Ricky Phillips Leaves Styx
After serving as its bassist for 21 years, Ricky Phillips has left Styx. He shared the news on Facebook, stating that after a long career it was time to take a breather.
“My last 20+ years of touring and recording with my friends in Styx has come to an end,” he said. “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.”
Phillips joined Styx in 2003 and appeared on the albums Big Bang Theory, One With Everything: Styx and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, The Mission, and Crash of the Crown. Aside from his time in Styx, he handled bass duties for Bad English, The Babys, Ted Nugent, and Coverdale-Page.
Although the band has not made an official statement, they’ve already performed with a new bassist. Terry Gowan, who is brother to lead singer Lawrence Gowan, has started performing with Styx. He made his debut with the band on March 22nd in Wallingford, Connecticut. It’s not clear if he is a permanent member or just temporarily filling in.
You can see part of his debut in this fan-shot video of “Grand Illusion.” Founding bassist Chuck Panozzo still appears with the band, but his health prevents him from playing a full night of music.
