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James Young (American musician)

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James "J.Y." Young
James "J.Y." Young performing with Styx on July 2, 2010 at Memorial Park in Omaha, Nebraska
James "J.Y." Young performing with Styx on July 2, 2010 at Memorial Park in Omaha, Nebraska
Background information
Birth nameJames Vincent Young
Born (1949-11-14) November 14, 1949 (age 75)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
GenresHard rock, Progressive rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals, keyboards
Years active1966–present
LabelsA&M, Passport, Absolute Records

James Vincent Young (born November 14, 1949) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter who is best known for playing lead guitar in the American rock band Styx.[1] Young began playing keyboard and piano at the age of five. He attended Calumet High in Chicago and learned to play clarinet and guitar during those years. He was nicknamed by Styx members & long time fans as "J.Y." and is often referred to as "The Godfather Of Styx".

In 1970, Young joined the band TW4[2][3][4][5] while a student at Illinois Institute of Technology, from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. That band later became the first incarnation of Styx.

After Styx's initial breakup in 1984, Young released the solo albums City Slicker (1985 with Jan Hammer),[5] Out on a Day Pass (1993), and Raised by Wolves (1995 with James Young Group). He is the only full-time original member left in Styx's lineup (Chuck Panozzo makes frequent live appearances, plus a guest appearance on albums) and has appeared on all Styx albums. Young tends to write the more hard rock pieces for Styx. He is best known for the Styx songs "Miss America" and "Snowblind". Young managed the Chicago, Illinois -based rock band 7th Heaven in 1998 along with Alec John Such of the band Bon Jovi.

Discography

Styx

Solo studio albums

References

  1. ^ Prato, Greg. "Biography: James Young". AMG. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  2. ^ Panozzo, Chuck (2007). The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life With Styx. AMACOM. p. 57. ISBN 978-0814409169.
  3. ^ Whitaker, Sterling (2007). The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx. BookSurge Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 978-1419653537.
  4. ^ Clark, Dick (March 29, 1983). "Styx and stones...". Times-News.
  5. ^ a b Mayne, Mya (April 22, 1986). "His band breaks up temporarily, but James Young 'Styx' to music career". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2013.