Growing up in the Roseland area of Chicago, DeYoung started his career as a vocalist in 1962 at the age of 15 when he teamed up with his 13-year-old neighbors Chuck and John Panozzo in a three-piece combo. It was much to big a venue for someone like me, capacity 4300 but Tim convinced me to play it with a 50 piece orchestra. DeYoung himself could possibly be persuaded to make a comeback, though. On a happier note I'm in LA to play at Adam Sandler's private Holiday bash. Dennis DeYoung . Over a period of five months, the DeYoungs visited 16 doctors. Emotions are too high to talk about what current affairs are. "It's an album of Broadway tunes," DeYoung said. But the differences between leading a rock band and being a lesser figure in a stage play are immense. But I wasn't. Tonight he introduces her by first talking about how they met long ago at a high school dance, "when I was 17 and she was just 15 1/2." And she is so much better at defending me than I am. So there I was at Manny's of all places trying to stir up ticket sales for a show I was convinced no one would attend. It became the band's fourth consecutive multi-platinum album. Shortly after their first A&M album, "Equinox," Curulewski left the band and was replaced by young guitarist Tommy Shaw, who auditioned by singing "Lady" in the basement of the DeYoungs' house. It's an observed reality. So faced with situation I did what I always do and made the best of it. After its local premiere in the spring, "Soundstage HD" will debut as a national series in June in the high-definition TV format. "Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without great sacrifice," he says. The reviews. "We certainly don't live in the past," says Suzanne. By Miriam Di Nunzio. He, Suzanne and Orchard think that it could lead to a deal with PBS to produce "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" as a televised musical. 7?". But recently, she's been doing something she never did in the past, joining Dennis on stage for a song or two. He portrayed the character of a lead vocalist, designating his role in his band Styx. Danny Goldberg, former DeYoung manager and head of A&R at Atlantic Records, asked DeYoung to record an album of Broadway standards; the resulting album, 10 on Broadway, was released in 1994. My dad and I had spent countless un air conditioned hot summer days listening to the games on the transistor radio. Dennis, I certainly hope none of you ever discover how many times I check on you tube for my current video's or old Styx video's when I'm bored because it would be embarrassing. In a 2018 appearance on The Big Interview (Via ABC News Radio ), Styx members James Young, Tommy Shaw and Lawrence Gowan noted that their problems with Dennis DeYoung stemmed from the singer's refusal to tour at a time when the band wasn't selling albums, and had to rely on live show revenue. "I haven't performed in more than two years.". He started his band from a very early age with two of his friends from the neighborhood. Though he makes a very nice living from the royalties from the many songs he's written, he wants to continue to perform, balancing corporate and private shows with concerts. His knee and back seriously injured, he was out of the show for six weeks, back in his south suburban home in a wheelchair. Dennis DeYoung was born on the 18th of February, 1947. Although I wrote a song entitled turn off CNN In 1995, DeYoung called Shaw to sing on a new version of "Lady" even though he had not performed on the original. WITH PEOPLE KILLING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME. These tales of poverty seem incongruous now, given that she is speaking in the vast and opulent shopping mall inside Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, where people think little of blowing $500 on a T-shirt or $3,200 on a pair of leather pants. He did not once but twice leading to our partnership for the last 15 years. As I expressed in the lyrics to the Grand Illusion (as well as other songs), far too much adulation and credit has been assigned to politicians, athletes and show biz people like me who really don't know much more about the the way things work than the next guy. Styx was never what you'd call a critic's darling. Three of the band's previous albums were among the top 100, and were climbing higher each week. The orchestra show was his idea and he put up all the money (a lot a scratch) convinced he would sell it out. They met at a dance at Mendel High School in 1964. But things did not begin auspiciously. The guys in the crowd hoot and holler. I have a much better grasp of what it takes to be in the theater, to put together a show," DeYoung said. By performing piano on the song How Deep Is Your Love, he accompanied Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. ", In the wake of the Rosemont shows, Orchard scheduled six more concerts across the country, and the popular VH-1 series "Behind the Music" began taping a segment on Styx. On September 14 and 15, 2006, DeYoung appeared with Hal Sparks on Celebrity Duets, an American reality television show produced by Simon Cowell. The band changed the name to Styx in 1972,[1] upon signing their first record contract. "I call it the hall of ghosts," says Dennis. "Don't do that," said another, very seriously. 26 East, Vol. They also released his DVD The Rock: Symphonic Music of Styx, which went triple platinum. This put the group in an exclusive group as one of only a few bands to have a top ten hit single under four different United States Presidents. Each night the venue has been filled with enthusiastic fans from all over the U.S., even with the rain last night. To get an indication of that, you follow Dennis and Suzanne downstairs, into the recording studio they built after moving into the house three years ago. The legendary 1970s-1980s band Styx has been around a block or six, and their music has been surprisingly multifaceted. Sarv Travel Dennis DeYoung was born on February 18, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Maurice and Loraine DeYoung. Between stints with Styx, DeYoung was asked to appear in the 20th Anniversary revival tour of the stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar in 1993, including Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson and Irene Cara,[4] appearing in 268 performances as Pontius Pilate. That's that Pilate doesn't get the chance-he's not a rock star, you know-to turn to the audience, wink and say to the crowd, `Hey, Chicago. [13], On October 21, 2014, a 2CD + DVD and Blu-ray package, Dennis DeYoung And the Music of Styx Live in Los Angeles, was released in the U.S. via Frontiers Records. [15] The concert took place at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 18, 2014.[16]. [9] (In Canada 50,000 plus copies sold for a double CD qualifies as platinum.) The musical he would write--music, lyrics and book--was originally called "Q Modo," but its name was changed to "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to reflect its debt to Victor Hugo's classic. The show itself was awesome. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dennis Eugene DeYoung, age 66, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023, at his home. As he made efforts to artistically reinvent himself over the last two decades, he was always able to return to the creative and commercial comfort of his rock 'n' roll family. "We've always been here for him and his music.". DeYoung has previously announced this will be his last album but has added an update. Todd Sucherman (uncredited) provided the drum track for the recording session. DeYoung, 46, seemed almost wistful talking about his days on the road with Styx, perhaps because of the realities of the road he's currently on. Born on 18th February, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., he is famous for Styx. DeYoung has described many of his steps while doing a concert along the way through his keyboard playing. "Most of the furniture is old, too. ", "It really became," said Shaw in describing the internal dynamics of Styx, "'Dennis doing things his way over here, and we're trying to figure out our piece in it. We cut three more records for Wooden Nickel, but they didn't sell. [17] The last song on the record, "To the Good Old Days", features Julian Lennon. I don't wanna be a solo artist. J.Y. That suit was settled late last year with all parties agreeing not to discuss the terms of the settlement and all signing a "nondisparagement clause.". In 1993, DeYoung was invited by Forbes Candlish, a theatrical producer who was married to Suzanne's youngest sister, Dawn Marie, to join the national touring revival of "Jesus Christ Superstar. They led a very prosperous and happy family. "But I fought that and Liza came here to work with me. Walking in, it takes a minute to adjust to the dimness--"Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a bat cave," says Suzanne--and the first thing you see is a family portrait hanging over the fireplace in the living room. Styx. Being born on 18 February 1947, Dennis DeYoung is 76 years old as of todays date 2nd May 2023. "It was never my intention to stay in the role forever. He has achieved many famous awards as a vocalist from his entire career. She works in health care. I might do that.". . I think it's his combination of songwriting and performance. On April 20, 2006, at the Community Theatre in Morristown, New Jersey, DeYoung took to the stage once again with former Styx guitarist and bassist Glen Burtnik as part of his Lost Treasures concert series. I don't think anybody ever thought of this as a breakup in any permanent sense. "Then people started getting sick and dying," says DeYoung. Mar 9, 2020, 6:00am PDT. "I like parts of the past," says Suzanne. I first met Styx shortly after that, in 1980. The benefit concert was held at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, North Carolina, and featured many other rock and roll musicians. Anyone can accomplish things under the best circumstances it's the vast majority of life we must somehow manage to get through. Manny's deli was the TV station's idea not mine and when Suzanne, Carrie and I who was my publicist at the time arrived at 6 am my first thought was, I wonder if it's to late to become an aluminum siding salesman. With release of final album, Dennis DeYoung proves you can go home again . But Matthew, who's about to enter high school, has been with DeYoung and his wife for the entire "Superstar" tour. Kind of like the Lite beer commercial when Troy Aikman claims to not dwell in the past and then his ring tone goes off screaming "Aikman touchdown unbelievable". The dissent of some members in the band during Kilroy brought tensions between the group's members over the future direction of the band, leading to guitarist Tommy Shaw's departure in 1984 to pursue a solo career. "Do you know when we met? Early life and music career The title comes from the real-life address on the South Side of Chicago which DeYoung grew up in, where he formed the nucleus of what would become Styx. Tommy Roland Shaw (born September 11, 1953) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter best known for his tenure in the rock band Styx as co-lead vocalist. During this period, the band played a number of small venues and school auditoriums in an effort to secure a record deal. Dennis DeYoung came roaring back to action over the weekend. In 1961, when DeYoung was just 14, he started his career teaming up with two of his neighbor friends Chuck and John Panozzo. That show, as have been almost all that followed, was a family affair: CarrieAnn handled all of the marketing and public relations and Matt was in charge of the lighting. There was a stadium a few miles away packed with thousands eagerly awaiting the chance to loudly voice their adoration for DeYoung. The brothers were still in grade school then. Cheers, In the air is the faint aroma of marijuana. [18], On June 5, 2022 Styx was inducted into the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum Hall of Fame. As a keyboardist in Styx, DeYoung was best remembered for his prominent lead synthesizer solos performed on the Oberheim 4 voice synthesizer that dominated the mix with a unique tone, a key element of the Styx sound. What advice does he have for his son about a career in music? "Those were hard times: We played beer parties, 'Animal House'-type affairs, a lot of proms. "We didn't have money for more than one room at the hotels, so when Dennis needed to rest, Carrie and I would play in the bathroom.". While he was, as he puts it, "sitting around feeling really sorry for myself," a call came from Tim Orchard, who was then running the Rosemont Theatre. I rehearsed last night with a great group of musicians led by Waddy Wachtel and will be playing Grand Illusion, Lady, and Come Sail Away. And maybe not even then." While touring with Jesus Christ Superstar, DeYoung began writing the book and score of a musical of his own based on Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Things began to change in 1974, when a 2-year-old song called "Lady" from the band's second album, "Styx II," was placed by station manager Jim Smith in the oldies rotation at WLS. By wearing sunglasses and staying out of excessive light, DeYoung began to regain his energy toward the end of '98, which is when he and Styx started working on their album "Brave New World.". "I was scared to death," says Suzanne. The writer and producer of 80 percent of the band's hit material, he was usually quite serious and, at 33, its oldest member. Suzanne DeYoung frequently joined her husband on the road, and eventually their children came along as well, as a way to provide stability for their family. When asked about any possible reunions with DeYoung, James Young of Styx commented on an edition of VH1's Behind the Music television series, "Maybe when they are playing hockey on the river Styx. He is singing "Babe," a song he wrote in 1979 for his wife, Suzanne. What do I think about it? DeYoung is an ardent Chicago White Sox supporter. That something else is a record deal. "Imagine there's a tree of entertainment," DeYoung says. "Equinox" sold 1.2 million copies and the band's subsequent '70s albums did well: "Crystal Ball," 700,000 copies; "Grand Illusion," 3.2 million; "Pieces of Eight," 3 million. The theater is so different. Tonight we end our year and play the final show of a three day run here in Epcot, the happiest place on earth. Dennis DeYoung is a founding member of the rock group Styx and now tours with his own band. In a sense we were in the early, talking stages of divorce and it punctuated that in a very public way and made it almost impossible to ever go back. Are you kidding. She is 54. AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME You must behave as if there isn't an audience. I wish I possessed more of that. He was predeceased by : his parents, Stanley Calvin and . It is the afternoon before the concert at the Joint and Suzanne and Dennis have some free time for shopping. On a couple of numbers, he's backed by the Chicago Children's Choir. "Everyone please have a magical day". He joined the show two weeks before its first Chicago visit. On May 8, 2008, DeYoung's musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame premiered at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in Chicago. ", On the program, DeYoung countered: "What I think I provided Styx was leadership, not control. But now he no longer has Styx. The latter Styx albums, "Paradise Theater" and "Kilroy Was Here," were ambitious music-theater concoctions. Former lead singer, Styx. Dennis DeYoung. . I have just been informed I have one more show in Ft. Lauderdale in December. pursued solo careers, which focused on their hard-rock leanings; and DeYoung released the albums "Desert Moon" and "Back to the World. ", The episode so hurt and angered DeYoung that six weeks later he filed suit in federal court claiming misuse of the Styx trademark. For most of the show, Suzanne stays in the wings, taking pictures. It is French Provincial in style, with many Asian design touches. when these things happen it's difficult not to want to know what happened and why. She is 30. I categorically refute these specious, allegations as nothing more than a blatant attempt by my political enemies to besmirch our integrity. There is a palpable wistfulness in his voice when he says "we," perhaps because he no longer talks to the people who got together with him in the basement of his parents' house in the early 1960s to make music--the Panozzo twins Chuck (bass guitar) and John (drums). "Now where were we? ", At this point, no one seemed to begrudge DeYoung his paternal role, for which he seemed ideally suited. [10] This production went on to win the Joseph Jefferson Award for best musical in Chicago in 2008.[11]. He played accordion and sang and formed a trio with the Panozzo boys that played at weddings and birthday parties before being stunned by The Beatles, who turned their heads towards rock & roll. Do you know what was at No. The lovely couple has two kids: a daughter named Carrie Ann and a son named Matthew. The play was first seen by the public at the Tennessee Repertory Theater in 1997, with Chicago producer Michael Leavitt involved. Active. By the way do any of you know of a hat store that sells xxxxxxxxxtra large, winter's coming. In 1998 the band began work on a new album, Brave New World. Thanks to my good friends in Florida for the big heads. A TV crew visited the house in Burr Ridge and spent time elsewhere with the other band members. If you do not know, we have prepared this article about details of Dennis DeYoungs short biography-wiki, career, professional life, personal life, todays net worth, age, height, weight, and more facts. Pop/Rock. The band decided to go on without him. "I was so hurt by the portrayal of the band that had meant so much to me since I was 14. Healthy once again, DeYoung returned to touring with a 50-piece orchestra augmented by a five-piece rock band, which included Tommy Dziallo on guitar, Hank Horton on bass, and Kyle Woodring (formerly with John Mellencamp and Deana Carter) on drums, all of whom also played shows with DeYoung with or without the orchestra. I am mad mad mad mad mad with recent accusations that our recent successes have gone to our heads. At the time, all were involved with less glamorous pursuits: DeYoung taught music appreciation in a public elementary school; John Panozzo was a seminary student; Chuck was an art teacher; Curulewski was a carpenter; J.Y. If you needed some musician or celebrity to do this for the Cubs the line would have been a long one but the White Sox celebrity fan list was very short. His first solo album, Desert Moon (1984), generated a top 10 hit, "Desert Moon", and the follow-up single, "Don't Wait for Heroes", cracked the Billboard Top 100 as well. DeYoung was brought up from Chicago and began his musical career with a band Tradewinds in 1963. the group later get renamed itself as TW$ in 1968 and then later eventually Styx. HAPPY BIRTHDAY one day late to my girlfriend and wife Suzanne. I couldn't see myself doing that. Suggest an alternative Share your comments about this record DeYoung was invited back to perform on Celebrity Duets on September 28, 2006, with finalist Hal Sparks. . DeYoung rarely sits in that yard. How this miracle has occurred is really beyond my understanding. were eager to go on tour in the fall of '99 after the album was released, especially since Styx songs were being introduced to younger listeners by being featured in "Big Daddy," "South Park," the TV show "Freaks and Geeks" and in a Volkswagen TV commercial. John was a Cubs fan and the other guys including John were more Blackhawk and Bears fans then baseball enthusiasts. Yet, two of their best-known songs include the famed synth-pop tune "Mr. Roboto," and the chart-topping soft rock ballad, "Babe." PS. She nearly died and she has bravely dealt with health issues ever since. We love you.' I had never seen this before but coincidentally I was just asked about this very day last week by author Dave Hoekstra who interviewed me about a book he was writing. So inside the house, the blinds and curtains are usually drawn and the lights are turned low. Others were vague (post-viral problem). Young also addressed the reunion issue on an episode of VH1's Feuds 2000, noting the possibility of a reunion would only happen "[as] the Eagles said, 'when Hell freezes over'." Shaw returned to the fold, and Todd Sucherman was tapped to replace John Panozzo, who had died of alcohol-related illnesses in 1996. "It was fun but after that I was pretty sure we'd never tour again," says DeYoung. Dennis DeYoung: Yeah, you know I hadn't made a rock solo album since 1988 so I didn't have a forum by which I could be . Dennis was born July 11, 1956, to Stanley Calvin and Betty Jean (Osborn) DeYoung in Plainville, Kansas. What makes me, or any artist, unique is a point of view, and mine is so tightly tied to Chicago that I could never leave.". They were going to have lunch with Siegfried & Roy, that garish Vegas duo who used Dennis' song "Grand Illusion" in their IMAX movie, "The Magic Box." On one level you have to admire his desire to stretch things a bit, but sometimes doing that makes a person, or a band, look silly.". He and Suzanne plus Orchard, who now runs his own entertainment company called Liverpool LLC, think of themselves as "collaborators on the career of Dennis DeYoung.". On New Year's Eve 2007, he performed "Mr. Roboto", "Come Sail Away" and many other Styx classics to a large audience at Victoria Park in Niagara Falls, Canada, and millions of viewers via live television on CHCH-TV Channel 11. This is the fourth time Disney has hired us to perform at their Eat to the Beat international Food and Wine Festival. " (Self-effacingly, the native South Sider then declared, "Hey look at me, a kid from Roseland quoting Olivier."). Maybe you know about Dennis DeYoung very well, but do you know how old and tall is he and what is his net worth in 2023? Dennis DeYoung Sues Styx By ABC News October 12, 2000 -- Styx co-founder Dennis DeYoung was in Chicago Federal Court on Tuesday, attempting to block the remaining band members from touring under the Styx moniker without him. There are posters from recent movies, such as "Big Daddy," and current TV shows, such as "South Park," that feature his music and introduced the sounds of Styx to a new generation. DeYoung has always shown an interest in theater. "Dennis is in the next car. He was a founding member of the rock band Styx, and served as its primary lead vocalist and keyboardist from 1972 until 1999. My deepest sympathies to all those whose lives have tragically been touched by this madness. [1] In 1968, Nardin was replaced by John Curulewski and in 1970 DeYoung hired James Young to become the second guitarist in TW4. That band called itself Styx and it would become, for a time, the most popular band in the country. I was the only Sox fan in the group. No mention of Grand Illusion, Foolin Yourself or ComeSail Away, the three songs still being played on radio today. His height is 1.77 m tall, and his weight is 78 kg. On his website, DeYoung jokingly dubbed the performances "The Denny and Glenny Show". Breaking news heard here first at American Songwriter: Dennis DeYoung is reneging on his promise that his recently-released album 26 East, Vol. Here's the real reason Dennis DeYoung left Styx. Cheers Dennis, Oops! On the hearth are more family photos, framed happy faces captured by the camera over the last few decades. Dennis was born July 11, 1956, to Stanley Calvin and Betty Jean (Osborn) DeYoung in Plainville, Kansas.