Tommy Shaw

Tommy Shaw is an American musician and songwriter recognized for his role as co-lead vocalist and lead guitarist of the rock band Styx. Shaw's career in rock music spans more than four decades, during which he has contributed significantly to the band's sound by playing lead guitar, singing lead vocals, and writing music.

Shaw joined Styx after the departure of guitarist John Curulewski, following an audition that focused on his vocal abilities. His ability to perform the high harmonies in "Lady" secured his place in the band. Shaw's influence was evident with his first album with Styx, "Crystal Ball," which featured his own composition as the title track. The subsequent album, "The Grand Illusion," marked a commercial breakthrough for Styx, achieving platinum status and featuring the radio hit "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)," written by Shaw. The band continued its success with "Pieces of Eight," which reached number 6 on the Billboard album chart and included Shaw's songs "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" and "Renegade." Further albums such as "Cornerstone" and "Paradise Theater" also achieved triple platinum status, with "Cornerstone" earning a Grammy Award nomination for Best Album of the Year.

After his tenure with Styx, Shaw pursued a solo career, releasing albums including "Girls with Guns," "What If," and "Ambition." He later formed the supergroup Damn Yankees with Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Ted Nugent. Their debut album went platinum, and the single "High Enough," co-written by Shaw, reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Shaw and Blades also established themselves as a songwriting team for artists such as Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Vince Neil, and Cher. The duo Shaw Blades released "Hallucination" and "Influence," further highlighting Shaw's collaborative approach to songwriting in the rock music industry.

Shaw has explored genres beyond rock, releasing the bluegrass album "The Great Divide," which reached number 2 on the Bluegrass Billboard Charts. He also contributed lead vocals to "Uroboros" from Alan Parsons' album "From the New World." Styx has continued to tour extensively in the United States and Europe, often performing with other classic rock bands such as REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, and Def Leppard. The band's studio albums, including "The Mission," "Crash of the Crown," and "Circling From Above," were co-written and produced with guitarist Will Evankovich.

Shaw's achievements in rock music have been recognized with his induction into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He played a key role in the development of the Hamer Duotone guitar, a 6/12-string double-neck instrument. Shaw's songwriting with Styx remains prolific, and the band continues to perform with artists such as Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon and Don Felder. Shaw's enduring presence in the music industry is marked by a catalog of rock anthems and ongoing contributions to guitar innovation and songwriting.