Edge of the Century
Encyclopedia
Edge of the Century is the twelfth studio album
by Styx
, released in 1990. It was the first Styx album featuring A&M solo artist Glen Burtnik
, the only album to feature the Dennis DeYoung/James Young/Glen Burtnik/Chuck Panozzo/John Panozzo lineup, and the last album to feature John Panozzo on drums (he would die six years later of liver cirrhosis
).
The album spawned three singles. "Show Me the Way
" was written by DeYoung and peaked at #3, due to the Gulf War Troops adopting the song as an anthem. Some radio stations played an edited version with the children of troops singing. "Love Is the Ritual
", written by Burtnik and Plinky, and "Love at First Sight", written by Burtnik, DeYoung and Young, were also released as singles, but neither garnered the same amount of success as "Show Me the Way".
The album was certified gold by the RIAA.
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
, released in 1990. It was the first Styx album featuring A&M solo artist Glen Burtnik
Glen Burtnik
Glen Burtnik is a singer, songwriter, entertainer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a former member of Styx.The spelling of his name has changed a few times over the years .Burtnik appeared in the Broadway production of Beatlemania as Paul McCartney,...
, the only album to feature the Dennis DeYoung/James Young/Glen Burtnik/Chuck Panozzo/John Panozzo lineup, and the last album to feature John Panozzo on drums (he would die six years later of liver cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...
).
The album spawned three singles. "Show Me the Way
Show Me the Way (Styx song)
"Show Me the Way" is the second single released from Edge of the Century by Styx.Lead vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, a devout Roman Catholic, originally wrote the song for his son, Matthew, as a pseudo-hymn about the struggle to keep the faith in a "world so filled with hatred"...
" was written by DeYoung and peaked at #3, due to the Gulf War Troops adopting the song as an anthem. Some radio stations played an edited version with the children of troops singing. "Love Is the Ritual
Love Is the Ritual
"Love Is the Ritual" is the first single released from Edge of the Century by Styx. It was written by and features the lead vocals of Glen Burtnik, who had been recruited by the band to take the place of Tommy Shaw. Shaw was at that time busy as a member of the group Damn Yankees...
", written by Burtnik and Plinky, and "Love at First Sight", written by Burtnik, DeYoung and Young, were also released as singles, but neither garnered the same amount of success as "Show Me the Way".
The album was certified gold by the RIAA.
Track listing
- "Love Is the RitualLove Is the Ritual"Love Is the Ritual" is the first single released from Edge of the Century by Styx. It was written by and features the lead vocals of Glen Burtnik, who had been recruited by the band to take the place of Tommy Shaw. Shaw was at that time busy as a member of the group Damn Yankees...
" (G. Burtnik, Plinky) – 3:48 - "Show Me the WayShow Me the Way (Styx song)"Show Me the Way" is the second single released from Edge of the Century by Styx.Lead vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, a devout Roman Catholic, originally wrote the song for his son, Matthew, as a pseudo-hymn about the struggle to keep the faith in a "world so filled with hatred"...
" (D. DeYoung) – 4:35 - "Edge of the Century" (G. Burtnik, B. Burger) – 4:20
- "Love at First Sight" (G. Burtnik, D. DeYoung, J. Young) – 4:35
- "All in a Day's Work" (G. Burtnik, D. DeYoung) - 4:11
- "Not Dead Yet" (R. CovertRalph CovertRalph Covert is the lead singer of children's music group Ralph's World and lead singer of the Chicago based indie-rock band The Bad Examples. Ralph was nominated for his Best Musical Album For Children at the 48th Grammy Awards....
) – 3:32 - "World Tonite" (G. Burtnik) - 3:38
- "Carrie Ann" (D. DeYoung) – 4:26
- "Homewrecker" (D. DeYoung, J. Young) – 5:12
- "Back to Chicago" (D. DeYoung) – 4:18
Personnel
- Glen BurtnikGlen BurtnikGlen Burtnik is a singer, songwriter, entertainer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a former member of Styx.The spelling of his name has changed a few times over the years .Burtnik appeared in the Broadway production of Beatlemania as Paul McCartney,...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Dennis DeYoungDennis DeYoungDennis DeYoung is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer best known for being a founding member of the rock band Styx, a tenure that lasted from 1970 to 1999.-Early life:...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocals - Chuck PanozzoChuck PanozzoCharles Salvatore "Chuck" Panozzo is an American musician best known as the bass player for the rock band Styx. A longtime member of Styx, he founded the group with his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, who died in July 1996, and singer Dennis DeYoung...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - John PanozzoJohn PanozzoJohn Anthony Panozzo was an American drummer best known for his work with rock band Styx.Panozzo grew up in the Roseland neighborhood, the south side of Chicago, Illinois, with his fraternal twin brother, Chuck . At age 7, the twins took musical lessons from their uncle in which John took an...
- percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - James YoungJames Young (American musician)James "J.Y." Young is a guitarist, singer and songwriter, and member of the rock band, Styx. Young began playing keyboard and piano at the age of five. He attended Calumet High in Chicago and learned to play clarinet and guitar during those years.J.Y...
- guitar, vocals
Additional personnel
- Dan Barber - trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
- Mike Halpin - tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
- Ron Kolber - baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophoneThe baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
- Howard LevyHoward LevyHoward Levy is a Grammy Award–winning, American harmonicist, pianist, composer, and producer....
- harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes... - Jon Negus - clarinetClarinetThe clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... - Mark Ohlson - trumpet
- Joe Pusateri - percussion
- Michael Smith - saxophone
Production
- Producer: Dennis DeYoung
- Engineer: Phil Bonanno
- Album cover art and design: Hugh SymeHugh SymeHugh Syme is a Canadian Juno Award-winning graphic artist who is best known for his artwork and cover concepts for rock and metal bands. He is also a musician and has appeared in some Rush songs as a keyboard player. Syme is notably responsible for all of Rush's album cover art since 1975's Caress...
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Billboard 200 | 63 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Love Is the Ritual Love Is the Ritual "Love Is the Ritual" is the first single released from Edge of the Century by Styx. It was written by and features the lead vocals of Glen Burtnik, who had been recruited by the band to take the place of Tommy Shaw. Shaw was at that time busy as a member of the group Damn Yankees... " |
Mainstream Rock Tracks | 9 |
| 1990 | "Love Is the Ritual Love Is the Ritual "Love Is the Ritual" is the first single released from Edge of the Century by Styx. It was written by and features the lead vocals of Glen Burtnik, who had been recruited by the band to take the place of Tommy Shaw. Shaw was at that time busy as a member of the group Damn Yankees... " |
The Billboard Hot 100 | 80 |
| 1990 | "Show Me the Way Show Me the Way (Styx song) "Show Me the Way" is the second single released from Edge of the Century by Styx.Lead vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, a devout Roman Catholic, originally wrote the song for his son, Matthew, as a pseudo-hymn about the struggle to keep the faith in a "world so filled with hatred"... " |
The Billboard Hot 100 | 3 |
| 1991 | "Show Me the Way Show Me the Way (Styx song) "Show Me the Way" is the second single released from Edge of the Century by Styx.Lead vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, a devout Roman Catholic, originally wrote the song for his son, Matthew, as a pseudo-hymn about the struggle to keep the faith in a "world so filled with hatred"... " |
Top Adult Contemporary | 3 |
| 1991 | "Love at First Sight" | The Billboard Hot 100 | 25 |
| 1991 | "Love at First Sight" | Top Adult Contemporary | 13 |