Everyone knows my love for Tommy Shaw. Styx was one of my go-to bands growing up. I loved their entire albums until we got to Mr. Roboto. And I always preferred Tommy’s lead vocals to those of Dennis DeYoung.
My colleague Leigh and I were about to introduce Dennis when it started to rain. Dennis poked his head out to check the weather and although it looks like we are having a conversation, not a word was exchanged. I tried to make small talk but he was having none of it. His beautiful wife beside him (about whom he wrote the song Lorelei) sings back -up.
A scant minute after this photo was taken, the sky opened up and torrential rain came down. Dennis sprinted like a gazelle to his trailer as water ponded on the stage and stagehands and roadies pushed us out of the way so they could save the equipment. And Dennis’ wife Suzanne? She was left at the back of the stage, in stiletto heels, to fend for herself. Finally, she gingerly made it down the wet stairs with the help of a musician and trotted through the downpour to the trailer where Dennis was staying dry.
It seemed pretty rude but if she was upset about it, it didn’t show. They’ve been married for almost 40 years so that’s their thing. But it was obvious to everyone else that as the Titanic was going down, he took off solo in a lifeboat and left his wife to drown!