Northfield, Ohio – The Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park literally packed the house earlier this week with the seminal rock group ” Styx “.
Styx, who’s string of commercial and critical hits of the 1970’s and 1980’s paved the way for a generation stopped by Hard Rock Live for a trip down memory lane and to create new ones. New ones you say , yes you heard right, new ones in the form of a brand new release with the physical copies of ” The Mission ” for fans to hear and live performances of several of the tracts .You know a band is a cultural phenomenon when modern television audiences have a hit television show ” That 70’s Show ” and use them a a major plot point in an episode .
I was excited to finally get a copy of ” The Mission ” a concept album about a planned mission to Mars in the very near future . Look for a complete review of it but suffice to say for now ,the live versions went over with well with the audience . Future classics like ” Gone , Gone, Gone, ” opened the show.
My favorite Tommy Shaw song ” Blue Collar Man ” followed up next along with ” The Grand Illusion ” all of which prove why this band has had such sustainability over the decades and a huge dedication of fans. ” Radio Silence ” continued the musical feast from the new album along with ” The Outpost ” .The fans favorites were played as well including the rebellious ” Renegade “, the dreamy ” Come Sail Away ” and ” Angry Young Man ( Fooling Yourself ).
The band also did two you very special things that show , one playing a tribute to Tom Petty by playing a highlighted version of “Free Fallin” to a appreciative crowd .One other item was the band has a charity called ” Rock To The Rescue ” started by Tommy Shaw’s daughter Hannah in which the band raised money by raffling off an autographed guitar and the funds go to a local charity and at this show is was the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank . The funds raised were enough for over 2000 meals.
The band has been touring and recording in its current line up for quite some time and the members are
- Chuck Panozzo – bass, backing vocals (1972-1984, 1990-1991, 1995-present)
- James “J.Y.” Young – guitar, backing and lead vocals (1972-1984, 1990-1991, 1995-present)
- Tommy Shaw – guitar, lead and backing vocals (1975-1984, 1995–present)
- Todd Sucherman – drums (1995–present)
- Lawrence Gowan – lead and backing vocals, keyboards (1999–present)
- Ricky Phillips – bass, backing vocals, guitar (2003–present)
I know that society has changed and concerts and nights out can be scary and costly but let me assure you of this , your safety is utmost priority as Hard Rock Live has security measures that will rival most airports and a Styx concert, you get ever dime back in a lifetime of memories both old and new. To keep up with ” The Mission ” and all things Styx related check the official website at http://www.styxworld.com/
