Styx will be playing Jones Beach with Joe Bonamassa and Don Felder Saturday August 12th, 2023. We recently spoke with the band’s guitarist and singer Tommy Shaw about the show. Tommy expressed how he enjoys package shows like this. He even pointed out that a package show is how he met Don Felder. He also mentioned meeting Joe “Years ago when he was first starting out.”
We then discussed that in a show with three acts, they have to stick to their hits. That lead to speaking of how Styx approaches their setlist. Tommy spoke about how the most recent Styx album, “Crash Of The Crown”, went to #1 on Billboard’s Top 100 Rock Album chart. That lead to a conversation about how bands are “Not supposed” to have popular music late in their careers. We even discussed how the album that preceded that, “The Mission”, was also well received and that the band even played that album in its entirety live at limited shows. We also spoke about some of the songwriting partners that Tommy works with. Tommy mentioned how writing also helped him branch out as a musician. He spoke about including mandolin on a track. Then how on the most recent album, the last song they wrote had banjo. In fact, Tommy said he put the banjo on, wrote the song and everybody liked it. He also said people are enjoying it in the live shows as well. Then we began talking about the difference between guitar and banjo. Tommy joked that anyone learning banjo should do it at home on the other side of the house where other people don’t have to endure it.
In speaking of songwriting, Tommy mentioned writing for the group Shaw Blades, which he fronted along with Night Ranger bassist and singer Jack Blades. Some of the songs they wrote were done by the likes of Aerosmith, Cher and Ozzy Osbourne. Tommy in speaking of the experience of writing songs, without actually seeming to try, was giving good advice for songwriters.
We also discussed about the guitars that Tommy brings on the road with him. He said his current count of guitars on the road with him is twenty. He mentioned some Les Pauls. He even spoke about some white guitars he had from years ago that in storage had turned yellow. He referred to them as “Butter guitars.” He also mentioned some Gibson SG’s, Fender Strats and some acoustic guitars as well. Not to mention some 12 string guitars, banjo and mandolin.
We had the chance to discuss some of the online performances he did from home during the pandemic. I asked if he envisioned doing more of those. Tommy seemed interested in doing more of that but did say that “Timing is everything.” He said if there was downtime, demand for it or acceptance of it. That lead to asking if there are any plans for solo Tommy Shaw music. He did say that right now with Styx the creativity “Has never been more fertile.” In fact, that had Tommy talking about the next Styx album. That lead to a discussion of the music from the early days and how it lives alongside the new music. He spoke about how the music they are writing now is “Age appropriate.” He even had a great remark, saying “Life is the ultimate canvas and paint set.”
We also delved into the possibility of any jamming between the artists when they hit the stage at Jones Beach. Tommy said he didn’t know yet. But he did speak about his first-time playing banjo on stage was with Don Felder playing The Eagles “Take It Easy.”
You can listen to our conversation below, and don’t miss Styx with Joe Bonamassa and Don Felder at Jones Beach on August 12th, 2023.
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