Dennis DeYoung, songwriter, singer, self-taught keyboard/accordion player and founder of prog rock band Styx, was born in Chicago, IL, on February 18, 1947. DeYoung first got together with neighbors Chuck (bass) and John Panozzo (drums) in 1961. Their Tradewinds trio became TW4 when another band with the same name broke through nationally. The trio added guitarists in 1969 and 1970, and changed their name to Styx when they signed their first recording contract with Wood Nickel in 1972.

Styx put out 4 albums for Wooden Nickel, with moderate success, until DeYoung’s “Lady” became a hit in 1974. The band was then signed by A&M in 1975, and Tommy Shaw replaced a departing guitarist just before the band started a nationwide tour. Their breakthrough triple-platinum album, Grand Illusion, was released in 1977. In all, DeYoung played on 21 Styx albums, before going solo. He wrote many of the band’s Top 10 hits, including: “Babe” (#1), “Mr. Roboto”, “Come Sail Away”, “Don’t Let It End”, “Show Me The Way” and “The Best of Times”. From 1977 to 1981, Styx had 4 consecutive double-platinum albums.

DeYoung split from the band over creative differences in 1984. Apparently, DeYoung favored the more theatrical, prog rock style and concept albums that were the foundation for the band’s success. Tommy Shaw wanted to take the band in a more straight ahead rock style. Dennis reunited with them for 2 years in 1990, before leaving again. DeYoung rejoined the band in 1995 for 2 more tours, leaving permanently in 1999 claiming continuing creative difference and health problems. He apparently regained his ability to perform, and has continued to perform Styx songs and his own ever since.