1960s - 2020s. He told her he played the accordion. When Pontius Pilate came on stage . Some of it is more than 20 years old," says Suzanne. The writer and producer of 80 percent of the band's hit material, he was usually quite serious and, at 33, its oldest member. It was clear that the early morning crowd at Manny's were clueless as to I was or why I was interrupting their breakfast. Can you believe that?". For DeYoung, who grew up on the south side of Chicago and started Styx in his basement there, music was the world. Anyway Matthew bought me a green bleacher seat and a brick from the old ballpark that I will always cherish along with the myriad of memories of time spent with my dad my friends and my family. "Even though producers desperate for younger audiences have been coaxing such rock composers as Randy Newman, Jimmy Buffett and Billy Joel to write for Broadway, Disney executives put the word out that they did not appreciate competition," says Tribune theater critic Chris Jones, who has heard the music from DeYoung's musical and calls it a "stirring and catchy pop-Broadway score. She was his Miss America and the lyrics reflect that using the metaphor of a beauty queen (which she was to him) who had lost her crown. But things did not begin auspiciously. . Styx reunited, but without a terminally ill John Panozzo. They were sad, these women, but they caused a lot of trouble. Maybe you know about Dennis DeYoung very well, but do you know how old and tall is he and what is his net worth in 2023? Manny's deli was the TV station's idea not mine and when Suzanne, Carrie and I who was my publicist at the time arrived at 6 am my first thought was, I wonder if it's to late to become an aluminum siding salesman. WITH PEOPLE KILLING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME. "I like parts of the past," says Suzanne. "Before we were married, when he wanted to change from accordion to keyboard, I used the money I was saving for a car to buy that first keyboard. I took a tailoring class so that I could make the costumes he wore on stage. Ozzy Osbourne and his raucous family have a hit series on MTV. The four continued to play in college--Dennis and the Panozzos all went to Chicago State University--and then were joined in 1970 by another Roseland friend, lead guitarist James Young, who was always known as J.Y. "She has put so much aside for me and my career. They brought up a successful and content family. CarrieAnn, who used to run her own public relations firm and will still do such chores for her dad, is working exclusively for the law firm of Horwitz & Horwitz. ", Suzanne, who is normally a great talker, hears this and says simply, "His dreams became my dreams. "But he still has his real family," says Suzanne. Dennis DeYoung - originally scheduled for April 17th, 2020 & postponed to July 23rd, 2021 & February 5, 2022 - is now rescheduled to September 10th, 2022 Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. (Monday, December 6, 2021 @ 4pm) - Due to circumstances outside of our control, we regret to inform you that Dennis DeYoung at The Paramount - originally scheduled for April 17th, 2020 and postponed to July . First Dennis' best friend, a salesman named Tom Short, died of colon cancer. The kids didn't make it to Vegas. "Then people started getting sick and dying," says DeYoung. In 1990, Styx (minus Tommy Shaw, who was replaced by guitarist/singer-songwriter Glen Burtnik) returned to the studio for the album Edge of the Century (1990). They all showed their talents in the right way and achieved massive success. pursued solo careers, which focused on their hard-rock leanings; and DeYoung released the albums "Desert Moon" and "Back to the World. were eager to go on tour in the fall of '99 after the album was released, especially since Styx songs were being introduced to younger listeners by being featured in "Big Daddy," "South Park," the TV show "Freaks and Geeks" and in a Volkswagen TV commercial. Do you like `Summertime' from `Porgy and Bess'? "She has always been there for me, making the road smoother, allowing me creative space," Dennis says. "That hit us all very hard," says DeYoung. (Band members did not respond to requests for interviews.). No mention of Grand Illusion, Foolin Yourself or ComeSail Away, the three songs still being played on radio today. "There will be a lot of contemporary songs and a few old ones. Since March he has been playing Pontius Pilate in the touring "Jesus Christ Superstar," which was here for a week in March. As I expressed in the lyrics to the Grand Illusion (as well as other songs), far too much adulation and credit has been assigned to politicians, athletes and show biz people like me who really don't know much more about the the way things work than the next guy. DeYoung, 46, seemed almost wistful talking about his days on the road with Styx, perhaps because of the realities of the road he's currently on. Google has begun to send me messages That suit was settled late last year with all parties agreeing not to discuss the terms of the settlement and all signing a "nondisparagement clause.". That was given at the opening of The 101 dalmatians Musical its World Premiere, in Minneapolis. You must behave as if there isn't an audience. And soon, the band met their success. I categorically refute these specious, allegations as nothing more than a blatant attempt by my political enemies to besmirch our integrity. For most of the show, Suzanne stays in the wings, taking pictures. Dennis, Hey everybody, [1] In 1968, Nardin was replaced by John Curulewski and in 1970 DeYoung hired James Young to become the second guitarist in TW4. Dennis DeYoung (formerly of Styx) & Julian Lennon sing "To The Good Old Days". "Hey, but not that different. He says this with a typical, kidding-on-the-square delivery. Roboto' when I was in grammar school. Anyway my dad passed his love of baseball and the Sox on to me and I did the same for my son Matthew. At the time, all were involved with less glamorous pursuits: DeYoung taught music appreciation in a public elementary school; John Panozzo was a seminary student; Chuck was an art teacher; Curulewski was a carpenter; J.Y. I blame the radical left the nutty right and the mushy middle for this nonsense. (Coincidentally, my brother Mark, then in the music industry, was the road manager of the tour.) To this day he has been by her side through everything. But I wasn't. "I feel lucky to be here," said Karen. Dennis was born July 11, 1956, to Stanley Calvin and Betty Jean (Osborn) DeYoung in Plainville, Kansas. "And I said, 'Well, we're going with you or without you.'" During this period, the band played a number of small venues and school auditoriums in an effort to secure a record deal. And she is so much better at defending me than I am. Carrie's in college now. 9) being the sole exception. "I thought to myself, 'He's nuts,' " says Dennis. The couple has two children, daughter Carrie Ann and son Matthew. Of course, you have to look at the guy who wrote and sang those particular songs and many others, keyboardist-singer Dennis DeYoung: The talented musician's pop sensibilities may have brought the band some huge hits, but after he left the group, Styx utterly refused to play "Mr. Roboto"live until very recent years. 11's "Soundstage" concert series as published has been corrected here and in a subsequent reference in this text). "We were!" On stage is Dennis DeYoung. "When Carrie [who was born in 1971] was little, we would sometimes drive hours to concerts in our green VW bug," she says. The legendary 1970s-1980s band Styx has been around a block or six, and their music has been surprisingly multifaceted. But in this show, even though I'd only get a couple of lines, maybe a small paragraph, every word was kind or even gushing. All 4,200 seats were filled for that show and Tribune critic Howard Reich started his review of the show with "What a comeback! In the year 2009, DeYoung, with his band, performed many of Styxs hits in a free concert at Millennium Park in Chicago. He's a great songwriter and performer," says one record industry executive now, requesting anonymity. We love you.' "OK, OK," he said, responding to a two-part question. In any configuration, the band does not have a name. HIV-positive since 1991, Panozzo did not physically feel up to touring, though he would make periodic appearances on stage for a song or two. "This is where I go to remember who I used to be.". She is 30. As a keyboardist in Styx, DeYoung was best remembered for his prominent lead synthesizer solos performed on the Oberheim 4 voice synthesizer that dominated the mix with a unique tone, a key element of the Styx sound. DeYoung co-founded STYX as a teenager alongside his neighbors Chuck and John Panozzo in the early 1970s. I was writing about music for the Sun-Times and caught up with the band in the middle of a tour called the Grand Decathlon, a five-month jaunt during which Styx would visit 62 American cities and play in front of more than 1.2 million people in 71 concerts. Three of the band's previous albums were among the top 100, and were climbing higher each week. They were nominated for a Grammy, and they won a People's Choice award for "Babe." Dennis DeYoung - Artist Details. DeYoung was the band's most prolific and successful writer, having been credited as the writer of more Styx songs than any other band member. I had never seen this before but coincidentally I was just asked about this very day last week by author Dave Hoekstra who interviewed me about a book he was writing. The show itself was awesome. ", "He offered and I wasn't busy," DeYoung said. This band later renamed itself TW4 (1968), then eventually Styx. They were going to have lunch with Siegfried & Roy, that garish Vegas duo who used Dennis' song "Grand Illusion" in their IMAX movie, "The Magic Box." Styx. "We've always been here for him and his music.". In between his stints with Styx, he has played with other groups including Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades as well as releasing several solo albums. DeYoung was asked to perform by Tony-winning producer Forbes Candlish. It marked the first time in nearly seven years that the two had appeared together. "He's the daddy," J.Y. 3 position on the Billboard charts for an impressive nine weeks, proving more durable than albums by such heavyweight groups as Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and the Eagles. Some will tell you that DeYoung's motive for creating these increasingly elaborate and message-laden shows was to gain critical acceptance. Styles. The European release date was October 17, 2014. I wish I possessed more of that. Mostly to relieve some of the stress, Suzanne wrote a romance novel titled "A Love Foretold," which has gotten some nibbles from publishers. "On the road a child gets to see the real world, gets to interact with adults.". . Growing up in the Roseland area of Chicago, DeYoung started his career as a vocalist in 1962 at the age of 15 when he teamed up with his 13-year-old neighbors Chuck and John Panozzo in a three-piece combo. (1962-99) FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR The Perfect Man . James Young joined shortly after that, with Tommy Shaw coming on board in 1975. So faced with situation I did what I always do and made the best of it. That same night Dennis DeYoung was additionally inducted as a songwriter.[19]. My dad and I had spent countless un air conditioned hot summer days listening to the games on the transistor radio. For orchestral shows, they are joined by singer Mike Eldred, who originated the role of Quasimodo in "Hunchback." He also included his wife Suzanne to the group for solo works. DeYoung is a devout Roman Catholic and is of Italian ancestry. James Young and Tommy Shaw of Styx suggested booking a tour in support of the Brave New World album. I had recently been replaced in the band I founded and had been given the opportunity to headline the Rosemont Theater by Tim Orchard who ran the joint. That was happening because, while he worked on "Hunchback," A&M was preparing a "Styx Greatest Hits" CD for release, and Shaw rejoined the band to record a new version of "Lady." Wait a minute I just realized where the idea of Lady came from"Lady of Spain I adore you". And the road made an adult of my daughter long before her contemporaries," DeYoung said. Bassist Chuck Panozzo, no longer actively touring with Styx due to health problems associated with his HIV-positive status, offered a more hopeful tone to a writer doing a story on the band for tampabay.com; while reflecting on the effect the loss of his fraternal twin brother, John, had on the band, Panozzo noted, "Before any more of us die, I would hope that it could happen. He joined Robin Gibb, Tears for Fears, 10CC and Kim Wilde on the sold-out tour. He was a founding member of the rock band Styx, and served as its primary lead vocalist and keyboardist from 1972 until 1999. James Young joined shortly after that, with Shaw coming on board in 1975. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They go hand in hand. [13], On October 21, 2014, a 2CD + DVD and Blu-ray package, Dennis DeYoung And the Music of Styx Live in Los Angeles, was released in the U.S. via Frontiers Records. His performance not only summed up three decades of inspired pop songwriting, but also pointed to intriguing musical journeys yet to come.". The show, performed at the Rosemont Theatre near DeYoung's hometown of Chicago, was a family affair for DeYoung. "At the top are the rock stars, then movie stars, TV stars, then moving lower are the circus performers. (Shaw, who had joined the band Damn Yankees, was replaced by Glen Burtnik.) As a parent you occasionally get things right. But there is no denying that there are ghosts here. DeYoung spent his early days at Southern Suburbs of Chicago, where he was taught music as well. Being born on 18 February 1947, Dennis DeYoung is 76 years old as of today's date 26th April 2023. when these things happen it's difficult not to want to know what happened and why. by Jim Beviglia 2 years ago. Dennis was born July 11, 1956, to Stanley Calvin and Betty Jean (Osborn) DeYoung in Plainville, Kansas. On a happier note I'm in LA to play at Adam Sandler's private Holiday bash. I want them with me. Among the more notable are: Dennis DeYoung performing on August 25, 2014, Learn how and when to remove this template message, The Music of Styx - Live with Symphony Orchestra, Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx Live with Symphony Orchestra, The Music of Styx Live with Symphony Orchestra, The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, "Contemporary Keyboard Magazine, '81 - Part 1", "Styx: No Reunion With Former Frontman Dennis DeYoung", "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum - January 2005", "Bailiwick Repertory Theatre | the Hunchback of Notre Dame", "The Theater Loop: Chicago Theater News & Reviews", "Dennis DeYoung Goes Back to the Basement Where It All Began", "Tom Morello Joins Dennis DeYoung On "The Last Guitar Hero" From The Former Styx Singer's Farewell Album", "Hall of Fame | Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66", "Dennis DeYoung Announces New Album, '26 East: Volume 1', "Dennis DeYoung Announces Final Studio Album "26 East, Vol. . While he was, as he puts it, "sitting around feeling really sorry for myself," a call came from Tim Orchard, who was then running the Rosemont Theatre. 11's "Soundstage" concert series, which was one of the most popular and innovative public broadcast offerings of the 1970s (the date of the local premiere of the revival of WTTW-Ch. DeYoung asked for six months to recover; Shaw and Young instead replaced him with Canadian rocker Lawrence Gowan in 1999 and went on tour.[5]. Dennis DeYoung is bowing out gracefully at the age of 74 with a solo record, 26 East Vol 2, that recalls his finest work from the 70s and 80s as singer, pianist and primary songwriter for Styx . It's a nice family too. This was the last game the White Sox played in Comiskey Park which at the time was the oldest park in Major League Baseball. That something else is a record deal. ", "That was a straight dramatic role and I think at the time I might have been over my head," DeYoung said. Styx was on the road for all of 1981: "115 cities in the United States and Canada and 11 countries in Europe," DeYoung said. So inside the house, the blinds and curtains are usually drawn and the lights are turned low. I think we'd all gotten on each other's creative nerves. Music written by DeYoung has been featured in the following films: Music either written by DeYoung or performed by him has been featured in the following stage productions: The debut of musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame in May 2008 in Chicago, Illinois brought finally DeYoung's music and songs to the theatrical stage. "Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without great sacrifice," he says. My deepest sympathies to all those whose lives have tragically been touched by this madness. Since TW4 no longer applied, they changed the name of their band to Styx, the mythical river encircling Hades. Dennis DeYoung was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States,[1] to parents Maurice DeYoung (1918-1997) and Loraine Rolla DeYoung (1923-2001). He added many other famous musicians to his bands like Tommy Shaw, James Young, John Blasucci, Craig Carter, Tom Sharpe, and many others. The record had to come out at the end of June, and Dennis wasn't prepared to go out on tour because of his physical problems. Suzanne DeYoung frequently joined her husband on the road, and eventually their children came along as well, as a way to provide stability for . So, becoming a solo artist is nothing I ever aspired to. That's that Pilate doesn't get the chance-he's not a rock star, you know-to turn to the audience, wink and say to the crowd, `Hey, Chicago. With the positive response and a new record label (CMC International), Styx returned to the studio in 1998 and began work on their first studio album in eight years. Since March he has been playing Pontius Pilate in. Carrie Ann Deyoung - Biographical Summaries of Notable People - MyHeritage Carrie Ann Deyoung In Biographical Summaries of Notable People Save this record and choose the information you want to add to your family tree Save record Spotted an error? Dennis DeYoung (born February 18, 1947) [1] is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. While on stage, the duo opened with the Beatles classic "We Can Work It Out", and also performed "Watching the World Go By" and "All for Love", songs that were originally written for the unreleased Edge of the Century 2 Styx album. DeYoung is a die heart fan of the Chicago White Sox. [14] Also on October 21, 2014, a condensed version of this live concert package was broadcast on AXS TV Headliner Club Concert Series. asked Suzanne. Former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung throws caution to the wind with the video for his new single, the six-minute plus Isle Of Misanthrope. Remember "winners are losers who got up and gave it one more try". They live in Brookfield and got tickets through an Internet lottery. During this period, the group used to play at school auditoriums and in different small venues. I've written in very different genres of music. Birthplace: Chicago, IL. Emotions are too high to talk about what current affairs are. Cheers, There was a table in the room heavy with fine food. In August 2006, DeYoung appeared along with Supertramp's Roger Hodgson on Canadian Idol, where he performed with and mentored the contestants.[8]. The new . "What is it about him? Shortly after their first A&M album, "Equinox," Curulewski left the band and was replaced by young guitarist Tommy Shaw, who auditioned by singing "Lady" in the basement of the DeYoungs' house. There is an old brown piano just off the kitchen--the piano on which he composed "Babe"--and a newer white piano sitting off to one side of the living room, but otherwise there is no hint that this is the home of arguably the most commercially successful musician ever to come out of Chicago. Before the band met with success, DeYoung spent time as a school teacher in the Southern suburbs of Chicago, where he was a music teacher in District 143. Kiss recently played the House of Blues. I've seen Dennis once before but this time he was spot on. After the Chicago Theatre, the show heads to Cleveland and then a four-week jaunt through Canada. He doesn't remark on it, but Styx is still on the road, with the same gang that has been out there since 1999. Dennis It gave the label its first-ever gold album and compelled the members of Styx to promise a new studio album late in 1998. "Dennis is in the next car. 463 talking about this. I rehearsed last night with a great group of musicians led by Waddy Wachtel and will be playing Grand Illusion, Lady, and Come Sail Away. It was during a hilarious impromptu lobby performance during the Goodman Theatre's production of "Galileo" in 1986-DeYoung transforming the play's star-gazing subject into a contemporary South Sider-that DeYoung was noticed by the theater's artistic director, Robert Falls, who some months later asked DeYoung to audition for a role in "Ghost on Fire. Survived by her husband of 30 years, Stanley J. Laken; her children, Rebecca Briick-Sasak, Robert (Paula) Briick; step-daughter, Tana (John) DeYoung; grandchildren, Annali and Owen Sasak, Leah. 1 which was released last year. Former Styx front man Dennis DeYoung is on the line. Within Styx, DeYoung acted as lead vocalist, keyboardist, accordion player, producer and songwriter. "The discipline that it takes to perform the same part, day in and day out, eight shows a week . [10] This production went on to win the Joseph Jefferson Award for best musical in Chicago in 2008.[11]. Atlantic Records has signed him to do a solo album. Because of my personal relationships with former manager Tony LaRussa and owner Jerry Reinsdorf I was asked if Styx would do it. The couple have two children, daughter Carrie Ann and son Matthew. Tommy Shaw, who joined Damn Yankees in 1988, did not return. Dennis DeYoung is a 75 year old American Musician. It was nothing like estrangement, but just a vacation of undetermined length. Matt runs a lighting company, Above the Stage, and is rehearsing with his own rock band, Mama Green. (They've also been heard on "ER," "The Simpsons" and a dozens of other TV shows and movies.) The interview was on The Drive WDRV in Chicago with Pete Mc Murray and Danny Mac. It has DeYoung in orchestral settings performing songs he wrote for Styx, as well as tunes from his solo albums and his musical theater ventures. Featured on the cover of the January 1981 issue of Contemporary Keyboard magazine (a story that was reprinted in Contemporary Keyboard's book on the greatest rock keyboardists), DeYoung described many of his steps along the way through his keyboard-playing career: He had never played an acoustic piano until the recording session for 1973's "Lady"; he recorded the track for 1979's "Babe" on a Fender Rhodes electric piano, an instrument he had never touched before, at Pumpkin Studios because the studio's grand piano was out of tune; when playing accordion for the song "Boat on the River" from the Cornerstone album, DeYoung discovered how small the keys felt to his fingers after years of playing pianos and Hammond organs.[2].