John Anthony Panozzo (September 20, 1948 – July 16, 1996) was an American drummer best known for his work with rock band Styx.
Early life and career
Panozzo grew up in the Roseland neighborhood, the south side of Chicago, Illinois, with his fraternal twin brother, Chuck (born 90 minutes apart). At age 7, the twins took musical lessons from their uncle in which John took an interest in drums and percussion. They attended Catholic school and eventually they were part of a three-piece band in which John played drums and Chuck played guitar. They would play weddings at age 12 and were paid $15 apiece.
Then, in 1961, John, Chuck, and their neighbor, Dennis DeYoung, formed a band called The Tradewinds in which John played drums, Chuck played guitar, and Dennis played the accordion and sang. They played local gigs at bars and began gaining popularity as a garage band on the city's South Side. In 1968, Chuck switched to bass and they added guitarists/vocalists James "J.Y." Young and John Curulewski, changing their name to TW4. The band signed to Wooden Nickel Records and changed their name to Styx.
Panozzo was active in Styx from 1972 - 1984, when the band went on hiatus. In 1993, Panozzo played drums on two tracks for guitarist/vocalist James Young's solo album Out on a Day Pass.
Illness and death
In 1996, as Styx was about to embark on its first tour with the classic line-up since 1983, Panozzo fell seriously ill and began battling cirrhosis of the liver, following years of excessive drinking. He died of gastrointestinal hemorrhaging and cirrhosis in Chicago on July 16, 1996, at age 47.
Tribute
The band dedicated their 1996 Return to Paradise tour to him. Tommy Shaw, who had earlier replaced Curulewski, wrote the song "Dear John" as the band's final tribute to Panozzo.
Gear
Panozzo used Premier drums during the band's early years then switched to Tama drums by late 1978. He also played Zildjian cymbals.
Discography
Studio albums
1972 Styx
1973 Styx II
1973 The Serpent Is Rising
1974 Man of Miracles
1975 Equinox
1976 Crystal Ball
1977 The Grand Illusion
1978 Pieces of Eight
1979 Cornerstone
1981 Paradise Theater
1983 Kilroy Was Here
1990 Edge of the Century
1993 Out on a Day Pass (James Young solo album)
Compilations
1995 Styx Greatest Hits
1996 Styx Greatest Hits Part 2
2002 20th Century Masters
2004 Come Sail Away - The Styx Anthology
2005 The Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings
2006 Styx Gold (re-release of Come Sail Away - The Styx Anthology)