Dennis DeYoung (73), best known for being a founding member of '70s rock band Styx, has started a YouTube channel. Amid the world dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, DDY made a video from his home singing his 1981 #3 charting hit "The Best of Times". The video was a surprisingly viral success, now at about 850,000 views, and met with overwhelming praise from fans.
Overwhelmed himself, DeYoung decided to open a YouTube channel where he will continue to make such videos from his home for the fans and anyone willing to listen. The channel will include home solo performances along with home movies and updates on his music career. DeYoung is still active today as a solo artist. Other than his introductory video welcoming you to his channel, the first video he posted was a solo performance of another #3 hit song, 1990's "Show Me The Way".
Styx is still active today without Dennis, who departed ways with him in 1999. In numerous interviews DDY maintains a positive outlook and never takes shots at his former band, whereas on the Styx side of things, the details as to why Dennis was never invited to reunite with the band are murky at best. Much tension was caused by, again, another #3 charting DeYoung penned song, 1983's "Mr. Roboto". A song other Styx members would publicly bash for years and ignore live, along with many other DeYoung penned hits, for years until about a year ago requests for the song piled up so high that the band has since started performing it again, albeit reluctantly. DeYoung also dealt with Influenza A and light sensitivity prior to his departure from the band, something the current Styx points out as if to assume he is unable to tour, but DeYoung has been touring as a solo artist for 20 years. This post isn't about taking sides or pushing for a DDY reunion with Styx, but considering DeYoung has taken the high road at every turn and has extended endless olive branches to the band to no avail, it is worth mentioning as it is an ongoing part of his history.
DeYoung penned 7 of the band's 8 Billboard top 10 singles; The lone #1 hit "Babe", "Mr. Roboto", "Show Me The Way", "The Best of Times", "Don't Let It End", "Come Sail Away" and Styx's breakthrough hit "Lady". Now at age 73, sounding every bit as good as he sounded in 1973, he is now part of the YouTube community to share some of these old hits from his livingroom.
DDY's official YouTube channel can be found simply by searching "Dennis DeYoung".
(Styx in the late '70s. Dennis DeYoung, front center. Chuck Panozzo, bass, to the left. John Panozzo, drums, to the right. Tommy Shaw, guitar, back left and "JY", guitar back right)
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