LYNN — There are no Styx records in my vinyl collection, but I always enjoy their music when I hear it on classic rock radio, even if I think their songs are by somebody else. What, “Too Much Time on My Hands” isn’t by REO Speedwagon? “Lady” isn’t by Journey?
Forgive my ignorance, please, because Dennis DeYoung, founding member of Styx and the writer of the band’s biggest hits, and his excellent band demonstrated Saturday night at Lynn Auditorium that the outfit’s top-40 output deserves a lot of respect. The 1,600 fans in attendance certainly showed their love throughout the two-hour show.
DeYoung and his Styx bandmates had an acrimonious breakup in 1999, and he’s had a successful solo career since. His band, fueled by guitarists/singers Jimmy Leahey and August Zadra, are spectacular and DeYoung himself is an affable frontman whose voice and keyboard skills remain strong at age 72.
The first half of the show found the band performing Styx’s 1977 chart-topping album “The Grand Illusion” from start to finish. Audience members were deliriously happy, singing along to mega-hits “Fooling Yourself,” with its twin acoustic guitar-attack, and especially “Come Sail Away,” which featured DeYoung’s best vocal of the night.
For my money, the Kansas-like prog-rock ballad “Man in the Wilderness” is the best song on “The Grand Illusion” and was the highlight of the concert’s first half. Zadra sang lead and nailed it, and the tune concluded with ferocious guitar histrionics.
DeYoung performed in this building two years ago. Eddie Money, who died this month, shared the bill, and received a loving shoutout from DeYoung Saturday night.
After the break, the band returned for a set of Styx’s greatest hits and songs from DeYoung’s solo career.
The rocking “Lorelei” came first, and got audience members dancing. DeYoung then showed off a bit on synthesiser and piano, wowing with a Keith Emerson-like instrumental burst of creativity.
DeYoung also proved to be a great storyteller with superb comic timing. “How many people tonight are seeing us for the first time?” he asked. A bunch of folks clapped. “Where the hell have you been? I’m 72 years old.” He also mentioned that he feels great and just finished his first marathon. The crowd erupted in applause. “Yeah. Twelve hours of ‘Law & Order.’ Boy is my butt sore.”
After that it was one hit after another: “Lady,” the first song DeYoung wrote for Styx; the silly “Mr. Roboto”; former bandmate Tommy Shaw’s “Too Much Time on My Hands”; the ballad “Babe,” which DeYoung composed for his wife’s birthday and was never meant to be released.
The band wore Bobby Orr, Tom Brady and Gronk jerseys for the closing “The Best of Times,” a loud sing-along. The Beatles’ “The End” from “Abbey Road,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, sent the crowd home happy.
