09/21/24
Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence, MO
It was a drab last day of summer, but what a way to send it out in style.
The night opened with icon John Waite, who also fronted the bands The Babys and Bad English. John is best known for blending his rock and pop to create power ballads such as Every Time I Think of You, Missing You, When I See You Smile, and Change.
I was impressed with how tight the band played and sounded. John’s vocals are still as strong as in the 80s when I first heard him. He has a voice that you can never forget. Also thrown into his set were some cheeky wisecracks about song meanings. Fans also found some insane badass artwork from John being sold at the merch table. Who knew John was such a talented artist outside the music community!?
As eager fans awaited the beginning of the Styx set, it quickly became a photo op time for many fans as the Styx banner was being hoisted up to be the night’s backdrop. I have been a Styx fan since 1983 when my parents let me buy my first rock album (I was 11), “Kilroy Was Here.” Like many others in attendance, this was not my first Styx show, and I will never grow tired of seeing this band. They are just that good.
If you have never experienced a Styx show, do yourself a favor and go. The entire set is energetic, and the camaraderie between the guys is timeless. It truly is a Grand Illusion away from the current headlines flooding our daily lives. The impressive setlist takes you on an evolution trip of the multi-platinum artist albums from 1975’s “Equinox” to their most recent 2021 album “Crash of The Crown.”
Timeless artists like John Waite and Styx take us back to a time that we all cherish and feel like those young kids again. There is something special in the music from the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Just go ahead and try to fight me on that!
