Dennis DeYoung Says He Would Reunite With Styx

He was a big part of helping to build their success story, and although Dennis DeYoung has been out of Styx for more than a decade, he says that if the opportunity were to present itself, he’d be game to return to the band.

DeYoung tells Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited in a new interview that if the phone rings, he won’t say no and he remains very proud of the legacy that they created as Styx.

“Here’s the thing: I have never ever said one bad thing about the music that we created. You want to know why? It’s because I don’t believe it. I think the music we created is something to be proud of – some better than others as we’ve already discussed.”

The current Styx might not have a DeYoung in the lineup, but DeYoung himself allows that this doesn’t mean they’re putting on a bad show… while throwing in an endorsement for what he’s doing on his own.

“Just because I’m not there does not mean that these guys can’t play and sing. Just because I’m not there doesn’t mean that Tommy Shaw lost his talent. There is one thing in this world that I’m better that than anyone else and that is being me. I have to walk the finest line in any discussions about the current band. Let me just say this: I invite anybody to pick up ‘100 Years From Now’ [DeYoung’s latest studio album], you don’t have to buy it; you can steal it online; just listen to it. To me, I think I’ve made my case.”

As for how his former bandmates feel on the subject, guitarist Tommy Shaw called a reunion something that was not “realistic,” commenting last year about the past pairing, “we have a very negative effect on each other.”

The current Styx lineup will be back on the road this summer sharing the stage with longtime touring friends REO Speedwagon, with Shaw’s former Damn Yankees brother Ted Nugent opening up the evening.