Anna Paulson
It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since Styx released its best-selling album, Grand Illusion. With the recent release of a new concept album titled, The Mission, Styx brought their “Mission Tour” to Vetter Stone Amphitheater, Mankato, MN.
The sold-out crowd at Vetter Stone got what they came for; a walk down memory lane. Right off the bat, the veteran rockers opened the show by introducing fans to their new material. Gone, Gone, Gone from The Mission album set the tone, followed up with Blue Collar Man, Grand Illusion, and Lady – songs that represent great late-seventies/eighties rock and roll.
Shaw proved he holds the secret to age manipulation, as he looks virtually the same as he did in his prime. He displays explosive energy and genuine gratitude to his Minnesota crowd, who then helped celebrate Shaw’s 64th birthday by singing “Happy Birthday”.
Styx’s exisiting original members include guitarist/ vocalist, Tommy Shaw, and guitarist James Young. Keyboardist/ vocalist Lawrence Gowan has stepped into the shoes of Dennis DeYoung and matches the showmanship as his predecessor.
Former Baby’s/Bad English member, Ricky Phillips, has assumed bass duties and is occasionally joined on stage by original member Chuck Panasso to add a glimpse of a “vintage Styx” performance. To fill out the group, Todd Schunneman hits the drums and has been keeping the beat for Styx since 1996.
With fifteen albums to their credit and countless performances under their belts, Styx continues to give their fans an unforgettable evening of hits. Styx continued the tradition of closing with Come Sail Away, encores of Rockin’ the Paradise, and finally Renegade.
Gowen turns to the audience and states, “Hopefully we can carry this on a few more decades. Maybe that’s The Mission.”
Catch Styx on tour this fall. Tickets can be purchased, here.
SEP – 16 – Pomona, CA
SEP 17 – Jackson, CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort
OCT 19 – Tallahassee, FL – The Pavilion at the Centre of Tallahassee
OCT 20 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino Resort and Spa
OCT 21 – Tunica Resorts, MS – Gold Strike Casino
OCT 22 – Oxford, AL – Oxford Performing Arts Center
NOV 9 – Northfield, OH – Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park Hard Rock Live
NOV 10 – Hammond, IN – The Venue at Horseshoe Casino
NOV 11 – Wisconsin Dells, WI – Crystal Grand Music Theatre
NOV 12 – Windsor, ON, Canada – The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
NOV 14 – Lima, OH – Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center
NOV 15 – Kalamazoo, MI – Kalamazoo State Theatre
NOV 17 – Rama, ON, Canada – Casino Rama Resort
NOV 18 – Orillia, ON, Canada – Casino Rama Resort
DEC 29 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater
MAR 5 – Falmouth, Jamaica
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