“I realized I was never going to be a great player like Tommy Shaw, so I guess I’m just a power-chord and single-string lead player now. But I’m pretty good at it!” Styx’s James “J.Y.” Young on his guitar journey

James "J.Y." Young of Styx.

Where would U.S. melodic rock be without James “J.Y.” Young? Over the years, the Godfather of Styx has helped the Chicago rock institution negotiate the slings and arrows of changing pop-cultural tastes to craft a discography that presents high-concept progressive rock for our every day. 

That surefooted songwriting saw Styx go platinum with late ‘70s and early ‘80s classics such as The Grand Illusion, Paradise Theatre, and the audacious rock opera Kilroy Was Here. Young was also an early adopter of the guitar synth, and is one of the most passionate advocates you'll find for the Sustainiac.