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The Grand Illusion
''The Grand Illusion'' is the seventh studio album by American rock band Styx. Recorded at Paragon Recording Studios in Chicago, the album was released on July 7, 1977, by A&M Records, intentionally choosing the combination 7th on 7-7-77 for luck. The release was a smash worldwide, selling three million copies in the US (Triple Platinum) alone. Some estimates have the album at over 6 million copies sold. The album launched the band to stardom and spawned the hit singles " Come Sail Away" and " Fooling Yourself." The title track also received substantial FM airplay and continues to be a mainstay on classic rock radio, but was never released as an official single. The album cover art is based on Rene Magritte's 1965 painting, "The Blank Signature." Background and songs As with much of Styx's catalog, many of the songs have quasi-medieval/fantasy lyrics and themes. Some are allegories and commentaries on contemporary American life and the members' experiences in an American rock ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Styx (band)
Styx () is an American rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ..., in 1972. They are known for blending melodic hard rock guitar with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with Piano, acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with Sentimental ballad, power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre. The band established themselves with a progressive rock sound during the 1970s, and began to incorporate pop rock and soft rock elements in the 1980s. The original line-up comprised Dennis DeYoung, James Young (American musician), James "J.Y." Young, John Curulewski, John "J.C." Curulewski and brothers Chuck Panozzo, Chuck and John Panozzo. Debuting with ''Styx (album), Styx'' in 1972, the band usually released an album every ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crystal Ball (Styx Album)
''Crystal Ball'' is the sixth album by Styx, released in 1976. This album marked the recording debut of new guitarist Tommy Shaw. The track " Mademoiselle" was Tommy Shaw's vocal debut and the album's Top-40 hit. The album's title track would become a concert staple for the band, as it was performed on every subsequent Styx tour with which Shaw was involved. Claude Debussy's classical piece " Clair de Lune" served as the intro to the album's closing ballad, "Ballerina". The version of "Clair de Lune" on ''Crystal Ball'' features only DeYoung on piano, with the key changed from D flat to C, as the next track ("Ballerina") begins in C minor. Reception Crystal Ball lacked the commercial strength and chart performance of its predecessor ''Equinox'' or its follow up ''Grand Illusion''. It peaked at #66 on the Billboard album chart, the lowest of any of the Styx A&M releases. It was certified gold in 1984, 8 years after its release. Daevid Jehnzen of AllMusic rated ''Crystal Ball' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Production Assistant
A production assistant, also known as a PA, is a member of the film crew and is a job title used in filmmaking and television for a person responsible for various aspects of a production. The job of a PA can vary greatly depending on the budget and specific requirements of a production as well as whether the production is unionized. Production assistants on films are sometimes attached to individual actors or filmmakers. Television and feature film In unionized television and feature film, production assistants are usually divided into different categories. Variations exist depending on a show's structure or region of the world. *''Office PAs'' usually spend most hours in the respective show's production office handling such tasks as phones, deliveries, script copies, lunch pick-ups, and related tasks in coordination with the production manager and production coordinator. *''Set PAs'' work on the physical set of the production, whether on location or on a sound stage. They ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Panozzo
John Anthony Panozzo (September 20, 1948 – July 16, 1996) was an American drummer best known for his work with rock band Styx. Early life Panozzo was born to Tranquinino Panozzo and Elizabeth Lofrano Panozzo, both of whom were of Italian descent, and grew up in the Roseland neighborhood, the south side of Chicago, Illinois, with his fraternal twin brother, Chuck (born 20 minutes apart). Chuck and John also have an older sister, Emily. At age 7, the twins took musical lessons from their uncle in which John took an interest in drums and percussion. They attended Catholic school and eventually they were part of a three-piece band in which John played drums and Chuck played guitar. They would play weddings at age 12 and were paid $15 apiece. Styx In 1961, John, Chuck, and their neighbor, Dennis DeYoung, formed a band called The Tradewinds in which John played drums, Chuck played guitar, and Dennis played the accordion and sang. They played local gigs at bars and began gaining ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chuck Panozzo
Charles Salvatore "Chuck" Panozzo (born September 20, 1948) is an American musician best known as a co-founder of the rock band Styx. He is currently a part-time bass player in the band, sharing bass duties with Terry Gowan. Panozzo is living with HIV, which played a role in limiting his full-time participation. Early life and education Panozzo grew up in a working-class Italian Catholic neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 7, Panozzo and his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, who died in July 1996, took music lessons from an uncle. He attended Catholic schools. Panozzo received a degree in art education and taught art at the high school level. He left his teaching job to pursue his career in music with Styx. Styx In 1961–1962, Panozzo founded a band which would eventually become Styx with his brother, John and singer/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. The band's only number one in the US was " Babe", released in 1979. Other successful so ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tommy Shaw
Tommy Roland Shaw (born September 11, 1953) is an American singer and guitarist best known for his tenure in the rock band Styx (band), Styx as co-lead vocalist. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with other groups including Damn Yankees (band), Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades as well as releasing several solo albums. Early life and music career Tommy Shaw was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and played with many local bands in his early years. He left Montgomery after attending Robert E. Lee High School (Montgomery, Alabama), Robert E. Lee High School to join The Smoke Ring (band), The Smoke Ring and then MSFunk, a Chicago-managed outfit that he played with for three years, which gave him a chance to be noticed by Styx (band), Styx during a two-week club gig in Chicago. After MSFunk disbanded, he went back to Montgomery to join a local group called Harvest with his childhood friends. Following Styx's move to A&M Records, A&M, guitarist and vocalist John Curulewski suddenl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
James Young (American Musician)
James Vincent Young (born November 14, 1949) is an American musician who is best known as one of the guitarists in the American rock band Styx, having served as the only continuous original member of the band. Early life, family and education Young was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Calumet High School. His father, who he described as "very conservative", could play piano by ear. His idols were Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, and Albert King. Young graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Career Young's first band, the Catalinas, won a "Best Teens In America" contest, came in third place at a Chicago talent competition, and toured Europe in 1966. In 1970, Young joined the band TW4 while a college student. That band later became the first incarnation of Styx. After Styx's initial breakup in 1984, Young collaborated with Jan Hammer on the album ''City Slicker'' (1985). Since refo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dennis DeYoung
Dennis DeYoung (born February 18, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and keyboardist. He was a founding member of the rock band Styx and served as its primary lead vocalist and keyboardist from 1972 until 1999. DeYoung was the band's most prolific and successful writer, having been credited as the writer of more Styx songs than any other band member. DeYoung penned seven of the band's eight ''Billboard'' top 10 singles as well as a solo top 10 single. Early life, family and education Dennis DeYoung was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Maurice DeYoung (1918–1997) and Loraine Rolla DeYoung (1923–2001). He had a younger sister, Darcy, who died in 2021. Dennis and Darcy were raised Catholic. The family has Dutch and Italian ancestry. The family resided in the Roseland area of Chicago. Career DeYoung started his career as an accordionist 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 originally cal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Grand Illusion (song)
"The Grand Illusion" is a song written by Dennis DeYoung that was released as the title track of Styx's 1977 album ''The Grand Illusion''. Not only is it the title track, but it provides the theme of the entire album. Although not released as a commercial single, it received significant radio airplay. Lyrics and music The theme of "Grand Illusion", as well as the ''Grand Illusion'' album, is that things aren't always what they appear to be and it is a "grand illusion" that success will make you happy, and failure will make you miserable. The song's theme also reflects on the pressures of being a media star. The band found that once they became successful, it did not make them any happier. The theme is set up by lyrics such as "Don't be fooled by the radio/the TV or the magazines/They'll show you photographs of how your life should be/But they're just someone else's fantasy...Just remember that it's all a Grand Illusion/And deep inside we're all the same." DeYoung said of the son ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known for its coverage of rock music and political reporting by Hunter S. Thompson. In the 1990s, the magazine broadened and shifted its focus to a younger readership interested in youth-oriented television shows, film actors, and popular music. It has since returned to its traditional mix of content, including music, entertainment, and politics. The first magazine was released in 1967 and featured John Lennon on the cover, and was then published every two weeks. It is known for provocative photography and its cover photos, featuring musicians, politicians, athletes, and actors. In addition to its print version in the United States, it publishes content through Rollingstone.com and numerous international editions. The magazine experienced a rapid ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rolling Stone (magazine)
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known for its coverage of rock music and political reporting by Hunter S. Thompson. In the 1990s, the magazine broadened and shifted its focus to a younger readership interested in youth-oriented television shows, film actors, and popular music. It has since returned to its traditional mix of content, including music, entertainment, and politics. The first magazine was released in 1967 and featured John Lennon on the cover, and was then published every two weeks. It is known for provocative photography and its cover photos, featuring musicians, politicians, athletes, and actors. In addition to its print version in the United States, it publishes content through Rollingstone.com and numerous international editions. The magazine experienced a ra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
''The Rolling Stone Album Guide'', previously known as ''The Rolling Stone Record Guide'', is a book that contains professional music reviews written and edited by staff members from ''Rolling Stone'' magazine. Its first edition was published in 1979 and its last in 2004. First edition (1979) ''The Rolling Stone Record Guide'' was the first edition of what would later become ''The Rolling Stone Album Guide''. It was edited by Dave Marsh (who wrote a large majority of the reviews) and John Swenson, and included contributions from 34 other music critics. It is divided into sections by musical genre and then lists artists alphabetically within their respective genres. Albums are also listed alphabetically by artist although some of the artists have their careers divided into chronological periods. Dave Marsh, in his Introduction, cites as precedents Leonard Maltin's book '' TV movies'' and Robert Christgau's review column in the '' Village Voice''. He gives '' Phonolog'' and ''Schwan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
