Styx: the unauthorized biography

NEWS RELEASE

STERLING WHITAKER

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Styx biography due in December

Nashville-based music journalist Sterling Whitaker has announced the upcoming release of his second book, The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx.

The self-published book is set for publication December 12, 2006 and will be available through Amazon.com, as well as the book's own website.

It is the first-ever biography of the superstar rock group Styx.

"This is one of the most beloved groups of its generation," Whitaker said.

"It's about time the story is told properly," he said.

Culled from the author's exclusive interviews with many of the principal players in the career of Styx, including guitarist/bassist/vocalist Glen Burtnik (who also wrote the book's Foreword), guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, and drummer Todd Sucherman, as well as management, record company executives, crew members and fans, The Grand Delusion is the definitive portrait of the Chicago-based rock ensemble that has sold more than thirty-five million records in a career spanning three decades.

Beginning with 1977's The Grand Illusion, followed by Pieces Of Eight in 1978, Cornerstone in 1979 and Paradise Theatre in 1980, Styx was the first rock group ever to earn four triple platinum albums in a row, selling three million copies each.

The group's number 1 hit "Babe" was Song of the Year at the 1980 People's Choice Awards, and the 1979 Gallup poll named the group the most popular in America.

Styx's other hits include "Lady", "Come Sail Away", "Renegade", "Blue Collar Man", "The Best Of Times", "Too Much Times On My Hands", and, of course, the ubiquitous pop culture reference "Mr. Roboto".

"The Grand Delusion is more than just another sleazy biography about the excesses of rock stars," Whitaker maintained.

"It's about hard work and sacrifice, success and failure, fame and fortune, love and hatred, friendship and betrayal, and hopefully redemption," he said.

"It's the true story of how a group of people who have very little in common outside of music struggled to overcome their differences and their limitations to create a body of work that is beloved by millions of people."

"It's also about the business side of the band's career, the behind-the-scenes work that greased the rails for the band to succeed."

"It's not so much a story about rich rock stars."

"The story of Styx is a very human story, good and bad."

Fans who purchase the book through Amazon.com or through the book's website between December 12 and December 25 will receive a free download of the author's first book Unsung Heroes of Rock Guitar, featuring Whitaker's exclusive interviews with rock guitarists such as Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship), Howard Leese (Heart) and Richard Williams (Kansas), as well as a free download of Behind The Grand Delusion, comprised of the author's project notes and his exclusive interviews with some of the principal players in Styx' career which form the backbone of the project.

Styx released a live album, One With Everything, on November 7.

The band will tour abroad with Deep Purple in early 2007.

Former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung is working on a new studio record, the follow-up to Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra, which has been certified Triple Platinum in Canada.

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