Dennis DE YOUNG: Desert Moon LP 1984 STYX vocalist / keyboardist debut A.O.R solo album + Jimi Hendrix cover. Check videos

Description

Desert Moon by Dennis DeYoung. Dennis formerly of the band Styx released this song as the lead single and title track off of his album by the same name. Styx was just coming off of the massive success of Kilroy Was Here, the concept album that was lead by the #3 hit Mr. Roboto. The album and song carried the creative yet competitive strain within the band to the breaking point, when the supporting tour was over, Tommy Shaw left the band to pursue a solo career, releasing the album Girls with Guns. Dennis DeYoung did the same, releasing Desert Moon, which was supposedly going to be a song for Styx, none the less, the song became the biggest solo hit for any member of Styx going to the top 10 on the hot 100, as well as #7 in Canada #8 in Ireland . Written and produced by Dennis, here’s what he said about the song in a recent zoom session that we did.

SAMPLES:
http://www.allmusic.com/album/desert-moon-mw0000650070

or
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/desert-moon-remastered/id1609385

OR
https://play.spotify.com/trackset/mediabar/28h6oRczWEr62dx5hmPZX9%2C1Y2w…

5.0 out of 5 stars Old AOR album but still great listening.
If you’re into AOR then make this part of you collection. “Don’t wait for heroes” was and is still relevant. Fire was a great cover and the rest brilliantly written with catchy chorus and tags. Great stuff.

5.0 out of 5 stars For any Styx fan,
As the frontman for Styx, Dennis DeYoung produces a solo album of original quality with the title track being the pick of the bunch. A must have for any Styx fan.

Dennis DeYoung – Desert Moon
Label:A&M Records
Format: Vinyl, LP
Released:1984
Genre: Rock, Pop Rock

Desert Moon, generated a top 10 hit, “Desert Moon”, and the follow-up single, “Don’t Wait for Heroes”, cracked the Billboard Top 100 as well. Desert Moon was certified gold in Canada in 1984.

Tracklist
1 Don’t Wait For Heroes 4:46
2 Please 4:21  Lead Vocals – Rosemary Butler
3 Boys Will Be Boys 5:42
4 Fire 3:46    Jimi Hendrix COVER
5 Desert Moon 6:08
6 Suspicious 4:57
7 Gravity 4:50
8 Dear Darling (I’ll Be There) 4:29

Track 2 is a duet with Rosemary Butler
Track 4 is a cover of the Jimi Hendrix track.

Desert Moon is the debut solo album from one-time Styx keyboard player/singer/songwriter Dennis DeYoung. It was released in 1984 by A&M Records.
The album reached #24 on the Billboard album charts in the fall of 1984. The albums biggest hit was its title cut which hit #10 on the Billboard singles chart.
The albums second single “Don’t Wait for Heroes” reached #83 and got MTV play.
“Desert Moon” was certified Gold in Canada.

Dennis DeYoung: keyboards, vocals
Tom Dziallo: guitars, Bass Guitar
Dennis Johnson: Bass Guitar
Tom Radtke: drums, percussion
Steve Eisen: saxophones
Rosemary Butler: Duet Vocal on “Please”
Suzanne DeYoung, Tom Dziallo, Dawn Feusi: Additional backing vocals

Styx was only a year in the grave before lead singer Dennis DeYoung ventured out on his own with his solo debut, Desert Moon. The solo record does not represent a significant stylistic departure from Styxs brand of pop/rock, although the emphasis is heavier on the pop and not as heavy on the rock. DeYoung continues his gut-busting vocal strategy, belting notes that often do not require belting. The singer also supplies the keyboards, of which there are plenty — this is a mid-’80s record, after all. Tom Dziallo handles the wailing electric guitars and arranged the ill-advised cover of Jimi Hendrixs “Fire.” The album yielded a Top Ten hit in “Desert Moon,” which is a tolerable pop ballad. (The most memorable song on the album may also be its most annoying. A ’50s-flavored ode to life as an obnoxious teenage boy, “Boys Will Be Boys” is just a little too catchy for its own good. But in a record full of forgettable synth-pop, it almost comes as a relief).