The divisive song ‘Mr. Roboto’ is credited with derailing Styx’s successful career and leading to their disbandment in the 1980s. In the early ’80s, Styx were one of the most successful rock bands in America. Their golden run began in 1977 with the power ballad ‘Come Sail Away’.
‘Babe’ topped the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1979. The concept album ‘Paradise Theatre’ hit No 1 in the summer of 1981. Yet, everything changed with the release of ‘Kilroy Was Here’. This album featured a character named Robert Orin Charles Kilroy and had a vaguely Orwellian theme.
‘Mr. Roboto’ is a synth-rock anthem from that album. It peaked at No 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, alongside ‘Kilroy Was Here’, which also reached No 3 on the charts. However, James Young claimed that ‘Mr. Roboto’ alienated half of Styx’s audience.
Tommy Shaw departed for a solo career after the release of ‘Kilroy Was Here’. Dennis DeYoung created the concept for ‘Paradise Theatre’ and wrote the lyrics for ‘Mr. Roboto’. The video for ‘Mr. Roboto’ featured DeYoung playing Kilroy, further solidifying its place in rock history.
Bob Pittman remarked, “That song, Mr. Roboto, it killed Styx. It was truly awful. I mean, that was about the dumbest idea ever.” James Young added, “Dennis had this vision for an idea that none of the rest of us agreed with, and we battled about it for quite some time.” Dennis DeYoung reflected, “I tried making another concept album with Kilroy Was Here. Was it too much? Maybe.”
Despite its catchy nature, many dismissed ‘Mr. Roboto’. Dennis DeYoung noted, “Mr. Roboto was dismissed by so many people because it was so doggone catchy and clever.” This divisiveness ultimately contributed to Styx’s decline during the 1980s.
As observers reflect on Styx’s journey, they note how a single song can alter a band’s trajectory significantly. The fallout from ‘Mr. Roboto’ serves as a cautionary tale in rock music history.
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