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Letters from Dennis
Hit Rewind Cheers,
This is the case for me with the loss of my brother-in-law and best friend Chuck Lofrano. As a friend he was a man's man, fiercely loyal and always supportive of me without any expectation of quid pro quo. What friends are supposed be but so often are not. He wished the best for me and my family as though it were his own. Joined by marriage and both of Italian descent "a la familia" was something we would toast each other at our many family gatherings. He loved his family, his wife Pam and children Dena, Lisa and Allison but oh how he reveled in his grandchildren, 7 to be exact. A born optimist, his glass was remarkably half full regardless of the seriousness of the situation. Never was this more apparent than with his dire health struggles of the last 7 years. He was first and foremost a Marine. Disabled in battle and recently plagued by kidney disease, heart disease and finally cancer, he somehow remained determined and optimistic about the future. Even spear-heading next summers Grant Park 25th reunion of the Welcome Home Parade for Viet Nam Veterans. He kept working on this event despite the knowledge that he might not live to see it. No "Why Me'ing" from this guy. I don't know how he managed it and I told him so many times. Don't get me wrong now, like all of us he was not without his flaws, many of which were ultimately attributed to undiagnosed PTSD from Viet Nam. He came to grips with fact only after he began writing about his wartime experiences in his book, "In Spite Of It All", in the last years of his life. The dignity and stoicism he exhibited as he fought his final struggles with his health made him a hero to me more than anything he could have ever accomplished in the jungles of Viet Nam. Once we were chatting about this and that when he told me if necessary he would lay down his life for me and they weren't just words, he meant it. No man had a better friend. Farewell good soldier, the battle done, rest peacefully. Semper Fi
Love, Dennis and Suzanne
I began stage one of these solo journeys some 10 years ago with an out of the blue offer from Tim Orchard to put together an orchestra show for a single concert at the Rosemont Theater in 2000. I enlisted a group of fine musicians I had worked with several times in the past. There was no intention to create anything other than a good show with rock band and orchestra. Dawn Feusi was brought in to sing Styx harmony and perform selections from the Hunchback of Notre Dame as part of a retrospective on my career. This included Styx, my solo rock work and Broadway. Because of the success of this show I was chosen to be the pilot for the new Public Television Soundstage program. "Dennis DeYoung and Friends" went on to be the most lucrative pledge show for PBS from this series, pledging over 100 cities across the country raising over 2 million dollars in the process, thanks to viewers like you. From this initial concept I began to get offers to perform with and without the orchestra and simply kept the same band for both shows. My set list consisted of the Styx songs that I had written and sung and remained that way until January this year. Hank Horton my bass player and high harmony singer informed me last fall that he would be leaving the band to play in the pit orchestra for 100 Dalmatians, so I was compelled to consider changes. As I searched for a bass player Craig Carter was suggested and a demo was sent. "Great Caesars Ghost" was it good. Not only could he play bass and sing lead but he was an accomplished songwriter as well. So the search was over. Not so fast, late one night my son woke me at 12:30 at night and told me to go down to the computer and check out something he found on youtube. There was August Zadra singing Blue Collar Man in a Styx tribute band, "Mother Of Pearl" are you kidding me. I knew then and there it was time for action. Needless to say my son Matthew is still in the will and may be receiving a slightly higher amount then my daughter CarrieAnn. (Not really). August was so good at recreating a sound that both you and I have come to love that I knew I must give this thing a shot. And what a shot it has been to me personally. When we perform our new show the audience is ecstatic for they're finally getting what they have wanted from the beginning and that's ALL the songs they have come to know and appreciate. No longer would they have to settle for less. Alleluia! The new blood has given more responsibilities to Jimmy Leahey on lead guitar and brothers and sister he's laying down guitar work that's both dazzling and tasteful. Tom Sharpe has found the perfect balance between being true to John Panozzo and modernization, without trying to over complicate. Good drumming should always serve the song. John Blasucci continues to recreate layers of keyboards that best remind us of the brilliance of the original keyboardist. (Sorry John I couldn't help myself) These changes have also brought me back to the keys, something that many of you have been wanting for some time. I must admit it has been great fun reminding myself that I was the guy who invented that stuff and played it. The interaction between August and Jimmy both musically and in terms of stage presence has made feel like I'm back in 1981 until I look in the mirror and wonder how my dad has gotten into this band. Special thanks to August for authenticating a vital part to our sound and to Craig for the effortless high harmonies. (Remember dude as a rule I never hire any band mate taller than me so practice the crouch). As always Suzanne sings her heart and always has my back. Finally if you haven't seen the new band I urge you to come out and take a look see, you won't be disappointed.
Dennis Hello Everybody....
With the addition of the German tour, which by the way was quite a spectacle, I performed about 70 concerts last year and added two new tracks to One Hundred Years. Caution: Do NOT have an album you have already finished siting in your home studio for nearly two years. You will hear the sirens sweetly singing, luring you back to the mixing console to fix all the little things that you didn't like about the album. Note to self, if you're looking for perfection son, you've come to the wrong planet. I did remix some tracks on the original CD and I believe I have improved them, however my left ear is still periodically spotting blood. Which I guess is still an improvement over that Van Gogh dude. As for One Hundred Years From Now the song, those of you who have written me and expressed your desire to hear me sing it by myself, you have gotten your wish. The president of Rounder Records John Vi rant has held that opinion for over a year, this after I'd sent him the all English version with me singing both parts. After performing this song in concert by myself and with three different French artists I realized that when the original vocalist who performed on the record is not available it seems a bit odd. Problem solved, I intend to be there now every time I perform it. Well nearly. The two new songs are Private Jones and There Was A Time, welcomed editions both. I did drop one song from the Canadian version, My Sharrona, I admit it was a bit repetitive.
Random thoughts: Also I noticed that the band's most watched video's are Come Sail Away, over a million views, Babe over a million views(although unfortunately this week it appears to have been taken down) Lady over 700,000 views and had Mr. Roboto not been taken down earlier this year it would now most likely have been over 1,500,000 views. I based this on the fact that Roboto always substantially led all of our other video's including Come Sail Away by a wide margin. That Roboto, he's like the Energizer Bunny. I wonder what the process is as to the comings and goings of these videos? Perhaps Babe and Roboto are resting peacefully in cyberspace plotting their return so they might continue to annoy a small group of people who somehow believe these tunes were a mistake. If they were I wish we would have had another 10 mistakes just like them, and I mean it. It is so difficult to write a song that first passes muster with your record company,(they will need to be convinced, see "Lady", Lorelei and Sweet Madame Blue as examples) then radio,(who are skeptical that anything is a hit record)to finally satisfying millions of strangers who must then go forth and put down their hard earned cash on the counter, well you get the picture. So when it does happen and then has the good fortune to remain popular for decades, I say fall on your knees and give thanks for your good fortune, cause that's what I do nearly every day. To all of you who have supported me these 37 years whether from the beginning or since last Thursday I offer a heartfelt THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. I will be touring this year as I have since 2003 although who knows what the economy will be like. My time spent in Germany, England, Belgium and Italy this year informs me that after the USA jumped down the rabbit hole the whole world gladly went with us. To all of you who have been hit hard by the greed and stupidity of those supposedly watching the store I wish only good things, and though it sounds corny, health is always the most important thing. May the wind always be at your back and may the Bird of Paradise not fly up your nose. There's that damn Paradise word again, I swore I'd stop using it...
Dennis
Hey everybody,
From the luckiest guy I know, Some quick thoughts and updates: I am pleased and proud to announce that the release in the USA of "100 Years From Now" will be on Rounder Records. The president of Rounder, John Virant, and I first met in New York at my rock symphony show at the Beacon. His company is the distributor of my live album in the states and now much to my surprise he has decided to be the official record company for "100 Years".(100 Years the CD, not the duration of the record contract.) The record business is in such a state of flux that quite frankly I'm gratified that John has belief in me. When he received the Canadian CD he called me and talked enthusiastically about the music. How refreshing! The album will have two new tracks, "Private Jones" and "There Was A Time." In addition, there will be an all English version duet of the title track. The release date and my duet partner are still being determined. The album is ready to go today except for the duet. John and I are looking for the right match. Some early candidates: Jim Nabors (the southern strategy), Florence Henderson (that Brady Bunch thing), Axl Rose (projected release 2030) and of course my first choice Jerry Lewis, my inspiration for "Lady". New Year's Eve was something else. We performed in Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. From the stage looking left we had an unbelievable view of both the American and Canadian falls. It was nationally televised throughout Canada. Just for the record, it was 25 degrees Fahrenheit when we began to perform the first of two sets of music. We played for 55 minutes then broke for fifteen, came back for TV and did 5 songs. They had placed some portable propane heaters around the stage. Too close to one and you'd get third degree burns, two feet away and they could chip ice off your tush for a frozen Daiquiri. That being said the audience was incredible, after all they had no heaters and they stood there for nearly three hours. Once again the people of Canada have been enormously supportive of my music. By the way it was the first time I have ever performed Suite Madame Blue, and actually turned blue. '08: I'll be on the road performing both the band and the rock symphony show hopefully in a city close to you so you can come out and enjoy the party. As I have already mentioned my CD will be released in the US and The Hunchback will be produced at the Bailiwick in Chicago May and June. In my spare time I plan to be sleeping and have Suzanne peel grapes for me for nourishment. See ya in the funny papers.
Dennis
Hey Everybody, Truth be told, I would have bet the farm that such a thing could never in million years happen. Wow! That sentence sounds like Damon Runyon. Any moment now, I half expect Nathan Detroit to place odds on such a long shot possibility. I mean, really, having a #1 pop single, rock track and AC, seems surreal. In Canada this, of course, is known as "the hat trick". Never in my wildest dreams could I have expected this. To have a #1 record anywhere is amazing, even if it were Afghanistan, Turkmenistan or StanMusialstan, let alone Quebec, one of the most vibrant and knowledgeable musical scenes in all North America. Quebec, after all, discovered Styx before the USA. (We were actually discovered shivering in the snow on the banks of the Saint Lawrence Seaway). Merci Beaucoup and many thanks again to the people of Quebec. On August 18, I performed in front of the largest live audience of my entire career at St. Jean sur Richelieu, outside Montreal. According to an email from Sylvain Latour, Chief of the Cabinet Mayors office, there were over 40,000 people at the concert. On stage with me were my band, Glen Burtnik, guitarist Stephane Dufour and Eric Lapointe, who joined me to sing "100 Years From Now". What a night! It has been a very, very long time since I have performed a new song and received a response like that - long live radio! The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year. It will contain at least one new track and an all-English version of "100 Years From Now" with another guest vocalist. Sorry for the delay but the success in Canada has caught us by surprise. (By the way, my reference to a new CD called, "The Grand Pieces Of Paradise" was meant as a joke, although some have written to us in earnest about this project. FYI the title's been changed to "Man of Serpent Crystal Cornerstones".) Back in 2000, I had come to a crossroads in my life, unsure about what career path I should pursue. Shepherd, bouncer, philosopher king, ventriloquist or perhaps man on the flying trapeze. Fortunately, I was guided by Tim Orchard and my wife Suzanne back unto to the path of the Magical World Of Music. Primarily because of the smell of the goats and my overall appearance in circus tights, I believe whole-heartedly I've made the correct choice. I will continue to sing, write and perform as long as you allow me this privilege, or 'till I just flat get pooped. Thanks again for your continued support.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame:
Hopefully you know how this ends. See you soon on TV, on tour, at the Bailiwick in May or, see you in the funny papers.
Dennis
Hey Everybody,
Seriously, I'm very proud of the music on this CD and I hope those of you
who have the chance to hear it will be bewitched, bothered and bewildered.
(I was kidding about the seriously.)
Dennis
One Hundred Years From Now Hal Sparks and Dennis singing
Dennis on Canadian Idol
Hey Everybody, First, let me say that Suzanne and I have just celebrated our 37th year of marriage and as has been the case on more than one occasion the celebration took place was while I was performing. (No, not that kind of performing you nasty little buggers, I'm referring to singing and playing piano.) Many times over the years Suzanne has allowed me to put my professional needs over birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and family vacations. Suzanne, for this I say thanks for always being supportive of me in every way. I have said this before but it bears repeating as to how fortunate I was to meet you and fall in love with you when you were just 15. You are the only girl I have ever loved and I feel lucky to have had you in my life. If there ever was a guy who made the perfect choice for a spouse it's me. Happy anniversary, and here's to 37 more. ( Let's see that will take us into our 90's, egad's!) From the multi platinum success in Canada, to Star Academy, to Canadian Idol to Celebrity Duets to VH-1's Big IN "06" to countless usage's of my songs in movies and TV, to a Yamaha endorsement, I feel a bit overwhelmed by my good fortune. Never in my wildest dreams did I think such things were possible yet again. Suzanne, Tim, Dianna and I have worked very hard these last four years with little guarantee for success. But hell, a lot people work just as hard and never see results, I know I have been one of them. So to all whom have helped make this possible I send my heartfelt thanks. To name a few: Paul Jessop, Maurice and George and everyone at DEP. To John Virant and Rounder Records Chris Taylor, Dave Harris, Randy Lennox at Universal, Julie Snyder, John Oshima, Paul Setzer, my band and my LD Matthew DeYoung, my publicist CarrieAnn DeYoung. Also Sujata Murthy, Todd Nakamine, Lori Lousararian, Our sound and road crews and Craig Bauer. Most importantly, to all of you who have come to my concerts and bought the CD and DVD, many thanks! The threat is real! Yes it's true, I have been recording my first solo rock album since 1888, I mean 1988, and it just feels like 1888. The working title is "Back to the 10 on Desertchild". Just kidding it's actually "The Grand Pieces of Paradise". I have decided to return to my roots and I feel this is my edgiest and rockin'est record ever.(Hell everybody says this same BS don't they?) Truth be told the songs do not suck, and If your interested in a middle aged white guy who can still sing high you just might like it. For more cryptic discussion of this coming "masterpiece," keep an eye on this web site.
GO BEARS! Who is SPARKY THE FLYING DOG?
• Step one, drag out your "Paradise" record album or CD and get yourself
a magnifying glass. On the album cover depicting the old rundown theater, look
under the marquee on the right hand side and you will see a poster. With your
magnifying glass in hand you will notice a picture of a dog with this banner, "Appearing
Thru July 7, Sparky The Flying Dog." Yeah, so what you say! Who the heck is this mutt? To me, Sparky was symbolic of many metaphors for the underdog, no pun intended. For instance, "The Little Train Who Could," "The Tortoise and the Hare," "Dumbo" etc. Those of whom little was expected but much was accomplished. A theme that I have explored many time in my lyrics, you know "Winners are losers who got up and gave it one more try." I knew the odds against me realizing my dream of being a succesful musician were astronmical, but I believed I could fly, just like Sparky! Hell everybody knows dogs and guys like me can't fly, but we did. So Sparky represents that spark in all of us that refuses to take no for an answer. Here's to all the the Sparky's of the world, the ones who have flown and those about to. PS. When traveling on the road throughout the 80's I stayed under the name of Sparky Allen. Souvenir Sparky T-Shirts are available at all live concerts.
Dennis Hey Everybody, or perhaps I should say bonjour mes amis.
Once again the French Canadiens have shown their love and support for my music. I recently appeared on a TV show in Montreal called Star Academie. It's a combination of American Idol and Fame all rolled into one. My good friend Paul Jessop from Universal Canada arranged my performance through Patrick Binnette and Julie Snyder the host of the show. I'd like to thank everyone at Star Academie, the contestants, Scott and the band, Julie, and of course the people of Quebec for their unbelievable response to my performance and the upcoming concerts, and all the support from my good friends at CHOM radio....and DEP. Check out the streaming video .
MERCI BEAUCOUP
HAPPY 36TH ANNIVERSARY TO MY WIFE SUZANNE
Like most men this is for all the times I forgot to tell you! Hey Everybody, First, THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX WIN THE WORLD SERIES! That's right SEIRES DLROW EHT NIW XOS ETIHW OGACIHC EHT, backwards. forwards anyway you like it it's still true.
A day to remember, a day forever etched in my mind. When I Hear A Christmas Song
Dennis Hey Everybody,
Dennis "The Perfect Man" In Theaters June 17, 2005Copyright Universal
Pictures
Free food and drink brings out the worst in people. The movie is fantastic. Warm heartfelt and funny, Marc Rossman did a terrific job telling the story and most importantly incorporating my songs into the plot. It's great family entertainment without being sappy. Everyone is great and Mike O'Malley is especially good as the die hard Styx fan. I of course play a singer in a Styx tribute band named "Kilroy".
If a few years back you would have told me four of my songs would be in a movie, again and I'd actually be in it, well...you know... "Winners are losers who got up and gave it one more try"
Dennis Hey Everybody, Through this very difficult time, Suzanne stood by me, sheltering me, protecting me, loving me and encouraging me to get back on my feet and return to my music. She understood it was what I needed. I did, but not until she agreed to accompany me on the road. I needed her there for moral support. She agreed immediately and took our daughter CarrieAnn out of school to join us on tour. She home schooled CarrieAnn by visiting her teachers every two weeks to gather all the material CarrieAnn would need to continue her education. When Mathew was born in 1980, he became part of our family entourage. Both Suzanne and I took full responsibility for our children while touring over 100 cities each year. Most of the work fell on Suzanne's shoulder, for we never used nannies or outside help of any kind. Everyone out there with children, imagine if you will; you, your spouse and your kids in a hotel room over 125 days each year, that's right, twenty-four hours a day. Did I just hear a giant gasp? Instead of being relaxed and comfortable in our home raising our children, Suzanne made the sacrifices needed, so that I could continue touring. I owe her a lot. Without Suzanne, I doubt that "Crystal Ball", "Grand Illusion", "Pieces of Eight", "Cornerstone", "Paradise", "Kilroy", or any of my solo albums would have been recorded. Since we were teenagers Suzanne has shared my dream of becoming a professional musician. Hell, she loaned me four hundred dollars to help pay for my first electric organ. When it came to me or my career, she was selfless and dedicated to my goals. She is the only woman I have ever loved and I'd like to thank her for all she has given me over the years. It is in my humble opinion, more than I deserve Dennis Hey Everybody,
Dennis |
The delay was due to many factors not the least of which was the unexpected amount
of time needed to work on the Hunchback. It's extended run and Jefferson Award
for Best Musical were welcomed but not anticipated situations. When we extended
the show a new cast was required and rehearsals became necessary. This did become
quite time consuming. Here's hoping I always have these kinds of problems.
This year believe it or not is the 25th anniversay of the release of, "The
Paradise Theater" album. In accordance with this event I have decided
to tell the story of, " SPARKY THE FLYING DOG." 
Because of this, Canadians and especially French Canadians will always be dear
to my heart. When we played The Forum in Montreal for the first time, the entire
audience stood with lighters in hand and sang every word to Suite Madam Blue,
Because of that, I knew success would soon be ours!
My dad took me to my first Sox game when I was nine years old and to this
day I still recall the moment we emerged from the dark concourse stairs leading
us up to the field and into a magical world of emerald green and blinding
sunlight. One hand in my dad's the other in my glove, with the dream of catching
a foul ball, I stood at the crossroads of innocence and hope. Oh the sights
of the uniforms, the scoreboard, the upper deck and the enormity of the park
itself. The sounds of "peanuts, get your peanuts," "hey ump
get's some glasses," the organ playing "Take me Out To The Ballgame" and
of course the crack of the bat. The smells of fresh grass and hot dogs mingling
perfectly with the aroma of beer and cigars.
To name a few: Gary Sinise, Vince Vaughn, George Wendt, Joe Mantegna,
Robin Tunney, Larry Minetti, Peter Cetera, William Petersen, Mike Ditka,
Jim MacMahon, Jimbo Covert, Matt Suhey,Shaun Gayle, Steve McMichael, Leslie
Frazier, and last but not least Greg Maddox who informed me that growing
up in Las Vegas he was a Styx fan. I'm waiting for that group photo to arrive,
and when it does I'll post it.,
At present I've begun work on a new CD that I'Il hopefully finish by
the end of the year.(Though which year I'm not completely sure.) The songs
deal with topics such as sailing away, to robots, to really big illusions
to...hey wait a minute somethin fishy here. Truthfully this collections of
songs are the greatest I have ever written in my entire life. (Which is musician
code for, they don't suck as much as I thought they might.) Some working
titles are, Hey Juice, Stairway to Hefner, Sweet Home Alla snackbar, and
A Whole Lotta Luft, a song about Liza Minelli's sister. Many of you are now
wondering why you took time out of your busy lives to read this, sorry I
have no answer for you. Seriously the actual song titles have been hermetically
sealed in a vault in Berwyn Ill. and will be posted just as soon as I'm sure
they will not embarass my friends and family.
Enough nonsense. I have been moved to tears as many of you have by
the images of our fellow Americans and the scope of the destrucion and misery
caused by hurricane Katrina. My families heart goes out to all those affected
by this national tragedy. I urge everyone to contribute in any way they can
to help. There but for the grace of God go I.
As we walked the red carpet shouts of "Dennis, Dennis over here
to your left, right behind you" were heard. I was really excited
until I realized I was blocking their view of Heather and Hillary.
Hmm, Heather and Hillary, I believe that's the Democratic ticket
for 'O8. Seriously it was quite exciting and the after party at the
Hard Rock was..well noisy and crowded.
If you have trouble recognizing me I'm the guy who looks like the love child
of Tommy Lee and Mike Reno. The band consists of Matthew my son on drums, Hank,
Tommy, and John from my band all in disguise. I must say it made me laugh. Remeber
now this is all in good fun and meant to bring a smile to your face.
April 11, this year, Suzanne and I celebrated 41 years together. This of course
includes our dating and going steady way back when humans did such things.
As I reflect on our lives together, the one thing that stands out is how
vital Suzanne has been to my musical career. Not simply because she has been
the inspiration for so many of my songs (Lady, Babe, etc) but how important
her belief and support was critical to the sucess of Styx. Yes the sucess
of Styx. During the Equinox tour of 1976, I felt I could no longer continue
touring and making albums. I had become disillusioned and quite frankly depressed
over what I perceived as the failure of Equinox to reach its full potential.
I had lost faith in myself and in my dream.
'04 was an incredible year and '05 looks even better, what with concerts lining
up everywhere. The good people at Universal have dug down into their precious
vaults and have come up with gold. The "20th' CENTURY masters' THE BEST
OF DENNIS DeYOUNG , The DVD Collection is a reality. I must say that I'm
thrilled to once again see myself driving a red 1965 Mustang convertible
into that fake Midwestern sunset. Of course I refer to my favorite video
'Desert Moon'.This affords me the opportunity to shed a tear, not for the
theme of lost innocence but for the loss of...hey, how the hell did I fit
into those jeans and what happened to my brown hair? This video collection
reminds us of a time when 'VHI' actually played videos and was less focused
on the amorous affairs of Sly Stalone's ex-wife and that Flavr...what's his
name guy! Here's to a simpler time when rock stars were foolish enough to
pretend to be actors. On the other hand I am in that new Universal picture
'The Perfect Man,' apparently they didn't see any of these videos.....