Tommy Shaw, the pride of Montgomery, Alabama. This was a song he brought into Styx that he had already written. I have a friend from Montgomery who knew him. The first time my friend heard "Crystal Ball," he was at a mutual friend's house, and a 19-year-old Tommy Shaw played this for him, their friend, and their friend's mom on acoustic guitar, sitting at her kitchen table.

@abdulbasheer2207

6 ай бұрын

And the fact that the band let this song be the title of their album despite him being a newcomer shows just how great they think of this song.

@dawood121derful

5 ай бұрын

Wow, what a memory that must be!

One of the underappreciated songs by Styx that I really like is Snowblind. It is a bit darker than many, but always touches me.

@dingbat19

5 ай бұрын

Yes this, and live it was amazing - love it when JY sings "mirror, mirror, on the waaaall....."

The "Flute" you think you're hearing is actually a synthesizer ( keyboards ). This was written by Tommy, and he sang lead on this one. He also sang lead on Mademoiselle and Shooz. I highly recommend you listen to both of these!! 🎸🎶🔥 He wrote or shared writing on 5 of the 7 tracks. This was also his first album with the band. He was 23 when Crystal Ball was released in October of 1976.

@davidwade5807

7 ай бұрын

I was about to add that it was keyboards

A great Tommy Shaw lead vocal song is "Man In the Wilderness", which he wrote after touring with Kansas. The lyrics to that one are really deep. Wicked guitar solos too! (God, could you imagine seeing Styx AND Kansas at the same show?? Those were some lucky fans!!) edit: Nearly forgot: "Dear John". A tribute song they wrote for drummer and founding member John Panozzo, after he died. SO good!

@proudmoon3

7 ай бұрын

RE: Seeing Styx & Kansas together: I was fortunate to do just that on their 1996 "Return To Paradise" tour--and yes, it was AWESOME! Probably the best concert I've ever seen. Unfortunately, they had just lost drummer John Panozzo (RIP), but the replacement did a fine job and both bands were still amazing as ever.

@lokivt

7 ай бұрын

@@proudmoon3 I saw the same show! Kansas output more raw energy and STYX was more polished!

@MrSilksoul

7 ай бұрын

That song is by far the deepest, lyrical wise that Tommy ever wrote. He wrote that after his brother came home from the war with PTSD. The lines " ten thousand people look my way, but they can't see the way I feel" and " I'm dying of thirst in the middle of the ocean" hits me everytime.

@RandallChillcott

4 ай бұрын

Actually seen Styx and Nazareth together, awesome show!

@juliemcneely7727

Ай бұрын

I DID see Styx & Kansas at the same show! It was totally mind-blowing. I believe it was in the mid-90's at the Riverport Amphitheater in St. Louis. We had lawn tickets and I was so afraid it was gonna rain. When Styx finished their encore, wish I could remember what it was, the sky opened up and it poured. The storm held off until the show was finished. Between Tommy Shaw and Steve Walsh it was a night to remember!

This was the first concert I went to. It was in Boise, ID in 1976. Styx's Crystal Ball tour. I think I paid $4.50 for a standing room only ticket. I was just 15 at the time. Styx was an up and coming band then, but with the addition of Tommy Shaw the band took off to the stratosphere! A year later they hit the big time with their seminal album Grand Illusion! It was a super great time for rock back in the 70s and 80s.❤ Nice reaction guys! 👍

@timjezierski1930

7 ай бұрын

I was at both those tours.

Love Crystal Ball. Other great Styx songs: The Grand Illusion, Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man), Don't Let It End, Light Up, Lorelei, Miss America, Love is the Ritual.

@markgrace7181

7 ай бұрын

And snow blind is also great

@Geoffreydarcy-pv4mq

7 ай бұрын

Suite Madame Blue, and Lady are two of my favorites.

Not only did Tommy Shaw play the acoustic guitar intro, but he also played the electric guitar outro. As others have mentioned, a couple of other great Tommy Shaw Styx tunes are "Man in the Wilderness" (where Tommy also plays both an acoustic guitar intro and transitions to an electric guitar solo) and "Fooling Yourself."

Tommy's first album with Styx (the band's 6th album). Tommy has written some beauties - check out "Man In The Wilderness" and Don't be afraid to check out the earlier albums too. Songs like "Lorelei, Light Up, I'm Gonna Make You Feel It, You Need Love" ALSO: one of the few songs off Kilroy's that I like that has both Dennis and Tommy sharing the vocals: "Haven't We Been Here Before"

Styx fans talk about "Dennis songs," "Tommy Songs" and "John Songs" but Crystal Ball, while it IS a Tommy Song, is also an "everybody in the band song." They all sing.. SING. Great singers sing from their diaphragm rather than their lungs but in the chorus on Crystal Ball everyone in Styx sings from their toes (if you sing you know what I mean... when your toes dig in and you sign from there)! One of my FAVORITE Styx songs ever!

There are no bad songs on the Crystal Ball album, and that title track was a killer. Nice pick. When you're ready for another REALLY BIG BANGER from Styx, go find "You Need Love" from Styx II - it'll make your ears bleed. Thanks for all the great reactions.

@billiondollarbaby3276

7 ай бұрын

EQUINOX is SOOOO much better than the Crystal Ball album before Shaw joined.

@artmoore4457

7 ай бұрын

@@billiondollarbaby3276 Midnight Ride is a killer track

@lokivt

7 ай бұрын

I'd say "Put Me On" is not a great song.

@lokivt

7 ай бұрын

@@billiondollarbaby3276 Equinox is so much better because "Suite Madame Blue" is on it!

@toddstevens13

6 ай бұрын

So many write off their Wooden Nickel albums saying they were young and made mistakes etc etc. To me that was the Styx that proved they were actually a Rock Band more so then when Dennis kept wanting to take them into Ballroom and Ballerina land.

Tommy was playing this song with a band called Harvest in Montgomery AL in the early 70's. We used to sneak in to Keglers Kove on the Atlanta Hwy to watch them (mostly him) play.

@earlfowler7873

3 ай бұрын

I was there to. Bama lanes also.

Everyone in the band is Super Talented Musically, Instrumentally, Vocally! Just blessed to have been around when they were at their best.

This song was a huge hit for Styx, and the album Crystal Ball started to get them into the mainstream. Their follow up album a year later Grand Illusion was a monster, and propelled them into a different level of popularity. Tommy Shaw is an underrated singer/songwriter, and was responsible for many of the Styx hits. Thank you guys for this reaction, a great song indeed

@eclecticexplorer7828

7 ай бұрын

It wasn't a hit at all. It didn't even make the charts. They had already had three top 40 hits in the US, although oddly none in the UK. As for albums, the previous album (Equinox) outsold Crystal Ball. But yeah, Grand Illusion is the one that really made them megastars. I'll agree with you on that one.

@TheAmtwhite

7 ай бұрын

Actually it was Lady that started getting them in mainstream.

@dawnpatrol700

7 ай бұрын

On the live album, Caught in the Act, Dennis mentions how Grand Illusion was their first big album. I never heard Crystal Ball on the radio, but it should have been played." Lady" and " suite madame blue" were the only Styx songs I heard before Grand Illusion

@daveowens9849

7 ай бұрын

@@eclecticexplorer7828 The single "Crystal Ball" was released but didn't break the top 100 on the charts. Kind of hung around at 108. So it did chart. Just not top 100. "Mademoiselle" was a single from the "Crystal Ball" album and did indeed chart in the top 50, somewhere around 36. "Jennifer" was another single released from the album, but it didn't chart at all.

@Geoffreydarcy-pv4mq

7 ай бұрын

Lady was my introduction to Styx. Overplayed on FM radio ? -yes. Then Equinox hit the airwaves, and I was all in.

You mentioned them having a medieval sound. You should check out "Castle Walls" - highly underrated song from their Grand Illusions album. Hauntingly beautiful ballad.

@tracyanne1548

2 ай бұрын

Love that song!❤

Tommy Shaw’s vocals on this one are awesome! He goes from soft, ethereal to belting out those later lyrics! Tremendous mix of musical instrumentation too!

Should check out "Light Up". Saw them numerous times back in the seventies. Even with all their great music they came out with, it was always "Light Up" usually at the beginning or end of a show that sent the audience into a frenzy for obvious reason.

Fooling Yourself, and Rockin' The Paradise are two more great songs by Styx.

Awesome song, Tommy Shaw really brought his best when he joined Styx. Next one you gotta check out: "Man in the Wilderness".

In concert when Tommy sang ‘crystal’ ball, lights lit a disco ball in the middle of the arena. The crowd went wild!

TOMMY SHAW AND STYX ARE AMAZING AND A LEGENDARY BAND. MANY OF THEIR SONGS START SLOW BUT GET GOING IN THE MIDDLE. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to see Styx....my very first concert back in '77. It was their Crystal Ball tour. I was blown away. Hypnotized....so so glad you got to hear this. Thanks. Blessings from Canada.

@cocoboobenstein

7 ай бұрын

My first concert too. My brother was 2 years older than me and a senior in high school at the time. His friends and my friends all went out to the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY to see the show. Probably 20 of us. Great memories.

Thanks to my older sisters boyfriend Styx was my gateway drug to seventies music and still listening to the best decade of music

Tommy Shaw actually wrote this song BEFORE auditioning for STYX.. this song helped him land the gig

@dogsdogs8441

7 ай бұрын

He was touring with them in 1975 because their guitar player quit so he had to learn all the songs on Equinox as well.

@davidogg5269

7 ай бұрын

​@@dogsdogs8441The song from the Equinox album that convinced Tommy Shaw to join Styx was "Midnight Ride", a real banger with JY, James Young, on lead vocals.

@dogsdogs8441

7 ай бұрын

@@davidogg5269 Yes I know the song Equinox is a very under rated album. It's amazing!

This was always one of my favorite Styx songs. Love it! The flute was Dennis DeYoung on keyboards/synthesizer. Tons more great Styx songs to react to - hope you get to more soon!

1976 had a particular atmosphere... and this song embodies it!

Styx..one of my favorite bands!!❤❤

I love Styx and this is my favorite song. Styx never gets as big as they did if they didn't obtain Tommy Shaw. In Fact, my favorite songs by Styx feature Tommy Shaw

@TheAmtwhite

7 ай бұрын

I have to disagree, it took those amazing harmonies and combined talent that got them to the top.

@stevencosta2432

7 ай бұрын

I absolutely agree. It's my favorite of theirs too.

Quite simply one of the great songs ever! If mankind last for any length of time people will be listening to this song

This song is one of the many reasons I fell in love with this band in high school. I would put my headphones on at night and listen to this and many of their other songs. I would get completely lost in the music. You're first person to mention the medieval times reference that I always felt as well. On the back of one of their albums, not sure which one, but it was one of the first that Tommy Shaw was on, I remember reading the words "hot damn, Tommy Shaw". Hot damn, indeed😊

Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) with Tommy Shaw on lead vocals is amazing! A must listen to!

@musicgrl100

7 ай бұрын

I love Fooling Yourself!

Great choice, easily my favorite Styx song. I think you'll really enjoy the live version of this song where styx plays with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Wishing y'all a very merry Christmas and all the best in the new year! 🎄

Tommy Shaw brought this song to the band just as they asked him to join.

So glad you took our advice on Styx as it's sooooooo good now with that batter up with Rob squad checking out Zebra tunes: "Who's behind the door" and "Tell me what you want" and check out an awesome tune from Vandenberg's: "Burning Heart" I promise to you again you won't be disappointed is incredibly ROK'in!!

This is probably my favorite styx song!!! Love it!!! Thanks for reacting to it. Been waiting for u to hit this one.

Yay! One of their best! My first concert was Kiss and Styx opened. I was in the second row, permanent hearing loss but it was worth it.

This is such an awesome song!🎵 🎶 Glad you loved it!!❤❤

You still need to do Suite Madame Blue and I'd love to see your reaction to Styx - Half-Penny, Two-Penny/A.D. 1958, was one of my all time favorites growing up. I played that whole album so much that I had to replace it from the needle wearing the groves out especially from track 8,Snowblind till the end of A.D. 1958 which is the outro of Half-Penny, Two-Penny. I love to see if those songs speak to the two of you like they did to me as at 13 and still to this day some 40 odd years later.

The best word that I can use to describe a lot of Styx is ethereal. Even when the fast, heavy rock comes out, it's still ethereal for me. Love y'all and your channels. Keep on doin your thing!

Saw Styx in concert on Dec 7th of this year. They opened for the Steelers. Only played one song... the National Anthem. That was unexpected.

@MrSilksoul

7 ай бұрын

Its hard for me to watch them without DDY.

@paulschirf9259

7 ай бұрын

I feel the same, but Tommy did sing a number of great songs.

Next, check out third vocalist guitarist James 'JY' Young on "Miss America", possibly their hardest rocker.

Ah memories. My husband would play his guitar and sing lead and I'd follow along with the harmony at he chorus.

This is one of my favorite Styx songs. Love Tommy's voice and watching him play/sing this is amazing! I've seen them live a lot of times and it's incredible every time I hear it.

It was wonderful watching you both discovering this truly amazing - and extremely underrated - Styx song. _Crystal Ball_ (1976) was the first album that they did after Tommy Shaw replaced the previous second guitarist/vocalist, and it was the album before the one that broke them big (1977's _The Grand Illusion)._ This song amazed me when I first heard it in 1986 (The DJ didn't even announce it beforehand and so I didn't even have any idea at all whatsoever that this was Styx whenI first heard it), and it hasn't stopped amazing me ever since. This has become my favorite Styx song of all-time by now.

Love Tommy’s voice and his acoustic guitar playing. Fooling Yourself is another great Tommy track and a live show staple. Dennis DeYoung singing Ballerina is not to be missed.

Tommy Shaw is a good songwriter. He and the drummer, John Panozzo were close friends and after John's death in the mid 90's, Tommy Shaw wrote probably one of his best songs as a tribute. It's called "Dear John." You would probably love that one as well.

Our music really was the stuff of angels. It was because we weren't held back. Artistry was at its peak. We were coming out of immense turmoil and we needed this moment to ourselves to remind us of why we were put on this earth to begin with.

An early banger by them is grand illusion well worth a review 😎😎

This is a great song. "Castle Walls" is one that doesn't get played much but is quite good.

Fooling yourself or grand illusion both great song of theirs.

The two big songwriting figures of Styx were Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw. Unfortunately, they had different visions. Unfortunately, they couldn't keep it going playing each other's stuff. Today, Styx touring is still doing most of what Dennis wrote and what Tommy wrote (with a few from James), but they are doing it without Dennis. I really liked Dennis in the band and wish they could put away their differences and keep it going. They were better together than apart. BTW, I don't think Dennis ever disliked doing any of someone else's songs, but Tommy and James seemed to dislike doing some of Dennis's songs, even though they still perform them in their live shows today.... go figure!

@lokivt

7 ай бұрын

James and Tommy should find another name for their band, it ain't STYX without Dennis. They didn't like Dennis' direction for the band, so they shouldn't profit using the name.

@joeday4293

7 ай бұрын

I have been a Styx fan since I was a bowl-cut little boy in the 70s, and I must say: Dennis DeYoung, as much as I like so much of his work in this band, could definitely get too "Broadway" for my taste, and definitely for the taste of his harder-rocking bandmates. After "Kilroy Was Here," if he wanted to go even further in that direction, away from edgier stuff like "Miss America" and "Blue Collar Man," I'm afraid I would have fired him too.

@lokivt

7 ай бұрын

@@joeday4293 I have all the albums from Styx to Edge of the Century and Dennis was there from 1972, I understand, but part of their success was making music that sells and Dennis was going in that direction, maybe he was growing up. Tommy has no right to be party to taking it away from Dennis. A few years ago, Dennis said he would be up for a concert with STYX for us fans, James and Tommy refuse. Which side is being unreasonable? And really fire him from his own band?

@joeday4293

7 ай бұрын

@@lokivt Hey, I only said I understand the decision. I can't defend that particular part of the story from down the road.

amber & Jay, here are some other great Styx songs to react to: "The Grand Illusion", "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)", "Lorelei", "Don't Let It End", and "Castle Walls".

Out of all the Tommy Shaw written song with STYX this is a great song.

My first concert 73 or 74 my freshman year St. Joes H.S. Lady was being played on the radio. Before Tommy Shaw. Listen to them grow and change through the years. One of my favs……….

Once again, do "Castle Walls" and "Miss America".

Miss America , The Grand Illusion, and Fooling Yourself are other great ones!

My favorite of theirs. Tommy is amazing!

Okay, now you need to react to Castle Walls. It’s like Styx and Pink Floyd had a baby. :)

You forget- one of your GREATEST reactions was Renegade with Tommy Shaw on vocals!

I was one of the lucky ones at the Styx/Kansas concert. Absolutely out of this world fantastic evening!

@70sruleforever37

5 ай бұрын

...ty ty ty GOD for letting me live thru the GREATEST music time in history 💕💕💕

@70sruleforever37

2 ай бұрын

I feel VERY lucky cause we went to back to back shows! Greatest weekend EVER!!

@70sruleforever37

Ай бұрын

I also saw the Styx/Kansas concert. We loved it so much we bought tickets for the next town. It was glorious!!!!!!!

Saw them in 1981 Paradise Theater Tour. They’re 1.5 hours late. They gave us all a free Album. Wow!

Got to see them do this Live in 1976, my first concert. One of the best bands to every see Live. Still go in 2024.

So glad you got back to Styx! They, along with Journey, are my favorite bands ever. Also so glad you finally reacted to Crystal Ball. Next I'd recommend "The Grand Illusion". You can't go wrong with the studio version but there's also a good live clip of it that's fun to watch.

This song is a gem 💎 ❤

I love Styx. Between Dennis and Tommy they have two spectacular vocalists that give the band a ton of range. Crystal ball is probably my favorite since it shows off so many aspects of the band's talent. I'm writing this because _there are so many things you need to know_ .

My favorite Styx song!

How did I miss this reaction to my favorite band. Great reaction.

One of my favorite Styx songs is show me the way it’s not one of their more popular songs, but it’s always had a very special place in my heart

Never thought i would hear myself say, " He has a beautiful voice" . A styx fan in late 70-80s only came upon this song recently

Tommy Shaw wrote this song while working at a bowling alley when they found him my favorite band growing up.😊

Que bella canción!! Cada que la escucho la disfruto y se me eriza la piel, y esa voz! Por Dios,,,👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼gracias chicos

You should try “Fooling Yourself”. And “Snowblind” both Great songs featuring Tommy Shaw!

@nealm6764

7 ай бұрын

Well, snowblind was a JY song. JY wrote it and sang lead vocals. Fooling yourself is the quintessential Tommy song, and should definitely be reacted to. Good message to alienated young people.

Tommy Shaw is one of the best vocalists ever. You should do his solo version of “Ever Since the World Began”! It is one of the most beautiful songs you’ll ever hear. I guarantee it! 🙂

Love this song. Man in the wilderness/ Snowblind and one of my favorites is Sing for the day.

Tommy's a badass Musical Genius. Playing 12 string guitar while singing lead vocals is harder than it looks👍🤠🌵

Great song, great album by my favorite group. Going to see them again for the umpteenth time in a couple weeks.

Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man) and Man in the Wilderness are truely great songs with Tommy singing. You should definitely check those out.

This is a Styx classic!! This has been my band since Grand Illusion in 1975.

Love, love Styx ... saw them at the East TN State campus auditorium in January '79.

This song really “hit with me” for some reason. My older sister bought the album and I played this song over and over again!!

Speaking of crystal balls please check out Locked Within The Crystal Ball by Blackmore's Night. Ritchie Blackmore was a founding member of the band Deep Purple and later the band Rainbow. Vocals for the song are by Candice Night.

I have been a STYX fan since the "Paradise Theatre " album...I was around 12 or 13 at the time I turn 56 tomorrow so it's been a year or two. I finally got to see them live for the first time back in September. The show was AMAZING ! They started the show with "Come sail away" and ended it with "Crystal ball". They played a song that I did not think they would play "Mr. Roboto". As Tommy and J.Y aren't very fond of it to say the least. ( Nancy Wilson from HEART opened for them.) She was AMAZING as well.

Saw them at a high school gym playing this in 1976 blew me away

Tommy Shaw, the singer on this one is from my home town Montgomery Alabama. He wrote this song while at a bowling ally one night called Bama Lanes. Tommy is a real nice guy. I used to run into him around town from time to time. You never would know he was in one of the most famous bands around by looking at him.

Their Best Song !! IMO... Tommy Shaw Is My Favorite Singer !!! He Wrote This A Loooong Time Ago ❤ Merry Christmas Eve 2023 Jay & Amber 🎉

I think JY is one of the most under appreciated guitarists out there.

Styx is still amazing to see live! They are passing thru St Louis in the summer of 24. My wife and I already have tickets. We never miss a chance to see them.

Show Me the Way by Styx should be on your list. It is a fantastic and beautiful song.

This is an awesome song and is my favorite STYX song. Glad you enjoyed it.

Styx still sounds great today. Still touring. I saw them earlier this year and they rocked! They are going out on tour in 2024 with Foreigner! They’ll be in Dallas 6/21/24. You guys should totally check them out. I’m going to their 6/28 concert in Anaheim (SoCal). Keep Up the great reactions you guys are the ONLY reaction channel I follow religiously. 2+ years, 500K subscribers. You KNOW you’re doing it right! Sending love from sunny SoCal!❤️🎼

I saw an interview of Tommy Shaw where he explained that he wrote this song before he was even with Styx. At the time he was in a band playing a local truck stop and in the song expressed his wondering of what if anything might happen in his future. He said that the fact that this song ended up being not only at hit, but the title song of an album that went multi platinum in a band he could never have imagined he'd be in when he wrote it, is amazing.

Tommy still sounds fantastic and he's very underrated as a guitarist. Love Styx,not a flute that is a keyboard.

@sunnystormy4973

7 ай бұрын

underrated is so overused...

@DrChili44

6 ай бұрын

​@@sunnystormy4973But, in this case, very true

"Suite Madame Blue" will blow your doors off. "Snowblind", "Man In the Wilderness" and "Miss America" are cool.

You finally got to my favorite Styx song! Thank you! It is almost forgotten today. In fact, Styx is touring and is playing my area (Connecticut) in March. No Dennis DeYoung, but still, Styx!

I think you'd enjoy the 1996 Return To Paradise live performance of this and othe Styx songs.

@proudmoon3

7 ай бұрын

Caught them live on that tour--they were amazing!

You guys still have to get to some of the songs sung by James Young. Two of the best known are Miss America and Snowblind (although on that one he shares vocals with Tommy).

There is actually a "lost" third verse to this song that was never performed or heard anywhere until Tommy Shaw sang it in a show he did with the Cleveland Youth Orchestra in 2017 or '18, I don't remember exactly when it was. "If you should see me walking Through your dreams at night, Would you please direct me Where I ought to be. I've been looking for a crystal ball to shed the light, to find a future in me... To find a future in me..."

That solo, I believe, was on a synthesizer. My wife and I saw Styx last summer, 2022, and it rocked as hard now as it did in 77.

B. J. Thomas songs are "I'm Hooked on a Feeling", "Song Sung Blue", "I Just Can't Help Believing", "Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song".

Lawrence "Larry" Gowan, Dennis DeYoung's replacement was a star in Canada prior to joining Styx. Styx include Criminal Mind which is one of Gowan's solo songs in their live performances. I'd like to see your reaction, it is also a great song which fits in nicely with the rest of Styx's incredible setlist.

One of greatest live and studio bands ever