Styx: Staying Power

Lawrence Gowan says "the great gods of rock have smiled upon" Styx. The singer-keyboardist who mans the spot long held by Dennis DeYoung tells us the key to the band's enduring success is "the tremendous melodic content" of such songs as "Come Sail Away," "Lady" and "The Best of Times." Clearly, it's a formula that not only works with longtime fans. The Scottish-born Canadian says these days, typically half of their concert audiences are fans under age 30.

A member since 1999, Gowan notes that in the history of Styx, there have been 10 members of the band. "Every single person has made a tremendous contribution and led to where we are today."

Lawrence wanted to point out another member of the Styx family -- Gary Loizzo [pr: loh-EYE-zoh] , the band's longtime engineer-producer and concert soundman. His name should be familiar from an earlier band. He sang lead in The American Breed, who went Top 10 in January 1968 with "Bend Me, Shape Me."

In stores tomorrow is The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live CD and DVD sets. It was filmed and recorded in November 2010 at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis during the tour that saw Styx play their 1977 and 1978 albums in their entirety for the first time. --Mike McCann