Named after the mythical river crossed by the dead in ancient Greek lore, STYX was to become synonymous with the symphonic orchestrated rock format that was to later termed 'Pomp Rock'. The band's early albums are overblown conceptual affairs rich in diversity. As STYX progressed, in particular with the addition of guitarist TOMMY SHAW, the songs, including a string of hit ballads, became more accessible to the mainstream and this was reflected by quite enormous album and concert ticket sales. STYX's status was such that they hold the record for being the first ever band to gain triple platinum honours with four consecutive album releases, 'The Grand Illusion', 'Pieces Of Eight', 'Cornerstone' and the no.1 'Paradise Theatre'.

The group was founded in 1964 by thirteen year old vocalist DENNIS DE YOUNG and his twelve year old neighbour twins Chuck and John Panozzo on bass and drums respectively as THE TRADEWINDS. With the trio attending the same university a name change to TW4 ensued. The budding group added guitarist James Young in 1970 after his band had broken up when members had left to become Jehovah's Witnesses. TW4 was signed to the Wooden Nickel Records label, a subsidiary of the giant RCA organisation, in 1971 by Bill Traut. With the signing TW4 became STYX.

The label, convinced of the band's musical talent but not their songwriting ability, persuaded the musicians to debut with an eponymous effort stocked with cover versions. Ironically it was to be the Young/ Dennis composition 'Best Thing' that was to mark STYX's inaugural entry into the Billboard top 100. This first flush of success did not phase the individual members though. Dennis held down a day job teaching music whilst Young drove a taxi to make ends meet.

STYX's second album (later to be re-released in England during 1980 under the revised title of 'Lady') was to set the band on their way. Constant live work eventually pushed the album to the number 20 position in the US charts, passing the platinum sales mark along the way, some eighteen months after its original release date. However, 'Styx II's popularity gradually grew, the band entered a period of lows. During this time, STYX was becoming increasingly disillusioned with Wooden Nickel's perceived lack of commitment. Although STYX toured each successive album, 1973's 'Serpent Is Rising' and the following year's 'Man Of Miracles', each sold less than previous efforts. STYX could entice thousands of fans to shows throughout the Mid West but were making little if any impact nationally.

The song 'Best Thing' was only included on the first pressing of 'Man Of Miracles'. Later it was replaced by the cover song 'Lies', and on the 1980 reissue by the B-side track 'Unfinished Song'.

The breakthrough was finally made in 1974 by 'Styx II'. Although by now an old release, Chicago's WLS radio received so many requests for the track 'Lady' that the station director made an on air pledge to play the song every night until it became a hit. His faith was justified and 'Lady' clawed it's way to number 6.

With the act now firmly in the limelight STYX felt confident enough to switch labels signing with A&M Records. 1975's 'Equinox' album, featuring the exquisite Pomp epic 'Suite Madame Blue', inspired by the United States' upcoming 200th Anniversary celebrations in 1976, marked the end of John Curulewski's association with STYX. The guitarist being replaced just prior to a nation-wide tour in the following year by 23 year old ex MS FUNK member and Alabama native Tommy Shaw. The new recruit was to prove himself a valuable ally to the band his country rock being the perfect foil for Young's more aggressive leanings.

STYX now took to the road with a vengeance. A blur of live work would see the band perform over 400 shows promoting 'Equinox' and 1976's 'Crystal Ball'. STYX were by now superstars in Canada and burgeoning to headline stature in America.

1977's 'The Grand Illusion' (prophetically released on the 7th day of the 7th month '77) propelled STYX into the major league and the Billboard top ten. The album was to peak at number 6 and remain in the charts for a staggering nine months shifting over three million copies. Following suit, 1978's 'Pieces Of Eight' launched yet more hit singles and another exhaustive tour dubbed 'The Main Event'. The tour, with STYX's ambitions now overflowing into extensive use of special effects and theatrics, filled major venues across America with consummate ease.

'Cornerstone', issued in January 1980, was to provide STYX with their first taste of the American no. 1 position with the weepy single 'Babe'. Overall the album presented a change in tack toward a much mellower feel, but the gamble paid off. Hard on the heels of 'Babe' was the folky 'Boat On The River' which hit top ten in many European countries. The same year a Gallup poll voted STYX the most popular band in America.

It was to be 1981's 'Paradise Theatre' album that would lift STYX into the upper echelons of Rock status. An elaborate concept album coming complete as laser etched double album disc format (this was a record company innovation and was intended to have become de rigour on all subsequent album releases in a determined effort to combat bootlegging. The idea was swiftly dropped) and lavish packaging. The album stayed lodged at the no. 1 slot for three weeks and spawned two huge radio hits in 'The Best Of Times' and 'Too Much Time On My Hands'. The latter track would notably be promoted by one of the first ever videos aired by by MTV on its launch day.

Follow up, the big budget concept album 'Kilroy Was Here' saw STYX venturing further into adventurous storylines, this time placed in an future ruled by enforced morals. Live dates featured De Young wearing a robot mask singing about the 'Mr. Roboto' character, numerous costume changes and the inclusion of an 11 minute video segment.

Still reeling from the heady accomplishments of recent years STYX, following the double live album 'Caught In The Act' and prompted by Shaw's desire to break away from the band restrictions, succumbed downing tools in mid 1984 with various members going their separate ways. DENNIS DE YOUNG predictably opted to pursue a solo career issuing three albums in 1984's 'Desert Moon', 1986's 'Back To The World' and 1988's 'Boomchild'.

TOMMY SHAW followed suit releasing a 1984 Mike Stone produced solo album 'Girls With Guns', followed up by 1985's 'What If' and 1987's 'Ambition'. Young meanwhile was far from idle releasing 1985's collaboration with JAN HAMMER the 'City Slickers' album and later, aided by John Panozzo, 'Out On A Day Pass'.

SYTX relented to commercial pressures (by this time they had racked up in excess of 25 million album sales) and reunited towards the tail end of the 1980's. Shaw, preoccupied with his act DAMN YANKEES (in collusion with wildman guitarist Ted Nugent and NIGHTRANGER's Jack Blades) which was poised to enjoy enormous success in their own right, decided not to re-enlist. His place was taken by New Jersey native GLEN BURTNICK who had released a couple of solo albums through A&M that had begun to attract something of a cult following, especially with European AOR fans.

STYX predictably cracked the American charts wide open again as the ballad 'Show Me The Way reached number 3 at the height of the Gulf War. Another sell out tour was undertaken after which the band fragmented once more.

De Young became an actor playing the part of Pontius Pilate in the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. As a spin off to this he cut an album of music hall favourites titled '10 On Broadway' for Atlantic Records and also wrote the Hunchback of Notre Dame inspired musical 'Q-Modo'.

James Young meanwhile created THE JAMES YOUNG GROUP touring in support of their 'Raised By Wolves' album in 1995. The same year Shaw forged SHAW BLADES with his DAMN YANKEES colleague Jack Blades releasing the album 'Hallucination'.

The summer of 1996 finally saw a massively successful reformation tour billed as 'Return To The Paradise Theatre', the members reuniting for the first time in thirteen years. This return to the spotlight was marred by the death of John Panozzo who passed away just as the band got back together.

band had been asked to submit material for a projected 'Greatest Hits II' album and A&M Records suggested that Shaw play on a new version of 'Lady', the original studio hit being laid down before the guitarists entry into STYX.

A double live album culled from these shows was released featuring as a bonus three new studio recordings. 'Dear John' (a tribute to Panozzo), 'Paradise' and 'On My Way'. STYX returned to the touring circuit in 1997 going out on a nation-wide journey with another rock veteran, label mate PAT BENATAR, as support. Drums came courtesy of Todd Sucherman.

STYX would lose original bassist Chuck Panozzo's services in 1999 but persevered by re-enlisting GLEN BURTNICK for the album 'Edge Of The Century'. A unique event occurred in 2000 when STYX shared a CD release with their touring partners REO SPEEDWAGON 'Arch Allies- Live At Riverport'. The record featured sets from both bands as well as their combined efforts on 'Blue Collar Man' and 'Roll With The Changes'.

De Young guested on SURVIVOR guitarist JIM PETERIK's 'World Stage' album the same year. The rights to use the name STYX were fought over in the courts during 2000 by De Young objecting to its use by his former colleagues.

STYX were back in the national media in the summer of 2001 when Chuck Panozzo, at the age of 53, decided to announce to the world that he was homosexual. Apparently the bassist's decision to declare his sexuality was prompted in part by his battle with the AIDS virus. Panozzo was diagnosed with HIV a full decade previously but did not seek treatment until he was seriously ill in 1997.

Mere months after the release of the 'Arch Allies' live effort STYX fans would receive a further treat with the release of the 'Styxworld Live 2001' album. Compiled from tapings at shows in Tokyo, Japan, Offenbach, Germany and Edmonton in Canada the new album would truly showcase the talents of newest recruits GLEN BURTNICK and GOWAN multi instrumentalist Lawrence Gowan. Among the more familiar STYX tunes would be live renditions of the DAMN YANKEES hit 'High Enough', a take on GOWAN's own 'A Criminal Mind', the Glen Burtnik track 'Love Is The Ritual' and a concise cover of the PATTY SMYTH & DON HENLEY hit 'Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough', originally co-written by Burtnik. Touring would find STYX back out with REO SPEEDWAGON as well as KANSAS and later dates with BAD COMPANY.

STYX readied a new album, 'Cyclorama', for February 2003 release. This outing included an unexpected slew of guest contributors including actors Billy Bob Thornton and Jack Black, JOHN WAITE, Brian Wilson and JUDE COLE.

STYX projected dates into the Summer of 2003 as the 'Rockin' The Arena' tour packaged with JOURNEY and REO SPEEDWAGON. The band line up would evolve once more in September with GLEN BURTNICK stepping down. His rapid replacement would be Ricky Phillips, a veteran figure citing credits with FREDERIKSEN / PHILLIPS, BAD ENGLISH, COVERDALE / PAGE and THE BABYS. In October the band released yet another live album, '21st Century Live', including the added bonus of a newly recorded studio track 'Yes I Can'.

In 2004 STYX united with PETER FRAMPTON and NELSON for Summer North American tour dates commencing May 6th. The band undertook a first in November when, allied with AOR compatriots REO SPEEDWAGON and JOURNEY they set out on a unique seven day Caribbean tour aboard Carnival's Triumph cruise ship. Setting sail from Miami, ports of call included Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

STYX released a cover version of THE BEATLES 'I Am The Walrus' to US radio in November. The track scored a surprising degree of airplay, prompting the filiming of a promotional video featuring a performance from actor Billy Bob Thornton. The band set to work on an album, billed 'The Big Bang Theory', totally comprising of cover versions and revealed plans for their first UK shows, in July of 2005, in well over a decade.

As well as the cover versions, 'The Big Bang Theory' would also host a re-worked version of 'Blue Collar Man', a new studio version of the band's 1978 Top 40 hit. Guesting on the track would be Blues great Koko Taylor and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame piano player Johnnie Johnson. As for the STYX interpretations of songs by others the album included takes on THE WHO's 'I Can See For Miles', 'Summer In The City' by THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL, 'A Salty Dog' from PROCUL HARUM, 'Can't Find My Way Home' by BLIND FAITH, 'Manic Depression' by JIMI HENDRIX, 'Locomotive Breath' by JETHRO TULL, 'Wishing Well' by FREE, 'I Am The Walrus' by THE BEATLES, 'Find The Cost Of Freedom' from CROSBY, STILLS & NASH, 'It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)' by WILLIE DIXON, 'Talkin' About The Good Times' from PRETTY THINGS, 'I Don't Need No Doctor' by HUMBLE PIE and 'One Way Out' by the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND.

In a surprising move, DENNIS DE YOUNG announced in December that he would be performing shows in New Jersey alongside GLEN BURTNICK in April 2006. Meantime, on May 25th, STYX took to the stage in Cleveland for a new venture accompanied by the 115 piece teenage Contemporary Youth Orchestra and a 60 member chorus. This one off event was recorded for a subsequent live album, 'One With Everything'. The album hosted two brand new tracks, 'Everything All The Time' and 'Just Be'. STYX toured relentlessly throughout the summer, hooking up with REO SPEEDWAGON and FOREIGNER along the way. In October 2006 Shaw vocalised on a cover version of the JOURNEY classic 'Send Her My Love' featured on the Cleopatra Records homage collection '80s Metal Tribute To Journey'.

STYX announced they were to back DEEP PURPLE and THIN LIZZY on UK dates in April 2007. STYX then formed up a triple header with FOREIGNER and ASIA for US touring throughout June.

STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON and 38 SPECIAL launched into the US 'Can't Stop Rockin' summer 2009 tour on 13th May at Albuquerque, New Mexico's Sandia Casino Amphitheater. Meantime, ex-member Glen Burtnick joined THE ORCHESTRA.