Some bands, from their very creation, are destined for stardom, and one would be hard pressed to argue that Styx – taking their name from Greek mythology – was one of the premier bands of the 1970s, even setting history as the first band to have four back-to-back triple platinum albums.

Before they were known to the world as Styx, the band began as The Tradewinds in the latter part of the Sixties. Founded by brothers Chuck and John Panozzo, the band would eventually add Dennis DeYoung, James Young, and John Curulewski. By 1972, they’d changed their name to Styx and secured a recording contract with the RCA subsidiary Wooden Nickel Records. Their self-titled debut was released that same year, and Styx consistently released albums in the next few years: “Styx II” (1973), “The Serpent Is Rising” (1974), and “Man of Miracles” (1975).

During the same period, Styx toured constantly, but they didn’t get their big break until their single “Lady” hit the airwaves in Chicago in 1974; it was so well-received by listeners that Wooden Nickel Records released the single throughout the U.S., and it catapulted to number six on the charts.

Prior to the release of “Equinox” in 1975, Styx signed with A&M Records; shortly thereafter Curulewski exited the band, and Tommy Shaw took his place. What followed were four phenomenal albums that would each go triple platinum: “Crystal Ball” (1976), “The Grand Illusion” (1977), “Pieces of Eight” (1978), and “Cornerstone” (1979).

The new decade opened with a concept album from Styx, “Paradise Theater,” in 1981. But in 1983, with the release of “Kilroy Was Here,” an album that told a science fiction story through its lyrics, the band became frustrated, and promptly went on hiatus the following year.

Styx would reunite in 1990 with their latest effort “Show Me The Way,” but the reunion proved short as the band members instead opted for solo careers. Six years later, the group would reunite for a tour, minus John Panozzo who died in July 1996. Todd Sucherman replaced Panozzo, and the tour was a smashing success by all accounts. In fact, securing Styx concert tickets was a challenge for fans as all shows sold out in minutes.

Styx followed their reunion tour with the live album “Return To Paradise” in 1997, and the band was introduced to a whole new generation when their songs were used in such popular shows as “South Park” and “Freaks and Geeks.”

Styx went on to release several more albums, including “Cyclorama” (2003), “Come Sail Away: The Styx Anthology” (2004), and “The Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings” (2006).