Paradise Theatre
 (Front Cover)



TRACK LISTING AND TIMES:
1. A.D. 1928 (1:07)
2. Rockin' the Paradise (3:35)
3. Too Much Time On My Hands (4:31)
4. Nothing Ever Goes As Planned (4:46)
5. The Best Of Times (4:17)
6. Lonely People (5:22)
7. She Cares (4:18)
8. Snowblind (4:58)
9. Half-Penny Two-Penny (4:34)
10. A.D. 1958 (2:31)
11. State Street Sadie (0:27)

Release Date-1980
Paradise Theatre
 (Back Cover)



The Members
Dennis DeYoung
Chuck Panozzo
John Panozzo
Tommy Shaw
James "JY" Young
Styx’ first album of the 80s, Paradise Theatre, was released in 1980, and it chalked up yet another milestone for this talented quintet: While Dennis’ ballad “Babe” was Styx’ first #1 song a year previously, Paradise Theatre became Styx’ first #1 album in the USA. The concept behind this album deals with the true story of the opening and closing of a majestic theater (the Paradise Theatre) which was built in Chicago in 1928 and eventually torn down in 1958 (hence, AD 1928 and AD 1958--the vocal opening and closing of the album) because of a lack of popularity and neglect: this concept was a metaphor about the present state of the United States at that time, the human condition, and the condition of the heart. However, even though Styx had a #1 concept album, it didn’t mean that the road ahead would hold no barriers for Styx.

Styx never seemed to be the “main event” or the “critic’s pet” when it came time for the world to know what the so called “important” people of the music review industry thought of the band. Furthermore, with the release of Paradise Theatre, a #1 selling album in the USA, Styx were once again scorned by not only the critics, but the state legislature of California. However, the band wasn’t condemned for such things as trying out new musical directions with this album; instead, they were accused of doing something much worse.

I’m talking about Satan, Lucifer, Mephistopheles, Beelzebub, the Angel of the Bottomless Pit!!! Yes, you heard me (or should I say JY!?) correctly: Styx (among other bands) was accused of putting backward Satanic messages on the track “Snowblind.” The supposed backward Satanic message said something like “Oh, Satan, move through our voices.” The band quickly retorted and said that they had done no such thing, but some people still insisted that there was some sort of evil message and that Styx should be persecuted for placing such a thing on one of their albums.

Over all, Styx had once again achieved triple platinum status with the release of Paradise Theatre, and, also, they had the #1 US tour of that year. With a #1 album and tour, and two Top 10 singles (“Best of Times” and "Too Much Time On My Hands”), Styx had once again proven that it was their fans, not the critics, who mattered the most.
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