'Mr. Roboto' - Live In Full

Happy Friday, everyone. This was a short work week for many of us but I swear it felt just as long as a normal 5 day run.

I was surprised to learn that Styx hasn't performed "Mr. Roboto" fully in over 35 years. This seems insane to me but that's what Blabbermouth reports, and the site is usually right, so I believe it. Luckily for us, everyone has a cell phone and records every concert on earth now. So you can watch "Mr. Roboto" in all its weird glory. Enjoy.

Mr. Roboto - From Styx 'Greatest Hits'

Comments

[Bob]

I absolutely, positively, with every fiber of my being, can't stand "Mr. Roboto" and that whole "kilroy" album. It is a textbook case of what happens when a band relinquishes all creative control to an egotistical lead singer like Dennis DeYoung. I had been listening to styx since about 1975, and bought most of their albums when they came out. Once Tommy Shaw joined up with them, they had great success as sort of a slightly progressive, slightly harder-edged, arena rock band. But, as so often happens when rock bands have a particularly gifted tenor as their lead singer, (See also Chicago and Journey), their sound changes based on what the lead singer wants to do, or at least what the record label wants the band to do because of who their lead singer is. While "Kilroy" sold well, and while "Mr. Roboto" was a big hit, it also broke up the band. It alienated most of the fan base they had built up through the 70s, and was the catalyst for Tommy Shaw leaving the band as soon as the tour was over. Given those circumstances, it is not surprising that they have stayed away from that material for so long.

[Gary]

I was thinking the same thing Bob. Given how much Tommy and James Young were down on that entire project (and the direction it was pointing them in), I’m surprised they even played it 35 years later. Lol

On a side note,The Grand Illusion tour was one of the best concerts I ever went to, and we went to it just for something to do, not expecting much. They put on a fantastic show, so much so we went to Pieces Of Eight tour thef next time they came around.

[steverox]

Styx is a great live band still touring the casino circuit every year, and if they can get on a good double or triple bill they'll play amphitheaters in the summer. Never been disappointed with a Styx show. This is not my favorite song, but cool they pulled it out of their bag of tricks nonetheless. Last time I saw them was with Tesla and Def Leppard, and they stole the show in my opinion.

[Him]

I will defer to your wisdom, Gary and Bob, on the quality of KWH and the aforementioned song.

What I will say, though, is this: blaming it on the singer (even ones with LSD, like Roth, possibly Perry, certainly DeYoung, and to a lesser extent Cetera) is a time honored tradition of bands that eventually regroup without said singer (one could also include Tate in the larger category and Neil in the other, related, category: those bands that whine about the singer and then invited him back into the fold). I suspect the story is often far more nuanced than that, and often involves a lot more apathy and/or other factors on the part of those that keep the casino and festival trains rolling. A form of projection, perhaps.

Thing is, DeYoung remains an incredible singer and live performer. It is, to my mind, a pity they can't all play nice. But good for them for dusting off a song they loathed and many fans like.

And I also agree, steverox: saw Styx on that same tour. They were impressive with Gowan. So I have no grudge against them doing what they do.

[Badland]

Feb. 13 1981 Las Cruces NM
Paradise tour
Styx was my very first concert. No opening act. Still have my ticket stub. Does everyone remember their first show?

[Metalboy!]

Hey, Steverox! I’m surprised you even saw Def Leppard on that tour. Personally, I would have killed myself as soon as Styx took the stage just to be sure I would bleed out by the time TeSLUG! came out!