Net Worth Ranker
What Is Dennis DeYoung’s Net Worth?
Dennis DeYoung, a multifaceted figure in the music industry as a musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, boasts a net worth of $25 million. This substantial wealth is primarily attributed to his successful career, most notably as the lead vocalist and keyboardist of the renowned rock band Styx. His contributions extend beyond performance, as he is also recognized as the primary songwriter for the band, having penned seven of their eight singles that reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on February 18, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Loraine and Maurice, Dennis DeYoung’s foray into music began at the age of 15 as an accordionist. This early start laid the foundation for his future endeavors. He teamed up with his 13-year-old neighbors, John and Chuck Panozzo, forming a trio called the Tradewinds. By 1964, with the addition of guitarist Tom Nardin, the group evolved into TW4. In 1968, John Curulewski replaced Nardin, and James Young joined as another guitarist in 1970. Before achieving musical success, DeYoung worked as a school teacher in Chicago’s south suburbs, teaching music in District 143, while concurrently performing with his band at schools and smaller venues.
Styx: The Rise to Fame
In 1972, TW4 signed its first record contract and rebranded itself as Styx. Dennis DeYoung assumed the roles of lead vocalist, accordion player, and keyboardist, while also contributing as a songwriter and producer. Styx released its self-titled debut album in 1972. With the release of “Lady” in 1973, DeYoung became the driving creative force behind the majority of the band’s biggest hits. DeYoung wrote and provided lead vocals to seven of Styx’s eight Billboard top-ten hits: “Come Sail Away,” “Don’t Let it End,” “The Best of Times,” “Show Me the Way,” “Mr. Roboto,” and “Babe.” Released in 1979 as the lead single from the album “Cornerstone,” “Babe” remains Styx’s only number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. DeYoung was also acclaimed for his keyboard skills and his synthesizer solos using the Oberheim 4 voice synthesizer. During his tenure with Styx from 1972 to 1999, DeYoung released 15 albums. “The Grand Illusion” brought Styx to international fame.
Other prominent albums included “Pieces of Eight”, “Cornerstone” and the concept album “Paradise Theatre,” which became Styx’s most commercially successful album, reaching number one on the Billboard 200. In 1983, the band released another concept album, “Kilroy Was Here.” Following Tommy Shaw’s departure in 1984, Styx went on hiatus, eventually reuniting in 1990 to release “Edge of the Century.” After John Panozzo’s passing, Styx embarked on the “Return to Paradise” tour, which led to the 1997 live album of the same name, produced by DeYoung. “Brave New World,” released in 1999, marked DeYoung’s last album with Styx.
Solo Career Ventures
During Styx’s hiatus in 1984, Dennis DeYoung launched his solo career with the album “Desert Moon.” The album peaked at number 24 on the Billboard 200. The album featured two singles: the title track and “Don’t Wait for Heroes.” DeYoung later released “Back to the World” in 1986 and “Boomchild” in 1989. The former featured the singles “Call Me” and “This is the Time.” In 1994, DeYoung released “10 on Broadway,” a collection of Broadway standards. He then wrote the book and score for a stage musical version of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which premiered in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1997. After a hiatus, DeYoung released “One Hundred Years from Now” in 2007. He released “26 East, Vol. 1” in 2020, followed by “26 East, Vol. 2” in 2021, the title referencing the address of his childhood home in Chicago.
Departure from Styx
While recording with Styx in 1998, DeYoung fell ill with a severe flu. He requested six months off to recover, the members of Styx decided to replace him with Lawrence Gowan for their upcoming tour. DeYoung sued his band mates, which was settled in 2001, two years after DeYoung’s departure from the band.
Other Career Activities
Beyond his work with Styx and as a solo artist, Dennis DeYoung also participated in the 20th-anniversary revival tour of the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” portraying Pontius Pilate. In 2005, he appeared in the romcom “The Perfect Man,” as the lead vocalist in a Styx tribute band. DeYoung made appearances on reality TV shows like “Canadian Idol” and “Celebrity Duets.” In 2010, he formed a new band focused on performing Styx songs.
Personal Life
Dennis DeYoung married his high school sweetheart, Suzanne Feusi, in 1970. Together, they have two children: Carrie Ann and Matthew.
Real Estate Investments
In 2016, Dennis DeYoung invested $1.1 million in a waterfront mansion located in Boca Raton, Florida. This property was later listed for sale in May 2022 with an asking price of $2.8 million. The mansion is situated within a gated community, featuring a 25,000 square foot community center with amenities such as a gym, pool, tennis courts, restaurant, and spa.
