 Arty arena rockers Styx have their roots in Chicago's South Side during the late 1960s, where brothers Chuck and John Panozzo (bass and drums, respectively) and childhood friend Dennis DeYoung (keyboards) formed a group called The Tradewinds with John Curulewski, a local guitarist. Later called TW4, the band improved with the addition of accomplished guitarist/vocalist James "JY" Young in 1970, becoming a local favorite and eventually signing to Wooden Nickel Records, a local RCA subsidiary, in 1972. After changing their name to Styx, the group released their eponymous debut in 1972, but failed to achieve instant commercial success. In late 1974, WLS-FM in Chicago began playing the song "Lady" from Styx II; the song became a monster local hit and prompted other stations nationwide to begin playing the single, which peaked at No. 6 in early 1975 and broughtStyx II to gold-selling status. Styx's 1977 album The Grand Illusion went triple-platinum and spawned the Top 10 hit "Come Sail Away," propelling the band into superstar status. Their 1978 follow-up Pieces of Eight also went triple-platinum, and was followed with an elaborate worldwide stadium tour.1979's Cornerstone departed from the band's power-ballad formula for a softer, more radio-friendly sound. The new formula was a success: Cornerstone became a massive success and spawned the No. 1 hit "Boat On the River." The following year Styx was voted Most Popular Band in America, despite derision from critics and serious rock fans. 1981's Paradise Theatre was yet another triple-platinum success, reaching No. 1 on the strength of Top 10 hits such as "Best of Times" and "Too Much Time on My Hands." Two years later Styx returned with their concept album Kilroy Was Here, which featured the hits "Mr. Roboto" and "Don't Let It End"; the album's highly theatrical support tour was one of the most elaborate ever mounted, with scripted dialogue and lengthy films turning the concert into a full-scale production. When A&M was unable to license "Lady" from RCA for 1995's Styx Greatest Hits, members of the group got back together to re-record the track. Naturally this led to a full-time reunion, and in 1997 the "classic" Styx lineup of Dennis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw, James Young and Chuck Panozzo, along with new drummer Todd Sucherman reunited to record Return to Paradise, a collection of new recordings of old Styx favorites.
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