The high-school theatrical delivery of Dennis DeYoung was always an acquired taste and guess what, despite being big Styx fan I was never a huge fan of Dennis DeYoung as a vocalist. It was he as the group's leader that steered them into a more pop/rock commercial direction, but around the mid 1970s his song-writing was right on the ball and he was responsible for some of the bands best ever material, especially his grandiose stuff. What made Styx great though, was the creative loggerheads that the band members had. Dennis DeYoung was heavily focused on a threatrical/pomp rock style sound, whilst Tommy Shaw was a straight-up melodic hard rock man and provided a fantastic contrast to Dennis DeYoung and this was even more impressive, as his material kept itself firmly within the boundaries of the Styx style. He was always my favourite member of the band as well. Add into that the bands third vocalist James Young who was an out and out hard rocker and knew a great riff when he plucked one. He also had one of the most interesting voices around, such a pity that he never sang on more than one or two songs on an album.

Just looking at the list of "The Worst American Late 70s Band" brings a smile to my face!

Because just taking the very best album imo by each artist gives me the following:

Kansas- The Point of Know Return
Journey- Frontiers
Boston- Boston
Styx- Pieces of Eight
Foreigner- Foreigner 4

Now as far as I'm concerned, those albums rank amongst some of the very best American AOR/Prog albums recorded from the late 1970s to early 1980s. I own all five of them and would put all of them with the exception of the Foreigner album in a greatest albums ever list. In fact I could easily add another couple of Styx, Kansas and Boston albums to that list as well.

Like I said, I have soft spot for Grand Illusion. I can't believe it was sitting for sale at your supermarket. Take a listen to their later stuff esp. Mr Roboto era stuff. Also, IMO, Tommy Shaw is the worse songwriter to ever grace the FM airwaves.

:D His first solo album is an absolute classic.

This is my take also. I think Journey writes some great music and Steve Perry had that range that was untouchable vocally. Schon is a very underrated guitarist also, he doesn't wank off much but he has great tone and his leads while simple are always tasteful for the song.

I had the Foreigner argument the other day and I started naming off songs and people were amazed how huge their discography was and how many great songs were written by Foreigner.

Boston really only touched me with a few songs but More then a feeling and Peace of Mind are epic 70's stadium rock.

With regards to Kansas I think I agree with Howard Wayward son and Dust are about it for what I can listen to and only after a few beers at a bbq or party.

Styx was never my thing. They certainly had talent but it isn;t my kind of talent I prefer to listen to. Mr Roboto? ****ing horrible. I think I like Best of Times and a few off that album, but I could never get past their over use of dynamics. So yeah Styx is definitely worst on this list by a longshot.

Neil Schon is normally in most greatest guitarists ever lists.

Mr.Roboto was the song that got me mad on Styx in the first place.

domo arigato

I've often wondered if you're really "machine or mannequin" and I know you're really made up of "parts from Japan"

i only have Japanese blood

(joke flies over head as I didn't pay attention to the lyrics, even if I love the song)

I love these polls, Styx are top of the poll and proving that they're the best band here.