The train just keeps a ‘rollin on ‘The Midwest Rock ‘N Roll Express’ tour, featuring the triple bill of Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent. The classic rock collective that earned a prominent spot on our ‘Must-See Rock Concerts of 2013’ list recently made a pit stop in Springfield, Mass. on April 23. Check out our photos from the show below.
Ted Nugent, Styx and REO Speedwagon retold the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears Sunday night (April 21) in Toledo, Ohio -- each striking a different balance between well-rehearsed craft and spontaneity.
Classic rockers Styx and REO Speedwagon -- along with tour mate Ted Nugent -- have come to the rescue once again. The heartland rockers will donate a portion of the proceeds from their current Midwest Rock 'N' Roll Express tour to victims of the recent Boston Marathon bombings.
There probably isn't a heck of a lot of overlap between their fanbases, but that didn't stop Slayer guitarist Kerry King from showing up for Styx's Feb. 8 concert -- or hanging out with Tommy Shaw and James 'JY' Young backstage after the last encore.
Styx were one of the biggest American rock groups of the '70s, with a string of hit albums and songs including 'Lady,' 'Come Sail Away,' 'Renegade' and 'Blue Collar Man.' The group scored two of their biggest successes with concept albums -- 1977's 'The Grand Illusion,' and 'Paradise Theatre' in 1981. On Feb. 28, 1983, Styx released 'Kilroy Was Here,' their most ambitious concept album yet. But within a year, tensions in the group came to a breaking point, bringing the classic era of Styx to an end.
Former Styx maestro Dennis DeYoung is an exceptionally diverse songwriter, capable of producing progressive rock, hard rock, ballads and even Broadway material with equal aplomb. His prototypical power ballad 'Lady' gave Styx their first hit, and he wrote the majority of the group's highest-chartin
Who: Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent
What: 2013 Midwest Rock 'n' Roll Express Tour
When: April 18 - May 19
Why: Last year's triple-billed Midwest Rock 'n' Roll Express tour did very well, so it makes sense for them to re-stage it this year. All three of these acts work the road every year like clockwork, and all of them are tight, energetic live performers. Expect a night chock-full of a set of hits like a classic rock
A successful two-month run in 2012 has lead to more shows together for REO Speedwagon, Styx and Ted Nugent in 2013. The Midwest Rock 'n Roll Express tour will begin again in April, with 20 dates announced through May 19.
Former Styx front man Dennis DeYoung hasn't been an active member of the group he helped found since 1999, but he still makes his living by playing their greatest hits. DeYoung's current solo band is geared toward recreating the classic Styx sound as closely as possible, and the singer, songwriter and keyboardist has revealed that he is hoping to re-stage the superstar rock group's most successful tour for an upcoming DVD release.
