Dennis DeYoung Quotes

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Dennis DeYoung

Profession : Musician

Birth : February 18, 1947

The fact is, for the first 10 years I toured as a solo artist, I wasn't playing any of the songs I didn't write or sing.

Dennis DeYoung

Originally, AXS TV came to me last year and asked me if I'd be interested in doing an acoustic 'Live from the Grammy Museum' performance. But I was bound and determined to do an electric show with this great band to dispel any notion that I wasn't a 'rock guy' in Styx.

Dennis DeYoung

I really believed it was important to explain to our young audience that expectations based on people who are trying to sell them things are unattainable.

Dennis DeYoung

When I'm not on the road I'm in the studio every day.

Dennis DeYoung

I was damn lucky to choose this profession. I had no idea when I started out that I was really an illusionist and a magician.

Dennis DeYoung

How lucky am I? I'll go to Naperville and people will come up to me and thank me for coming to Naperville. That's how much music means to people.

Dennis DeYoung

Music is magic.

Dennis DeYoung

Nobody can figure out why it does what it does to human beings. But there is no other art form greater than music.

Dennis DeYoung

Anyone in showbiz rock 'n' roll who says they're so tired of playing their hit songs, I want to smack them. I think it's an act. Because, look, you work your tail off to get people to validate you.

Dennis DeYoung

I always say, when I play the first few notes and people scream... if you're tired of that, you should try retail. What else are you looking for?

Dennis DeYoung

Every artist wants to feel like they're still valid in a contemporary way. But you can't be so arrogant not to think that people who have thrown down their hard-earned money don't want to see and hear the things they want.

Dennis DeYoung

People go to musicals because they want to hear some really good songs.

Dennis DeYoung

It's great when it all comes together in a great musical like 'Sweeney Todd,' when Stephen Sondheim writes songs from heaven, the book is good and the staging is good. But it's very rare when that happens.

Dennis DeYoung

Many musicals you can take and throw in the garbage can because no one took the time to write a song you can care about.

Dennis DeYoung

If you are going to take me a to a musical, you'd better give me three songs that I'm gonna like. Nobody goes to the opera for the recitative. They go for the aria.

Dennis DeYoung

I'm very proud of it. 'Hunchback' contains some of my favorite music I've ever written in my life.

Dennis DeYoung

If you try to do a genuine rock musical, rock people will think you're flaccid and Broadway audiences will think you're too loud.

Dennis DeYoung

There are no electric guitars. 'Hunchback' has arias; it's operatic.

Dennis DeYoung

I don't see how 'Hunchback' could ever appeal to children. It's a very adult story that deals with repressed sexuality.

Dennis DeYoung