Reviews of underground and indie music and films, 60s/70s pop and soul music and cult movies. And the occasional wacky tale about life in the Hollywood flatlands.
It seems REO Speedwagon isn't the only mainstream/arena rock band from my youth marred by battles between the singer and guitarist. Click the link above to read interviews with Steve Perry and Neal Schon of Journey. I can't expound much on this band or their internal squabbles since I'm not as familiar with their history as REO's, but Steve Perry could sing like a mofo. And he looked like a cross between Cher's twin brother and a sexy elf (sorry, couldn't resist). Plus, he's a Ramones fan-he attended the Ramones 30th Anniversary Show at the Avalon in HW a few years ago.
The megahit incarnation of Styx ended badly as well...Chuck Panozzo, their former bass player, was diagnosed with HIV and left the band in 1998. Singer Dennis DeYoung exited the band shortly thereafter and a flurry of lawsuits ensued between him and guitarists James Young and Tommy Shaw. Shaw and Young are now touring with a replacement singer and drummer The original drummer, John Panozzo, Chuck's twin brother, died in 1996 after years of alcohol abuse.
I don't even wanna know what happened to Foreigner...
As a major Styx fan back in the day, I was ruined by VH1's Behind the Music on them. Shaw and Young even went so far as to fire Dennis from the band he helped create. I haven't bought a Styx CD since he left. There are few voices in rock that are unique. Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury, and Dennis DeYoung are amongst them. Despite the fact I admire Shaw's lyric and guitar work, I can't abide him. I saw Styx live twice. During the "Paradise Theater" tour in the 80s and the "Grand Illusion" tour in the 90s. Shaw isn't close to being as good live as Dennis. I have to agree. I don't want to know anymore about my favorite bands....
As a major Styx fan back in the day, I was ruined by VH1's Behind the Music on them. Shaw and Young even went so far as to fire Dennis from the band he helped create. I haven't bought a Styx CD since he left. There are few voices in rock that are unique. Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury, and Dennis DeYoung are amongst them. Despite the fact I admire Shaw's lyric and guitar work, I can't abide him. I saw Styx live twice. During the "Paradise Theater" tour in the 80s and the "Grand Illusion" tour in the 90s. Shaw isn't close to being as good live as Dennis. I have to agree. I don't want to know anymore about my favorite bands....
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