UPDATE TO STORY: Styx unveiled their fourth bass player Friday in Wallingford, Connecticut, and it marks the second time that brothers are in the band.
Terry Gowan, the younger brother of singer and keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, has replaced Ricky Phillips, who stepped down from last week after 20 years.
Terry played in his brother's various band over the last 10 years, and played with Styx drummer Todd Sucherman when Todd played Canadian shows with Lawrence.
A source close to the band tells us Terry "plays great and sings," adding that it's "not easy to come in after Ricky Phillips."
Styx chose not to make an official announcement on hiring Terry to "give Ricky the respect he deserves."
This marks the second time that brothers have played in Styx at the same time. The first was founding members John Panozzo on drums and Chuck Panozzo. John died in 1996, and Chuck is still a member, but since 1995 he only performs a few songs on select dates after being diagnosed with AIDS in 1991.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Ricky Phillips, who replaced Glen Burtnik on bass in Styx in 2003, is hanging up his touring shoes.
He says, "Dear Friends, after touring for 50 years with The Babys, Bad English, opening for Tina Turner (on the Private Dancer tour with John Parr), Belinda Carlisle's first solo tour, rehearsing in Lake Tahoe and recording at Little Mountain in Canada with Jimmy Page and David Coverdale, and writing, touring and co-producing [the album] 10/10 with Ronnie Montrose, to name a chosen few...l'm taking a breather.
"My last 20+ years of touring and recording with my friends in Styx has come to an end. I am taking a break from the road. I'm not retiring, just taking a break. Presently, I have accepted an offer to co-produce a project in a studio close to home. I've known since I was a kid that live performance is in my blood so, in time, I will post any future engagements or commitments. But for right now, Melissa and I will share coffee talk and meals from home...with our critters close by.
"Of course, I will always cherish the adventurous days recording and touring with Styx. And, I will truly miss the wonderfully-crazy and faithful Styx fans...whose smiling faces I often saw more than my own family.
"Peace be with you all...and Happy Trails, Ricky"
Styx also issued a statement, saying, "It was a joy to spend two decades with Ricky Phillips in Styx and we wish him all the best in his next adventure. He’ll always be a part of the Styx family and we’ll miss his presence on our stage and in our touring lives. With all our love, The Styx Family."
So, who will replace him is the big question. A source close to the band tells us it's "not being formally announced," adding that we should "stay tuned."
The band's co-founding bassist Chuck Panozzo is still a member, but since 1995 he only performs a few songs on select dates after being diagnosed with AIDS in 1991.
Styx resumes touring this Friday in Wallingford, Connecticut.
Check out the orginal post about it all here on Ricky Philips Official Facebook Page, as well as the first post about it all here.
Styx and Foreigner will headline The Bo and Them Bash on June 21st at Dos Equis Pavilion.
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