Styx, R.E.O. Speedwagon to revive successful co-bill

Styx will link with R.E.O. Speedwagon for a month-long U.S. arena tour in November, reviving a pairing that exceeded box office expectations this spring. Survivor, best known for contributing "Eye of the Tiger" to the "Rocky III" movie soundtrack, will open on all dates.

According to Amusement Business, the Styx-R.E.O. package--which featured two bands that reached their sales peaks in the late '70s and early '80s--attracted an average of close to 9,000 fans per city when it toured the amphitheater circuit this spring, grossing more than $4.6 million in ticket sales over 21 dates.

The tour resulted in a live album by Styx and R.E.O Speedwagon called "Arch Allies: Live at Riverport." The CD features live sets from each band as well as two jams featuring both acts.

Styx's live line-up includes guitarist-vocalists Tommy Shaw and James "JY" Young, Glen Burtnik on bass, Lawrence Gowan on keyboards and vocals, and drummer Todd Sucherman, according to the band's official website.

Styx released a new studio album titled "Brave New World" in 1999. Key Styx member Dennis DeYoung, who was recently diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, contributed to the album but is not touring with the band. DeYoung plans to play a few orchestral shows later this year.

R.E.O.'s touring lineup will include singer-songwriter Kevin Cronin, keyboardist and founding member Neal Doughty, and original bass guitarist Bruce Hall. Dave Amato, a former lead guitarist for Ted Nugent, joined the band in 1990, as did drummer Bryan Hitt of Wang Chung.

R.E.O. Speedwagon and Styx both emerged from Chicago battle-of-the-bands competitions in the early '70s.