DENNIS DE YOUNG

After a half century of releasing albums, both with Styx and as a solo artist, Dennis DeYoung has announced that the upcoming 26 East, Vol 2 will be his final one.

The teenage DeYoung co-founded Styx with the Panozzo brothers Chuck (bass) and John (drums) in the 60s. Back then they were called The Tradewinds, but by 1970, with guitarist James ‘JY’ Young and John Curulewski (subsequently replaced by Tommy Shaw in 1975) onboard, the band had become Styx. As keyboardist, accordion player, vocalist and writer, DeYoung had a core role in the development of their sound, mixing progressive influences with AOR, creating what became known as pomp rock.

A rift over their 1983 album Kilroy Was Here led to the band taking a six-year break. During this period, DeYoung began his solo career, releasing the albums Desert Moon in ’84, Back To The World two years later and Boomchild in ’89. None achieved the level of success enjoyed by Styx, but the title track from that first album was a Top 10 single in the States – the only time any member of the band has had a hit on their own.

Styx reunited in 1990, but DeYoung left in controversial circumstances during ’99. The band decided to move on without him when he had significant health issues. To this day, DeYoung remains angry about the way his one-time bandmates appeared to abandon him.

In the 21st century, he’s pursued a varied career, not only recording albums, but also working on orchestral reinterpretations of Styx songs, acting and even writing a musical based on The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. He also accepted a role mentoring contestants on Canadian Idol in 2006.

“Hearing Yes play No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed had