{"id":49,"date":"2011-12-26T01:41:05","date_gmt":"2011-12-26T09:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/blog\/?p=49"},"modified":"2011-12-26T01:41:05","modified_gmt":"2011-12-26T09:41:05","slug":"styx-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/concert-reviews\/49\/styx-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Styx"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [https:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moussavianlaw.com%2Fconcerts-interviews%2Fconcert-reviews%2F49%2Fstyx-2%2F&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\">Concert Review: Styx, Concord Pavilion, Concord, CA, 05-25-10 (Tuesday)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\">\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Styx reminds me of things American, apple pie and baseball games, and things a bit laid back, like sitting barefoot on a porch in denim overalls swigging homemade moonshine from a jar.\u00a0 I may not be a native American, but I am proud to be an American citizen and a Styx fan.\u00a0 Before I go off on a rant that compels me to sing \u201cThe Star?Spangled Banner\u201d off key in horrid pitch let\u2019s get to the show.\u00a0 On May 25,\u00a02010 Styx played the Concord Pavilion.\u00a0 Styx played a 12?song, 75?minute set from 8:00 to 9:15.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/borrowed_time_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"263\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1. Borrowed Time\/Mr. Roboto\/Rockin\u2019 the Paradise\/Borrowed Time (Cornerstone\/Kilroy Was Here\/Paradise Theater records, 1979, 1983, 1981).\u00a0 The first song was comprised of a three?song medley that began with Borrowed Time.\u00a0 Approximately (approximations presumed throughout) the first 45 seconds of Borrowed Time featured a pre?recorded tape track of a cascade of keyboards.\u00a0 Lawrence Gowan (\u201cLG,\u201d vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist), Tommy Shaw (\u201cTSh,\u201d vocalist, guitarist), James Young (\u201cJY,\u201d vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist), and Ricky Phillips (\u201cRP,\u201d bassist) came on stage and stood with their backs to the crowd one\u00a0foot in front of Todd Sucherman\u2019s (\u201cTSu\u2019s,\u201d drummer) drum set.\u00a0 Alternating images of the Styx logo and band member headshots appeared on the video screen that stretched to the ends of the large stage.\u00a0 The video screen was comprised of 44\u00a0rectangular?shaped panels mounted in two rows, each containing 22\u00a0panels. \u00a0TSh, JY, LG, and RP repeated three?chord progressions four times augmented by TSu\u2019s drum fills.\u00a0 LG took his guitar off and stepped atop a pearl?colored, three?feet high keyboard riser positioned stage right.\u00a0 TSh sang the first two verses that featured a catchy melody and mid tempo pace.\u00a0 LG, RP, and JY then sang the first chorus at a slightly high octave, \u201cLivin\u2019 high, livin\u2019 fine.\u00a0 Livin\u2019 high on borrowed time.\u201d\u00a0 The chorus featured a chugging, recurring riff.\u00a0 The band skipped the part where they repeatedly exchange the words, \u201cyes\u00a0\u2026 no\u201d and went straight to a 15?second JY guitar solo he played on his electric blue Fender Stratocaster.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/borrowed_time_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"263\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At the 3:00 mark the band shifted to the second medley song, Mr.\u00a0Roboto, which they played for 50\u00a0seconds, focusing on the chorus without vocals.\u00a0 The band then shifted to the third medley song, Rockin\u2019 the Paradise.\u00a0 The band played 50\u00a0seconds of the introduction preceding the first verse.\u00a0 The band then returned to Borrowed Time at the first pre-chorus.\u00a0 TSh then sang the third verse and second chorus.\u00a0 [The band sounded clear and very well?rehearsed.\u00a0 I just did not see the rationale for interspersing two quasi non?descript portions of Mr. Roboto and Rockin\u2019 the Paradise in the set opener.\u00a0 The set opener is the time to bludgeon the audience over the head with the band\u2019s power and intensity by delivering a catchy, up tempo song.\u00a0 Get in and get out.\u00a0 What Styx did is tantamount to beginning by activating the Bunsen burner to a volatile chemical compound (i.e.,\u00a0kicking off with Borrowed Time) and abruptly shutting off the gas to the burner (i.e.,\u00a0shifting to Mr. Roboto and Rockin\u2019 the Paradise) right as the audience is about to climax, figuratively and, for the diehards, literally.]<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/grand_illusion.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"467\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2. The Grand Illusion (The Grand Illusion, 1977).\u00a0 The first 30 seconds of The Grand Illusion featured TSu\u2019s blistering drumming and LG\u2019s regal keyboard melody.\u00a0 During the first verse of this mid tempo song TSh and JY played recurring, chugging guitar notes.\u00a0 The second verse followed the first during which RP\u2019s bass lines, which he played on a black Fender five?string Jazz bass with pearl?colored pick guard, were particularly prominent.\u00a0 RP wore black sneakers, black jean pants, black thigh?length wool blazer, long?sleeve grey silk shirt, and black scarf accented with shiny threads.\u00a0 [RP epitomizes high fashion.\u00a0 RP belongs in GQ Magazine (magazine focusing on male fashion, style, and culture).\u00a0 RP should have a buxom blonde as a bass technician waiting with bated breath stage side for show breaks to feed him grapes and keep his well?manicured hair dry using a monogrammed, hand?held fan.]<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TSh then played a searing 30?second guitar solo on his ivory Gretsch guitar during which\u00a0 JY, LG, and TSu provided solid rhythmic accompaniment.\u00a0 TSh\u2019s guitar solo led straight into a 20?second repetition of the chord progression from the start of the song.\u00a0 LG then repeated the second half of the second verse with slightly varying lyrics followed by a second TSh guitar solo.\u00a0 LG then sang the third and final verse.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3. Too Much Time on My Hands (Paradise Theater, 1981) is an up tempo song sung by TSh that began with punchy keyboard and bass lines augmented by TSu\u2019s simple, yet effective, drum beats.\u00a0 The song features a very catchy chorus that led straight into TSh\u2019s 40?second guitar solo during which LG continued to play colorful keyboard notes.\u00a0 TS wore black combat boots, black jean pants, black blazer, off black satin shirt with a checkered bright red pattern, and bright red fringed scarf.\u00a0 TSh then sang the third verse and second chorus.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4. Lady (Styx II, 1973).\u00a0 LG sang the first half of the first verse of this sentimental ballad in the spotlight accompanied solely by his keyboard melody.\u00a0 LG wore black leather shoes, tight black jean pants, black blazer with satin lapels and rhinestone?laden sleeves, long?sleeve black satin shirt with an embossed honeycomb chest pattern, and maroon tie with a subtle light blue and silver floral pattern.\u00a0 [LG looked dapper.\u00a0 The tight pants and rhinestones qualify LG as the Neil Diamond of the band.\u00a0 My only concern was that LG\u2019s shoes pose a tripping hazard.\u00a0 The sharply pointed tips elevated one?half inch above the ground along with the one?inch heels are so high they resemble an anvil, posing the threat of causing an unsuspecting band mate to trip.]\u00a0 LG played a silver keyboard with a gold \u201cStyx\u201d logo.\u00a0 When LG sang the second half of the first verse he was joined by RP\u2019s subtle bass lines and TSh and JY\u2019s recurring guitar notes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TSu\u2019s solid drum beats elevated the song\u2019s tempo to a mid tempo power ballad as LG smoothly transitioned from the first verse to the first chorus.\u00a0 LG jumped off his keyboard riser, walked around stage, and ascended\/descended the two sets of seven pearl?colored steps positioned on each side of TSu\u2019s drum set.\u00a0 Stage left of the steps were eighth Marshall guitar amplifiers (\u201camps\u201d) with shimmering silver mesh covers.\u00a0 Stage right of the steps were four Ampeg SVT bass amps with a silver mesh cover.\u00a0 Positioned on the outer side of each set of amps was an additional set of seven pearl?colored steps.\u00a0 LG then sang the second and third verses, the latter augmented by TSu\u2019s prominent solid beating of his tom?tom drums.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5. Lorelei (Equinox, 1975) began with a fairly soft tinge and prominent keyboard melody. TSh and JY added guitars during the third line of the first verse.\u00a0 TSu joined in with a rollicking drum fill right as JY sang the final word of the first verse, escalating the song\u2019s tempo to an up tempo pace.\u00a0 JY then sang the first chorus after which the song\u2019s tempo momentarily decreased to its initial pace only to then escalate back to an up tempo pace as JY sang the final word of the second verse.\u00a0 The second verse led straight into the second chorus, which was followed by JY and TSh guitar solos.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6. High Enough (Damn Yankees cover: Damn Yankees, 1990).\u00a0 Before High Enough TSh said, \u201cLet\u2019s hear it for James JY who has been here from day one.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been together for a long time.\u00a0 We have been through eight?tracks, cassettes, records.\u00a0 I co?wrote this song with a guy who lives around here.\u00a0 As a matter of fact he may be here.\u00a0 Mr.\u00a0Jack Blades!\u201d\u00a0 TSh and Jack Blades shared vocals to this slow tempo acoustic ballad.\u00a0 JY played a guitar solo on his tobacco sunburst Gibson Les Paul as the video screen displayed the image of a giant red heart.\u00a0 [High Enough is a beautiful song but a bit too soft for my taste.\u00a0 It is akin to forcing me as a rocker to wear a tuxedo, sip champagne, and discuss politics when my limited intellect and caveman instincts lean to wearing combat boots, Levi\u2019s jean pants, and rock t?shirt, and chugging Budweiser beer.\u00a0 The most profound subject I am capable of debating is whether my navel is round\u00ad? or elliptical?shaped.]<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7. Suite Madame Blue\u00a0\u00a0 (Equinox, 1975).\u00a0 Before Suite Madame Blue JY said, \u201cTommy Shaw has brought out a classic Fender 12?string guitar made in these United States.\u00a0 And on that instrument he is going to play for you.\u201d\u00a0 [JY spoke with such conviction and patriotism I thought he was going to don a top hat and tailcoat bearing stars and stripes and make the presidential State of the Union address.]\u00a0 LG sang the first verse atop the top step adjacent stage right of TSu\u2019s drum set and augmented by TSh\u2019s melodic guitar notes, RP\u2019s bass lines, and TSu\u2019s light cascading cymbals.\u00a0 The first two minutes of the song had a soft tinge.\u00a0 When LG began singing the second verse the song shifted to a mid tempo power ballad replete with TSu\u2019s powerful drumming, RP\u2019s prominent bass lines, as well as TSh and JY\u2019s guitar chord progressions.\u00a0 The second verse is when LG arose, walked down the steps, and came stage front.\u00a0 When LG paused and sang the final two words of the second verse, \u201c\u2026\u00a0heaven\u2019s door\u201d the song\u2019s tempo shifted to its initial soft tinge.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After the second verse LG returned to his keyboard riser and played an atmospheric 50?second keyboard piece augmented by TSh\u2019s 12?string electric guitar. \u00a0JY then converted the song to an up tempo pace by playing a fairly heavy guitar chord progression augmented by TSu\u2019s solid drum beats. \u00a0LG jumped stage front while JY played the chord progression with plenty of left?hand vibrato on his tobacco sunburst Fender Stratocaster.\u00a0 TSh, RP, and TSu jammed while JY played a 20?second guitar solo.\u00a0 JY wore black leather shoes, black wool slacks with satin vertical stripes and black button?sized studs on the outer sides, black blazer with satin stripes on the outer sleeves and bordering the outer hip pocket covers, short-sleeve black cotton shirt, and fairly thin gray tie with a subtle gray floral pattern.\u00a0 [JY looked classy and better without a moustache.\u00a0 When I see pictures of JY from the 1970\u2019s and 1980\u2019s sporting a fairly bushy moustache it reminds me of Ned Flanders (devout Christian and next door neighbor to the Simpson family in the the animated television series, \u201cThe Simpsons\u201d).\u00a0 If JY still sported a mustache I would not be surprised if his stage rap included the phrase, \u201cOkely dokely.\u201d]\u00a0 LG then sang the third verse with his blazer off as the video screen displayed aerial images of the San\u00a0Francisco skyline.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) (The Grand Illusion, 1977).\u00a0 Before Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) TSh said, \u201cCan you feel it my friends!\u00a0 Mr. Ricky Phillips on the bass.\u00a0 How about the beats, the drums, is it working for you?\u00a0 Thank Mr.\u00a0Todd\u00a0Sucherman.\u00a0 This would not be possible without a couple of brothers from the South side of Chicago who got together in their basement.\u00a0 Mr.\u00a0Chuck\u00a0Panozzo!\u201d\u00a0 Chuck\u00a0Panozzo (\u201cCP\u201d) came on stage to the audience\u2019s surprise and adulation.\u00a0 CP wore sunglasses, faded blue jeans, a black blazer, and black long?sleeve shirt the back of which featured rhinestones (or small studs) in the shape of an eagle.\u00a0 [CP looked tough, particularly with his sunglasses and shirt with rolled up sleeves and eagle?encrusted insignia.\u00a0 CP could have easily been mistaken for a Mot\u00f6rhead road crew member or biker in L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Benedek\u2019s outlaw biker film, \u201cThe Wild One\u201d starring Marlon Brando (1953).] \u00a0RP played a double neck guitar with a 12?string upper neck.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) began with LG\u2019s light?tinged, prominent keyboard notes augmented by TSh and JY\u2019s acoustic guitar strumming and TSu\u2019s cymbal crashes.\u00a0 At the 1:20 mark the focus shifted from LG to TSh and JY\u2019s up tempo acoustic guitar strumming, and LG jumped off his keyboard riser and came stage front where he encouraged the audience to clap along.\u00a0 LG then returned to his keyboard riser and provided subtle keyboard accompaniment as TSh sang the first verse and chorus, the latter featured vocal exchanges between TSh and JY, LG, and RP.\u00a0 TSh sang the first two chorus lines while JY, LG, and RP sang the rest and also repeated the first few words of TSh\u2019s parts.\u00a0 The video screen displayed alternating images of the phrases \u201cGet Up\u201d and \u201cCome On.\u201d\u00a0 LG then played a catchy 40?second keyboard solo augmented by RP\u2019s steady bass lines.\u00a0 LG rotated his single silver keyboard 180\u00a0degrees and played part of his solo facing the crowd with his body stretched forward, and his hands nimbly hitting the ivory keyboard keys behind his back.\u00a0 [LG looked like he was stretching to participate in the 100?yard hurdle competition, and his skin tight jean pants resembled spandex workout pants.] \u00a0After LG\u2019s keyboard solo the band sang the second chorus followed by a 70?second jam during which TSh, JY, CP, and RP stood next to one another center stage.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Styx has been exceedingly supportive of CP\u2019s valiant efforts battling H.I.V.\u00a0 In 1998 CP revealed to his band mates he was gay and battling this potentially deadly virus.\u00a0 As a founding band member who formed Styx in 1961 along with his late fraternal twin brother, John Panozzo (original drummer), and Dennis DeYoung (original vocalist, keyboardist), CP\u2019s band mates have encouraged him to participate on a part?time basis as health permits.\u00a0 John Panozzo died on July\u00a016,\u00a01996 at age\u00a047 due to excessive drinking that caused him to develop cirrhosis of the liver and eventually succumbed to gastrointestinal hemorrhaging.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9. Miss America (The Grand Illusion, 1977).\u00a0 Before Miss America JY said, \u201cThis is about a woman from Atlantic City who moved to Las\u00a0Vegas.\u201d\u00a0 Miss America began with a 50?second melodic, slow tempo keyboard piece.\u00a0 TSh and JY\u2019s guitar chord progressions and TSu\u2019s bass drums escalated the song to a thumping up tempo pace.\u00a0 While JY sang the first verse TSh walked next to LG\u2019s keyboard riser prompting LG to step down and use his right hand to strum TSh\u2019s guitar strings.\u00a0 [LG\u2019s mannerisms and posture reminded me of Igor, the hunch?backed assistant to the mad scientist in James Whale\u2019s classic horror film, \u201cFrankenstein\u201d (1931).\u00a0 The only thing missing was for LG to utter, \u201cYes master\u201d in a monotone somber tone.]\u00a0 Miss America featured RP\u2019s prominent, punchy bass lines and TSu\u2019s driving drum beats that he played on a large tobacco brown Pearl drum set that featured double bass drums, Sabian cymbals, and tobacco?colored drum heads perched atop a pearl-colored, three?feet high drum riser.\u00a0 TSu wore a black long?sleeve shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbow.\u00a0 [TSu bears a slight resemblance, including attire, to Cooter Davenport, fictional mechanic character in the American television show, \u201cThe Dukes of Hazzard,\u201d albeit more handsome and eloquent.]<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The first chorus featured vocal exchanges between JY and TSh, LG, and RP.\u00a0 JY sang the first part of each line while TSh, LG, and RP sang the last two words, \u201cWell aren\u2019t you Miss America.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you Miss America.\u00a0 Won\u2019t you Miss America.\u00a0 Our love.\u201d\u00a0 LG came stage front and encouraged the audience to clap along.\u00a0 After the second chorus LG played an upbeat 20?second keyboard solo immediately followed by JY\u2019s 25?second guitar solo during which TSh, RP, and TSu continued to play the catchy up beat rhythmic accompaniment. \u00a0JY\u2019s guitar solo was followed by the third chorus, fourth verse, and fourth chorus.\u00a0 JY then six times repeated the phrase, \u201cMiss America,\u201d and the song climaxed with him screaming, \u201cMiss America!\u201d \u00a0When the song concluded TSh said, \u201cYou know it.\u00a0 James Young plays for keeps.\u201d\u00a0 Miss America and two other songs to be performed received the strongest audience reaction.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10. Come Sail Away (The Grand Illusion, 1977) began with LG\u2019s prominent 60?second balladesque keyboard introduction during which he sang the first verse.\u00a0 During the interlude between the first and second verses, CP, who came on stage for the second time, RP, and TSu joined LG with their soft bass lines and drum beats.\u00a0 JY played back?up keyboards.\u00a0 When LG sang the last line of the second verse the song\u2019s tempo escalated from a slow ballad to a fairly up tempo power ballad, and JY switched from keyboards to a black Fender Stratocaster.\u00a0 LG then sang the first three lines of the first chorus while standing atop his keyboard stool.\u00a0 After the first chorus the tempo slowed down and LG played atmospheric keyboards for 60 seconds amidst blue stage lights.\u00a0 The tempo once again escalated with TSu\u2019s hard hitting of his snare and tom?tom drums prompting LG to jump off his keyboard riser and sing the second chorus in extended form while walking around stage front.\u00a0 TSh, JY, and CP stood next to one another center stage a few feet in front of TSu\u2019s drum set while RP stood on the rear part of TSu\u2019s drum riser facing the crowd.\u00a0 The fog machine emitted fog as TSh played a memorable guitar solo, part of which he played on his knees leaning back to hit the high notes while LG stood atop him striking his hands in the air in beat with TSu\u2019s drum beats.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The band then digressed from the second chorus for audience participation.\u00a0 LG said, \u201cI look out Concord and see commitment to classic rock.\u201d\u00a0 LG sang a brief part of the chorus of four classic rock songs during which he encouraged the audience to sing along, namely Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin cover: Led Zeppelin II, 1969), It\u2019s Only Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll (But I Like It) (The Rolling Stones cover: It\u2019s Only Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll, 1974), Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd cover: The Wall, 1979), and War Pigs (Black Sabbath cover: Paranoid, 1970). \u00a0LG said, \u201cGive it up for Ronnie James [Dio].\u201d\u00a0 Come Sail Away, Miss America, and one other song to be performed received the strongest audience reaction.\u00a0 The band left the stage at 9:04 and returned in less than one\u00a0minute to play two additional songs.\u00a0 When the band appeared on stage they tossed two black frisbees bearing white Styx logos in the crowd.\u00a0 LG appeared without his tie.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11. Blue Collar Man (Pieces of Eight, 1978) is a fairly up tempo song that began with an identifiable keyboard melody augmented by TSu\u2019s cymbals and tom?tom drums.\u00a0 TSh sang the first verse that featured a catchy melody followed in quick succession by the first chorus, second verse, and second chorus.\u00a0 During the third verse the tempo momentarily slowed down but picked up at its conclusion and led into TSh\u2019s memorable 30?second guitar solo, which he played on his cherry red Gretsch guitar. \u00a0LG provided solid keyboard accompaniment with flair during TSh\u2019s guitar solo, including keyboard spinning.\u00a0 [LG could have a thriving second career as a pizza chef spinning dough.]<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After TSh\u2019s guitar solo the band sang the third chorus.\u00a0 During the final line of the third chorus the tempo slightly slowed down for 20\u00a0seconds but resumed a fairly up tempo pace during the fourth and final chorus.\u00a0 The band jammed for 15\u00a0seconds at the end of the song during which LG repeatedly rubbed his buttocks back and forth across his keyboard keys.\u00a0 [Fortunately for the fans it was LG doing the rubbing and not me as I would have caused each key to dislodge as a casualty of my not?so?girlish figure.]\u00a0 Blue Collar Man, Miss America, and Come Sail Away received the strongest audience reaction.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/renegade_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"263\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12. Renegade (Pieces of Eight, 1978) began as a soft ballad.\u00a0 TSh sang the first two lines of the first verse a capella, \u201cOh Mama, I\u2019m in fear for my life from the long arm of the law.\u00a0 Law man has put an end to my running and I\u2019m so far from my home.\u201d\u00a0 CP, who came on stage for the third time, JY, LG, and RP joined TSh in singing the remaining lines of the first verse a capella, \u201cOh mama I can hear you crying you\u2019re so scared and all alone. \u00a0Hangman is coming down from the gallows and I don\u2019t have very long.\u201d\u00a0 TSh and JY\u2019s guitar chords, RP and CP\u2019s punchy bass lines, and TSu\u2019s drum beats escalated the song to an up tempo pace during which TSh sang the first chorus, \u201cThe jig is up, the news is out.\u00a0 They finally found me.\u00a0 The renegade who had it made.\u00a0 Retrieved for a bounty. \u00a0Never more to go astray.\u00a0 This\u2019ll be the end today.\u00a0 Of the wanted man.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/renegade_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"263\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JY played a fiery 40?second guitar solo while TSh stood on the steps adjacent stage left to TSu\u2019s drum set and RP stood on the steps adjacent stage right to TSu\u2019s drum set.\u00a0 The band repeated the first chorus and first verse.\u00a0 TSh, JY, and RP then came stage front, stood next to one another, and jammed for two\u00a0minutes.\u00a0 At the conclusion of Renegade the band members left the stage and returned in a few seconds with black and white beach balls they batted, threw and, in the case of LG, shot into the crowd using a hockey stick.\u00a0 The band took a bow and left the stage.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Venue: Concord Pavilion (\u201cCP\u201d) is an outdoor ampitheater built in 1975 and designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry and landscape architect Peter Walker.\u00a0 Gehry also designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los\u00a0Angeles, California.\u00a0 CP was built in response to the East Bay community\u2019s desire to have a venue for the annual Concord Summer Festival.\u00a0 CP is set in a natural bowl below Mt.\u00a0Diablo.\u00a0 CP was remodeled in 1996 to increase seating and make additional improvements.\u00a0 CP has a 12,500?seat capacity comprised of (1)\u00a0three?tiered seated sections and (2)\u00a0perimeter lawn section.\u00a0 For a period of time Concord Pavilion was called the Chronicle Pavilion, and it is currently called the Sleep Train Pavilion, both corporate entities who purchased naming rights.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Additional Bands (first to last): Kansas and Foreigner (co?headliner)<br \/>\nArash Moussavian, Entertainment Law Attorney<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:arashmoussavian@cal.berkeley.edu\">arashmoussavian@cal.berkeley.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/arashmoussavian\">www.linkedin.com\/in\/arashmoussavian<\/a><br \/>\nAll photos taken by Arash Moussavian.\u00a0 This article and all photos are protected by copyright.\u00a0 Please contact me prior to use, or I will make shish kabab of your loins.\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [https:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moussavianlaw.com%2Fconcerts-interviews%2Fconcert-reviews%2F49%2Fstyx-2%2F&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Concert Review: Styx, Concord Pavilion, Concord, CA, 05-25-10 (Tuesday) \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Styx reminds me of things American, apple pie and baseball games, and things a bit laid back, like sitting barefoot on a porch in denim overalls swigging homemade moonshine &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/concert-reviews\/49\/styx-2\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-49","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-concert-reviews","tag-styx"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49\/revisions\/51"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}