Styx is an American rock band from Chicago that formed in 1972 and became famous for its albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are best known for melding hard rock guitar balanced with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre.
The band established itself with a progressive rock sound in the 1970s, and began to incorporate pop rock and soft rock elements in the 1980s.
Styx is best known for the following hit songs that hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100: "Lady", "Come Sail Away", "Babe", "The Best of Times", "Too Much Time on My Hands", "Mr. Roboto", "Don't Let It End", and "Show Me the Way". Other notable songs include "Renegade", "The Grand Illusion", "Blue Collar Man", "Crystal Ball", "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)", "Rockin' the Paradise", "Boat on the River", and "Suite Madame Blue". Styx has had four consecutive albums certified multi-platinum by the RIAA, as well as 16 top-40 singles in the US, eight of which hit the top 10. Of their eight Top 10 singles, seven were written and sung by founding member and former lead singer Dennis DeYoung, including their No. 1 chart topper, "Babe". DeYoung has not been part of the band since 1999, after being ousted by guitarists James "J.Y." Young and Tommy Shaw in an acrimonious split.