John Panozzo
Encyclopedia
John 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
(born 90 minutes apart). At age 7, the twins took musical lessons from their uncle in which John took an interest in drums and percussion. They attended Catholic school and eventually they were part of a 3-piece accordion band in which John played drums and Chuck played guitar. They would play weddings at age 12 and were paid $15 apiece.
Then, in 1961, John, Chuck, and their neighbor, Dennis DeYoung
, formed a band called the Tradewinds in which John played drums, Chuck played guitar, and Dennis played the accordion
and sang. They played local rock and roll
gigs at bars and began gaining popularity as a garage band on the south side. In 1968, Chuck switched to bass
and they added guitarists/vocalists James "J.Y." Young
and John Curulewski, changing their name to TW4. The band signed to Wooden Nickel Records
and changed their name to Styx
.
Years of excessive drinking
began to take a toll on his liver. In the mid-1990s, as Styx was about to embark on its first tour with the classic line-up since 1983, John fell seriously ill and began battling cirrhosis
of the liver, eventually dying of gastrointestinal hemorrhaging; he was 47 years old.
The band dedicated their 1996 Return to Paradise tour to him, and Tommy Shaw
, who had earlier replaced Curulewski, wrote the song "Dear John" as the band's final tribute to their drummer and friend.
Not much is known about the drum gear he had used, but he was believed to have first used various drum brands such as Ludwig
and Premier
and then eventually Tama drums for the rest of his career. He also used Zildjian cymbals.
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....
.
Panozzo grew up in the Roseland neighborhood, the south side of Chicago, Illinois
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, with his fraternal twin brother, Chuck
Chuck Panozzo
Charles 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...
(born 90 minutes apart). At age 7, the twins took musical lessons from their uncle in which John took an interest in drums and percussion. They attended Catholic school and eventually they were part of a 3-piece accordion band in which John played drums and Chuck played guitar. They would play weddings at age 12 and were paid $15 apiece.
Then, in 1961, John, Chuck, and their neighbor, Dennis DeYoung
Dennis DeYoung
Dennis 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:...
, formed a band called the Tradewinds in which John played drums, Chuck played guitar, and Dennis played the accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
and sang. They played local rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
gigs at bars and began gaining popularity as a garage band on the south side. In 1968, Chuck switched to bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and they added guitarists/vocalists James "J.Y." Young
James 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...
and John Curulewski, changing their name to TW4. The band signed to Wooden Nickel Records
Wooden Nickel Records
Wooden Nickel Records was an American independent record label started in 1971 by Bill Traut, Jim Golden and Jerry Weintraub as a successor to Dunwich Records. Most of Wooden Nickel's releases were by acts based in the Chicago area, including the Siegel-Schwall Band, Megan McDonough and Styx. The...
and changed their name to 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....
.
Years of excessive drinking
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
began to take a toll on his liver. In the mid-1990s, as Styx was about to embark on its first tour with the classic line-up since 1983, John fell seriously ill and began battling 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...
of the liver, eventually dying of gastrointestinal hemorrhaging; he was 47 years old.
The band dedicated their 1996 Return to Paradise tour to him, and Tommy Shaw
Tommy Shaw
Tommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums....
, who had earlier replaced Curulewski, wrote the song "Dear John" as the band's final tribute to their drummer and friend.
Not much is known about the drum gear he had used, but he was believed to have first used various drum brands such as Ludwig
Ludwig
Ludwig may refer to:* Ludwig , a German name* Ludwig , a German surname* Ludwig , a 1972 film by Luchino Visconti about Ludwig II of Bavaria* Ludwig , a 1977 animated children's series...
and Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
and then eventually Tama drums for the rest of his career. He also used Zildjian cymbals.
Studio Albums
- 1972 StyxStyx (album)Styx is the self-titled debut album by Styx, released in 1972. It was reissued in 1980 under the title Styx I with new artwork.-Track listing:#"Movement for the Common Man" – 13:11#*"Children of the Land" #*"Street Collage"...
- 1973 Styx IIStyx IIStyx II is the second album by Styx, and was released in 1973 . After Styx moved to A&M Records and achieved national success in the United States, the album was reissued in 1980 by their prior label, Wooden Nickel, under the title Lady with new artwork—which is not to be confused with a Styx...
- 1973 The Serpent Is RisingThe Serpent Is RisingThe Serpent Is Rising is the third album by Styx, released in 1973. The album was reissued in 1980 with new artwork and a new title, Serpent. The band consider this to be their worst recording...
- 1974 Man of MiraclesMan of MiraclesMan of Miracles is the fourth album by Styx, released in November 1974. Produced by John Ryan and Bill Traut, who had produced the band's first two albums, this would be the band's last original album on the independent Chicago-based label Wooden Nickel Records before moving to the major label...
- 1975 Equinox
- 1976 Crystal BallCrystal Ball (Styx album)Crystal Ball is the sixth album by Styx, released in 1976.This album marked the recording debut of new guitarist Tommy Shaw. The track "Mademoiselle" was Tommy Shaw's vocal debut and the album's Top 40 hit....
- 1977 The Grand IllusionThe Grand Illusion (album)The Grand Illusion is the seventh studio album by Styx, released on July 7, 1977 . It became the band's first Triple Platinum album, and spawned the Top 10 hit "Come Sail Away" and the Top 30 hit "Fooling Yourself"....
- 1978 Pieces of EightPieces of EightPieces of Eight is the eighth studio album and second concept album by Styx, released September 1, 1978.The album was the band's follow-up to their Triple Platinum selling The Grand Illusion album....
- 1979 Cornerstone
- 1981 Paradise Theater
- 1983 Kilroy Was HereKilroy Was Here (album)Kilroy Was Here is the eleventh album, a rock opera/concept album by the rock band Styx, released on February 28, 1983. The title comes from a famous World War II graffiti "Kilroy was here".-Background:...
- 1990 Edge of the CenturyEdge of the CenturyEdge 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...
Compilations
- 1995 Styx Greatest Hits
- 1996 Styx Greatest Hits Part 2Styx Greatest Hits Part 2Styx - Greatest Hits Part 2 is a compilation of songs by the band Styx and a follow-up to Styx - Greatest Hits, another compilation album released in 1995. It was released in 1996. The album features 14 classic Styx songs as well as two new songs, "Little Suzie" and "It Takes Love".-Track...
- 2000 Extended VersionsExtended Versions (Styx album)Styx - Extended Versions: The Encore Collection is a compilation of live tracks recorded by the band Styx. The album was released in the year 2000...
- 2002 20th Century Masters
- 2004 Come Sail Away - The Styx AnthologyCome Sail Away - The Styx AnthologyCome Sail Away – The Styx Anthology is a musical album by Styx, released on May 4, 2004. It is a compilation consisting of two compact discs and contains a thorough history of the band...
- 2005 The Complete Wooden Nickel RecordingsThe Complete Wooden Nickel RecordingsThe Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings is a 2-Disc set released by Styx in 2005. The compilation contains remastered versions Styx's first four albums, Styx, Styx II, The Serpent Is Rising, and Man of Miracles, which were released by Wooden Nickel Records...
- 2006 Styx Gold - see Come Sail Away - The Styx AnthologyCome Sail Away - The Styx AnthologyCome Sail Away – The Styx Anthology is a musical album by Styx, released on May 4, 2004. It is a compilation consisting of two compact discs and contains a thorough history of the band...
as this is exactly the same release.