I've just read all the discussion on Styx. Now let's get this sorted. Why do we like AOR or any particular group? Is it because of the band's style, trademarks or just as a brand name?
I would argue that the main reasons we all love AOR is the perfect collision between controlled power (not full metal ) and vocals-how many AOR bands are fronted by James Hetfield or Dave Mustaine? So with that in mind the Styx debate comes down to whom do you like?
James Young (you have to be joking in my opinion), Tommy Shaw or Dennis De Young?
I always found Dennis far too over-blown and operatic for my liking (of course I loved Suite Madame Blue and Come Sail Away ) whereas Tommy Shaw was my favourite-witness his solo albums. But that is what puts the slant on my feelings-I'm quite happy for Styx to be Tommy Shaw's band because he is the vocalist for me-bit like in Fleetwood Mac I wouldn't care if Christine McVie left as long as Steve Nicks stayed (cue libellous comment about drugs....).
So with Styx I'm not mourning the departure of Dennis Young-and I saw them last year and it might as well have been Tommy Shaw solo.
The rest of it is all about money and how grasping or greedy the various members appear to be and how you view this depends entirely on how you feel about each member. Just list your favourite tracks and then see who comes out on top-I think that would give us all a real perspective on what we think.
All the best Paul