Hi - New to the Forums, and really late to this discussion, but I just need to add my two-cents worth (and frustration)
Sounds to me like Shaw and JY just don't want Dennis back...period. Kind of sad but we'll never know all the behind the scenes stuff that caused the schism in the first place.
I think that the biggest factor now as to why Tommy and JY don't want Dennis all boils down to money. From my understanding, Tommy and JY now jointly own the name Styx, and the majority of the touring profits go to them, whereas the other current musicians are on a paid salary status. Bringing Dennis back would mean splitting the concert returns three ways (four if Chuck were to be full time).
For me this is sad and frustrating on two points.
1. That is seems to have devolved down to just money at this point.
2. I have always seen Dennis DeYoung as the leader of the band, and really it was his band until Tommy and JY co-opted it from him.
90% of the time Dennis knew what direction to take the band in, and was very successful at it (Kilroy - good intentions trying to update/modernize the band, but.........mistakes happen). His was always the primary (if not only) producer on every album, until the Brave New World fiasco: JY and Tommy wouldn't let Dennis be the over all producer, and even edited-out/dismissed his parts on their songs during final mixing - Dennis didn't know this happened until just prior to the release.
I read this
review of Cyclorama on All Music - and the last line really sums it up:
"As evidenced by Cyclorama, DeYoung is just too big a missing piece of the Styx puzzle."
I just wish JY and Tommy would act like adults, and give the fans a true reunion. Maybe as a farewell album and tour.
OK - My rant for the day is over............LOL