Styx @ Viejas Casino - Alpine, CA

[Steve Parr]

Had the chance to shoot Styx last night at one of our local casinos.

The Artist Relations guy at my company is good friends with the Road Manager and Tommy Shaw. He was able to secure me some pretty extraordinary access, not the least of which was being permitted to shoot the entire show, and anywhere I wanted. Backstage, dressing rooms, everywhere; only the restrooms were off limits to me (and I was completely cool with that).

I shot 556 frames, and came away with a lot that I'm pretty happy with. Honestly, I haven't been through them all yet. It's been tough to narrow these down, but here ya' go:

1. Tommy Shaw
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx01.jpg

2. James "JY" Young - He and Shaw are the only two remaining original members of the band:
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx12.jpg

3. Ricky Philips:
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx20.jpg

4. Todd Sucherman (this was the only vantage point to get a shot of him):
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx19.jpg

5. Lawrence Gowan:
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx18.jpg

6. The Band:
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx22-01.jpg

I'm glad I was able to shoot the entire show, because the pit was a nightmare. It was, without question, the narrowest pit known to man.

Everything was shot with the 20D and, as always, either the 24-70mm f/2.8L or the 70-200mm f/2.8L. ISO set at 1600, varying exposures.

The last time I shot Styx was (ahem) 1978, with my old Canon TLb. I didn't know what the Hell I was doing, and the photos, well, let's just say I should've been arrested for littering.

Sure glad I got a second chance...

[Photogirl 5]

Cool.. I remember having a crush on Tommy Shaw.. back in the day.

[Steve Parr]

Cool.. I remember having a crush on Tommy Shaw.. back in the day.

He was my guitar hero when I started playing back in '77.

I wouldn't call it a "crush", though...

:lol:

[Steve Parr]

A couple more:

7.
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx05.jpg

8. This is one of my favorites
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx07.jpg

9.
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx17.jpg

10.
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx11.jpg

11.
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx13.jpg

12.
http://www.onstagephotography.com/images/hugestyx21.jpg

[René Damkot]

First two images in both posts. Very nice.
One of the problems with bigger stages IMO: Hard to get a good capture of two musicians side by side...
#9 is okay, but I'ld crop closer.

[johnstoy]

Some spectacular emotional/action shots Steve... I bet the band would be very proud to see them... Congrats.

[DennisMiller]

So now you want me to burn my camera AND my guitars, huh? It's only my envy that keeps me from crying Steve!

[Steve Parr]

So now you want me to burn my camera AND my guitars, huh? It's only my envy that keeps me from crying Steve!

Hey pal! How are ya'?

And, if it's envy that keeps you shootin' an' a pickin' an' a grinnin', so be it!

[DennisMiller]

I leave for St. Louis Thursday to see Tommy Emmanuel in concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall, but I suspect cameras won't be allowed except for the "approved" photographers.

[Steve Parr]

I leave for St. Louis Thursday to see Tommy Emmanuel in concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall, but I suspect cameras won't be allowed except for the "approved" photographers.

Well, you won't know if you don't ask...

[Steve Parr]

First two images in both posts. Very nice.
One of the problems with bigger stages IMO: Hard to get a good capture of two musicians side by side...
#9 is okay, but I'ld crop closer.

Man, I hear ya' on the whole thing with bigger stages. The members of Styx often stand pretty close together in a "guitar line", and I got some of those, although I'm not real happy with them.

I'll rework #9 when I can...

[Steve Parr]

Some spectacular emotional/action shots Steve... I bet the band would be very proud to see them... Congrats.

Thanks, John!

[thelightofsound]

it's all about the access :) glad you didn't have to fight your way around the pit; that is always a pain.
you've got some really good shots here. i agree with rené on the first two of each batch. i also really like #5, but it seems like the crop is missing something. maybe either tighter, while still in landscape, or trying it in portrait.
some seem a little over sharpened. #11 is an example where the strings looks a little rough.

[Steve Parr]

it's all about the access :) glad you didn't have to fight your way around the pit; that is always a pain.
you've got some really good shots here. i agree with rené on the first two of each batch. i also really like #5, but it seems like the crop is missing something. maybe either tighter, while still in landscape, or trying it in portrait.
some seem a little over sharpened. #11 is an example where the strings looks a little rough.

I was in the pit for the first three songs. I really wish I hadn't have been, though...

[Zeineth]

some gorgeous picture here Steve. The picture you pointed out as your favorite, I think I have seen a poster with a very similar pose, just not sure who or where. I any case good pictures all around and my envy for shooting a great classic band.

[Steve Parr]

I any case good pictures all around and my envy for shooting a great classic band.

Thanks!

You know, it's funny you mention "classic". One of their t-shirts, available at the show, had "Classic Rock My Ass" written across the back of it...

:lol:

[Road2Show]

Now if they could only put their differences behind them and get the original band back together! I had a chance to shoot Dennis DeYoung early this year (as a spectator) and he was really good. It was greeat hearing him do classics like Grand Illusion and Sail Away with a full orchestra backing him up.

http://www.road2show.com//photofolio/7-%20Performance/PE-S.jpg

http://www.road2show.com//photofolio/7-%20Performance/PE-F.jpg

[Steve Parr]

Now if they could only put their differences behind them and get the original band back together! I had a chance to shoot Dennis DeYoung early this year (as a spectator) and he was really good. It was greeat hearing him do classics like Grand Illusion and Sail Away with a full orchestra backing him up.

John Curelewski, who played guitar on the first few albums, died of a brain aneurysm in 1988. John Panozzo, the original drummer, died of gastrointestinal hemorrhaging in 1996.

Shaw actually replaced Curelweski so long ago (1976), that he's, by all accounts, considered an "original" member, probably because it was during his early days with the band that they "hit it big".

I'd be surprised as Hell if DeYoung, Shaw, Young, and Chuck Panozzo ever stepped onto the same stage together again...

[Road2Show]

John Curelewski, who played guitar on the first few albums, died of a brain aneurysm in 1988. John Panozzo, the original drummer, died of gastrointestinal hemorrhaging in 1996.

Shaw actually replaced Curelweski so long ago (1976), that he's, by all accounts, considered an "original" member, probably because it was during his early days with the band that they "hit it big".

I'd be surprised as Hell if DeYoung, Shaw, Young, and Chuck Panozzo ever stepped onto the same stage together again...


Man, I had pretty much forgotten all about those early members/changes. I don't know that I could have ever told you the names :D


Mike

[DwightMcCann]

Well, I think yours are better than mine for which access is no excuse! Let me know when you hear anything about your "deal". And as for getting two performers at once on a big stage, here's one way, albeit not optimal!

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/Styx03012007/content/bin/images/large/STYX0223.jpg

[Steve Parr]

Well, I think yours are better than mine for which access is no excuse! Let me know when you hear anything about your "deal".

Hopefully, I'll know something soon...

[wecarter]

Ha Steve,

Great Shoots!:D

I was standing next to you on a couple of occasions on Sunday night while you where shooting. I was going to try and talk to you, but you where so intense on getting the shot that I didn’t want to interrupt. The lighting was good but the stage was very big and the band spread way out.

I have shot them on several occasions along with some other bands.
Pics here: http://www.loveclassicrock.com/images/Concert/index.html (http://www.loveclassicrock.com/images/Concert/index.html)

What modes did you shot in?
How much PP did you have to do?
Any shoots with the 85 1.8?

Bill

[Steve Parr]

I was standing next to you on a couple of occasions on Sunday night while you where shooting. I was going to try and talk to you, but you where so intense on getting the shot that I didn’t want to interrupt.

Well, I appreciate that but, man, you shoulda' just yanked on my sleeve when I wasn't shooting!

What modes did you shot in?

I've become a "M"onster...

How much PP did you have to do?

Honestly, not as much as I thought. I did have to clone a mic stand that was coming out of Tommy's butt; that was the most extreme. Maybe just brightening things up a tad...

Any shoots with the 85 1.8?

No, that was left at home. I took the 24-70mm and the 70-200mm, just for the zoom capability. I was moving around a lot, and I think 85mm would've been a bit too limiting...

[ront]

Great pictures!! I saw Styx back on the Grand Illusion tour. It was the first time that I ever did acid also. WOW, what a night that was. April Wine open for them.

Ron