Styx Guitar Picks! My Actifit Report Card: June 21 2026

Today we have for you guitar picks by the band called

Styx

Formed in Chicago in 1972, Styx became one of the definitive arena rock bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s. They uniquely blended the theatrical grandeur of progressive rock with hard rock guitar riffs and radio-friendly pop hooks. The band achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first group to release four consecutive multi-platinum albums: The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978), Cornerstone (1979), and the dystopian concept album Paradise Theatre (1981). Their signature sound relied heavily on lush, multi-part vocal harmonies and a dynamic dual-guitar attack, yielding massive hits like "Come Sail Away," "Renegade," and "Babe."

Much of Styx's success—and eventual creative tension—stemmed from the contrasting styles of its primary songwriters. Keyboardist Dennis DeYoung leaned toward theatrical, melodic ballads and elaborate concept pieces, while guitarists James "J.Y." Young and Tommy Shaw favored a harder, more straightforward rock edge. This push-and-pull produced a diverse catalog but eventually led to a splintering in the mid-1980s following the release of the highly theatrical Kilroy Was Here (famous for the song "Mr. Roboto"). Despite lineup changes over the decades, including touring without DeYoung since 1999, Styx continues to record new music and maintain a relentless touring schedule, cementing their legacy as staples of classic rock radio.

Here's what eBay had to say about one of these guitar picks

This collection is a remarkable physical record of rock history, featuring a diverse array of guitar picks gathered from some of the most legendary North American tours. Each piece represents a specific moment in time, coming directly from the hands of the most influential touring bands of the last 20 to 40 years. From the thrash metal precision of Megadeth to the grunge-era icons like Eddie Vedder, these picks are more than just gear—they are tangible artifacts from the high-energy arenas and stadiums that defined a generation of music.
The significance of these picks lies in their connection to the peak of live performance culture across the continent. Over the past four decades, touring reached a massive scale, and these picks were used by artists who headlined the most iconic festivals and venues in the world. Whether it's a specialty "Batmobile" design or a classic tour-stamped plectrum, having items from bands that shaped the sound of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s makes this a curated chronicle of modern rock’s touring legac. I'm putting this guitar pic together. Alphabetical order over the next few weeks and months.

This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io

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