While "Equinox" was my first true
Styx experience thanks to the song "Lorelei" (which
I equated to my name, "Laura"), my musical love affair
with Tommy Shaw did not officially begin until the release of
"Grand Illusion." This album, without question, was
my favorite of 1977. I listened to it over and over, staring
at the "cute" [forgive me this adjective but at the
time it was quite appropriate] guitarist/vocalist featured on
the back cover. My attraction was verified shortly thereafter
when I saw Tommy Shaw perform with Styx on television. Then
upon seeing the band perform live in 1978, the song "Superstars"
had (and continues to have) personal implication!
Tommy Roland Shaw was born on September 11,
1953 in Montgomery, Alabama, the youngest of four children.
He wrote his first song, "India Was The Town That I Was
Born In," around the age of 5 and started playing the guitar
when he was 10. After high school, Tommy joined M.S. Funk and
played with them for three years. Tommy joined Styx in 1975,
after the departure of guitarist John Curulewski. Styx had just
released Equinox, and Tommy had less than a week to prepare
for the subsequent tour. The rest is history.
Between 1976 and 1983, Tommy recorded seven
albums with Styx, including "Crystal Ball," entitled
after the first Styx song written by Tommy. Following albums
were "The Grand Illusion," "Pieces of Eight,"
"Cornerstone," "Paradise Theatre," "Kilroy
Was Here," and the live album, "Caught in the Act."
Tommy embarked on a solo career in 1984 with
the release of "Girls With Guns," followed by "What
If" (1985) and "Ambition" (1987).
The Damn Yankees were formed in 1989, with
guitarists Tommy Shaw, Ted Nugent, Jack Blades, and drummer
Michael Cartellone. "Damn Yankees" was released in
1990 and "Don't Tread" in 1991. Tommy also collaborated
with Jack Blades on the album, "Hallucination," released
in 1995.
Tommy reunited with Styx in the mid 1990s,
resulting in two CD compilations and a 1996 tour. In 1997, Styx
released "Return To Paradise," a live album that included
three new songs and went on tour to mark the 20th anniversary
of "The Grand Illusion" album.
In 1998, Tommy recorded another solo album,
"7 Deadly Zens."
Tommy joined Styx again in 1999 to record
"Brave New World," the band's first studio album since
"Kilroy Was Here." With the departure of Dennis DeYoung
and Chuck Panozzo (who still joins the group on tour), the band
regrouped to promote the album, with Glen Burtnik on bass; Lawrence
Gowan replacing Dennis on vocals and keyboards; Todd Sucherman
on drums and percussion; James "JY" Young on guitars
and vocal; and Tommy Shaw on electric and acoustic guitars and
vocal. The current line up has released two live CDs: Arch Allies
in 2000 and Styx World in 2001.
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Recommended
Websites:
Styx
World
The official website of Styx.
Includes a diary with regular entries from Tommy Shaw,
Styx Private Lounge, discography, history, news, audio
and video clips, and more.
Crystal
Ball
Tommy Shaw's official website. Bilingual—French
and English. Includes letters from Tommy, exclusive photos,
audio/video, souvenirs, and more.
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