Review: Rock Band Styx Wows Honeywell Center Crowd Saturday
Posted
Gary Gerard-ggerard@timesuniononline.com
WABASH – Legendary prog rock band Styx wowed a capacity crowd of enthusiastic fans Saturday, winding its way through an hour-and-a-half set of its most popular tunes. The crowd came to its feet as the show opened with “Blue Collar Man,” the first single from the band’s 1978 album “Pieces of Eight.” A good portion of the crowd remained standing for the entire show at the Ford Theater in Honeywell Center. The earliest iteration of Styx was a band called Tradewinds, formed in 1961 by twin brothers Chuck and Joe Panozzo in Roseland, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. Ardent Styx fans cheered as Chuck Panozzo took the stage as guest bassist for a couple of numbers near the end of the show. The band has undergone myriad personnel changes over the years, but has been able to maintain its core musical message and satisfy its most loyal fans. Current members of Styx are James Young, guitar/vocals (1971-1984, 1989-1992, 1995-present); Tommy Shaw, guitar/vocals (1975–1984, 1995–present); Todd Sucherman, drums, percussion/backing vocals (1995–present); Lawrence Gowan, keyboards/vocals (1999–present); and Ricky Phillips, bass guitar/backing vocals (2003–present). The current lineup’s years together is evident when the band performs live, with crisp transitions between sections of songs, moving dynamics and flawless vocal and instrumental passages. The band performs intricate four-part harmonies on vocal choruses throughout the show and Shaw, Gowan and James belt out soaring high-range lead vocals as well. Instrumentally, all Styx members are virtuoso rock players. Gowan massages his spinning keyboard from behind his back at times, never missing a note. At one point during the show, he engages the crowd in a sing-along, performing short keyboard-only versions of iconic classic rock tunes like The Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams,” The Who’s “Pinball Wizzard,” Eric Clapton’s “Layla,” Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” and Pink Floyd’s “Brick in the Wall.” The sing-along, certainly a crowd pleaser, was no match, however, for Gowan’s overall performance, as he effortlessly produced highly technical signature riffs from Styx’ extensive catalog of keyboard-rich hits. Guitar work by Shaw and Young was equally impressive as the two played off each others’ rhythm and lead parts to near perfection. Their harmony leads – each guitarist playing lead lines a third or a fifth apart – were impressive. Shaw switched several times between acoustic, electric, 12-string acoustic and 12-string electric guitars. At one point, Shaw told the audience he was breaking out a brand new 12-sting acoustic at this Wabash show. He then played a few bars of “The Wabash Cannonball.” Shaw favors Gibson guitars, as most of the night he played an SG, a Les Paul or an ES 335. Young was a Fender guy this night, playing several variations of the venerable Fender Stratocaster. The Styx rhythm section of Sucherman and Phillips are second to none. They provide the rest of the band a solid foundation, along with some technical wizardry of their own sprinkled throughout the show. The stage bore an almost industrial look. It was clean and uncluttered, with a couple of staircases and platforms on either side of the drum riser that looked as if they were made from brushed aluminum. Band members scampered up to the platforms to jam beside Sucherman several times during the show. Gowan’s keyboard riser and stand had the same look. Amp stacks had grill cloth replaced with warm glowing lavender lighted panels. Stage lighting was well done and effects, including foggers and confetti cannons on either side of the stage fired during the encore were crowd pleasers. But the overriding takeaway from the show – the thing that dominates your thoughts as you leave the venue – is Styx’ ability to put on a full-blown rock show. Their stage antics are constant, energetic and entertaining. You have to remember, these guys aren’t kids. Drummer Sucherman is the “baby” of the group at age 43. The rest of the band ranges in age from 55 to 62. To watch them on stage, you would think they were half their ages. Glancing around the crowd you notice plenty of concert-goers – singing along with every song – who certainly weren’t even born when these songs were hits. This is a testament to the infectious nature of the band’s music. Let’s be honest. There was very little new here. But the tunes from the band’s heyday span generations, and simply never get old. No matter how many times you’ve heard these songs, you’re always ready to hear them again – especially live – which is precisely why Styx has no trouble filling places like the Ford Theater, which, by the way, is a wonderful venue. There is not a bad seat in the house and there is plenty of staff available to take care of any need a concert-goer may have. If you want to see a really good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll show, Styx will not disappoint. The set list: (Song, album, year) “Blue Collar Man,” “Pieces of Eight,” 1978; “The Grand Illusion,” “The Grand Illusion,” 1977; “Too Much Time on My Hands,” “Paradise Theater,” 1981; “Lady,” “Styx II,” 1973; “Lorelei,” “Equinox,” 1973; “Man in the Wilderness,” “The Grand Illusion;” “I’m O.K.,” “Pieces of Eight;” “Aku-Aku,” “Pieces of Eight;” “Crystal Ball,” “Crystal Ball,” 1976; “Castle Walls,” “The Grand Illusion;” “Fooling Yourself,” “The Grand Illusion;” “Miss America,” “The Grand Illusion;” “Come Sail Away,” “The Grand Illusion;” (first encore) “Rockin’ In Paradise,” “Paradise Theater;” (second encore) “Renegade,” “Pieces of Eight.”
