Classic Rock phenomenon STYX was last in Louisville in February with REO Speedwagon. They return Sunday, November 7, at the Palace Theater to perform two of their albums in their entirety.
STYX bassist Ricky Phillips said in a phone interview that their manager pitched the idea to them about six months ago, and they really didn't get time off the road to rehearse it. Despite that, he's had tremendous fun with the challenge of performing Grand Illusion and PIeces of 8 with the band.
"I was there in the very beginning of what we're doing right now, so it's kind of fun,' He said about joining the band on stage for the first time in 1979.
Original bassist and one of the founding members Chuck Panozzo has been out with the band at about 90% of their shows on this tour. When he makes an appearance, Phillips switches over to guitar or does a dueling bass bit with Panozzo on the songs Renegade and Come Sail Away.
Some of the songs being performed during this tour such as Queen of Spades, Castle Walls, I'm Okay, and Superstars have never been played before live by the band or have gotten very little play due to challenging vocals or other difficulties.
"We're playing it exactly the way it's sequenced on the records when they came out. It's crazy to do it that way live. You usually stack the backside with your biggest hits to build for encores, but we made the album stacking the front side because we wanted radio jockey's to hear it and say they loved the album and give airplay. So, it's fun and kind of a challenge to do the show that way."
Ticket costs are between $35 and $55.
From the Palace Theater Web site:
"THE LOUISVILLE PALACE BOX OFFICE is located at 625 South 4th Street and is open from Noon- 5pm Monday - Friday and 2 hours prior to any scheduled event. Tickets can be purchased in person at The Louisville Palace Box Office (cash or credit card), online at www.LIVENATION.com, charged by phone at 877-598-8698, or at select Blockbuster stores (2 Louisville locations). Call The Palace Box Office at 502.583.4555 for more information."
