Song sums up tour for Styx

By John Benson | November 5, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

It was a moment right out of “Spinal Tap” that led classic-rock artists Styx and REO Speedwagon to co-write the new song “Can’t Stop Rockin’.”

“We’ve done a lot of shows with REO Speedwagon, but we haven’t really done a tour with them in about three years,” said Styx bassist Ricky Phillips, calling from Austin, Texas.

“So when we started trying to plan this year out, we had a meeting and decided the economy looked pretty wacky. We said, ‘Let’s go out with REO Speedwagon and get a good opening act.’ And the song came out of left field. Somebody was calling it ‘The Can’t Stop Rockin’ Tour.’

“I think it was our manager who said, ‘You guys ought to write a song.’ So Tommy [Shaw] and Kevin [Cronin] got together almost begrudgingly, thinking that’s kind of a ‘Spinal Tap’ title, but they kind of attacked it making it a nice, no-frills rock ’n’ roll song from the genre. And it came out cool. We all went in the studio and jumped at it and didn’t really over-think it. It came out fun, and at the end of the show we close the night out with both bands on stage playing it.”

When you combine the catalogs of Styx, REO Speedwagon and opening act Night Ranger, the set list invariably will be a sing-along affair. For Styx — Phillips, James Young (guitar, vocals), Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards) and Todd Sucherman (drums) — there are plenty of tunes to pick from, including hits such as “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Blue Collar Man,” “Renegade” and more.

Even though Phillips may not be an original band member — he joined Styx seven years ago — his vast r sum explains why he was offered the gig. The Iowa native got his start in the ’70s with rock act The Babys. In the ’80s he played with Ted Nugent and Eddie Money before becoming a member of Bad English. He even played on the much-hyped, very disappointing David Coverdale-Jimmy Page self-titled album.

“I look at everything I’ve done, and it’s been surprising all the people I’ve been in a studio or on a live stage with who, as a kid, I was sitting there trying to learn their songs,” Phillips said. “So I pinch myself all of the time. I love what I do and I feel privileged and never take it for granted.”

Having now been a member of Styx longer than any other of his previous bands, Phillips said joining Shaw and company was nothing short of a dream come true.

“I would say it is very special because there are very few of these gigs available out there right now,” Phillips said.

“There are very few bands that have gotten to the point where they have that longevity and the fan base where they can go out there and be on the road for 200-plus days a year. So in that regard, it’s a dream come true.”

That dream continues with the Styx-REO Speedwagon tour coming through the Buckeye State, which Phillips believes has earned the right to be the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

“Oh yeah, Ohio in general is a big rock ’n’ roll mainstay,” Phillips said.

“That’s a state where every zip code has a gig for a rock band. It’s just you know when you’re in Ohio – Youngstown, Cleveland, Akron – it’s going to be a good time and a good show. You know people come to have a good time.

“It’s not one of those arms folded New York City judgmental crowds that are daring you. In Ohio, the crowds are part of the show. I think that’s something most bands love to get as feedback, because that makes the show better for the audience and the performers, and it’s one of those memorable nights everyone walks away from.”