James Young (American musician)
American musician (born 1949)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Vincent Young (born November 14, 1949) is an American musician who is best known as a founding member, and one of the guitarists and occasional lead vocalists in the American rock band Styx.[3]
- Musician
- songwriter
- Guitar
- vocals
Early life, family and education
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
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
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
Styx
Solo studio albums
- City Slicker (1985), with Jan Hammer
- Out on a Day Pass (1988)
- Raised by Wolves (1995), with James Young Group
As guest
- Jim Peterik, Don't Fight the Feeling (1976)
- Tommy Shaw, Ambition (1987)
- Enuff Z'Nuff, Paraphernalia (1998)
- Enuff Z'nuff, Clowns Lounge (2016) (archival)
