Photos by Chuck Holloway
Review by David Cox
On the evening of April 21st, 2022, Styx performed to a sold out crowd in Macon, Georgia. Macon City Auditorium doors opened at 6:30 pm, and fans flowed in like a lazy river, smiling and laughing excitedly as they made their way to their seats. Soon, Styx lined up to snap pictures standing in front of the impressive looking stage.
Time passed quickly and at 7:30, the moment we had all been waiting for had finally arrived: Styx–Live! As the show began, Tommy and the band appeared slowly from a purple hue of stage lights. It is no secret that most of the ladies in attendance were swooning over Tommy Shaw dressed in tight white jeans and a white blazer over his undershirt, wielding a black Gibson Les Paul guitar. We all must admit that Tommy is the quintessential rock star!
The crowd was wild and on their feet as Styx exploded into a killer rock show like we all saw in the late seventies. Promoting their new album, Styx opened with the new song “The Fight of Our Lives”, from their latest dynamic release entitled, Crash of the Crown, which was released June 18, 2021. For two solid hours, Styx had us reeling with hit after hit, including “Blue Collar Man,” “The Grand Illusion”, “Lady”, “Light Up”, “Man In The Wilderness”, “Too Much Time On My Hands”, “Suite Madame Blue”, “Crystal Ball”, “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)”, and “Come Sail Away”. We had absolutely no time to rest between songs.
Three-fourths into the show, Tommy Shaw stopped everything to introduce a VERY SPECIAL GUEST, bassist Chuck Panozzo, a longtime member of Styx. He founded the group in Chicago with his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo and singer/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. He toured part-time from 1999 to 2003 due to an ongoing illness and has returned with Styx on a regular basis since then, sharing bass duties with Ricky Phillips both in the studio and onstage.
In addition to the generous selection of earlier Styx classics, the band played seven new songs from Crash Of The Crown that were no less than excellent. However, they were not finished yet. Their encore took us back again, first with “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade”! The fans rocked out to the very end and no one left early. We all knew from the beginning that during a Styx rock show … “SWEET, SWEET SOUNDS WILL FILL THE AIR.”
I was truly fortunate in my earlier years growing up to have my Uncle Bill Decker as a rock and roll mentor and concert companion. At an early age, he introduced me to 1960’s and 1970’s big names in current rock and roll music. Currently at 60 years old, I am still rocking to the same priceless music I cut my teeth on. It is timeless, and never gets old. To date, I have seen hundreds of live shows. Incredibly, the recent Styx show, at Macon City Auditorium, ranks as one of the best performances I have seen in all my years.
Styx remains a tight, current day supergroup. If you get the chance to see this tour, please go. It is a trip back to the days when rock music touched your very soul.
Styx Set List
April 21st, 2022
Macon City Auditorium
Macon, Georgia
Set 1
The Fight of Our Lives
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
The Grand Illusion
Lady
Reveries
Light Up
Man in the Wilderness
Rockin’ the Paradise
Save Us From Ourselves
Too Much Time on My Hands
Set 2
Red Storm
Suite Madame Blue
Crystal Ball
Crash of the Crown
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Khedive
Lost at Sea
Come Sail Away
Encore:
Mr. Roboto
Renegade
Great review. It’s good to know Styx can continue performing like the powerhouse band they’ve always been. The photos make me feel like I was there. Thanks for bringing me into the experience through this article.
Chuck is one the best, if not the best concert photographer around.
He’s gracious enough to sell certain photos to friends.
If you need a fantabulos photographer hut Chuck up
Styx -Paradise Theater, was my very first concert in the early 80’s. Tommy Shaw posters lined my bedroom walls- He was my teenage crush! I have seen many Styx concerts through the years and in a variety of venues. I hope to see Styx in concert again some day- Their Music is timeless. Chuck Holloway’s photo’s are absolutely amazing. This review by David Cox was top notch. Thank You both –
-Brenda
What a wonderful commentary/review by David. I must agree all the women were most likely swooning over Tommy Shaw. He is still very attractive , talented and his voice sounds superb. Chuck, as always, does not dissapoint! His photos are beautiful and brilliant. What a great eye.
Chuck Holloway gets the photos of Styx I wish I could get! The Dave Cox review of the Macon show is a great accompaniment to Chuck’s photos. Thanks TAM, Chuck and Dave.
The review of the Styx concert made you feel like you were there in Georgia. Sure wish I was! It sounded like an awesome time.
The pictures that Chuck takes at the concerts are second to none. They are outstanding!
Enjoyed the article & the pics are stellar!
Chuck does an AMAZING JOB of capturing all his ARTISTS at their special moments! Thank you Chuck & keep up the GREAT WORK!! 🙂
Your photos were awesome! They really showcased Styx, especially the photos of Tommy Shaw.
What an incredible show. Can’t wait to see them!
Chuck does phenomenal work behind the camera.
Chuck, your photographs are phenomenal!
Great review! David Cox takes the reader on the thrilling ride of seeing this iconic rock band live in concert.
Chuck Holloway’s beautiful photography captures the love these wonderful musicians have for the music and the fans.
Amazing pics!
Wow! Great shots! I almost felt like I was there!
I enjoyed reading this . This was so detailed and very much made me feel like I was there. These photos are great.
Absolutely amazing pictures!!
Awesome pics of Styx. You have a tremendous eye for great pics of band and Tommy Shaw.
Excellent pics from the show!!
Excellent band, great photos, great review..Chuck Holloways photos are always so awesome..
Pamela ,.. Thank you! It was a magical night for me.
Awesome pictures and article. Makes me feel like I was there! Thank you.
Great review and amazing pictures. Made me feel like I was there.
Keri … It’s nice of you to complement my review. I enjoyed reliving the show through my vids and pics!
The photos from this show are amazing. A huge Styx fan since the 60’s and these are the best I have seen! Thank you for making my day!
Thank you so much for these amazing photos. I am a Styx fan since the 70’s and these are some of the best I have ever seen! Great article too! Kudos to your photographer. They are amazing!
Fantastic! Thanks guys. Appreciate the STYX love.
Saw Styx Friday night! They rocked a sold out show from the moment they walked onstage.
Already making plans to see them again!! Best show I’ve seen in years…
Comments are spot on! Pictures are AMAZING! Wow!
Brother Chuck! Look how well we did. And, we’ve never even met in person. Let’s do this again. I did well in my English and Math studies in college, and now it finally paid off where it counts to me. Let me know the next show you shoot, and I will see if I can attend to enable me to write the review.
Dave
Great review that mirrors my feelings every time of the many many times I have watched this amazing band. They love what they do, they love that we love it, and it shows. Chuck Holloway’s photos are some of the best I’ve seen, a very gifted photographer!
Excellent job well done Chuck Holloway; your photos are fantastic 📸👍
Chuck is such a fantastic photographer and an amazing professional. I’ve photographed a few shows myself and it can be very difficult to get the “best” shots good enough for publication and Chuck always seems to hit the best parts!
Ah, Styx. My very first concert as a teenager. Awesome pics ! Great memories. Thanks !
Styx ALWAYS gives a great show! One of the best live acts out there. And the photographer, Chuck, is one of the best in his field as well. The review was clear and took me back to my times at Atyx concerts. Loved it!
What a great concert!! Styx is still on their game sounding as good, if not better than “way back when”! Loved every moment of the evening and your photos are gorgeous, capturing the true essence of the show; love David’s write up, it definitely embodies the heart of who the band Styx is in the rock n roll world!! ♥️🙏🏻🎸🎤
Wow, you have a way of capturing great instants. The Tommy Shaw pics are my favorite, but I am an overall fan! Thanks man.
Those shots always make me feel like I’m right there. Love it.
Excellent review, Dave Cox! I felt like I was there in person, especially after viewing Chuck’s photos! Sharp, vivid, perfectly captured facial expressions! We can see and feel the energy of our favorite band (especially Tommy Shaw). Always look forward to your photos.
Great photos and an awesome review!
What amazing photos. Made me feel like I was front and center at this concert. Great job
Great review, Dave and great pics, Chuck!
Excellent pictures and review! Well done, Gentlemen!!
Styx has been my favorite band since the mid 70’s. I have been very fortunate to see them play onstage. This wonderfully written article and the vividly captured pictures sends me right into the pure excitement of witnessing a band that feels like old friends to me.
Thank you, Dave and Chuck. Splendid work!! ❤️👍🏼👏🏼
Wow, David Cox, you have written an awesome review, so very well stated! As usual, Chuck Holloway, you never disappoint with your mad photography skills…amazing job, Pit Boss! I hope to see more from this dynamic duo!!!
Great photos! Chuck always gets us up close too. It’s so awesome to see his camera skills! Can’t wait for the next concert!