Styx – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Styx Biography

In addition to fusing strong rock guitar with acoustic guitar, synthesizers with acoustic piano, bouncy numbers with power ballads, and mixing aspects of international musical theater, Styx is a Chicago-based American rock band that was founded in 1972. The band made its name with a progressive rock style in the 1970s, then in the 1980s they started adding pop music and soft rock components.

The band typically released an album each year in the 1970s, starting with Styx in 1972. The power ballad “Lady,” from Styx II (1973), was a sleeper smash that helped the album crack the top 20. Additionally, “Lady” reached the top 20 in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Both Equinox (1975) and Crystal Ball (1976) made it to the US top 70, with the former having “Lorelei,” which peaked at No. 6 in Canada, and the latter introducing Tommy Shaw to the group.

The Grand Illusion (1977), which peaked at No. 6 in both the US and Canada, was Styx’s commercial breakthrough in North America. It was the first of four consecutive multi-platinum albums for Styx in the US. It contained the top 10 smash single in both countries, “Come Sail Away.” Pieces of Eight, the band’s follow-up album from 1978, reached No. 6 in the US but reached higher heights in Canada with the top 10 singles “Renegade” and “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)”.

Due to the cross-border No. 1 hit ballad “Babe,” Styx’s Cornerstone in 1979 reached No. 2 in both countries. With “Babe” debuting at No. 3, the album became their breakout record in Australia and New Zealand, charting in the top 20. Their only top 40 song in the UK, “Babe,” peaked at No. 6, making Cornerstone their first album to reach the top 10 there (at No. 36). Styx’s Paradise Theater, released in 1981, peaked at No. 1 in the US and Canada, reached No. 10 in Scandinavia and the UK (where it was their biggest album), and No. 30 in Australia and New Zealand.The album’s singles “The Best of Times,” which peaked at No. 1 in Canada, No. 3 in the US, and No. 30 in a number of other nations, and “Too Much Time on My Hands,” which peaked at No. 10 in North America, all achieved significant success. Styx’s final chart-topping album, Kilroy Was Here (1983), was less successful internationally but peaked at No. 3 in North America and No. 10 in Scandinavia. “Mr. Roboto,” the album’s lead song, became Styx’s third Canadian chart-topper, reached No. 3 in the US, and became their biggest hit in Germany (No. 8). After a seven-year hiatus, Styx made a comeback with Edge of the Century (1990), which peaked at No. 63 in the US and had the top three hit “Show Me the Way” in North America in early 1991.

In total, eight of Styx’s songs reached the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, in addition to 16 top 40 singles. Dennis DeYoung, the band’s lead singer and original member who left the group in 1999, wrote and sang the lyrics to seven of their eight top 10 singles. Over 20 million records were sold by Styx for A&M between their 1976 and 1984 signings.

Styx Discography

Crash of the CrownSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
CycloramaSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Edge of the CenturySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Paradise TheatreSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Grand IllusionSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Man of MiraclesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Serpent Is RisingSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
StyxSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Styx Most Famous Song?

Styx is most famous for their song “Come Sail Away.” The song was released in 1977 and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by many artists, including Cheap Trick, who released their version in 1979.

What Was Styx Best Selling Album?

Styx’s best selling album was The Grand Illusion. It was released in 1977 and peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has been certified seven times platinum by the RIAA.

What Was Styx Biggest Album?

Styx’s biggest album was “The Grand Illusion”, which was released in 1977. It peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album spawned the singles “Come Sail Away” and “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)”, both of which charted in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. “The Grand Illusion” is considered one of the classic rock albums of all time.

Who Was The Original Lead Singer Of Styx?

The original lead singer of Styx was John Curulewski. He was with the band from 1972 until 1974, when he left to pursue a solo career. Tommy Shaw took over as lead singer after Curulewski’s departure.

What Is Genre Of Styx?

Styx is a classic rock band that has been around since the early 1970s. Their music often includes elements of progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal. They are best known for their hit songs “Come Sail Away” and “Renegade.” While they have not been as commercially successful in recent years, they remain a popular concert act.

Most Searched For Styx Songs

RenegadeSpotifyAppleAmazon
BabeSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Come Sail AwaySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Queen Of SpadesSpotifyApple
Mr. RobotoSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Too Much Time On My HandsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Boat On The RiverSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Best Of TimesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
LadySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon