Classic Rockers – Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent will rock First Niagara

Rev up your vocal chords classic rock fans – Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent are back at the First Niagara Pavilion Sunday, May 19 and ready to rock and roll.

“We are the soundtrack of your misspent youth and it’s still there,” said bassist Ricky Phillips. “Get your butt out of the chair and come to the show. Don’t be a slug and sit there eating bon bons watching cable. QVC gets old after a while – come join the rest of the world.”

Last year, Rolling Stone voted “the Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express” tour as one of the “Ten Hottest Summer Package Tours of 2012.” That was last year – this year Phillips, has assured fans they take that title very seriously and will continue to step up their game with every show.

“We always try to make tonight’s show better than last night’s show,” said Phillips. “You need to pace the show to take the audience on a ride by organizing the set to take people on a musical journey.”

While the groups may be the same, Phillips says the set list is never on repeat. Each night features a new mix of songs which includes classic favorites such as “Renegade” and “Come Sail Away” to fan favorites that haven’t seen a live show in over 20 years!

“This tour, we’ve been playing songs we haven’t played in 20 years, like ‘Light up,’” said Phillips. “People love the song, but it’s not the knee-jerk reaction when you think of ‘Styx.’”

While more than 40 years on the road might wear many groups down, Phillips said Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent are only getting better by the day.

“These are people who have survived the test of time in the music business. We all care deeply about the art,” said Phillips. “There is a great amount of respect for people who represent themselves with pride for their craft. So many folks from classic rock bands rock because there was so much competition on the radio back then that it forced us all to do better. Today, we’re better than we were back in the day.”

Classic rock speaks to many generations. Each of the groups on the tour can boast a fan base that goes from 6 to 60 and beyond. For those that have remained with the group over the years, it’s a chance to watch fans grow up right before your eyes.

“You see people grow up right before your eyes,” said Phillips. “I remember one little girl who use to draw us pictures and stand by the stage to give them to us. She’s now in her 20s. I love it. I couldn’t have a better job.” 

Styx is best known for their work in the 70s and 80s as a powerhouse rock band with hits like “Lady,” “The Best of Times,” and “Mr. Roboto.” Like many classic rock bands, the group has welcomed and bid farewell to numerous members over the years while original members breaks.

“With a Styx show,” said Phillips. “You either dig it or you don’t!”

REO Speedwagon will join Styx on tour this summer. Also seeing their hey-day in the 70s and 80s, REO Speedwagon is well known for hits like “Keep on Living You” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”  Also no stranger to line-up shifts, REO Speedwagon has endured quite a number of changes with members coming and going frequently.

Legendary rock musician, Ted Nugent will also join the classic rock powerhouses on the tour. With hits like “Stranglehold,” “Cat Scratch Fever,” And “Wango Tango” it’s no surprise people will be singing along – likely at the top of their lungs.

“Everyone on this tour is so insanely funny,” said Phillips. “We don’t want to miss anything so we hang out a lot together. We usually take the guys to dinner at some point to get away from the stage and in the real world. We’ve foraged a lot of friendships that way over the years.”

While their reign in the music industry may have come and gone, these three acts remain not only a constant staple on radio stations – but still a pure, adrenaline filled live act. As James “Jy” Young, current Styx Guitar put it – “Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s tour, we are going to once again wind up the juggernaut of megatainment.  STYX, REO and the Motor City Madman:  there aren’t enough expletives in my vocabulary to explain how great this is…but I’ll try.  This is going to be *$@&#@*&@# awesome!”

Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent also feel it’s very important to give back to the communities they visit and this year, they’re teaming up with two charities throughout the tour. At every show, Rock to the Rescue, a charity organization founded by Styx’s Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, will team up with Pittsburgh’s Animal Rescue League and a local charity in Boston to help the victims of the recent explosion.

Each show will allow audience members to purchase a chance to win an autographed guitar signed by all three bands with proceeds benefitting both groups.

“It’s important for us to give back,” said Phillips. “We leave money in the community we took money from. We feel it would be a shame to waste our voice.”

Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent will be at the First Niagara Pavilion Sunday night. Great seats are still available at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information on Rock to the Rescue, visit www.rocktotherescue.net.