Courtesy of Dennis DeYoungFormer Styx singer/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung reveals that he recently completed recording the final song for what he says will be his last studio album, and to help him, he tapped the talents of a special guest singer…Julian Lennon.
DeYoung posted a photo on his official Facebook page of Julian taking a selfie of both of them at Mission Sound studio in New York City, where the track was recorded.
In a message on his Facebook page, Dennis explains what inspired him to collaborate with Lennon, whom he says he’s been a fan of since hearing his early hits “Too Late for Goodbyes” and “Valotte.”
DeYoung begins by noting that for the new album, “I decided to write songs about my journey from humble beginnings in my basement on Chicago’s far south side to the very top my chosen profession.”
Since The Beatles were one of his biggest musical inspirations, Dennis wrote a song that he describes as “my ultimate musical and lyrical tribute to the lads from Liverpool,” and because he envisioned the tune as a duet, he thought it would be cool to have John Lennon‘s duet with him on the track.
However, before he emailed Julian to ask him if he would take part in the recording, DeYoung says he realized he didn’t want Lennon to sing on the track after all, noting, “It was my story not his.”
Instead, DeYoung says he wrote a new song “specifically for he and I to sing together.” When Julian heard the tune, he told Dennis he’d be honored to sing it with him.
Reflecting on the session, DeYoung writes, “I knew [Julian] would be great but he elevated the song with his heartfelt performance. Just wait till ya hear it.”
Here are DeYoung’s confirmed upcoming shows:
11/15 — Oxford, AL, Oxford PAC*
11/16 — Pompano Beach, FL, Pompano Beach Amphitheater+
11/22 — Des Moines, IA, Hoyt Sherman Place#
11/23 — Sloan, IA, WinnaVegas Casino Event Center#
2/14/20 — St. Louis, MO, River City Casino – The Venue
2/15 — St. Louis, MO, River City Casino – The Venue
3/7 — El Cajon, CA, Magnolia Performing Arts Center#
* = accompanied by the Atlanta Pops Orchestra
+ = with Night Ranger
# = The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour.
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