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James Young (American musician)

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"James Young (musician)" redirects here. For the British musician, see James Young (British musician).

James "J.Y." Young
Young performing with Styx in 2010
Young performing with Styx in 2010
Background information
Birth nameJames Vincent Young
Born (1949-11-14) November 14, 1949 (age 75)
Chicago, Illinois, US
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1966–present
Labels
Member ofStyx[1]
Spouse
Susan Godsted
​
​
(m. 1972; died 2022)​
[2]

James Vincent Young (born November 14, 1949) is an American musician who is best known as one of the guitarists and occasional lead vocalists in the American rock band Styx, having served as the only continuous original member of the band.[3]

Early life, family and education

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Young was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Calumet High School.[4] His father, who he described as "very conservative",[2] could play piano by ear.[4] His idols were Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, and Albert King.[4]

Young graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Career

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Young's first band, the Catalinas, won a "Best Teens In America" contest, came in third place at a Chicago talent competition, and toured Europe in 1966.[4]

In 1970, Young joined the band TW4[5][6][7][8] while a college student. That band later became the first incarnation of Styx.

After Styx's initial breakup in 1984, Young collaborated with Jan Hammer on the album City Slicker (1985).[8] Since reforming in 1995, Young is still a member of Styx.[9]

Personal life

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Young was married to Susan Godsted for just over fifty years. Godsted had been partially paralyzed on the right side of her body as a result of a stroke. She died on November 10, 2022.[2]

Discography

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Styx

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Main article: Styx discography

Solo studio albums

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  • City Slicker (1985), with Jan Hammer
  • Out on a Day Pass (1988)
  • Raised by Wolves (1995), with James Young Group

As guest

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References

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  1. ^ Wardlaw, Matt (June 17, 2022). "James Young Looks Back on 50 Years of Styx: Exclusive Interview". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "STYX Guitarist JAMES 'JY' YOUNG Mourns Death Of His Wife Of 50 Years, SUSAN YOUNG". blabbermouth.net. November 11, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Prato, Greg. "Biography: James Young". All Media Guide. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d "James Young - biography". jamesjyyoung.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  5. ^ Panozzo, Chuck (2007). The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life With Styx. AMACOM. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-8144-0916-9.
  6. ^ Whitaker, Sterling (2007). The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx. BookSurge Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-4196-5353-7.
  7. ^ Clark, Dick (March 29, 1983). "Styx and stones...". Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina.
  8. ^ a b Mayne, Mya (April 22, 1986). "His band breaks up temporarily, but James Young 'Styx' to music career". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  9. ^ "Band". Styxworld. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
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