Sadly, I'm forced to agree with you to an extent. It seems like the band is
caught between its own past success and the market limitations of its current
status. The current lineup seems to want not to actively celebrate parts of the
back?catalogue, which precludes them doing a lot of cool stuff that fans would
enjoy. On the other hand there has proven to be a limited market for new
releases. So they're caught, like most other touring oldies bands, in an endless
touring cycle of diminishing returns. That's the way it is, and I don't see it
changing for now. On a positive note, perhaps this will afford JY the time he
needs to take care of some issues on the home front with his wife's health.

I hope all is well.

Sterling


-----Original Message-----
From: Conrad <conradstinnett@...>
To: styx@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 4 Feb 2009 8:13 am
Subject: [STYX ROCKS!] Styx Stuck?






Styx recently played Peoria in the smallest venue, the 2000 seat Peoria
Civic Center Theater, since their Wooden Nickel days. It was the same
show as last time they were here, only they played to less people.
There's no indication that the band has anything new on the horizon and
there seems to be no movement at all toward any kind of heritage
projects- remasters of their A&M catalog, box sets, previously
unreleased concerts from the vaults, etc.The 30th anniversary of Grand
Illusion and Pieces of Eight went by without mention by the band and I
doubt Cornerstone will be mentioned this year either. While Universal
released the Wooden Nickel collection and a DVD of Caught in the Act,
the band did nothing to promote them. I think they are great players,
but they currently seem to lack direction. They have missed so many
opportunities. Obviously, touring is the income producer these days,
rather than product, but having new product on the shelves helps create
awareness, sells tickets and energizes the fan base. I perceive that
Styx is badly in need of something to get them out of their career
holding pattern and get them moving forward.






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