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The Chicago classic rock band Styx practically defined the 70's arena rock sound-huge hooks, soaring power chords and long, flowing hair. The band were also the first act ever to see four consecutive records go triple platinum. They met around Chicago's music scene and discovered that they shared musical ambitions. The band's early sound was psychedelic and almost jazzy but by 1970 they'd become heavily influenced by the heavy, prog rock sound of cutting edge English bands like Genesis. The band's earliest recordings were released on Wooden Nickel Records and developed their nearly art-rock concept album ambitions. 1973's The Serpent Rising mixed spoken word narratives in with a coherent song cycle in what would later become one of the band's artistic signatures. The band had a devoted Chicago fan base but little recognition outside their hometown. However, the power ballad "Lady" off their 1973 album Styx II began collecting surprising momentum on national radio and became an out-of-nowhere top-ten single in 1975, two years after its initial release. Styx signed with A&M Records and in 1977 they released their break-through full-length LP The Grand Illusion. The Grand Illusion's central theme was escaping commercialism and superficiality and the single "Come Sail Away" is a Styx classic, mixing the intricate acoustic ballad with sprawling, electric rock. The disc's lengthy title track and "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" were both minor radio hits. Styx other claim to fame is their 1983 rock opera record Kilroy Was Here. It featured Styx famous track "Mr. Roboto" and told the tale of a future conservative government that has outlawed rock music, and the young rockstar Kilroy who escapes from prison and fights to bring music back.

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