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Summer Rockin' Preview: Styx and REO Speedwagon

styx_reo.jpg

This week we're taking a direct flight to classic-rock heaven. Two of rock's longest-running, hardest-working bands, Styx and REO Speedwagon, are joining forces this summer for the "Can't Stop Rockin'" tour, which we're pumped to be co-sponsoring. To help get you in the right frame of mind we've got their new collaborative single, plus three past hits from each. Both Styx and REO scored big with an equal mix of rockers and ballads; but we've gone for the rocking side of each band—with one exception that we just couldn't resist.

A bit of history here: Both are Indiana bands who started in a much different era—REO in 1968, Styx in 1970 - with a different sound than the world came to know. REO Speedwagon originally specialized in pile-driving rock tunes; and "Ridin' the Storm Out"—the title track of their third album—was the first to get any major airplay. By 1978's "Roll With the Changes," Kevin Cronin was in as the third and permanent lead singer—it still rocks, but note the sophistication. Not until 1979's Nine Lives—yep, their ninth album—did REO get known for power ballads. And we've got the biggie: "Take It On the Run," a song that stopped a few breakups in its time.

Styx started out with strong prog-rock leanings, but it was a more streamlined sound that put them on top. "Too Much Time On My Hands" and "Blue Collar Man" both bear out their heartland roots--- It's pure synchrony that we've released both songs a week after Tax Day. And if Tax Day made you think about knocking over a bank, feel free to take the outlaw epic "Renegade" as a cautionary tale.

Wrapping up the package is something brand new: "Can't Stop Rockin'" is the theme for the tour, an anthem that Cronin and Styx' Tommy Shaw whipped up together. Play it in the proper spirit—Just don't wave lighters in the living room, your parents won't like that.




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Comments

Bulkdarthdan...

Bulkdarthdan

Griymm, you have a HORRIBLE taste in music.

Monday, May 11, 2009


TonyDanzaTapdanceBonanza...

TonyDanzaTapdanceBonanza

Luckily I'm in a good mood and do not intend to rant for this one. TBH I'm not a big REO Speedwagon fan but I am a fan of Styx and was glad to see that "Renegade" made it onto the setlist. You've slipped through my fingers this time Harmonix.

Saturday, May 9, 2009


Griymm...

Griymm

BORING!

Thursday, May 7, 2009


PDid3020...

PDid3020

Pretty sure that both bands are from Illinois. Actually not pretty sure, 100% sure. Styx is from Chicago and REO is from Champaign.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009


JPVanGogh...

JPVanGogh

All of you who have a Wii AND are complaining....- get a REAL game console already a quit crying. Your Wii can't do squat! It's not bad, I guess, if you consider that it's nothing but a Game Cube in disguise

Tuesday, May 5, 2009


crazysean05...

crazysean05

These are two awesome bands and now I'm kinda hooked on the REO Speedwagon songs and I hadn't heard much of them before playing them on the game. I downloaded the whole pack, thanks Harmonix!!

Monday, May 4, 2009


gulrich...

gulrich

i wish the wii got the same stuff as the 360 and ps3 we get hosed

Wednesday, April 29, 2009


Griymm...

Griymm

Oh S*** Another Week Down The Drain With Boring DLC, Yeah There Real Cool At Riding REO Speedwagon And Stynxcking All Day.

What A Waste Of Time!

Monday, April 27, 2009


Nickmatt...

Nickmatt

It would be cool to put the Travis Barker remixes on Rock Band dlc for wii. Like Flo-rida's Low, or the Soulja Boy song.

Saturday, April 25, 2009


Bassman23...

Bassman23

I'm not sure about any of them

Saturday, April 25, 2009


AceFrehley...

AceFrehley

I am not sure about Styx, but REO Speedwagon is from Champaign, Illinois.

Friday, April 24, 2009


stangace20...

stangace20

I'm surprised "Come Sail Away" wasn't on the list,but then I guess there's not much guitar in it,lol

Thursday, April 23, 2009


maiden-usa...

maiden-usa

I'm fairly new to RB. I have downloaded the RS and Styx songs. I like them a lot. Hopefully there will be more like this in the future.

Thursday, April 23, 2009


sexybeast...

sexybeast

Ya it's cool that reo & styx were added but it would have been really cool to see suite madam blue as one of styx songs being added i've also been waitng to see def leppards album pyromania come to rockband but hey we got time lets just not wait to long to see def leppards album pyromania that would be an awesome summer group as well.

Thursday, April 23, 2009


alderaanman...

alderaanman

Classic songs "never" get boring. Come sail away would have only been fun on vocals. Too long of a wait in the intro for any other instrument. Great DLC this week. Thanks.

Thursday, April 23, 2009


Chix Dig Scars...

Chix Dig Scars

Not sure if I'm getting this whole pack yet. Would be a definite buy if it had included "come sail away".

Thursday, April 23, 2009


IronKnot...

IronKnot

Classic songs are good but they get boring over time. I'm Not Downloading Them!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009


hoss30...

hoss30

Great bands and great song selection! Keep up the excellent work Harmonix.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009


XMECUTIONER...

XMECUTIONER

REO Speedwagon was a band I waited a long time to play, especially Roll With the Changes. Thanks so much Harmonix for adding them!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009


HeavyHorse...

HeavyHorse

Amazing pack, very awesome song choices too. Definitely a must have for the classic rock enthusiast.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009


Bulkdarthdan...

Bulkdarthdan

REO Speedwagon and Styx are from Indy? I guess you learn something new everyday.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009


Witticus...

Witticus

It amazes me that you guys put a Hautewerk pack in as well, but don't have any background info on them. You must have some reason for putting in a band nobody has heard of and is not on wikipedia or iTunes.

Oh well, at least we got Styx and REO. Can't wait to play those when I get home.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009


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