw/Young got what they wanted - to tour seemingly non-stop.
Both DeYoung and Styx put out great new albums (100 Years From Now/Cyclorama) but now none of them seems eager to do new music which as a Styx fan Sux.

For Dennis to kind of be saying "I want a reunion" is kind of a slap to his present band, you have to wonder how they like reading that. Maybe it's cool with them. Everyone seems pretty happy at this point other than Froy.

Froy's on vacation I think. He's something else.

[Ehwmatt]

You've gotta be retarded to not want to see DDY back with Styx. The guy sang on well over half the hits and most importantly, he still has his voice in a way that almost none of his peers do (see, e.g., Tommy Shaw himself, Steve Perry, Lou Gramm etc).

Shaw's voice now is better than it's ever been. DeYoung's seems intact as well.
A reunion would be nice, but Dennis kind of got what he wanted. He wanted to devote more time to his side projects and not tour the way Styx does now. He should be more than happy. He's totally in charge now. Shaw/Young got what they wanted - to tour seemingly non-stop.
Both DeYoung and Styx put out great new albums (100 Years From Now/Cyclorama) but now none of them seems eager to do new music which as a Styx fan Sux.

For Dennis to kind of be saying "I want a reunion" is kind of a slap to his present band, you have to wonder how they like reading that. Maybe it's cool with them. Everyone seems pretty happy at this point other than Froy.

I agree with everything you said except Shaw's voice being "better than it's ever been." I don't hear it. His voice is far from shot, but he's not in his 20s any more. That much is VERY obvious.

[brywool]

I agree with everything you said except Shaw's voice being "better than it's ever been." I don't hear it. His voice is far from shot, but he's not in his 20s any more. That much is VERY obvious.

His singing now is much more free and his range is also bigger than it was.
JY on the other hand, I'm hearing definite problems there.

[Michigan Girl]

I dont think most fans give much thought as to what the band thinks
in regard to a reunion, most of them
would just want it...outside of these sites, where most people don't have the luxury of knowing what each member,
current or ex, had for dinner and how
long it took them to belch after.

I'm a yay for a reunion with Dennis, absolutely!

[Don]

There is no huge demand for a Styx reunion. The size of the venues they are playing won't change or anything like that. This isn't Journey where Perry and the band itself manage to get media play every other month or so because of DSB. Like Foreigner and REO, Styx is pretty much a faceless band now days. There just is no WOW factor to sell whether it be Dennis or Tommy fronting the group.

[Michigan Girl]

I still think the division would end and they
Would double their attendance, at least.
They do have fans ...no?

[Don]

I still think the division would end and they
Would double their atendance, at least.
They do have fans ...no?

They'd probably outdraw Survivor with Jimi Jamison but is that really saying a lot?

[Journey/Survivor]

[Now, I'm not a Journey dick-puller by no means, but I never bought not one Survivor cd in my life. After reading this, I think I need to.

Ditto, I usually take note of most of his posts. I don't own even one, either. But do like the few songs I've heard. I do prefer Jamison's vocals to Bicklers tho.

I'm tied between the two. Jamison is certainly the more versatile singer of the two. That said, Bickler had a certain raw edge and "street credibility" attitude on his vocals that added something special to the songs. Bickler is similar to Richie Sambora to an extent in that both are limited vocally because of style, but put them on the right song and they shine and the difference is pretty evident on Eye of the Tiger. In summary, Jamison was the better singer, but Bickler was the better hard rock singer.

I'd say this was Dave's best vocal, and one of my favorite Survivor songs to boot.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdGmXIq5Ho8

JMHO, and not sure what it is but there is a quality to Bickler's vocals that just doesn't do anything for me. Jamison's vocal has more feeling, and IMO a little more texture to it. Bickler's, to me, sounds more nasally or squeaky (nah that's not the right word?). But then I compare everything of theirs to this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRyRaqYor7I easily my favorite song of theirs, and probably right up there as one of my favorite songs from the 80s.

And Kev, knowing my tastes, has never steered me wrong on other vocalists and/or cds he's recommended. The HLS one he recommended gets regular play on my IPOD.

speaking thereof, did I ever suggest this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1EZwvDhyz0 Matchbook is one heck of a good album.

Mmmm, very nice! Especially the live version of it.......like it even better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Lp-gFcH0c He's got that (certain/intangible/R&Bish influence?) quality that I look for in the delivery. Like HLS who has it in spades, along with that gritty tone of his, IMO makes for a great vocal. But thanks, will have to look into a couple other songs of his, never heard of him before.

IMO, Bickler's voice was at it's best on Survivor's debut album. It was less nasally on Survivor's debut album. When Bickler returned to Survivor in the 1990's his voice sounded a little more similar to what it did on their first album.

He's not as soulful as Jamison, and can't sing ballads as well. But I love his voice for that Hard-Rocking Street sound that Survivor had in the late 70's and early 80's.

If you ever want some suggestions on Survivor/Jamison/Bickler songs, just let me know.

[Archetype]

Not all fans. Just my two cents carry on.

For every fan that doesn't want a reunion, there are 100 that do.

The 1100-1500 fans a night they get might disagree with that statement.

Those 1100-1500 fans would agree with me. They're not going only because Lawrence Gowan is in the band. They're going because of the name "Styx" and the "oh, well Dennis isn't here, but I guess I'll go anyway" compromising mentality. All 1100-1500 of them would still go if DDY was back, as well as maybe 5000-6000 additional people. Remember, the Return To Paradise tour pulled about 12,000-15,000 people a night. What changed? Journey can still do it, why not Styx?

[pinkfloyd1973]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

I love the current line up, the way they are now.Gowan Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry BB but......

[Rick]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

I love the current line up, the way they are now.Gowan Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry BB but......

Gowan is to DDY what Arnel is to Perry. They're both pretty damn good, but they'll never be as good as the original.

[hoagiepete]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

I love the current line up, the way they are now.Gowan Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry BB but......

Gowan is to DDY what Arnel is to Perry. They're both pretty damn good, but they'll never be as good as the original.

Amen. End of story.

[Don]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

I love the current line up, the way they are now.Gowan Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry BB but......

Gowan is to DDY what Arnel is to Perry. They're both pretty damn good, but they'll never be as good as the original.

Arnel can at least sound a little like Perry, Gowan sounds like freakin' Getty Lee.

[conversationpc]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

I love the current line up, the way they are now.Gowan Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry BB but......

Gowan is to DDY what Arnel is to Perry. They're both pretty damn good, but they'll never be as good as the original.

Arnel can at least sound a little like Perry, Gowan sounds like freakin' Getty Lee.

Getty Lee?

Geddy

[Don]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

I love the current line up, the way they are now.Gowan Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry BB but......

Gowan is to DDY what Arnel is to Perry. They're both pretty damn good, but they'll never be as good as the original.

Arnel can at least sound a little like Perry, Gowan sounds like freakin' Getty Lee.

Getty Lee?

Geddy

Yeah, I was thinking of the place off of the 405.

[Babyblue]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

I love the current line up, the way they are now.Gowan Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry BB but......

Gowan is to DDY what Arnel is to Perry. They're both pretty damn good, but they'll never be as good as the original.

Spot on!!!

[Babyblue]

I'm content with Dennis not being in the band.....his band is MUCH better than the current line-up, and Gowan sucks at singing his songs

You can have him & his band pink. But one week ago tonight i saw them in Biloxi, and they rocked it out of the park.I will go see them anytime they are close by me.