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6/25/12

Show Preview: Ted Nugent/ STYX / REO Speedwagon @ DTE Energy Music Theatre June 28th 2012

Lovers of arena rock music should get ready to kick off the weekend this Thursday at DTE Energy Music Theatre with the return of Ted Nugent, Styx and REO Speedwagon on  “The Midwest Rock ‘n Roll Express” tour. All of them legends in their own right, each band brings many years of touring and live production experience back to the Detroit area for what will surely be one of the most rocking, jamming, concerts at DTE this summer. So dig out those Zippo's, pack up that grill, cooler and tasty cold tailgate beverages and get ready to rock out this Thursday on what is expected to be yet another perfect summer evening.




From the press release:
STYX and REO SPEEDWAGON launched “The Midwest Rock ‘n Roll Express” tour along with Ted Nugent earlier this month, and they’re landing in Detroit, MI on Thursday, June 28 at the DTE Energy Music Theatre

“Forget all those TV shows with glee clubs singing Rock songs,” exclaims STYX guitarist/singer James “JY” Young.  “It’s time for mega-Platinum Illinois bands STYX and REO Speedwagon in a battle to the end of the Mayan Calendar with the Motor City Madman!” 

"I am a Midwest boy, born and raised with Midwest values,” continues REO Speedwagon singer/guitarist Kevin Cronin.  “In the Midwest we work hard, play hard, and rock hard.  I am proud to join my brothers in STYX and Ted Nugent to celebrate Midwest rock 'n roll and represent the greatest rock fans in the world.  I am ready to climb aboard the ‘Midwest Rock 'n Roll Express!’  Rock On baby!"

As STYX singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw proclaims, “It's gonna be a Twang Fest of screaming guitars and big, sing-along choruses that continue to be the soundtrack for the misbehavior of our collective fan base.  In other words, a real good time.”

Detroit’s own Ted Nugent couldn’t agree more.  “The heart and soul of American R&B&R&R has always gushed forth from the heartland of America.  REO, STYX and The Nuge have always celebrated the power of our special music and on the mighty ‘Midwest Rock ‘n Roll Express,’ the energy, attitude and spirit is more intense than ever.  This is the soundtrack for the hardcore.”

STYX is Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of their self-titled debut album.  They released their double-disc REGENERATION, VOLUME I & II on October 24, 2011 via Eagle Rock Entertainment.  In addition to thirteen STYX classics and a brand new song, “Difference In The World,” the collection also includes interpretations of “High Enough,” and “Coming Of Age,” originally recorded by Damn Yankees, which featured Tommy Shaw, along with Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, Ted Nugent and drummer Michael Cartellone.  The band had originally re-recorded these acclaimed anthems to sell only at their live shows, as they continued to tour the globe and introduce a new generation of fans to their chart-topping hits.  Now, for the first time, this music has been made commercially available.  On January 31, Eagle Rock Entertainment released Styx:  The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live on DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD/2CD.  This show was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, on the tour that saw them perform both these albums in their entirety for the first time.  The 20-song, two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo.  The staging of these two multi-platinum albums and the fevered response makes this concert a must for all STYX fans. Styx:  The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live also includes the bonus feature “Putting On The Show,” an inside look at the people and equipment needed to stage such a massive spectacle.
Spawned from a Chicago basement in the early ‘70s, STYX would eventually transform into the virtual arena rock prototype by the late '70s and early '80s, due to a fondness for big rockers and soaring power ballads.  Over the course of their career they’ve released 15 studio albums, 7 best-of compilations, 4 live DVDs and 4 live albums, garnering 8 Top Ten singles. STYX has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.  Throughout their illustrious career, they’ve performed more live shows since 1999 than all of the previous years of its career combined.  Two Super-Bowl appearances, Pollstar box office chart-topping tours with Def Leppard, Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon and Bad Company (to name only a few), two more studio albums and no end in sight, STYX continues to conquer the planet, one venue at a time.

REO SPEEDWAGON—Kevin Cronin (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums)—was formed in 1967, signed in 1971 and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972.  Originally formed in Champaign, IL, REO Speedwagon is still led today by keyboardist Neal Doughty (founding member since 1967), Kevin Cronin (who has fronted the band since 1972 on lead vocals and guitar) and bassist Bruce Hall (who joined in 1977), along with lead guitarist Dave Amato (member since 1989) and drummer Bryan Hitt (since 1990).  Together, REO Speedwagon continues to define the essence of two enduring genres, arena rock on the performance side and Classic Rock on the audio and video side.  Since the release of their 1971 self-titled debut album, the band has produced 17 critically acclaimed albums (including the monumental 10-million seller, HI INFIDELITY), has scored 13 Top 40 singles, including the #1 hits “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Keep On Loving You,” timeless classics "Roll With The Changes,” "Ridin' The Storm Out,” "Take It On The Run,” "Time For Me To Fly" and "Keep Pushin."  Their latest album, FIND YOUR OWN WAY HOME, featured the radio favorites “I Needed To Fall” and “Smilin’ In The End.”  REO Speedwagon has sold more than 40 million albums to date.