Former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung announced the release of a new album titled 26 East: Volume 1, which will arrive in the spring.

The LP includes a guest appearance by Julian Lennon on the track “The Good Old Days,” and it’s the first of two companion albums, even though DeYoung previously said this one would be his last.

"There were so many songs written that Serafino Perugino, CEO of Frontiers, suggested dividing it into two albums,” DeYoung explained in a statement. “So be it. This is Volume 1, which sounds pretentious to me, but the marketing folks wanted you to know there are going to be two of them, so hey, kids, there are two of them. This is Volume 1.”

He added that he wrote “The Good Old Days” with Lennon’s voice in mind, and was delighted when he agreed to record the duet. “The moment we sang together in the studio, it felt magical,” DeYoung said. “I had never met Julian previously, but I have been an admirer since [Lennon’s 1984 album] Valotte.”

Other tracks were co-created by songwriter Jim Peterik. “He once told me that the world needed my music, to which I replied, 'Have the world text me for verification,'" DeYoung noted. "We collaborated from the get-go, happily and seamlessly, and at this time, we have written nine songs together, of which five will be on Volume 1. Just two Chicago guys doing what they do best: making music and having a laugh."

The “26 East” in the title refers to 26 E. 101st Place, the Chicago address where DeYoung grew up and from where Styx formed; Chuck and John Panozzo lived at 29 E. 101st Place. The LP cover will depict three locomotives, representing the three young musicians and their aspirations.

DeYoung also announced a run of North American tour dates, with a CD copy of 26 East: Volume 1 included in the ticket price at a number of locations. You can see the dates below.

Dennis DeYoung 2020 North American Tour
2/14 – River City Casino – St Louis, MO
2/15 – River City Casino – St Louis, MO
2/20 – Capital City Amphitheater – Tallahassee, FL
2/21 – Saenger Theatre – Pensacola, FL
2/23 – Sea World Bayside Stadium – Orlando, FL
2/28 – Ameristar Casino Star Pavilion – Kansas City, MO
2/29 – Rhythm City Casino Event Cente – Davenport, IA
3/06 – Golden Nugget Casino – Las Vegas, NV
3/07 – Magnolia Performing Arts Center – El Cajon, CA
3/13 – MGM Park Center Stage – Northfield, OH
3/14 – The Midland Theatre – Newark, OH
3/20 – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR
3/21 – Admiral Theatre – Bremerton, WA
4/03 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL
4/04 – The Clyde Theatre – Fort Wayne, IN
4/17 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY
4/18 – Mayo Performing Arts Center – Morristown, NJ
4/24 – Resorts Superstar Theater – Atlantic City, NJ
4/25 – The Wind Creek Event Center – Bethlehem, PA
5/01 – Le Grand Theatre – Quebec City, Canada
5/02 – Theatre St. Denis – Montreal, Canada
5/08 – Island Casino Showroom – Harris, MI
5/09 – Island Casino Showroom – Harris, MI
6/04 – Paramount Arts Center – Ashland, KY
6/05 – Belterra Casino CenterStage – Florence, IN
7/10 – Verizon Theatre – Grand Prairie, TX
7/11 – Austin City Limits Live Moody Theatre – Austin, TX

 

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