STYX

This month Martin Cooper checks out one of the greatest AOR bands of the 70s and 80s, Chicago’s legends of the power ballad, Styx.

-  Martin Cooper

ABILITY RATING

Info

Key: D

Tempo: 146bpm

CD: TRACKS 34-36

Will improve your

• Mixolydian soloing

• Classic rock phrasing

• Modes and harmony knowledge

Formed in Chicago in 1972, Styx was one of the first bands to blend classic rock and pop to create some songs that would go on to become known as ‘power ballads’ or AOR (Album Oriented Rock). The band was very prolific in the 1970s, releasing an album each year for the most part. By 1977 Styx had become a highly successful act that would go on to sell over 50 million albums worldwide.

The classic lineup featured guitarists James ‘JY’ Young and John ‘JC’ Curulewski, keyboard player Dennis De Young, drummer John Panozzo, and bassist Chuck Panozzo. A notable addition was Tommy Shaw, who replaced Curulewski in 1975. Shaw would also go on to play with Ted Nugent in his 1980s band, Damn Yankees.