NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ A&M) - In the just-released book 'The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx', guitarist Tommy Shaw speaks candidly about his sense of alienation from the other members of Styx during the superstar band's heyday, from his joining the band in December of 1975 to its breakup after 1983's 'Kilroy Was Here' album. "These guys had money, they had a plan, they had a deal ... all totally foreign to me," Shaw told biographer Sterling Whitaker in an exclusive interview.
Shaw joined Styx in late 1975 after the group had scored its first Top Ten hit with "Lady", written and sung by keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. Shaw's arrival cemented the classic Styx lineup that would go on to release a string of hits including "Come Sail Away", "Fooling Yourself", "Renegade", "Blue Collar Man", "Babe", "The Best of Times", "Too Much Time On My Hands", "Mr. Roboto" and "Don't Let It End". From 1977 to 1982 Styx recorded four consecutive Triple Platinum albums in a row, becoming the first band ever to do so. In 1980 the band won the People's Choice Award for Song of the Year for "Babe", and the Gallup poll named Styx the most popular band in America.
Despite the band's enormous success, Shaw was often ill at ease as a member of Styx. In 'The Grand Delusion' he reveals, for the first time, his sense of intimidation in dealing with the older, better-educated members of Styx. "I never felt totally comfortable amongst the other guys," he says. "I felt totally comfortable onstage, always, but never really was made to feel like an equal member. I still don't understand that one; you know how some people can make you feel 'less than' by their education ... I always felt like they were a little bit ashamed at having someone in the band who wasn't a college graduate. But I was not ashamed of the fact - I already knew what I wanted to do, and I was educated in the streets and in the clubs and on the road, and I've done well for myself. But that part obviously baffled me." Shaw ultimately quit Styx by storming off stage in the middle of a concert during the ill-fated 'Kilroy Was Here' tour.
"What's interesting about this interview is that it was done in 1993, at a time when Tommy had actually allowed the other members of Styx to buy him out of his participation in the name," says author Sterling Whitaker. "It was a great time to get the truth from him, because he had nothing to lose and nobody to protect. At that time he made it clear to me that he never, ever wanted to play with Styx again. He actually said to me, 'They would have to hold my daughter hostage, and playing with them again would be the ransom'. What's really funny about that is, about a year and half later he reunited with Styx to re-record 'Lady' for the Greatest Hits record, and he's been back with Styx ever since!" Whitaker says with a laugh. "That just goes to show you what strange bedfellows the music business creates. Styx has always been a volatile mix of personalities."
Styx will be on tour with Def Leppard throughout the summer. The entire text of Sterling Whitaker's exclusive interview with Tommy Shaw is online at www.styxcollector.com. 'The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx' is available at www.thegranddelusion.com, as well as various online retailers.
