John Curulewski
Encyclopedia
| John Curulewski (October 3, 1950 in Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... , Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... – February 13, 1988), nicknamed "JC," was one of the original members of Styx Styx (band) Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater.... . He joined Dennis DeYoung Dennis DeYoung Dennis DeYoung is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer best known for being a founding member of the rock band Styx, a tenure that lasted from 1970 to 1999.-Early life:... , Chuck and John Panozzo John Panozzo John Anthony Panozzo was an American drummer best known for his work with rock band Styx.Panozzo grew up in the Roseland neighborhood, the south side of Chicago, Illinois, with his fraternal twin brother, Chuck . At age 7, the twins took musical lessons from their uncle in which John took an... , and James Young James Young James Young was a Scottish chemist best known for his method of distilling paraffin from coal.-Early life:James Young was born in the Drygate area of Glasgow, the son of John Young, a cabinetmaker and joiner... to form TW4 in 1968, which was renamed to Styx in 1970. He played acoustic and electric guitar on the band's first five studio albums: Styx Styx (album) Styx is the self-titled debut album by Styx, released in 1972. It was reissued in 1980 under the title Styx I with new artwork.-Track listing:#"Movement for the Common Man" – 13:11#*"Children of the Land" #*"Street Collage"... , Styx II Styx II Styx II is the second album by Styx, and was released in 1973 . After Styx moved to A&M Records and achieved national success in the United States, the album was reissued in 1980 by their prior label, Wooden Nickel, under the title Lady with new artwork—which is not to be confused with a Styx... , The Serpent Is Rising The Serpent Is Rising The Serpent Is Rising is the third album by Styx, released in 1973. The album was reissued in 1980 with new artwork and a new title, Serpent. The band consider this to be their worst recording... , Man of Miracles Man of Miracles Man of Miracles is the fourth album by Styx, released in November 1974. Produced by John Ryan and Bill Traut, who had produced the band's first two albums, this would be the band's last original album on the independent Chicago-based label Wooden Nickel Records before moving to the major label... , and Equinox. He left just before the Equinox promotional tour and was replaced by Tommy Shaw Tommy Shaw Tommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums.... . |
| Curulewski left Styx because he wanted to spend more time with his family, and have more creative control in his future endeavors. He went on to teach guitar at the Music Stop in La Grange, Illinois La Grange, Illinois La Grange, a suburb of Chicago, is a village in Cook County, in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 15,608 at the 2000 census.-History:... , and run a recording studio aptly called "The Studio". |
| He played guitar in a band called Spread Eagle. Curulewski also coached his son Jamie's baseball team, and would go into his son's Grammar School as a lunch supervisor; he would bring in his guitar and play it to the kids, much to their amazement. Curulewski taught some of Chicago's best young guitar players including Tony Markech, Joey Mazzuca, Dave Stulgo, Russell Leach, Hector Fernandez and many more. Many of JC's students went on to form a core group of heavy metal guitarists in Chicago. Curulewski became very active in the mentoring of young bands in the western suburbs of Chicago; not only teaching guitar but coaching on performance and supplying support for live appearances and recording. |
| Curulewski died on February 13, 1988 from a brain aneurysm. He is survived by his wife Janice and their son, Jamie. |