I was a huge Styx fan in the 70s and early 80s, anxiously awaiting each new album. “Cornerstone” in 1979 was the first indication they were starting to go pop. “Paradise Theater” was good, but it still was straying from their hard-rock roots. But when I heard “Mr. Roboto” on the radio in 1983, I stopped buying Styx albums.
Went to the ‘Mr Roboto’ tour concert in Austin many moons ago. Worst concert ever. Completely turned me off from Styx.
Even Mick Fleetwood’s opening act complete with bongo sole couldn’t make ‘Mr Roboto’ sound good.
The same thing happened with Journey, and also The Tubes. Early stuff was great but didn’t sell, so they went pop.
I know the feeling. Some of DeYoung's solo stuff afterwards was pretty good. I'm by nature a pretty nostalgic person, and "Desert Moon," can take me back to the days of my youth.
All in all, I have a lot of respect for Dennis DeYoung. He's a devout practicing Catholic and has been married to the same woman since 1970. I'm guessing there are precious few 70s rockers that can make that same claim, or even come close.