Ex-Styx lead singer and keyboardist Dennis DeYoung is hoping to get the original members back together for one final tour.
DeYoung spoke with Rock Candy Magazine about his departure from Styx and his wish for a potential reunion with former bandmates Tommy Shaw, James Young and Chuck Panozzo. DeYoung notably sang on some of the band’s hits including: “Come Sail Away,” “Best Of Times,” “Pieces Of Eight” and “Babe.” DeYoung left a message to his former bandmates to put aside their differences to give the fans what they want.
The fans want a reunion and I’ve wanted one every day since I was replaced. I never wanted to be a solo artist. Still don’t. I like being on a team and that’s what a band is like. It’s us against them, strength in numbers, and sharing the success and failure.
The band’s relationship started to deteriorate due to creative differences as DeYoung wanted to take the band in a different direction than what Shaw and Young envisioned. After multiple attempts to make the band work, DeYoung was finally ousted and replaced by Lawrence Gowan in 1999.
After being replaced in Styx, everyone around me encouraged me to try and stop them legally. I just couldn’t. It would have been like suing myself and I held out hope they’d ask me back. They toured under the Styx name for a year and a half before I initiated legal action. I didn’t sue for money or use of the name. I simply wanted back in the band.
Although DeYoung understands that there will be obstacles to overcome in order to set up a reunion, he left an open invitation to his former bandmates.
I haven’t spoken to Tommy [Shaw] or JY [James Young] since 1999. But it’s in their hands. Imagine one last tour with the original cats! I think there might be some interest.