Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
    • Submit a Press Release
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics Podcast: A Centrist View on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Toggle search form
  • Orland First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    First Responders announce candidacies for Orland Fire District Board seats Cook County
  • D230 students win prestigious art awards Education
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez would have made a great mayor Blogger
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications Business
  • Inappropriate Illinois license plates
    New Secretary of State reaffirms rejection of inappropriate license plates Chicago
  • Justice Department Health Care Fraud Unit
    Chicago Man Convicted of Participating in Illegal Kickback Conspiracy Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas receives the American Arab Chamber of Commerce 2021 Action Award for her support of Arab and Muslim Americans, returning more than $1.3 million to Arab and Muslim taxpayers.
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas refunding more than $47 million to homeowners Cook County
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job Business
  • Chicago Mayoral candidate Kam Buckner 2023
    Buckner slams Garcia, Johnson and Lightfoot for Crypto hypocrisies, supports probes Chicago
  • Fighting oppressive taxes in Cook County Editors Pick
  • Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman
    Suburbs lose a great leader in Liz Gorman Blogger
  • Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman
    Liz Gorman brings sanity and services back to Cook County Board Blogger
  • Alexi Giannoulias, former Illinois state treasurer and candidate for Illinois Secretary of State
    Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team report Government
  • Assault weapons, courtesy of WIkipedia
    Pritzker’s assault weapons ban not enough to make law abiding citizens safe Blogger
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Vallas urges probe in Lightfoot’s CPD scandal and accuses of Congressman Garcia of being AWOL from Chicagoland needs Chicago

DeYoung rocks Star Plaza

Posted on December 20, 2017December 22, 2017 By Steve Metsch No Comments on DeYoung rocks Star Plaza
SHARE THIS STORY
490           
 
  
490
Shares

DeYoung rocks Star Plaza

Former Styx frontman sounds good as ever

By Steve Metsch

It’s been 40 years since Styx released its “The Grand Illusion” album, but you couldn’t tell that by listening to Dennis DeYoung’s voice.

DeYoung, the former frontman for the popular rock band from Chicago, played the entire album and a slew of other Styx hits during his concert Dec. 16 at the Star Plaza Theatre. It was the next-to-last concert there.

DeYoung sounded great and had the energy of a man half his age. DeYoung, 70,  sounded pretty much the same as the first time I saw Styx during the “Paradise Theater” tour in 1981.

This show, the 70th on the band’s current tour, began with a recording telling fans that the band would play the entire album first, leaving no room for chatting, with DeYoung promising he would in the second half of the show.

He did later, and the guy is funny. He told amusing stories about his doing his first marathon which, ahem, involved watching binge watching “The Kardashians” cable TV show, along with interesting stories about his days with Styx.

While he did mention the Panozzo brothers, Chuck and the late John, who “lived down the street” and started the  band with him when they were teenagers in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood, no mention was made of Tommy Shaw and James Young, who famously dumped DeYoung from Styx in 1999.

No matter. The strength of the material played by DeYoung’s impressive band, along with his dazzling vocals, had few pining for the old lineup.

As mentioned, they began with the title track of that album and played it in the order it was on vinyl. He cracked “time to turn the record over” after the A side was completed.

The band, with guitarists August Zadra and Jimmy Leahey, keyboardist John Blasucci, bassist Craig Carter and drummer Michael Morales, was superb. DeYoung’s wife Suzanne, whom he met in high school, provided some backing vocals.

“The Grand Illusion” album sounded fantastic, especially “Man in the Wilderness,” the title track and that crowd favorite, “Come Sail Away” which turned into a singalong at DeYoung’s urging. Leahey was great on the rollicking “Miss America.”

After the album’s eight songs were played, he joked that he could finally talk with the audience. He introduced “Lady” as the “song that started it all.” It was and is still a great song.

He even pointed out in the audience John “Records truly is my middle name” Landecker, the deejay who first played “Lady” on WLS, causing DeYoung and his wife to “dance around the kitchen” hearing it that night.

“Lorelei,” one of those Styx songs that doesn’t get the props it deserves, sounded fantastic and – as most of the songs – included a dazzling light show.

Zadra made me think “Tommy who” when belted out a fun take on “Too Much Time On My Hands.”

Unlike the current Styx rendition starring Shaw and Young, DeYoung embraced the 1983 song “Mr. Roboto,” even pulling out the mask  worn on that tour, the one that some say was the start of the end for the original band.

“Suite Madame Blue” was a nice surprise with its still stinging commentary on America that fits as well 2017 as it did when released in 1975.

DeYoung’s shining moment on vocals was “Babe,” a love song written for his wife which  again showed his voice has lost nothing.

Suzanne even got to chat up the audience, telling us that at breakfast he reads to her the comments posted on his Facebook page “while we wait for his prune juice to work.”

DeYoung, who said he is working on an album with Ides of March frontman Jim Peterik, thanked fans several times for their support through the years. He even gave them several choices in the concert.

He asked if they wanted an intermission. They did not.

He invited them to pick between “Desert Moon” and “Don’t Let It End.” The chose the former, one of his solo post-Styx songs.

The encore didn’t involve the band leaving the stage and returning. He instead suggested we all pretend they did just that. A hard-rocking “Renegade” and the lovely “The Best of Times” closed the show with a little “The End” by The Beatles played for good measure.

Checking in at just over two hours, it was a great night of music.

It was kind of bittersweet leaving the theater as many fans took photos of memorabilia, guitars signed by various artists, like Joe Walsh, in the lobby.

After 38 years, Star Plaza Theatre would close its doors forever the next day after a concert by the Oak Ridge Boys, a country band.

However, the last rock show there by an ageless local legend will be one not soon forgotten.

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • James Koc rejoins Lyons ZBA - November 26, 2022
  • “It’s time,” says McCook top cop Svetich - November 26, 2022
  • No town too small, Pritzker visits Southwest suburbs - November 4, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
490           
 
  
490
Shares
 
490
Shares
 
 
 490         
Commentary, Entertainment Tags:" "Come Sail Away", "The Grand Illusion, Dennis DeYoung, Star Plaza Theatre, Styx

Post navigation

Previous Post: Lieb School in Bridgeview Hosted Winterfest 2017
Next Post: Stevenson toll lanes a tough sell

Related Posts

  • Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States sworn in on Jan 20, 2021. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Tara Reade reminds us how hypocritical the DNC really is Blogger
  • Restaurant Review: bd’s Mongolian Grill, Naperville Editors Pick
  • Hotel View Hilton Oak Brook, Illinois Courtesy of the Hilton Oak Brook
    New restaurant and bar opens along Lake Michigan Business
  • Two Guys on Politics Podcast with former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania
    Was the Jan. 6 violence at Congress an insurrection or a protest gone wrong? Bill Lipinski
  • Author John Ruane's new book "A Dangerous Freedom"
    “A Dangerous Freedom” confronts Everyman with dangers of murderous killers Books & Films
  • Store destroyed by looters and arsonists who participated in the Black Lives Matter protests in Chicago at the end of May 2020. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has abandoned victims of looting along with the members of the Chicago Police Department. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania
    White House push probes “Capitol riot,” but continues to ignore the post-Floyd riots Blogger

More Related Articles

The Political Pundit Comic Strip 07-27-20 Mayor Lori Lightfoot hypocrisy, attacks FOP, Ald. Lopez and then calls for civility The Political Pundit Comic Strip lampoons Mayor Lightfoot Blogger
William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Right from the Middle: The Three dictators, Last time Bill Lipinski
Mount Prospect Badge with Blue Line attacked by anti-Police activists and the League of Women Voters. Photo courtesy of the Mount Prospect Police Special Column: Reinstate death penalty in the killing of police Blogger
State Senator Martin Sandoval, Lyons Mayor Chris Getty, McCook Mayor Jeff Tobolski, and District 103 Board member Jorge Torres denounced the failed leadership of the District 103 School Board majority led by Marge Hubacek. Opinion: The Landmark, hysteria and the “Ted Bojanowski syndrome” Blogger
Nitro Circus Nitro Circus’ “You Got This” tour comes to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium in Spring Entertainment
Goalie Garret Sparks of the Chicago Wolves. Courtesy of the Chicago Wolves. Chicago Wolves beat Tucson Roadrunners 3 to 0 Entertainment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez would have made a great mayor
    January 26, 2023
  • Assault weapons, courtesy of WIkipedia
    Pritzker’s assault weapons ban not enough to make law abiding citizens safe
    January 16, 2023
  • Lori Lightfoot speaking at Police Accountability Task Force hearing in 2016. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot must go
    January 15, 2023
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Return semi-conductor and chip-making industries to America
    January 15, 2023
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: The China threat to Asia’s Democracy
    January 9, 2023
  • Harry and Patricia Michalski courtesy of their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10105680464226180&set=t.100009314491026&type=3
    Remembering Pat Michalski who dedicated her life to diversity and fairness
    December 30, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Lori Lightfoot speaking at Police Accountability Task Force hearing in 2016. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Chicago Mayor Lori Lightf... Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot must go Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has faile... posted on January 15, 2023
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website Vallas urges probe in Lig... Vallas urges probe in Lightfoot's CPD scandal and accuses of Congressman Ga... posted on January 16, 2023
  • Chicago Mayoral candidate Kam Buckner 2023 Black and Latinx Elected... Black and Latinx Elected Officials Unite Against the Chaos Caused by Mayor... posted on January 8, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash First Installment Cook Co... First Installment Cook County property taxes due date pushed to April 3 Coo... posted on January 4, 2023
  • Alexi Giannoulias, former Illinois state treasurer and candidate for Illinois Secretary of State Secretary of State Alexi... Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team... posted on January 17, 2023
  • NEWS
  • Orland First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    First Responders announce candidacies for Orland Fire District Board seats
    January 31, 2023
  • D230 students win prestigious art awards
    January 26, 2023
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley Named Chair of Police and Fire Committee
    January 25, 2023
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications
    January 23, 2023
  • Inappropriate Illinois license plates
    New Secretary of State reaffirms rejection of inappropriate license plates
    January 23, 2023
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Arrest and Criminal Charges Announced Against British and Russian Businessmen for Facilitating Sanctions Evasion of Russian Oligarch’s $90 Million Yacht
    January 23, 2023
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Return semi-conductor and chip-making industries to America
    January 15, 2023
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: The China threat to Asia’s Democracy
    January 9, 2023
  • Sam Bankman-Fried in an interview during the Bitcoin 2021 conference. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Demands continue for Lightfoot and Garcia to detail ties to FTX scandal
    December 15, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wolves 2022-2023 season
    Chicago Wolves top Stars for second win in a row
    October 25, 2022
  • Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop! The team that does a lot of the work to help the Stagg High school band perform works behind the scenes like a NASCAR pit stop. The students are profiled in this feature
    Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop!
    August 31, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves Noesen wins President’s Award
    July 22, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Orland First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    First Responders announce candidacies for Orland Fire District Board seats
    January 31, 2023
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Paul Vallas demands Lightfoot explain email scandal, and use of government resources for political campaign
    January 12, 2023
  • David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive. Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County
    Milwaukee County sells 90 lots for single family homes
    January 11, 2023
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Chicago’s Police Officers Endorse Paul Vallas for Mayor
    January 9, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Photo courtesy of the Cook County government
    Pappas: Cook County property taxes due by December 30
    December 28, 2022
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications
    January 23, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job
    January 19, 2023
  • United Airlines Flight at O'Hare Airport
    United offers endless airline travel problems for travelers
    December 25, 2022
  • Sam Bankman-Fried in an interview during the Bitcoin 2021 conference. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Demands continue for Lightfoot and Garcia to detail ties to FTX scandal
    December 15, 2022

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme