Styx (band) and Cramlington: Difference between pages

Revision as of 01:14, 16 December 2006

Revision as of 09:30, 20 April 2007

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{{infobox UK place|

{{POV}}

{{unreferenced|date=September 2006}}

|country = England

{{Infobox musical artist |

|official_name= Cramlington

Background = group_or_band |

|latitude= 55.0821

Name = Styx |

|longitude= -1.5848

Img = styx.jpg |

|population= 39,000 ([[2004]] est.)

Img_capt = The earliest lineup (Left to Right: James Young, Chuck Panozzo, Dennis DeYoung, John Panozzo, John Curulewski). |

|shire_district= [[Blyth Valley]]

Years_active = [[1961]] – present |

| shire_county = [[Northumberland]]

Origin = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] |

|region= North East England

Genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]<br>[[Arena rock]]<br>[[Hard rock]]<br>[[Progressive rock]] |

|constituency_westminster= [[Blyth Valley]]

Label = [[A&M Records]]<br />[[Interscope Records]] |

|post_town= CRAMLINGTON

Current_members = [[Tommy Shaw]]<br/>[[James Young (musician)|James "J.Y." Young]]<br />[[Todd Sucherman]] <br />[[Lawrence Gowan]]<br />[[Ricky Phillips]]<br />[[Chuck Panozzo]] |

|postcode_district = NE23

Past_members = [[Dennis DeYoung]]<br>[[John Panozzo]] (deceased)<br>[[John Curulewski]] (deceased)<br>[[Glen Burtnik]] |

|postcode_area= NE

URL = [http://www.styxworld.com www.styxworld.com]

|dial_code= 01670

|os_grid_reference= NZ2676

}}

'''Styx''' is an American [[arena rock]] band that saw great success in the 1970s and 1980s, penning such hits as "[[Come Sail Away]]," "[[Babe (song)|Babe]]," and "[[Mr. Roboto]]." They were the first musical act ever to have four consecutive multi-platinum albums.

The group originally formed in the [[Chicago, Illinois]], area in [[1961]] as "The Tradewinds" and played local bars while attending [[Chicago State University]]. This earliest line-up of the group included brothers [[Chuck Panozzo|Chuck]] and [[John Panozzo]] on guitar and drums, respectively; and vocalist, pianist, keyboardist, and accordion player [[Dennis DeYoung]]. Changing their name briefly to "TW4", Chuck switched to bass guitar and the band added guitarists/vocalists [[James Young (musician)|James "J.Y." Young]] and [[John Curulewski]].

The band members decided to choose a new name when they signed to [[Wooden Nickel Records]]; several suggestions were made and, says DeYoung, Styx was chosen because it was "the only one that none of us hated." [http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=94642&sid=f4d559e6f0836e0461ce1e0784a8aa7d]

== 1970s ==

The band's [[The Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings|Wooden Nickel recordings]], ''[[Styx (album)|Styx]]'' ([[1972]]), ''[[Styx II]]'' ([[1973]]), ''[[The Serpent Is Rising]]'' (also [[1973]]) and ''[[Man of Miracles]]'' ([[1974]]), were a mixture of straight-ahead rock with some dramatic [[Progressive Rock|prog-rock]] flourishes and [[Art rock|art-rock]] aspirations. ''[[The Serpent Is Rising]]'' would foreshadow later endeavors by the group&mdash;the so-called [[concept album]] would be a medium upon which Styx would rely heavily by the 1980s.

"Krakatoa", a mostly-spoken-word track from ''Serpent'', served as the inspiration from which filmmaker George Lucas created the [[THX]] audio logo, [[Deep Note]] [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:33rn28vc05oa~T1].

On the strength of these releases and constant playing in local clubs and schools, the band established a fan base in the Chicago area, but was unable to break into the mainstream until an early song, the [[power ballad]] "Lady" (from ''Styx II''), began to earn some radio time, first on [[WLS (AM)|WLS]] in Chicago and then nationwide. In the spring of 1975, nearly two years after the album had been released, "[[Lady (song)|Lady]]" hit the top ten, and ''Styx II'' went gold soon after.

On the heels of its belated hit single, Styx signed with [[A&M Records]] and released ''[[Equinox (album)|Equinox]]'' ([[1975]]), which sold well and yielded minor hits in "Lorelei" and "Light Up". Recently, on Dennis DeYoung's official Web site [http://www.dennisdeyoung.com/], he notes that "Suite Madame Blue" is the third most popular song in the province of Quebec, Canada (where Styx first became a headliner), after the songs "Stairway to Heaven" and "Hotel California".

Following the move to A&M, Curulewski suddenly left the band just before they were to embark on a nationwide tour to save his marriage, and was replaced by singer, songwriter, and guitarist [[Tommy Shaw]] after a frantic search to find a last-minute replacement. The first album with Shaw, ''[[Crystal Ball (album)|Crystal Ball]]'' ([[1976]]), was moderately successful (the band performs the Shaw-penned title track to this day) and also includes Shaw's "Mademoiselle" and DeYoung's "This Old Man".

Its follow-up, ''[[The Grand Illusion (album)|The Grand Illusion]]'' ([[1977]]) became the group's breakthrough album, reaching [[gold album|triple platinum]] [[RIAA certification|certification]] and spawning a top-ten hit and [[Album Oriented Rock|AOR]] radio staple in the DeYoung-penned "[[Come Sail Away]]," as well as a second radio hit, Shaw's "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)."

"Come Sail Away" is often cited as the ultimate Styx song, mixing balladry with the theatrical flair of art rock and lyrics which take the listener on a journey that combines dreams, science fiction imagery, and religious undertones.

The album also includes its progressive-flavored title track, "The Grand Illusion," which received significant airplay, though it warns, "Don't be fooled by radio, TV, or the magazines. They show you photographs of how your life should be, but they're just someone else's fantasy."

Finally, "Miss America" is also on the album and represents J.Y.'s only songwriting and singing contribution to receive significant radio airplay.

Through the late 1970s the band enjoyed its greatest success. The album ''[[Pieces of Eight]]'' ([[1978]]) found the group moving in a more straight-ahead pop-rock direction and spawned the hit singles "[[Renegade (song)|Renegade]]," and "[[Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)]]."

''[[Cornerstone (album)|Cornerstone]]'' ([[1979]]) yielded the group's first number one hit, the DeYoung ballad "[[Babe (song)|Babe]]" (which hit #6 in the United Kingdom, Jan 1980 [http://www.everyhit.com/]), as well as becoming their biggest international hit. The album also included "[[Boat on the River]]" and DeYoung rockers "[[Why me]]" and "Borrowed Time."

Tension among band members was beginning to rear its ugly head; the planned second single, the DeYoung ballad "First Time," was scrapped after Shaw threatened to leave the band if it was released.

== Stardom in the 1980s ==

[[Image:Kilroy2.jpg|thumb|right|Dennis DeYoung as "Kilroy" revealing his identity in the pre-concert film "Kilroy Was Here"]]

By 1980, Styx had (over the course of several albums) established themselves as a positive band in terms of lyrics, criticizing unemployment ("Blue Collar Man"), consumerism ("The Grand Illusion"), and materialism ("Pieces of Eight"). As teen idols, Styx also topped magazine polls for "Most Popular Rock Band." However, at their height of fame, Styx never actually broke out in Europe.

In [[1981]], Styx released ''[[Paradise Theatre]]'', a loose [[concept album]] that became their biggest hit, reaching number one on the Billboard pop albums chart and yielding five singles, including the top 10 hits "The Best of Times" and "Too Much Time on My Hands".

The band was accused by a California religious right group and later Tipper Gore's [[P.M.R.C]] of [[backmasking]] [[Satanic]] messages in their anti-cocaine anthem, "Snowblind." J.Y. has often gone on the record, refuting this charge during his concert introduction for "Snowblind," with Dennis saying on In the Studio with [[Redbeard]] which devoted an entire episode to the making of Paradise Theatre that "we had enough trouble to make the music sound right forward. It was the name Styx which is the river that runs through the underground. Can you imagine attacking the band that made Babe, I mean please!"

Owing to its accessibility and quality production, this album helped win the band a [[People's Choice Awards|People's Choice Award]] in 1981, and became the band's 4th consecutive multi-platinum album (the standard of four consecutive quad platinum albums was a record given, they were the first ever to accomplish that feat). A Gallup poll that year also touted them as the most popular band in North America.

Throughout the 1990s, the band would use the album's opening track, "Rockin' the Paradise," which hit #6 on the rock charts in 1981, to open their shows. The album closes with J.Y.'s "Half-Penny, Two Penny" which segued into Dennis' "A.D. 1958" and ending properly with "State Street Sadie".

Critics would simply dismiss them as slick and pretentious, but the tour proved extremely lucrative {{citeneeded}}. Paradise Theatre is still an enduring favorite with fans.

During this period of greatest success, the band, particularly DeYoung and Shaw, continued to be affected by interpersonal tensions. Tommy Shaw later went on record as saying "I was always the 'new guy' in Styx."

On the successes of the ballad "Babe" and the Paradise Theatre album, Styx founder DeYoung began pushing for a more theatrical and progressive rock direction, while Shaw and Young favored a harder-edged approach. The band followed DeYoung's lead with their next project, ''[[Kilroy Was Here (album)|Kilroy Was Here]]'': another, more fully-realized concept album.

Set in a future where music itself has been outlawed, Dennis DeYoung portrayed Kilroy, an unjustly imprisoned rock star. Representing the "younger" rock generation, Tommy Shaw played Jonathan Chance, who fights for Kilroy's freedom.

Part of the impetus for the Kilroy story, were the false accusations of backwards satanic messages leveled at the band in 1981.

Critics said that the concept behind ''[[Kilroy Was Here (album)|Kilroy Was Here]]'' was still very murky. Whilst band members themselves admitted to not really understanding the concept, it must be noted that guitarist/vocalist [[James Young (musician)|James Young]] relished playing the "heavy," starring as Dr. Everett Righteous in the 20-minute "Kilroy" feature. The Panozzo brothers played his henchmen, Col. Hyde and Lt. Vanish in the concert version (although John Panozzo also played one of the prisoners in the ''Kilroy Was Here'' film, which preceded the shows, and was the one who uttered the tag-line, "Hey, Roboto, your mother was a Toyota!")

Sailing high on the Styx name, ''Kilroy'' went platinum in 1983, boasting two Top 10 hits, the [[synthesizer]]-based "[[Mr. Roboto]]" and power ballad "[[Don't Let It End]]."

Straying away from the pop-rock vein, J.Y.'s "Heavy Metal Poisoning" reverts the listener back to Styx's early funk-jazz style, taking a poke at religious critics. Its introduction included a backward message, the Latin phrase, "annuit coeptis novus ordo seclorum," from the Great Seal of the United States. It is translated to "God has favored our undertakings. A new order for the ages."

On the Kilroy Was Here tour of 1983 for half of the Kilroy tracks, the band had the instrumental backing tracks of Mr. Roboto (with Dennis singing disguised as a roboto and Tommy Shaw as Jonathan Chance), "Heavy Metal Poisoning" (with J.Y. singing and the Panozzo brothers acting as his henchmen on stage) and lastly, the wistful "Haven't We Been Here Before," featuring a rare duet between DeYoung and Shaw. The songs that the group played live were Dennis' "Don't Let it End", with an extended ending, Tommy Shaw's bluntly naive "Cold War," featuring an extended guitar solo. "Don't Let It End Reprise" began as a soliloquy by Tommy Shaw and Dennis DeYoung, but ended with the full band on a positive rock and roll note.

Despite this ambitious stage show, ''Kilroy'' brought tensions within the band to a breaking point. In [[1984]], the band debuted its first live album, ''Caught in the Act.'' Taken from both the "Paradise Theatre" and "Kilroy Was Here" tours, the project featured one studio track, "Music Time," a modest radio hit that cracked the top 40.

== Solo careers ==

Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw released a string of solo albums, beginning with DeYoung's [[Desert Moon]] and Shaw's [[Girls with Guns (album)|Girls with Guns]] in [[1984]]. Both Shaw and DeYoung generated a moderate amount of interest with their first solo albums. DeYoung, in particular, scored a Top 10 hit with the title track, "Desert Moon," which was also heavily featured on MTV. Shaw also cracked the Top-40 with "Girls With Guns" and "Lonely School," with a cameo on the [[NBC]] television series, [[Miami Vice]]. DeYoung's follow up single "Don't Wait for Heroes" also featured a video that was heavily featured on MTV, but it failed to generate significant airplay at radio only peaking at #83. During the filming of the video, DeYoung injured his back, causing him to back out of opening a North American concert tour for Huey Lewis & the News.

Shaw's [[What If (Tommy Shaw)|What If]] (1985) and DeYoung's [[Back to the World (Dennis DeYoung album)|Back to the World]] (1986) also charted with singles from film soundtracks. Shaw's "What If (Remo's Theme)" from [[Remo Williams: the Adventure Begins]] entered the [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] Hot 100, while DeYoung's "This Is The Time" from [[The Karate Kid, Part II|Karate Kid II]] was featured for a short while on [[MTV]]. The first single from DeYoung's Back To The World, "Call Me", peaked at #6 on AC and was a modest pop hit, peaking at #54.

However, by the late 1980s, both Styx members' solo careers gradually simmered down to a modest but loyal fanbase. Neither DeYoung's [[Boomchild]] nor Shaw's [[Ambition]] achieved nearly the same levels of earlier albums, although Shaw's cover of [[Jim Peterik]]'s "Ever Since the World Began" charted briefly. Shaw also recorded sessions with Peterik's group, [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]], on 1986's [[When Seconds Count]].

Meanwhile, James Young collaborated with [[Jan Hammer]] and recorded his own solo album under The James Young Band (briefly involving the Panozzo brothers.) In [[1988]], Tommy Shaw formed [[Damn Yankees (band)|Damn Yankees]] with [[Ted Nugent]], [[Jack Blades]] and [[Michael Cartellone]]. Meanwhile, Styx made plans for a comeback in the new decade.

== 1990s and present day ==

[[Image:styx2.jpg|thumb|right|

Standing: James Young, Chuck Panozzo, Ricky Phillips, Todd Sucherman. Sitting: Lawrence Gowan, Tommy Shaw.]]

In 1990, with Shaw achieving some success with [[Damn Yankees (band)|Damn Yankees]], the remaining elements of Styx reformed with [[Glen Burtnik]] replacing Shaw.

The new line-up released one album, ''[[Edge of the Century]]'', featuring the Dennis DeYoung ballad "Show Me The Way," which received an additional boost just prior to the first [[Persian Gulf War]]. Some radio stations edited the Top 3 smash to include the voices of children whose parents were deployed in Saudi Arabia between 1990-91.

Burtnik's songwriting also helped buoy "Edge of the Century" to gold album status, contributing to the hits "Love at First Sight" (#25 pop) and "Love is the Ritual" (#80 pop, #9 rock). On the strength of the singles, particularly "Show Me The Way", Edge of The Century peaked at #63 on the Billboard album chart and was certified gold.

Styx toured across the U.S. before once again disbanding. Despite the success of "Edge" with 2 top 40 singles and gold album certification, A&M Records dropped the band after the company was purchased by PolyGram Records.

In 1994, DeYoung recorded "10 on Broadway", an album of showtunes.

The band reunited in [[1995]] to re-record "Lady" for ''[[Styx Greatest Hits]]'' ([[1995]]) and a [[1996]] tour, but John Panozzo was unable to participate due to declining health caused by problems with [[alcohol]] that killed him soon after.

Continuing with [[Todd Sucherman]] replacing Panozzo, Styx's 1996 Return to Paradise tour was also a success. They documented the reunion tour with a 2-disc live set, 1997's [[Return to Paradise]], which featured three new studio tracks; "On My Way," "Paradise" (a soft rock hit that also appears on Dennis DeYoung's ''[[Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'' solo album) and "Dear John," a tribute to the late Styx drummer John Panozzo that has become a cult favorite among Styx fans. "Return to Paradise" was a surprise hit in 1997, achieving gold status, with the single "Paradise" peaking at #27 on the AC chart. "Return to Paradise" was Styx's new record company's, CMC, first gold album.

Two years later, the band released its first new studio album in almost a decade, ''[[Brave New World (Styx album)|Brave New World]]'' ([[1999]]). The album received a lukewarm reception, and the single, "Everything Is Cool," failed to chart.

Once again, personality conflicts drove the band members apart. While Tommy Shaw and James Young's material followed a hard rock vein, Dennis DeYoung's penchant for Broadway styles infuriated his bandmates, and the dramatic differences in styles were all too evident on ''[[Brave New World (Styx album)|Brave New World]].''

Arguments over which songs to release as singles, the album's artwork, the track sequencing, and the omission of DeYoung's vocals and keyboards from many of the Shaw/JY tracks fueled the fire that was now blazing. The band was further hindered by a viral illness contracted by Deyoung which made him sensitive to light. He asked his bandmates to delay touring.

Chuck Panozzo left the band in 1998 after revealing to his bandmates that he was gay and battling [[HIV]]. (His public explanation came in 2001 at the annual Human Rights Campaign banquet.)

Later that year, before DeYoung could return from his illness, he was replaced by [[Lawrence Gowan]].

The small [[town]] of '''Cramlington''' in the county of [[Northumberland]] is situated nine miles north of the provincial city of [[Newcastle Upon Tyne]] in the north east of [[England]]. Its population is about 39,000. Its name suggests a probable founding by the [[Danes]] or [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] origin, the word ‘Ton’ meaning town.

Glen Burtnik returned to fill Chuck's bass duties. Burtnik left Styx in 2004 to spend "more quality time with my family"{{citeneeded}} and to record a solo album, ''[[Welcome to Hollywood (album)|Welcome to Hollywood]].'' He was replaced by [[Ricky Phillips]], formerly of [[The Babys]] and [[Bad English]]. Burtnik was also unhappy with his diminshed role within the band and the lack of interest by the band in releasing his song, "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" as a single.

==History==

He would later reunite with Dennis DeYoung on his solo tour in 2006, performing songs from [[Edge Of The Century]], as well as songs from the unreleased follow-up to that album. Chuck Panozzo still sits in with the band as his health permits.

[[Image:St_nicholas_cramlington.jpg|thumb|St Nicholas's Church|left]]

The first record of the Manor of Cramlington is from a mention in [[1135]] when the land was granted to Nicholas de Grenville. A register of early chaplains begins with John the Clerk of Cramlington (c.[[1163]]-[[1180]]). The register continues to the present day.

From the [[1100s|12th Century]] onwards, its history has been mostly rural incorporating several farms and the parish [[church]] of St. Nicholas (built at a cost of £3,000 during [[1865]]-[[1868]] in the [[Gothic style]]) but during the early [[1800s|19th Century]], [[coal mining]] with several mine shafts in the immediate vicinity (the first was sunk in [[1824]]) began to change that. It remained small, however, until [[1964]] when it was proclaimed a [[New town#United Kingdom|New Town]] and developers (such as William Leech and J.T.Bell) developed large [[housing estate]]s. It has effectively become a [[suburb]] of the much larger [[city]] to its south.

Meanwhile, DeYoung continues his solo career by re-arranging his Styx hits and performing with a symphony orchestra. He also filed a lawsuit against his former band members, charging that they had used the band's name without his consent. The suit was eventually settled on the grounds that DeYoung could bill himself as "performing the music of Styx" or "formerly of Styx," but not "the voice of Styx."

During [[World War I]], the North East of England was protected by the [[No. 36 Squadron RAF|No. 36 Home Defence Squadron]]. The squadron was formed at Cramlington on [[February 1]], [[1916]] by Capt. R. O. Abercromby, with Cramlington subsequently becoming an important base for military planes and [[airships]]. A reference to Cramlington airfield is made in [[W. E. Johns]] [[1935]] book ''The Black Peril'' from the extremely popular [[Biggles]] series.

A new version of Styx featuring Shaw, Gowan, and sole remaining original member James Young released ''[[Cyclorama (album)|Cyclorama]]'' in February [[2003]]. Cyclorama sold few copies and to date has only sold approximately 15,000 copies in the US, a far cry from the 3 million plus that the band routinely sold in the late 70s and early 80s. This edition of the band also toured extensively through the first half of the decade.

==Geography and infrastructure==

In 2005, DeYoung released a CD of re-recorded Styx hits from a solo concert with a symphony orchestra (titled "Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx,") while the remaining members of Styx recorded a new album made entirely of rock covers. The new CD, "Big Bang Theory," was released on May 10, 2005, and reached #46, Styx's highest chart position on Billboard's Top 200 in 14 years, but failing to garner much staying power, only staying on the charts for 2 weeks. It did feature a #2 hit in the remake of the Beatles "I Am The Walrus". DeYoung's CD became a modest hit in Canada, selling about 30,000 copies there.

The latitude and longitude of Cramlington are 55.07N & 01.59W [[British national grid reference system|NZ2676]]. The [[River Blyth, Northumberland|River Blyth]] is close by, as is Plessey Woods Country Park.

The town is served by [[Cramlington railway station]], with services to the [[MetroCentre]], [[Morpeth, Northumberland|Morpeth]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] provided by [[Northern Rail]]. Cramlington has an extensive bus service of which is provided by [[Arriva North East|Arriva Northumbria]]. With the X1,X2,X3,X4,X5 and X6 buses linking the town to Newcastle Upon Tyne respectively.

As of April 21, 2006, according to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) which awards artists and groups gold/platinum status, Styx ranks #127 with 17.5 million[http://www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topartists.asp] records sold within the United States. After they finish up their tour, they will take a few months off to record a new album due out next Spring.

As of early 2007, there have been rumours of a possible metro link being established in the future through sharing the somewhat redundant line between neighbouring towns [[Blyth]], [[Bedlington]], [[Ashington]] and [[Morpeth]].

Cramlington also has good road transport links, being situated between the [[A1 road|A1]], [[A19 road|A19]] and [[A189 road|A189]] roads. The town is also notable for its many roundabouts, especially the notorious Moor Farm roundabout which links the A19 and A189 as well as other roads to Cramlington.

In 2006, it was announced that Moor Farm roundabout is to be 'traffic controlled' with traffic lights installed, working on a similar operation to those at the A19 Silverlink roundabout, due to continuous congestion and also frequent accidents on a severe scale.

It has also been announced that Blyth Valley Council are proposing the construction of a new bus concourse, of which will be located near to Manor Walks Shopping Centre to improve public transport links for commuters.

==Economy==

== DeYoung's keyboard techniques ==

There are several large industrial zones in Cramlington, most to the town's north-west, housing major pharmaceutical companies including [[Merck Sharp and Dohme]]. Other growing chemical companies including Aesica Pharmaceuticals are also present.<ref>[http://www.aesica-pharma.co.uk/find.html]</ref>

Dennis DeYoung used a vintage Oberheim synthesizer (OB-8) during his tenure with Styx. He felt this is what contributed to the unique sound that people associated with Styx [http://www.styxcollector.com/ddyart96.html]. During later tours, he switched to the more modern OB-8A, which was almost identical to the original. Contributing to this, he would mix the sounds from the Oberheim synthesizer with a Yamaha grand piano (as he did with the keyboard work of "Come Sail Away"). A frequent trademark was to mix different keyboard sound like this (even adding accordion on many songs, i.e. "All in a Day's Work" and "Boat on the River"). Also, frequently the synthesizer mimics the guitar riff, adding an electronic element to Shaw and Young's guitar signatures (As in "Blue Collar Man").

The popular Manor Walks shopping centre was constructed in the centre of the town in the [[1970s]], and was subsequently expanded in the mid-[[1990s]] and in [[2003]]/[[2004|4]]. The centre now includes retailers such as [[Argos]], [[ASDA]], [[Boots Group|Boots]], [[Next (retailer)|Next]] and [[Sainsbury's]].

==Styx in popular culture==

The band and its music have made a wide-ranging impact on music, television and films. Some of the more notable examples include:

Provisional permissions were recently given to an [[Open-pit mining|open cast mining]] operation to the north-west of the town, however the fine detail of how much [[coal]] is to be extracted has yet to be agreed.<ref>[http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/BB_News.asp?BB_Bulletin_ID=2891]</ref> As of [[July 2006]], it now appears mining will not go ahead.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/5146544.stm] </ref>

*Styx was featured on an episode of ''[[Family Guy]]'' in which Dennis DeYoung calls in to a hotline to bash [[KISS (band)|KISS]], and is rebuffed by Peter Griffin as being a "high-voiced bastard."

*DeYoung was featured in ''[[The Perfect Man]]'' (2005) as a Dennis DeYoung impersonator in a Styx tribute band.

*"Come Sail Away" was used in an episode of ''[[South Park]]'' ([[Eric Cartman]] cannot stand to hear the first few bars and not the rest of the song; he usually finishes it himself, at a ridiculously high speed presumably in order to get it out of his head as quickly as possible).

*In ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'', Buster danced to "[[Mr. Roboto]]" when he got his hook stuck in the car (the scene is an homage to a TV commercial featuring the same song and actor, [[Tony Hale]]).

*[[Adam Sandler]] has stated that Styx is his favorite band, and he frequently features their songs in his movies. For example, in the film ''[[Big Daddy (film)|Big Daddy]]'', he makes up wild stories about meeting the band to impress a woman, and teaches his "son" to explain that Styx is "a great American rock band" but is dismissed by critics because "most critics are cynical assholes."

*''[[The Simpsons]]'' has featured the group and its music at least 3 times; in one episode, Homer travels down the [[River Styx]] in [[Hades]] while skeletons are on the shore playing "Lady" (prompting him to exclaim, "Oh, this truly is Hell!").

*''[[Austin Powers in Goldmember]]'' (2002) featured a character named Mr. Roboto ([[Nobu Matsuhisa]]), whom Powers thanks by reciting "Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto."

{{seealso|Mr. Roboto#The song in popular culture}}

*The television show ''[[Freaks and Geeks]]'' used Styx on at least two notable occasions:

**In the pilot episode, Sam asks his long-time crush Cindy Sanders to dance with him during a slow song. The song is "Come Sail Away". They walk through the crowd and, as they begin to dance, the song shifts up-tempo, and Sam loses his chance to dance to a slow song with her.

**In the episode ''Girlfriends and Boyfriends'', Nick (played by [[Jason Segel]]), sings [[Lady (song)|Lady]] to his love interest, Lindsay Weir (played by [[Linda Cardellini]]).

*Notable references in ''[[Futurama]]'':

**In "[[The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings]]," the [[Robot Devil]] sings that he shall marry [[Turanga Leela|Leela]] and confine her to Hell, "where Styx is a [[River Styx|river]], and not just a band, though they'll play our reception if all goes as planned."

**In the episode [[The 30% Iron Chef]], chairman Koji says "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto." to [[Bender Bending Rodríguez|Bender]], referencing the song "Mr. Roboto".

*In an episode of "Sex and The City" entitled "Hot Child in The City" (Season 3 Episode 15) Carrie Bradshaw was in the residence of newfound boy toy Wade Adams where she discovered his record collection. She came across "Cornerstone" and said, "Oh my God! Styx! I LOOOOVE Styx! I had this album."

*In [[That 70's Show]], one of the thanksgiving episodes features Eric as the only one of the group who enjoys the band Styx, and stays overnight to get a ticket for a thanksgiving concert, even though no one else wanted one. He is forced by his parents to stay home, and throughout the episode Kelso, Fez, and Jackie all admit to enjoying Styx (Fez and Kelso by trying to steal Styx records, and Jackie by "rocking out" to it in Eric's basement).

*The song [[Lady (song)|Lady]] was performed by singing cows in the Real California Cheese commercial, which may be viewed here: [http://www.realcaliforniacheese.com/default.cfm?frameRedir=http://www.realcaliforniacheese.com/sub_home.cfm?sub=happyCowsXXpage=0].

==MembersEducation==

Schools in [[Northumberland]] currently operate under a three tier system, however, the council recently made the decision to convert to the national two tier system. This change will affect all schools in the town. For example, [[Cramlington Community High School]], which is currently one of the largest high schools in the country, will absorb a neighbouring middle school to increase its student capacity.

===Current line-up===

*[[Tommy Shaw]] &ndash; Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Mandolin, Shamisen, Synthesizers and Vocals (1975&ndash;1983, 1995&ndash;present)

*[[James Young (musician)|James "J.Y." Young]] &ndash; Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals and Synthesizers (1970&ndash;present)

*[[Todd Sucherman]] &ndash; Drums, Percussion and Vocals (1996&ndash;present)

*[[Lawrence Gowan]] &ndash; Keyboards, Synthesizers and Vocals (1999&ndash;present)

*[[Ricky Phillips]] &ndash; Bass Guitar and Vocals (2004&ndash;present)

*[[Chuck Panozzo]] &ndash; Bass Guitar, Bass Pedals and Vocals (1961&ndash;1998)

Prior to the closure of the area's many middle schools, some elementary schools will be relocating to the former middle school sites, which will allow disused sites and land to be sold to housing developers and other parties. It has been proposed that the changes will begin as of September 2007, however there has been concern from local residents over traffic and parking arrangements at the new sites.<ref>http://www.blyth-wansbecktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1115&ArticleID=1974999</ref>

===Former members===

*[[Dennis DeYoung]] &ndash; Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizers and Accordion (1961&ndash;1999)

*[[John Panozzo]] &ndash; Drums, Percussion, and Vocals (1961&ndash;1996)

*[[John Curulewski]] &ndash; Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals and Synthesizers (1970&ndash;1975)

*[[Glen Burtnik]] &ndash; Acoustic and Electric Guitars and Vocals (1990&ndash;1991) / Bass Guitar and Vocals (1999&ndash;2004)

==DiscographyLeisure==

Cramlington's main leisure centre, Concordia, is situated in the town centre adjacent to the shopping mall and was opened by the Queen in the 1977. It boasts a leisure pool, originally designed in the 1970s as an indoor tropical paradise, indoor football pitches, tennis, badminton and squash courts, as well as a climbing wall. It also features a well-equipped gymnasium, sauna and bowling green.

===Studio albums===

{| border="0" cellpadding="16" width="80%" align="center"

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Styx_(original).jpg|75px|center]][[Styx (album)|Styx]] (1972)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Styx_II.jpg|75px|center]][[Styx II]] (1973)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_The_Serpent_Is_Rising.jpg|75px|center]][[The Serpent Is Rising]] (1973)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Man_of_Miracles.jpg|75px|center]][[Man of Miracles]] (1974)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Equinox.jpg|75px|center]][[Equinox (album)|Equinox]] (1975)

|-

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Crystal_Ball.jpg|75px|center]][[Crystal Ball (Styx album)|Crystal Ball]] (1976)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_The_Grand_Illusion.jpg|75px|center]][[The Grand Illusion (album)|The Grand Illusion]] (1977)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Pieces_of_Eight.jpg|75px|center]][[Pieces of Eight]] (1978)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Cornerstone.jpg|75px|center]][[Cornerstone (album)|Cornerstone]] (1979)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Paradise_Theater.jpg|75px|center]][[Paradise Theatre]] (1981)

|-

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Kilroy_Was_Here.jpg|75px|center]][[Kilroy Was Here (album)|Kilroy Was Here]] (1983)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Edge_of_the_Century.jpg|75px|center]][[Edge of the Century]] (1990)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Brave_New_World.jpg|75px|center]][[Brave New World (Styx album)|Brave New World]] (1999)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Cyclorama.jpg|75px|center]][[Cyclorama (album)|Cyclorama]] (2003)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Big_Bang_Theory.jpg|75px|center]][[Big Bang Theory (album)|Big Bang Theory]] (2005)

|}

As part of the new town design, the town has a large cycle path network. A cycle route also connects the town to the nearest beach, in Blyth.

===Live albums===

As of late March 2007, Blyth Valley council have announced that the cycle network is to be extended to allow access to neighbouring town [[Bedlington]].

{| border="0" cellpadding="16" width="80%" align="center"

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Caught_in_the_Act.jpg|75px|center]][[Caught in the Act (Styx album)|Caught in the Act]] (1984)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_Return_to_Paradise.jpg|75px|center]][[Return to Paradise (album)|Return to Paradise]] (1997)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:ARCHALLIES.jpg|75px|center]][[Arch Allies: Live at Riverport]] (2000) (with [[REO Speedwagon]])

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:StyxWorldLive.jpg|75px|center]][[Styx World: Live 2001]] (2001)

|-

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:noimage.jpg|75px|center]]Yesterday & Today (2001)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:StyxRiversEdge.jpg|75px|center]][[At the River's Edge: Live in St. Louis]] (2002)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx21stCentury.jpg|75px|center]]21st Century Live (2002)|

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:one_with_everything.jpg|75px|center]]One With Everything: Styx and the [[Contemporary Youth Orchestra]] (2006)

|}

There are few pubs located around Cramlington, however the original Cramlington Village, ajacent the modern town centre is now more well-known for its nightlife. As the village incorporates popular pubs The Plough, The Blagdon Arms, The Travellers Rest, Capella's wine bar, The commrades club and the social club.

===Compilations===

{| border="0" cellpadding="16" width="80%" align="center"

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styxclassics.jpg|75px|center]]Styx Classics Volume 15 (1987)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:StyxGHits.jpg|75px|center]][[Styx Greatest Hits]] (1995)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:StyxGHits2.jpg|75px|center]][[Styx Greatest Hits Part 2]] (1996)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:noimage.jpg|75px|center]]Extended Versions (2000)

|-

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:noimage.jpg|75px|center]]20th Century Masters (2002)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:StyxRockers.jpg|75px|center]]Rockers (2003)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Come_Sail_Away_-_The_Styx_Anthology.jpg|75px|center]][[Come Sail Away - The Styx Anthology]] (2005)

!width="25%" valign="top"|[[Image:Styx_-_The_Complete_Wooden_Nickel_Recordings.jpg|75px|center]][[The Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings]] (2005)

|}

==SinglesReligion==

Cramlington has a number of churches of various denominations.

[[image:styx64286.jpg|thumb|right|

"[[Don't Let It End]]" from [[Kilroy Was Here (album)|Kilroy Was Here]] hit #6 in 1983.]]

'''Methodist'''

Styx has had a total of 8 Billboard top 10 singles, 7 written and sung by Dennis DeYoung and 1 written and sung by Tommy Shaw. One of those singles, Babe, hit #1 for two weeks.

* Doxford Place Methodist Church

* Welcome Methodist Church (formerly Station Terrace Methodist Church)

'''Church of England'''

They have had a total of 16 Billboard top 40 singles and 23 Billboard top 100 singles.

* St. Nicholas Parish Church

* St. Andrew's

* St. Peter's

'''Catholic'''

Styx is one of a handful of acts that had Billboard top 10 singles in 3 different decades (70s, 80s, 90s) and under 4 different presidential administrations (Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush).

* St. Paul's

==Famous residents==

Styx has two (2) one-million selling singles: "[[Babe (song)|Babe]]" and "[[Mr. Roboto]]", both by DeYoung.

The acclaimed [[comedian]] [[Ross Noble]] comes from Cramlington. Footballers [[Alan Shearer]], [[Steven Taylor (footballer)|Steven Taylor]] and [[Peter Ramage]] also started their careers playing for [[Cramlington Juniors F.C.]]. [[Sting]] briefly was a first school teacher at St Paul's First School. [[Trade unionist]] [[Charles Fenwick]] was born in the town.Worldwide renowned photographer and gangster rapper SWalton was also born and raised in Cramlington.

[[Middlesbrough F.C]] winger [[Graeme Owens]] was also born in Cramlington. Professional Skateboarder, Jamie Adair also originates from the town.

Pseudo-[[Chav]], Buzzcocks is from Cramlington. Buzzcocks is the character created by Adam Riffle and Norman Sheeran for an internet [[mockumentary]] on chav life. He is alledgedly the Godfether of Cramlington and the fastest [[rave]] dancer in the North East. A Youtube link to the character is available below

==ChartsTwin towns==

* [[Solingen]], [[Germany]]

{| class="wikitable"

* [[Ratingen]], Germany

! Year

* [[Gelendzhik]], [[Russia]]

! Song

! <small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US Hot 100]]</small>

! <small>[[Mainstream Rock Tracks|US Mainstream Rock]]</small>

! <small>[[UK singles chart|UK singles]]</small>

! Album

|-

| [[1972 in music|1972]]

| "Best Thing"

| #82

| -

| -

| ''Styx''

|-

| [[1975 in music|1975]]

| "Lady"

| #6

| -

| -

| ''Styx II''

|-

| [[1975 in music|1975]]

| "You Need Love"

| #88

| -

| -

| ''Styx II''

|-

| [[1976 in music|1976]]

| "Lorelei"

| #27

| -

| -

| ''Equinox''

|-

| [[1976 in music|1976]]

| "Mademoiselle"

| #36

| -

| -

| ''Crystal Ball''

|-

| [[1977 in music|1977]]

| "Crystal Ball"

| #109

| -

| -

| ''Crystal Ball''

|-

| [[1977 in music|1977]]

| "Come Sail Away"

| #8

| -

| -

| ''The Grand Illusion''

|-

| [[1978 in music|1978]]

| "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)"

| #29

| -

| -

| ''The Grand Illusion''

|-

| [[1978 in music|1978]]

| "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)"

| #21

| -

| -

| ''Pieces Of Eight''

|-

| [[1979 in music|1979]]

| "Sing For The Day"

| #41

| -

| -

| ''Pieces Of Eight''

|-

| [[1979 in music|1979]]

| "[[Renegade (song)|Renegade]]"

| #16

| -

| -

| ''Pieces Of Eight''

|-

| [[1979 in music|1979]]

| "[[Babe (song)|Babe]]"

| '''#1'''

| -

| #6

| ''Cornerstone''

|-

| [[1980 in music|1980]]

| "Why Me"

| #26

| -

| -

| ''Cornerstone''

|-

| [[1980 in music|1980]]

| "Borrowed Time"

| #64

| -

| -

| ''Cornerstone''

|-

| [[1981 in music|1981]]

| "The Best Of Times"

| #3

| -

| #42

| ''Paradise Theater''

|-

| [[1981 in music|1981]]

| "Too Much Time On My Hands"

| #9

| #2

| -

| ''Paradise Theater''

|-

| [[1981 in music|1981]]

| "Nothing Ever Goes As Planned"

| #54

| -

| -

| ''Paradise Theater''

|-

| [[1983 in music|1983]]

| "[[Mr. Roboto]]"

| #3

| #3

| #90

| ''Kilroy Was Here''

|-

| [[1983 in music|1983]]

| "Don't Let It End"

| #6

| -

| #56

| ''Kilroy Was Here''

|-

| [[1983 in music|1983]]

| "High Time"

| #48

| -

| -

| ''Kilroy Was Here''

|-

| [[1984 in music|1984]]

| "Music Time"

| #40

| -

| -

| ''Caught In The Act - Live''

|-

| [[1990 in music|1990]]

| "Love Is The Ritual"

| #80

| #9

| -

| ''Edge Of The Century''

|-

| [[1991 in music|1991]]

| "Show Me The Way"

| #3

| -

| -

| ''Edge Of The Century''

|-

| [[1991 in music|1991]]

| "Love At First Sight"

| #25

| -

| -

| ''Edge Of The Century''

|}

==See alsoReferences==

<references/>

*[[List of best-selling music artists]]

*[[List of bands named after places]]

==External links==

*[http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn036-40.htm History of the No. 36 Home Defence squadron]

* [http://www.styxworld.com Official Website]

*[http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/Cramlington_C15.htm Northumberland Communities] Photos and maps of Cramlington from 1610-1910.

* [http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/behind_the_music/51408/episode.jhtml VH1:Behind The Music]

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6ucOnBwHA] Buzzcock's the Chav.

* Links to major Styx web sites: http://www.styxnet.com/

{{Northumberland Settlements}}

*[http://www.onamrecords.com/gallery/Styx Styx career on A&M Records with gallery, international discography]

* Styx Collector: http://www.styxcollector.com

* [http://www.lyricsdir.com/styx-lyrics.html Styx Lyrics]

* Links To Everything Styx: http://www.styxlynx.com/

* http://www.racerrecords.com/Styx/statement.html

[[Category:AmericanTowns musicalin groupsNorthumberland]]

[[Category:Rock music groups]]

[[Category:Illinois musical groups]]

[[Category:Chicago musical groups]]

[[Category:Bands with only one constant member]]

[[Category:Musical groups established in 1961]]

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