Styx, REO Speedwagon and Night Ranger

Place: Covelli Centre, Youngstown, OH

When: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 7 p.m.

Description: Break out the spandex and leather pants and party like it's 1983 as REO Speedwagon (sans Gary Richrath) and Styx bring their inimitable arena rock to the Covelli Centre for a night of Rock and Roll nostalgia on November 7th. The two 80's super groups generated a slew of hits throughout the years. REO gained notoriety in the '70s with a few underrated power rock tunes such as 157 Riverside Avenue, Riding The Storm Out and Roll With The Changes. The band increased their radio hit list in the '80s with the release of Hi Infidelity. The album contained several smash hit ballads including Keep On Loving You, Take It On The Run and the rocking Tough Guys. Not unlike REO, Styx sold out arenas across America and produced multiple hits. The release of The Grand Illusion in 1977 served as the band's epic awakening. Come Sail Away made the Top-10 and the following year saw the band's efforts rewarded with the classic Renegade and Blue Collar Man from Pieces of Eight. The 1979 release of Cornerstone captured the band winding down its rock momentum, focusing instead on softer ballad-type pop-rock songs such as Babe and Why Me but with the release of Paradise Theatre in 1981, Styx proved it could meld the music and hang tough with both musical directions. Arguably the band's best work, the concept album yielded Rocking The Paradise, Too Much Time On My Hands, The Best Of Times, and Snowblind, songs that became anthems during a time of economic uncertainty and escalating crime. Dennis DeYoung crooned about the end of an era and lamented the perils of drug use at a time when the country was experiencing a recession and cocaine was considered chic.

Date Posted: August, 5 2009

Categories: Pop, Rock, Jazz