The Renegades & Juke Box Heroes Tour is not the first time Styx and Foreigner have toured together but it is billed as “together live for the last time ever.”
The co-headliners along with special guest John Waite perform Aug. 24 outdoors at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.
“I just expect a great evening of fun where the soundtrack to all of our glorious, misspent youth will be aired live, played by the musicians that wrote (the songs) originally,” said James “JY” Young, whom many call the godfather of Styx.
When the bands hit the road together in 2014, they released “The Soundtrack of Summer” tour companion album. Their “Renegades & Juke Box Heroes” limited-edition companion album has been available at concerts, which began June 11 and continue through Aug. 28.
The vinyl features Foreigner’s “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Juke Box Hero” and Styx’s “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights),” “Come Sail Away,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” and “Renegade.”
“I’ve always been a fan of their music,” said Young about Foreigner, which began its farewell tour in 2023 and will be inducted Oct. 19 into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“We’ve been making records since 1972. That’s a long time, and they signed their first deal right around the same time we did so it’s worked out beautifully well.”
The current Styx lineup includes Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Will Evankovich (acoustic and electric guitars, vocals).
The band, which has roots in Chicago’s Roseland community, added Lawrence Gowan’s brother Terry Gowan (bass, vocals) in May after bassist Ricky Phillips announced in March on Facebook that he was departing Styx after 20-plus years of touring and recording with the group.
“At this stage we’re grateful for where we’re at and how we got here and that our bandmates are still capable of doing what they need to do,” said Young, who grew up in Little Flower parish and graduated from Calumet High School in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham community.
“I’m going to do this until the day I drop. I don’t know how many more years that will be. I love being on that stage. I look forward to it. It brings me to full speed emotionally and physically and mentally when I’m out there.”
The Recording Industry Association of America certified Styx’s “The Grand Illusion” (1977) and “Pieces of Eight” (1978), which were both recorded at Paragon Recording Studios in Chicago, and “Paradise Theatre” (1981), which was recorded at Pumpkin Studios in Oak Lawn, triple platinum.
“It’s very humbling to think that something that you sat around and created decades ago can still have a profound impact on someone’s life,” Young said.
“I’ve always wanted to be a successful rock and roller, and that I accomplished.
“We’ve got a lot of talent here and we’ve done our best to make magic with it, and we’re grateful for all the fans who have supported us.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Styx and Foreigner
When: 6:45 p.m. Aug. 24
Where: Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park
Tickets: $31 to $174-plus
Information: 708-614-1616; livenation.com
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