Snowblind (Live 1984)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to dive into the swirling vibes of "Snowblind (Live 1984)" by Styx, a track from their live double album Caught in the Act. This song, originally from the 1981 album Paradise Theatre, is a raw exploration of cocaine addiction, with its brooding verses sung by James "J.Y." Young and a high-energy chorus led by Tommy Shaw. The live version, recorded at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans in April 1983, captures the band’s electrifying stage presence. Fun fact: the song sparked major controversy in the early ‘80s when anti-rock activists, including Tipper Gore’s Parents Music Resource Center, claimed it contained backward Satanic messages. The line "I try so hard to make it so" was alleged to reverse into "Satan moves through our voices," but Styx dismissed this as nonsense. Dennis DeYoung told In the Studio with Redbeard, “Anyone who plays their records backwards is the Antichrist,” poking fun at the absurd accusations.

The controversy didn’t stop there. Fundamentalist Christian groups pushed the Arkansas State Senate to pass a bill requiring warning labels on records with backward masking, citing Styx alongside bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd. In response, Styx leaned into the chaos with their 1983 concept album Kilroy Was Here, which included intentional backward messages to mock their critics. James Young, in a Rockline interview, revealed that the intro to “Heavy Metal Poisoning” from that album contained a backward Latin phrase, “Annuit Coeptis Novus Ordo Seclorum,” found on the U.S. dollar bill, as a sly jab at the PMRC and California legislators. Fans on Styx’s Facebook page still reminisce about how this kerfuffle boosted the band’s rebellious cred, with some sharing stories of spinning the vinyl backward to debunk the claims themselves.

Now, let’s rewind to how Styx got their start. Formed in Chicago in 1972, the band emerged from the Roseland neighborhood where twin brothers Chuck (guitar) and John Panozzo (drums) teamed up with their 14-year-old neighbor Dennis DeYoung, who played accordion and sang. Initially called The Tradewinds, they evolved into TW4 before adopting the name Styx, inspired by the mythical Greek river. By 1964, Chuck switched to bass after a brief stint in seminary, and John Curulewski joined on guitar. The band signed with Wooden Nickel Records, releasing their debut album Styx in 1972. Their big break came with Styx II in 1973, featuring the power ballad “Lady,” which hit No. 6 on the U.S. charts. After joining A&M Records, Styx became the first band to score four consecutive multi-platinum albums: The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978), Cornerstone (1979), and Paradise Theatre (1981).

Styx’s sound, blending progressive rock with melodic hard rock and theatrical flair, resonated with fans worldwide. Despite lineup changes—Tommy Shaw joined in 1975, replacing Curulewski, and Dennis DeYoung left in 1999—the band has sold over 54 million records and remains a touring powerhouse, performing nearly 100 shows annually. Their current lineup, featuring Shaw, Young, and newer members like Lawrence Gowan, continues to rock stages, as seen in their 2025 tour dates with REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Don Felder. Fans can connect with Styx on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper dives, check out fan communities like the Styx Fans Facebook group or the Styx Collector fan site, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and memorabilia from the band’s epic journey.