We're about 20 years removed from the infamous Behind The Music episode in which the members of Styx took turns trashing founding member Dennis DeYoung. I've since learned that this particular show took joy in digging up dirt on the various bands that they covered and overstating things. Plus, it was very much pro whatever the lineup of the band was at the time. The negative vibe of this show is a big reason Kansas never did an episode.
Love him or hate him, Dennis was the guiding force of Styx. From the moment Lady became a hit, he took the reigns, but he did so in a way in which Tommy Shaw and James Young still shined brightly. Dennis wrote 8 Top 10 hits for this band and brought a whole new group of fans to their music. They made a lot of money on tour. Yet, he's still vilified by Tommy and James years later. Dennis seems willing to make amends and do something with the band. With his own successful solo tour, he doesn't need this. He just knows that the fan base is fractured, and he'd like to do something with them that all Styx fans could embrace.
The reason for the breakup is simple. It wasn't because Dennis was an evil tyrant. It was about the money. Tommy and James saw dollar signs. The "Mr. Nice guy" of the current lineup, Larry Gowan, was brought on board for the musical ride of his life as a replacement for Dennis. He's not getting off any time soon. Despite the fact that he enables the band to continue and even as a Dennis supporter myself, it's hard for me not to like Larry. Besides, if it wasn't him, it would be somebody else. Tommy and James are determined to do this without Dennis.
Money was a big motivating factor. Plus, they could guide the ship in a way where they could alter the image of the band. Certain hits were removed from the set list, and a bigger emphasis was put on Tommy. Tickets continue to sell. It makes no difference that they don't always headline. They consistently tour, and they all make pretty good money. It beats having a regular day job.
The fact that Dennis can write hits doesn't matter at this point. The music industry has changed so much at this point that it's doubtful that even a reunited Styx would crack the Top 10 on the charts. Record sales aren't what they once were, and they would likely be pigeonholed as just a "Greatest Hits" band. Dennis has embraced that with his own tour. Styx, on the other hand, can give the fans some hits and play songs off of their newest CD, The Mission. They continue to evolve in this lineup and make enough money as it is.
It boils down to the fact that they don't need Dennis to do what they do. They get plenty of gigs and have recorded a new album to tour on. As a Dennis DeYoung fan, I've accepted this and look forward to his new solo album, though he's not likely to play any of that live. Both sides will rock on until they are ready to hang it up. The only thing I would add is that if they can't do one more tour together, maybe they can stop with the trash talking? It seems to be coming more from Tommy and James. Seems to me that if they are happy with things as they are, there's no need to talk about Dennis. It's already been said.
