Jamel - I know you really appreciate lyrical stories. You have to react to Peter Gabriel's "Biko". No one has ever said more in 3 verses than this song about Stephen Biko, South African anti-apartheid activist killed in police custody in 1977. Long time listener/subscriber here. Trust me on this one my brother.
Styx has never really gotten the respect they deserve for great lyrics and the hard rocking lead guitar work that is a part of almost every song. One of my favorite bands growing up.
@Michael Asay, That's not what I was saying. Of course people loved them. I loved them! I was talking about music critics, columnist and the industry in general. They tagged them with that 'corporate rock' moniker.
Blue Collar Man, The Best of Times, Too Much Time On My Hands, Miss America, Babe, Lady, Suite Madame Blue, Fooling Yourself, Crystal Ball, Mr, Roboto, Rockin’ The Paradise, Snowblind, Don’t Let It End, Boat On A River, Queen of Spades, Castle Walls, Pieces of Eight, Sing For The Day, Lorelei, Man In The Wilderness, Borrowed Time, Show Me The Way, Love Is The Ritual, and Love At First Sight.
Little Fuge in G/Father OSA, A Day, Movement for the Common Man, Man of Miracles, Christopher Mr Christopher, 22 Years... so many great songs and lyrics going back to their first album in 1972
So right you are. Strip away all the overproduction and orchestral pretensions and they still brought you solid rhythm and great guitar and keyboard solos and legendary vocals
@Tyler Buckley Every cool band had an accordion. It was mandatory if you came from Chicago. First time for me was a free concert at Triton JC in River Grove Illinois in 1972
This song was pre-internet but it is so relevant today to all the folks living their life for the next instagram picture. IMO, social media is the ultimate Grand Illusion.
Just because someone looks like they're happy and doing well, it doesn't mean they are. As someone with depression, believe me I've fooled plenty of people before.
Adam Porter, thank-you. I think the same thing frequently and no one has any idea. Trapped? A little bit but I persevere. 54 year old white canadian. How could a guy like me be sad or depressed? That doesn't happen to guys like me, I thought I was supposed to keep all those little disappointments and feelings of sadness inside like a real man until one day my heart just explodes. Cheers
@@jeffcampbell668 I'm in my late 30s. I had a college English class that required us to write our own poetry. I remember the teacher reading it which was a bit dark, and having no idea it was how I was actually feeling.
I’ve been trying to get Jamel to react to more REO Speedwagon and STYX! I’ve attended 105 REO concerts and 68 STYX concerts. The 4 songs he did by REO were great but wasn’t even their best songs! “Golden Country” from 1971 and “Building The Bridge” “live Every moment love every day” is just 3 of many REO songs Jamel needs to hear among many others! Jamel please react to more REO you haven’t even came close to the tip of the iceberg with REO! I will not steer you wrong! “157 Riverside Avenue” I can go on and on with so many REO songs that you will love and very much appreciate especially the messages in REO’s songs.
Both from the same area. I grew up in southeastern Wisconsin. I remember both those bands playing the bar scenes as unknowns (in fact, before they were Styx, they were the Tradewinds and TW4).
I listened to these songs so often when I wss a teen about 35 years ago and I could probably remember every word! I sang along to Grand Illusion here and remembered it all though I hadn't heard it in years
Despite being classified at the time as "Corporate Rock", this group's songs ALWAYS had huge appeal with the middle, blue collar class! Big props to Dennis DeYoung on lead vocals on this. Miss his voice!
Tommy Shaw wrote and sang lead on most of their hardest rocking, 'up tempo' songs, and least we not forget 'JY' James Young who wrote and sang a fair number of hits like "Miss America, Half Penny - Two Penny, Snowblind, Great White Hope, Queen of Spades and others. I don't think the Pinazzo brothers.wrote or sang any popular songs but they did provide some solid backing vocals, not to mention starting this whole thing in their parents garage.
Tommy Shaw wrote and sang lead on most of their hardest rocking, 'up tempo' songs, and least we not forget 'JY' James Young who sang a fair number of hits like "Miss America, Half Penny - Two Penny, Snowblind and others.
@@ineffablemars "Corporate rock" is a term used to refer to bands from the 70's who got financial backing by Corporate America once they realized there was money to be made. There was an explosion of stadium tours of groups with HUGE production values. Fireworks, laser shows, multiple set designs became the norm. It was hugely expensive therefore needing corporate sponsorship!
These are the messages we received back in the day... It stuck in us. The youth today all caught up in the colors of things and money... Need music like this, with lyrics like this.
Their early works are my favorite...not that I’m that I’m not a Grand Illusion girl, because I am😉Suite Madam Blue, Light Up, Crystal Ball, Lady & Lorelei! Good stuff GOOD STUFF!
Love the song Lorelei when it first came out cruising late one night and it came on the radio instant classic my friend Randy and me had a smoke and enjoyed 😎
I know I've said it before but our generation was totally spoiled to have so much great music to choose from on a daily basis. This was huge back in the day but there was just such a buffet of riches in music out there that it seemed endless. Damn, what a great time those days were.
January 1, 1978 I bought my first album--The Grand Illusion. I was 9 years old. My life was instantly changed. Music has been the center of my existence ever since.
Styx has been rocking out for a LONG time. I remember we wrote the lyrics down to Styx Renegade and sang it 2 gether. when I was in the 9th grade. I am now 56.Finally getting to see them live labor day!!!!
Thank you, Jamel, for coming back to Styx. This particular rabbit hole is DEEP! IMHO, Styx is the most underrated band of their era. Renegade, Castle Walls, Light Up, Boat On The River, Show Me The Way, and many, many others!
My bus driver in Jr. & High School played Styx on a 8 track on the bus. They were my first concert. I love you brother and watching how you come to love the music that I grew up on.
The album is entitled "The Grand Illusion" also, and this is the theme for the entire album which includes Come Sail Away and Fooling Yourself (I'm not sure if you reacted to that yet). With the Grand Illusion theme in mind, they also had songs called Superstars, Miss America, Man in the Wilderness, and my personal favorite Castle Walls. The last song on the album The Grand Finale wraps up the themed Grand Illusion album.
Love Superstars, it never got the same attention as the rest of the songs on the album. The Grand Illusion is a masterpiece from start to finish, it is meant to be listened to as an album, not singles.
I was in High school when this album came out, it helped me through some of rough times. Man in the Wilderness was the song I related to and Fooling Yourself was the one that gave me hope. I finally got to see them in concert about 6 years ago, they opened with Grand Illusion, I tried to sing along, but it's really difficult because I was all choked up with tears of happiness.
I was fortunate enough to see Styx in the Oakland Coliseum in July of 1981 - the Paradise Theater tour... Absolutely awesome. They were far and away my favorite band in my teenage years, and seeing them live was like... Well, Paradise :). They sounded EXACTLY like they did on their albums. It was a night I'll always remember.
Magic Power is my all time favorite song. It describes me. It's as if I wrote it myself.. remembering coming home, getting into hoping to hear my favorite song or one of my favorites on the radio.
I still think that Styx’s Suite Madam Blue is one of my favorites of all time. Please listen I know you’ll love it. Castle Walls is awesome as well. Enjoy and thank you for being you. BTW, April Wine’s Sign of the Gypsy Queen is a must listen. I would love to hear your reaction to that song.
Neil Peart wasn't the only master lyricist in the game. Their message is universal. Thank you for helping remind people of something they've always known.
Tommy Shaw sang at my sisters wedding back in 1971. I used to listen to him when he played with Harmony, the house band at Keglers Kove. His last gig before joining Stix!! My claim to fame...lol
Can I love you anymore than I already do with your words of wisdom? Here Here well said. Got more into this song today than I ever did and this came out when I was in my middle 20's and now I'm 70. Wow.
Took care of these guys at the hotel I used to work at, nicest guys ever! Gave me back stage passes to the concert that night. I ended up working a double and missed the concert. As I was leaving work at midnight, they came into the lobby, saw me, asked me why I never came backstage. Told them I ended up working and Dennis put his arm around me and we all walked into the bar and drank together for the rest of the night. Chuck kept going into the DJ booth and would take a Styx CD out (he didn't want to hear it played) signed the CDs and returned them when we left the closing bar. Good Times, Great Guys!
Styx has taken a lot of heat in the past, from being called "corporate" to "arena" rock. Two labels that were not flattering in the late 70's, and early 80's, but this entire album has aged exceptionally well. Not a bum track on it. The same can be said of Paradise Theater.
To a teenager that had trouble finding his way, lyrics like this helped as a guide. Their song Pieces of Eight, is another great song with a great message. I never forgot those songs and they helped me for the better. Peace!
I’m very lucky to have a family member in the Styx crew. My family is very close with the band and we’ve been able to get free backstage passes to tons of concerts
My friends and I were blown away when this album came out in 1977. I saw them in 1978, then again in 2007 at a private concert in Ft. Lauderdale for those who went to a pre-Super Bowl event. There were 150 of us in a room with Styx playing. We stood 5 feet from the stage, I caught a James Young pick, and shook hands with half the band at the end.
I saw this tour. DeYoung came out in front of a huge curtain in a Magician's tuxedo, and waved his wand at the curtain, which opened to this tune, with the band surrounded by dry ice vapors. .
Thanks for reminding me of the opening to this concert! I was working for a security company at the time and was able to see most of the concert for free! Loved it and went out the next day and bought the album and started my love for STYX!
I went to the Grand Illusion Tour back in the day. Styx is one of them most talented, polished bands you'll ever hear. I think they're actually better live, than on than records. Thanks for the reaction.
So happy to see Styx getting some attention again. They were the first concert I ever saw when I was 13 in Montreal and I saw them a few times after that (as well as Dennis de Young solo and when he played in the stage version of Jesus Christ Superstar ) They were an important part of my teen years.
Glad you’re doing Styx! They are the best! My husband and I took our daughter to see them and she fell in love! We’ve seen them several times now and it’s always a great show! Tommy Shaw is the MAN!💕
When I saw mel doing the Grand illusion i knew he was in for a treat. Everyone thinks someone else has a better life fro. More money power or fame. But their lives maybe even more chaotic than yours. Learn to be grateful when lacking. Learn to be grateful in abundance. Your never better than anyone else. Everyone has their pain they deal with.
Hey Jamel, I love your reaction to this song. This is my favorite Styx album. I listened to a Tommy Shaw interview where he spoke of his inspiration to the song A Man In The Wilderness, he said that while on tour with Kansas, during there Overture album, Tommy went up into the loft while Kansas played and wrote the song man in the wilderness. This album Grand Illusion was created while touring with Kansas. Enjoy.
Styx is my all time favorite band. Dennis Deyoung my favorite singer. He tours with his own band now and it's a Styx concert to me. His voice has not changed, it's still as crystal clear as it was back in the day. My favorites are Suite Madame Blue, Don’t Let It End, Queen of Spades, Pieces of Eight, Sing For The Day, Boat On A River, Castle Walls, I'm Okay, Why me, First Time, The Best of Times, Borrowed Time, Show Me The Way, Lords of The Ring, Show Me The Way, Fooling Yourself. The list goes on and on. Not only am I a big fan, but that music got me through some hard times. I'm Okay is a good song when your having a tough day.
I remember hearing Styx for the very 1st time playing - Madame Blue suite And i was truley rocked man What a fantastic song! It usually takes 2 or 3 hearings before a song really takes you, but hearing Madame Blue the very 1st hearing just blew me away! One of the very best bands America has produced ever! Great band Great music.
‘KEEP GREAT MUSIC ALIVE’ Shirts And More Enter Promo Code ‘Jamel’ teespring.com/stores/jamel-aka-jamal-youtube-store
i got this on vinyl... iam 35. people lile where you get those
@@calvinwboaz7085 vintage Lp
We Appreciate you
Jamel - I know you really appreciate lyrical stories. You have to react to Peter Gabriel's "Biko". No one has ever said more in 3 verses than this song about Stephen Biko, South African anti-apartheid activist killed in police custody in 1977. Long time listener/subscriber here. Trust me on this one my brother.
Bellbottoms next please
Styx has never really gotten the respect they deserve for great lyrics and the hard rocking lead guitar work that is a part of almost every song. One of my favorite bands growing up.
I was getting them mixed up with Sparks -- I was kind of disapppointed there was no weird guy with a moustache
@Michael Asay 'This town aint big enough for the both of us!"
@Michael Asay, That's not what I was saying. Of course people loved them. I loved them! I was talking about music critics, columnist and the industry in general. They tagged them with that 'corporate rock' moniker.
I agree
Where did "Michael Asay''s comment go?
Blue Collar Man, The Best of Times, Too Much Time On My Hands, Miss America, Babe, Lady, Suite Madame Blue, Fooling Yourself, Crystal Ball, Mr, Roboto, Rockin’ The Paradise, Snowblind, Don’t Let It End, Boat On A River, Queen of Spades, Castle Walls, Pieces of Eight, Sing For The Day, Lorelei, Man In The Wilderness, Borrowed Time, Show Me The Way, Love Is The Ritual, and Love At First Sight.
u got em all
:)...And when you know those songs like we Styx heads do; you remember how great they were...:)...A basically forgotten super group...
Little Fuge in G/Father OSA, A Day, Movement for the Common Man, Man of Miracles, Christopher Mr Christopher, 22 Years... so many great songs and lyrics going back to their first album in 1972
May I add t that. I'm Okay, Why Me and Best Thing.
missed jennifer off the crystal ball album imo
“Deep inside, we’re all the same.” Amen! Anyone with a brain can hear STYX rocks!
Unless you're SNOWBLIND!!!
My favorite group. First saw them in 1972
So right you are. Strip away all the overproduction and orchestral pretensions and they still brought you solid rhythm and great guitar and keyboard solos and legendary vocals
I'm a politician and I find this statement offensive.
@Tyler Buckley Every cool band had an accordion. It was mandatory if you came from Chicago. First time for me was a free concert at Triton JC in River Grove Illinois in 1972
This song was pre-internet but it is so relevant today to all the folks living their life for the next instagram picture. IMO, social media is the ultimate Grand Illusion.
Kids today have no idea. Having the pleasure of seeing them 3 times great band.
Preach!!
I've got them at #8 with the 10 best conspiracy rock songs w/lyrics. on my channel playlist
My first concert. 1979. Saw them another 4 times after that.
The irony of seeing your comment on a social media platform is confusing the hell out of me!! Your commitment to stupidity is impressive.
Suite Madame Blue is Styx's Stairway to Heaven.
Whenever I have "Too Much Time On My Hands" I turn to Jamel for my entertainment!😜
I see what you did there.
Ha! Good one
😂😉😂
Just because someone looks like they're happy and doing well, it doesn't mean they are. As someone with depression, believe me I've fooled plenty of people before.
me too
Yep. I can laugh and get exited and have fun with people.. but I still empty and numb at the end of the day.
I wish all with deep depression much real happiness and many blessings.🙏🏼
Adam Porter, thank-you. I think the same thing frequently and no one has any idea. Trapped? A little bit but I persevere. 54 year old white canadian. How could a guy like me be sad or depressed? That doesn't happen to guys like me, I thought I was supposed to keep all those little disappointments and feelings of sadness inside like a real man until one day my heart just explodes. Cheers
@@jeffcampbell668 I'm in my late 30s. I had a college English class that required us to write our own poetry. I remember the teacher reading it which was a bit dark, and having no idea it was how I was actually feeling.
“Fooling Yourself” is another great one...
Oh man, tip of the Styx iceberg, baby. Keep going down the rabbit hole. They killed live. Vocals.....
Still do!
You say Killed as is past tense... They are still touring and KILLILNG it to the present day!!!!
59, seen them when I was in high school.
My first concert! 14 years old.
Remembering April Wine opening once.
"some people will buy their happiness, but it won't last"!!!!!!!!!!!! ,,,,i agree with jamel !!!!!!!
« Suite madame blue » is the ultimate styx song man on the Equinox album
I love when they transition from Suite Madam Blue to Miss America when playing live. ❤️
All I can say is yes! yes! yes! One of my all time favorite Styx songs.
Miss America is my favorite off this album.
Great song, but I also love Castle Walls and Foolin' Yourself (Angry Young Man)
I think mine might be Superstars, or Castle Walls.
"America...
America...
America...
America..
🤩
Great song.
@@robertcobras8320 Castle Walls is one of their best. Queen of Spades, Miss America, they have so many great songs.
The Harmony of this band is second to none, musically and lyrically 👍🎶😎
Styx and REO Speedwagon tour a lot together the last 20 years and if you ever get to see them in concert you won’t regret it.
I’ve been trying to get Jamel to react to more REO Speedwagon and STYX! I’ve attended 105 REO concerts and 68 STYX concerts. The 4 songs he did by REO were great but wasn’t even their best songs! “Golden Country” from 1971 and “Building The Bridge” “live Every moment love every day” is just 3 of many REO songs Jamel needs to hear among many others! Jamel please react to more REO you haven’t even came close to the tip of the iceberg with REO! I will not steer you wrong! “157 Riverside Avenue” I can go on and on with so many REO songs that you will love and very much appreciate especially the messages in REO’s songs.
Both from the same area. I grew up in southeastern Wisconsin. I remember both those bands playing the bar scenes as unknowns (in fact, before they were Styx, they were the Tradewinds and TW4).
They were both headliners in the 70’s and always sold out the biggest concert arenas!
Styx is spectacular live, saw them a few times with Kansas, that's a CONCERT
I’ve seen both REO and Styx while they were touring together at least 3 times. You are so right. It was an experience you will never forget!
One of my favorite Styx songs. I was 16 when this song came out, and I've played it thousands of times.
My opinion, Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight are the two best Styx albums, can't go wrong with anything from either. Great reaction.
Paradise Theatre was also awesome
@@annieholbis2430 it was, those were just the first 2 Styx albums I bought in Jr high. In the late 70s early Eighties.
I listened to these songs so often when I wss a teen about 35 years ago and I could probably remember every word! I sang along to Grand Illusion here and remembered it all though I hadn't heard it in years
@@kurtsaxton9665 me too. Still have them
Agreed. Both are crammed full of great songs.
sticks was so so good in concert back around the mid to early 2000's. Loved them . always loved their music.
Thanks brother. U da man
Always love that song... never ages. Peace be with you brother.
Despite being classified at the time as "Corporate Rock", this group's songs ALWAYS had huge appeal with the middle, blue collar class! Big props to Dennis DeYoung on lead vocals on this. Miss his voice!
Tommy Shaw wrote and sang lead on most of their hardest rocking, 'up tempo' songs, and least we not forget 'JY' James Young who wrote and sang a fair number of hits like "Miss America, Half Penny - Two Penny, Snowblind, Great White Hope, Queen of Spades and others. I don't think the Pinazzo brothers.wrote or sang any popular songs but they did provide some solid backing vocals, not to mention starting this whole thing in their parents garage.
Tommy Shaw wrote and sang lead on most of their hardest rocking, 'up tempo' songs, and least we not forget 'JY' James Young who sang a fair number of hits like "Miss America, Half Penny - Two Penny, Snowblind and others.
how on earth was this ever considered corporate rock lol? stuff like this laid the foundation for oddball music for decades!
really? they seem more prog rock... like Yes or Rush
@@ineffablemars "Corporate rock" is a term used to refer to bands from the 70's who got financial backing by Corporate America once they realized there was money to be made. There was an explosion of stadium tours of groups with HUGE production values. Fireworks, laser shows, multiple set designs became the norm. It was hugely expensive therefore needing corporate sponsorship!
These are the messages we received back in the day... It stuck in us. The youth today all caught up in the colors of things and money... Need music like this, with lyrics like this.
Man this album was huge when in came out...FORTY-THREE years ago. Man, I feel old. I was a 10-year old kid...
I was 15 I'm feeling real old....but I can still rock out😎
Crap... I'm old...
I was in high school when it came out.
I was 10 years old too! This is still one of my favorite albums.
I saw this tour when they opened for Aerosmith in 1976.
Styx was well loved back in the day...They were one of the super groups of the late 70's ...So many great songs...
Hey "J", you should also review the Styx song Lorelei. After all these years it is still my all time favorite.
Great, great song! Good call
Their early works are my favorite...not that I’m that I’m not a Grand Illusion girl, because I am😉Suite Madam Blue, Light Up, Crystal Ball, Lady & Lorelei! Good stuff GOOD STUFF!
Lorelei let’s live together 🎹
Or Boat on the River.
Love the song Lorelei when it first came out cruising late one night and it came on the radio instant classic my friend Randy and me had a smoke and enjoyed 😎
That smile. :D Classic Styx. I had forgotten what excellent musicians they were.
I know I've said it before but our generation was totally spoiled to have so much great music to choose from on a daily basis. This was huge back in the day but there was just such a buffet of riches in music out there that it seemed endless. Damn, what a great time those days were.
January 1, 1978 I bought my first album--The Grand Illusion. I was 9 years old. My life was instantly changed. Music has been the center of my existence ever since.
Check out "Come Sail Away" -- the album cut not the truncated live version.
Jamel did that one some time ago.. :)
I cant listen to come sail away without hearing Cartman singing
Freaking Southpark lol
Styx has been rocking out for a LONG time. I remember we wrote the lyrics down to Styx Renegade and sang it 2 gether. when I was in the 9th grade. I am now 56.Finally getting to see them live labor day!!!!
Always good to see you sir
Damn. I just loved how much you loved one of my favorite songs. That's all. Pure happy. It's the message.❤️❤️❤️🌟❤️❤️❤️
This was great in concert in the late 70s, almost seemed magical. They were traveling with Yes Tours back then, great time to have been young.
They were amazing live back in the day...Such a fun, fantastic band. Thanks for the memories. Peace
I love their song "Boat on the River"
Yes! Excellent!
Its a ,illegal tune, and John on that mandolin...Insane work there.
Those rolling drum fills always get me too, every time. As does the message.
This was always my favorite band
Yes!
This was my FIRST favorite band... and will always have that special place in my heart.
Thank you, Jamel, for coming back to Styx. This particular rabbit hole is DEEP!
IMHO, Styx is the most underrated band of their era.
Renegade, Castle Walls, Light Up, Boat On The River, Show Me The Way, and many, many others!
"Cause deep inside, we're all the same!!"
Yes we are!
My bus driver in Jr. & High School played Styx on a 8 track on the bus. They were my first concert. I love you brother and watching how you come to love the music that I grew up on.
Love Styx!!!!!!!
Awesome song and album. One of my favorites growing up. Styx never disappoints. Thankyou.❤
"Deep inside we're all the same " makes this happy atheist say "Amen !!!"
I remember back in day jumping in my 1979 trans am with the t- tops off blasting out these tunes out on the road... Man those were the times...
This song is so true for these days in time..
Grand Illusion one of Styx’s masterpieces!!
Styx do Tommy Shaw singing Fooling Yourself with The Contemporary Orchestra.
That is an exceptionally wonderful performance. I was so fortunate to stumble across it one day.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😷😷😷😷
That whole concert is amazing. Blew my mind when I found it in on TH-cam. Those kids were so professional and Tommy sounded fantastic!
Tommy Shaw's daughter, Hannah Shaw...aka "The Kitten Lady", plays a violin solo in one of the Youth Orchestra performances, too.
Could not agree. That whole performance is awesome! The orchestra adds a nice touch!
I agree.....the Message of this song is Pertinent, Relevant, and ALIVE!!
The album is entitled "The Grand Illusion" also, and this is the theme for the entire album which includes Come Sail Away and Fooling Yourself (I'm not sure if you reacted to that yet). With the Grand Illusion theme in mind, they also had songs called Superstars, Miss America, Man in the Wilderness, and my personal favorite Castle Walls. The last song on the album The Grand Finale wraps up the themed Grand Illusion album.
Love Superstars, it never got the same attention as the rest of the songs on the album. The Grand Illusion is a masterpiece from start to finish, it is meant to be listened to as an album, not singles.
I was in High school when this album came out, it helped me through some of rough times. Man in the Wilderness was the song I related to and Fooling Yourself was the one that gave me hope.
I finally got to see them in concert about 6 years ago, they opened with Grand Illusion, I tried to sing along, but it's really difficult because I was all choked up with tears of happiness.
I was fortunate enough to see Styx in the Oakland Coliseum in July of 1981 - the Paradise Theater tour... Absolutely awesome. They were far and away my favorite band in my teenage years, and seeing them live was like... Well, Paradise :). They sounded EXACTLY like they did on their albums. It was a night I'll always remember.
Pop culture sells you an image, but rarely is that image reality. Check out Triumph - Magic Power. I think that message will please you.
Love Triump!
Triumph is so damned good.
Magic Power is a crazy good song!!
Magic Power is my all time favorite song. It describes me. It's as if I wrote it myself.. remembering coming home, getting into hoping to hear my favorite song or one of my favorites on the radio.
@Matt Becham I searched and didn't see it. If he did I wish I could find it.
An amazing look at life ... then AND now... some music is Timeless!!!
EXCELLENT!!!!EXCELLENT!!!! EXCELLENT!!!! I have the album!!! Excellent!!!! Love Styx!!!! Great musicians.....Great Voices!!!! Great Band!!!!
Incredible band. Live blows your mind.
I still think that Styx’s Suite Madam Blue is one of my favorites of all time. Please listen I know you’ll love it. Castle Walls is awesome as well. Enjoy and thank you for being you. BTW, April Wine’s Sign of the Gypsy Queen is a must listen. I would love to hear your reaction to that song.
Tommy Shaw awesome voice !! Love those high notes!!
This is one of my fav Styx songs. Just jams out !!
Blue Collar Man and The Best Of Times are awesome Styx songs!
Yes !! ask and you shall receive!! Love this song! Thanks J!
YES SIR. This one and Miss America helped keep my high school daze entertained.
I used to fall asleep to this 8-track in my headphones when I was a kid in the 70s. Good times.
Neil Peart wasn't the only master lyricist in the game.
Their message is universal.
Thank you for helping remind people of something they've always known.
Tommy Shaw sang at my sisters wedding back in 1971. I used to listen to him when he played with Harmony, the house band at Keglers Kove. His last gig before joining Stix!! My claim to fame...lol
That is incredible!
Jamel YOU'RE a good role model, and here's a deep reason why:
It's not your height people look up to, especially since you don't look down at anybody.
Can I love you anymore than I already do with your words of wisdom? Here Here well said. Got more into this song today than I ever did and this came out when I was in my middle 20's and now I'm 70. Wow.
Great song!!! With truth and meaning... listen closely to what's being said.
This is the first 8 track I purchased, I feel this is the best Styx ever. I have been listening to this for more than 40 years.
I love this album every song is Fantastic
Took care of these guys at the hotel I used to work at, nicest guys ever! Gave me back stage passes to the concert that night. I ended up working a double and missed the concert. As I was leaving work at midnight, they came into the lobby, saw me, asked me why I never came backstage. Told them I ended up working and Dennis put his arm around me and we all walked into the bar and drank together for the rest of the night. Chuck kept going into the DJ booth and would take a Styx CD out (he didn't want to hear it played) signed the CDs and returned them when we left the closing bar. Good Times, Great Guys!
Styx has taken a lot of heat in the past, from being called "corporate" to "arena" rock. Two labels that were not flattering in the late 70's, and early 80's, but this entire album has aged exceptionally well. Not a bum track on it. The same can be said of Paradise Theater.
Still...Pieces of Eight is their best album.
@@stantheman9072 I second that. It was in heavy rotation on my turntable.
Absolutely agree.
Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight and Equinox were all better than Paradise Theater
@@reallymysterious4393 Yes
I always told my kids there is a difference between need and want... need is a necessity, want is a luxury. I hope they live by this.
Styx.... bringin' back the memories! Thanks Jamel
To a teenager that had trouble finding his way, lyrics like this helped as a guide. Their song Pieces of Eight, is another great song with a great message. I never forgot those songs and they helped me for the better. Peace!
Still relevant over 40 years later. Check out "Man In the Wilderness".
Styx wrote some amazing songs. I was lucky enough to see the grand illusion tour back in the day.
I’m very lucky to have a family member in the Styx crew. My family is very close with the band and we’ve been able to get free backstage passes to tons of concerts
Lucky! Incredible blessing.
My friends and I were blown away when this album came out in 1977. I saw them in 1978, then again in 2007 at a private concert in Ft. Lauderdale for those who went to a pre-Super Bowl event. There were 150 of us in a room with Styx playing. We stood 5 feet from the stage, I caught a James Young pick, and shook hands with half the band at the end.
I saw this tour. DeYoung came out in front of a huge curtain in a Magician's tuxedo, and waved his wand at the curtain, which opened to this tune, with the band surrounded by dry ice vapors. .
Thanks for reminding me of the opening to this concert! I was working for a security company at the time and was able to see most of the concert for free! Loved it and went out the next day and bought the album and started my love for STYX!
This is the ultimate! The funk, drama, theatrics and ROCK! Yes , please, may I have some more?!
Saw them a few years ago. Lady is my fave song of theirs
Mine too!
They are not quite the same without Dennis D’Young, but the new singer is acceptable.
Great song, great reaction. Styx have many very good songs with great lyrics, music an vocals.
I went to the Grand Illusion Tour back in the day. Styx is one of them most talented, polished bands you'll ever hear. I think they're actually better live, than on than records. Thanks for the reaction.
COME SAIL AWAY!!!!!!!!! So deep, beautiful song.
Yes!! More Styx!! Too Much Time On My Hands or if you really wanna have your mind blown, Castle Walls from this album is killer.
Go earlier, pre Tommy, if you want your mind blown. Or Crystal Ball written by Tommy on the Crystal Ball album
I have seen the original band members perform this on stage , you can feel it in your chest ! Spectacular !
'Fooling Yourself' and 'Blue Collar Man' are also great songs.
So happy to see Styx getting some attention again. They were the first concert I ever saw when I was 13 in Montreal and I saw them a few times after that (as well as Dennis de Young solo and when he played in the stage version of Jesus Christ Superstar ) They were an important part of my teen years.
Brother Jamel! Man in the Wilderness, Crystal Ball & Suite Madam Blue... Let's hear it.
Glad you’re doing Styx! They are the best! My husband and I took our daughter to see them and she fell in love! We’ve seen them several times now and it’s always a great show! Tommy Shaw is the MAN!💕
You finally did Styx.. I feel like it’s Christmas morning...lol
When I saw mel doing the Grand illusion i knew he was in for a treat.
Everyone thinks someone else has a better life fro. More money power or fame. But their lives maybe even more chaotic than yours.
Learn to be grateful when lacking. Learn to be grateful in abundance.
Your never better than anyone else. Everyone has their pain they deal with.
Styx, jeez a ton of songs: Lords of the Ring; Boat On The River; Queen of Spades; Pieces of Eight; Just Get Through This Night; a ton of great songs.
Yes, Queen of Spades is one of my faves. Right up there with Miss America
Equinox was my go to
This was a grand concert,great memory from the 70's
Hey Jamel, I love your reaction to this song. This is my favorite Styx album. I listened to a Tommy Shaw interview where he spoke of his inspiration to the song A Man In The Wilderness, he said that while on tour with Kansas, during there Overture album, Tommy went up into the loft while Kansas played and wrote the song man in the wilderness. This album Grand Illusion was created while touring with Kansas. Enjoy.
Styx is my all time favorite band. Dennis Deyoung my favorite singer. He tours with his own band now and it's a Styx concert to me. His voice has not changed, it's still as crystal clear as it was back in the day. My favorites are Suite Madame Blue, Don’t Let It End, Queen of Spades, Pieces of Eight, Sing For The Day, Boat On A River, Castle Walls, I'm Okay, Why me, First Time, The Best of Times, Borrowed Time, Show Me The Way, Lords of The Ring, Show Me The Way, Fooling Yourself. The list goes on and on. Not only am I a big fan, but that music got me through some hard times. I'm Okay is a good song when your having a tough day.
You've GOT to do "The Best of Times" PLEASE
It is the most fitting song for the times we are all living in at this moment in time.
That song reminds me of being right out of high school.
One of the great songs with true meaning, always loved this song😎
Styx. The river of fire that separates purgatory from hell.
Appropriate for a band from Chicago?
Charon is the ferryboat oarsman. You must pay him a piece of silver to cross the River Styx . Greek Mythology.
I remember hearing Styx for the very 1st time playing -
Madame Blue suite
And i was truley rocked man
What a fantastic song! It usually takes 2 or 3 hearings before a song really takes you, but hearing Madame Blue the very 1st hearing just blew me away!
One of the very best bands America has produced ever!
Great band Great music.
Such a great message. One of the songs we should listen to before going through that door everyday.