After forming in 1961 in Chicago, Illinois, while in high school, Styx steadily toured and expanded from a three-piece to a quintet during the 60s, signing with local record label Wooden Nickel Records in 1972, and releasing their self-titled debut that year. 1973’s Styx II and The Serpent Is Rising followed, as well as 1974’s Man of Miracles, further refining their output as they transitioned from straight-forward rock n roll into a more progressive rock, incorporating psychedelic flourishes and experimental structuring, as well as hard rock guitars, powerful ballads and theatrical elements. They signed with A&M Records, releasing Equinox in 1975, and subsequently 1976’s Crystal Ball and 1977’s The Grand Illusion, their breakout album that sold over 3 million copies propelled by singles Come Sail Away and Fooling Yourself. In 1981, Styx released Paradise Theatre, a concept album chronicling the fictional rise and fall of the Chicago theatre, which became their fourth consecutive triple-platinum album, reached #1 on the Billboard charts, and spawned five singles, including top ten hits The Best of Times and Too Much Time on My Hands. Next was 1983’s full-fledged rock opera Kilroy Was Here, which featured synthesizer and vocoder-driven Mr. Roboto and the power ballad Don’t Let It End. Following a half-decade separation in the 80s and a brief break-up in the 90s, Styx’s 1996 tour Return to Paradise was a success, and since then have continued releasing albums and satisfying ticket holders at concerts around the world with the likes of Def Leppard, Foreigner and Boston. Over the course of their career, Styx has played many famous venues, like Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion and Madison Square Garden.
