UAWIL #267: Styx - Paradise Theater

The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast · Jan 8, 2026 · 1h

Styx had achieved great highs in the 1970s. Albums like The Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight and Cornerstone had all gone multi-platinum in the US thanks to hard riffs from James JY Young and Tommy Shaw and the heartfelt lyrics and vocals of Dennis DeYoung. But by 1980, tensions in the band lead to the dismissal of DeYoung for his insistence on his songs and concepts be at the forefront of the bands creative output. Chuck (bass) and John (drums) Panozzo had known Dennis since childhood and had played together for 20 years but they tried to carry on without him.

However, in the end they decided…