A Salty Dog

The Zoo Crew is spinning the haunting track "A Salty Dog" by Styx from their 2005 covers album Big Bang Theory, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this nautical gem originally by Procol Harum. Styx's version, led by keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan's emotive performance, captures the song's orchestral and progressive essence, which Gowan himself found challenging yet rewarding due to its "unusual chords" and complex structure. In a 2021 interview with Styxworld, Gowan shared his admiration for Procol Harum, calling them "the first progressive band after The Beatles," and noted how "A Salty Dog" resonated with Styx's own seafaring classic "Come Sail Away." He admitted to puzzling over the song's chord progression, exclaiming, "What the hell is that?" Guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw also expressed his love for the 1969 original, highlighting its "flatted fifth" and orchestral quality as a perfect fit for Styx's style, saying it "would have been a great Styx song, right off the bat."

Another tidbit comes from the late Gary Brooker, Procol Harum's keyboardist/vocalist who co-wrote and sang the original "A Salty Dog." In a 2022 Styxworld feature, Brooker, who passed away that year, was delighted to learn of Styx's cover, noting that the song had become "our audience’s own song," making it refreshing to perform. Fans on the Styx Fan Club Facebook Group often praise Gowan’s vocal delivery, with one member calling it "a delightful surprise" that outshines the original for its polished production and emotional depth. The song’s inclusion on Big Bang Theory, which peaked at No. 46 on the Billboard Top 200, showcases Styx’s eclectic taste, as they tackled covers ranging from The Beatles to Jethro Tull, earning mixed but passionate reviews from Zoo Freaks and beyond.

Styx, the Chicago-based rock band behind this cover, began their journey in the early 1970s, evolving from a group of neighborhood friends into a progressive rock powerhouse. Formed in 1972 by brothers Chuck and John Panozzo (bassist and drummer) and vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, the band initially went by names like The Tradewinds and TW4 before settling on Styx, inspired by the mythical Greek river. Guitarist/vocalist James "JY" Young and Tommy Shaw, who joined in 1975, helped shape their signature sound, blending hard rock, acoustic ballads, and theatrical flair. Their early years were marked by relentless gigging around Chicago, eventually catching the attention of A&M Records. Albums like The Grand Illusion (1977) and Paradise Theatre (1981) catapulted them to fame with hits like "Come Sail Away" and "The Best of Times," cementing their place in rock history.

Despite lineup changes, including Dennis DeYoung’s departure in 1999 and the addition of Lawrence Gowan, Styx has remained a touring and recording force, with current members including Shaw, Young, Gowan, drummer Todd Sucherman, bassist Ricky Phillips, and guitarist Will Evankovich. Their resilience is evident in their ability to reinvent themselves, as seen in Big Bang Theory and their 2017 concept album The Mission. Fans can connect with Styx through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and behind-the-scenes content. The Styx Fan Club Facebook Group and fan-run sites like Styx Wiki offer vibrant communities for Zoo Freaks to discuss trivia, share concert experiences, and celebrate the band’s enduring legacy.