Paradise Theatre

Paradise Theatre is Styx’s 10th studio album, released January 19, 1981 on A&M Records. It became their biggest commercial hit and only #1 album on the Billboard 200, where it spent 3 non-consecutive weeks at #1 in April–May 1981. It went triple platinum, their 4th straight album to do so.

The album is a concept record built around a fictional Chicago venue called the Paradise Theatre. Dennis DeYoung came up with the idea after seeing a serigraph of a decaying theater. The theater serves as a metaphor for America’s rise and fall from the late 1920s to the early 1980s. The story is bookended by “A.D. 1928” and “A.D. 1958,” with “State Street Sadie” closing it out. The actual Paradise Theatre in Chicago was designed by John Eberson, opened in 1928, and was demolished in 1958 due to poor acoustics.

Musically it blends progressive rock, arena rock, hard rock, and AOR. Compared to The Grand Illusion and Cornerstone, it’s more theatrical and radio friendly. DeYoung wrote most of it, which pushed the band toward poppier melodies and musical theatre elements. That caused tension with Tommy Shaw and James Young, who leaned harder rock.

Fans today still call it a “timeless masterpiece” and cite the concept, artwork, and songs like “The Best of Times” and “Snowblind” as reasons it holds up.

Evermore’s Retrospective Review and memories:

When you hear the expression “This album is in my DNA” That expression is absolutely spot on with me. I remember going over to my sister Mary’s apartment as an eleven-year kid and just wearing this album out. Not only was the music so influential to the direction of my musical journey but the visuals of the record really grabbed hold of me. The gatefold itself was so cool displaying the band members and song lyrics but the attention getter for sure was the laser etching of the “Styx” logo on the second side. Still till this day blows my mind how cool that was and still is.

Growing up, well at least until I was 13 in Western Hills Cincinnati we had a station called Q-102. Remember back in the day you had to call in to the radio station and request songs? Sometimes you literally had to wait hours to hear them, but I requested so many songs from this album. I would rush home from school before grabbing my baseball glove and heading to the local lot to play some baseball and we always had a kid from the neighborhood who would bring his then called Ghetto Blaster to the field and put the station on. After a few innings we finally got to hear the DJ say “Here is a request from Jerry for Styx, The Best Of Times. On Q102”. Seriously how cool was that for a 12–13-year-old kid? Years go by and I forget things but those are still very vivid memories.

Another great memory not necessarily associated with the album so much but the reunion tour of 1996. Return To Paradise. I was sitting on break smoking a cigarette when I happened to open up the entertainment section of the newspaper [For you young ones look up what a newspaper was lol] and seeing an ad for tickets going on sale with the headline “Dennis DeYoung-Tommy Shaw-James Young-Chuck Panozzo back together again! I was not aware of the condition of John Panozzo at the time rest in peace. I finally get to see one of my favorite bands live doing the majority of songs from one of my favorite albums! The show was amazing. The band seemed energized and happy to be playing together again.

Time to break it down so to speak. My opinions of each song.

A.D 1928/Rockin’ The Paradise- A great opening track written by Jy, Tommy and Dennis. Dennis delivers an incredible vocal over a really nice piano piece. You can hear the buildup when he holds that Para Diiiiiiise! Turns into a great catchy rock song. The sound of the three songwriters harmonizing that chorus is musical perfection. Has an incredible solo from Tommy as well.

Too Much Time on My Hands- If you have never heard this song, please come out of that rock you have been hiding under. I kid I kid! Written solely by Tommy on his way to rehearsal. The melody just came to him as he was driving. He quickly brought it to the band and came together really quickly according to JY and Tommy. One of their biggest hits and a staple to their setlist pretty much from this album on. Has all the elements of a hit single. Catchy electric piano, incredible vocals and another great guitar solo from Tommy.

Nothing Ever Goes As Planned- This track we get to hear the more theatrical side of Dennis. Reminding us lyrically that disappointment and failures are a part of life. Has a great guitar riff from JY at the beginning that sets the tone. Has that great classic Styx chorus and even here some sax.

The Best of Times-Has the same musical beginning as A.D.1928 but includes some different lyrics and longer. One of Dennis’ best songs. One of my personal favorites as well. This is what you call a “Chorus”! The harmony is incredible. The vocal delivery and arrangement are amazing. Throw in a Shaw guitar solo in the middle and you have an incredible song.

So let us flip this album over!

Lonely People- DeYoung talks about how it is like to be stuck in isolation. I think we have all been there at one time or another. Some great JY fills all through this song adds a rock element to almost a theatric arrangement. Just full of catchy music. Very quirky song but a lot of fun. I especially like the synth solo in the middle as it goes into a great JY guitar solo. Solid track.

She Cares-Solid deep track from Tommy. Nothing wrong with a good love song. I really love Tommy’s vocal on this one. Very sincere and authentic. Some great piano playing from Dennis which flows nicely. I really thought this could have been a hit. Has all the quality of a top 40 rock song. Especially from that time period. Has a great sax solo as well.

Snowblind- Co-written by Dennis and JY this is again one of my favorite Styx songs. Has a great ominous fade in keyboard riff that is hypnotizing. JY delivers a haunting lead vocal during the verse and Tommy comes in and nails a more upbeat chorus. Originally a B-side to Rockin’ The Paradise this song remains a fan favorite to this day. I know from listening to friends who love this song. It is either “man I wish they did Snowblind” or “wow they did Snowblind! That was awesome!” Let us also not forget what a great JY guitar solo.

Half-Penny, Two-Penny, A.D.1958, State Street Sadie-What a great way to end the album. Half-Penny is a really solid JY rocking song. Killer guitar riffs all over this one. Has an unforgettable chorus that is the definition of a sing along one. I especially love when the quiet keyboard solo goes into a great solo from James. Just when you think this couldn’t get any better you have this amazing segue into A.D.1958 with the instrumentation quietly fading until there is nothing left but the piano. Just like the opener A.D.1958 has the same piano riff but much more somber lyrics about endings. But keeping the memories alive! State Street Sadie represents that. A quick 30 second piano riff from Dennis.

To this day Paradise Theatre holds a very special place in my heart. So many great memories associated with it. I listen to it quite often still and never grow tired of it. It is a definite top ten album in my humble opinion. Lots of things change in our life. Friends move on, you may change jobs and move from place to place but great music goes with you on your journey. It is always there when you need it no matter the mood or circumstance. This album has and will continue to be one of those albums that I will go to for such occasions. Thank you.

DJ Evermore