Dennis DeYoung (Formerly of Styx) - Commentary on "Desert Moon" Song and Music Video 

This video is so good I had to comment again. DENNIS, you are one of the most down to earth, plain speaking "rock stars" ever. You are truly a national treasure.

I produced this video. It's still one of my favorites that I have ever done (and I have done almost 400 of them). Jack Cole, writer John Miller, Tom Grubbs (the DP) and I worked together as a team a lot. I love that Dennis thinks so highly of it too. (We did do the "Oh Sherrie" video that Dennis mentions.) He did look great and for any of you who have never met him, he is a wonderful guy and certainly one of the nicest "rock stars" I have known. His comments on the video are spot on. Jack worked with the actors to create that bond, he wanted to make "mini-movies". I learned - or re-learned - some things about this by watching. Sadly Jack died a while ago. Tom Grubbs gave up photography to follow his passion of surfing. I have no idea what ever became of John Miller. I became - and still am - a TV producer. Thanks for this Dennis, now do "Don't Wait For Heroes!"

Anyone else have to thank countless hours of listening to Dennis DeYoung and Styx with helping them make it through this pandemic?

Awesome interview. Love it. Actually, Don't Wait for Heroes was my fight song when I was 400 pounds, in a wheelchair, and unable to get around on my own. I listened to that song every day while I was slowly turning my life around, losing weight and got back on my feet. I now weigh 180, walking, enjoying life again. After so many attempts to get well and failing at it, that song motivated me, every day, to get up and give it another try. I had to do it on my own, no one was going to do it for me. Dennis, unknowingly, got me out of that wheelchair. Thanks, Dennis! Been a big fan since the mid 70's!

Mr. DeYoung, I was that 50/60-some guy you were talking about. 1984 was my senior year in college and I had one more season of eligibility of cross country, so I pushed off graduation one semester and going into that last season was when your Desert Moon song & video was out. I tried to capture everything I could in my memory of my teammates, the long runs in the western Wisconsin countryside as the low, golden autumn sun cast out shadows across the road as we ran. Those were those nostalgic moments that your song/video so clearly instructed me to take note and remember...thank you almost 40 years later for that. And I did qualify for nationals and got married right after graduation...it's been a storybook life.

Love Desert Moon! Such a beautiful song. 35+ years later it still feels fresh and retains it power to captivate. Excellent commentary! My thanks to Dennis for sharing his memories and insight.

I know there's legal stuff, but seeing "Dennis DeYoung (Formerly of Styx)" in the title is just wrong. Dennis DeYoung IS Styx. The pretenders now performing as Styx just don't have the magic. I was a kid when Desert Moon came out, and it plucked my heartstrings back then. My parents wouldn't pay for cable, so I never saw the video on MTV. I don't know if it was local or nationwide, but PBS had a show called "Colorwords" that put subtitles to popular music videos of the day. I learned every word to Desert Moon. I can still sing it all today, and it brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for this video. I love to hear the stories. I'm healthy-ish. Fully vaccinated, asymptomatic, tested positive anyway. I am free as of today. Blessings to everyone here today.

The year of when my wife and I met. Still our favorite song of the 80's. Desert Moon gave us so much emotional currency that it brings a warm smile to our hearts and our minds 38 years later. Thanks for all you have given to the world and to us on our journey.

Without Mr. Dennis DeYoung there would never be a Styx. Great video. Very informative and educational. Thank you sir for sharing. I still fit in my old jeans. I gained a lot of weight since the 80's and the last 7 or 8 years I lost a lot of weight. Almost a whole a person. I lost 140 pounds. So i am back in the same size and weight i was in my senior year of High School. After my 2nd heart attack it is better for my health.

This song, for whatever reason, touches me deeply and I shed tears every time I see this video. Thank you, Dennis. I love this song beyond compare!

I think Desert Moon was the best DDY solo song. The lyrics, the video...perfection. Dripping with melancholic nostalgia. The waiter poured our memories into tiny cups. Never thought about it before now...but the closed Desert Moon hotel was quite similar to the theater in Paradise theatre...paradise lost. The last scene when Dennis gives the Mustang to the younger brother...beautiful ending. He can't keep the car (I don't need it any more) because he can't return to what once was....the theme of the video.

Dennis, glad to see you are doing well. I'm a 50 something who grew up with your music, these updates keep me going. Thanks for rolling the clock back for me

This song was a bit of a foreshadowing of my life honestly. 3 years later I got my second car. My mom bought me a red 66 Mustang coupe for my 17th. Fast forward to 1988 and I drove to Trona CA to see my first love. Spent the evening with her sitting on the hood. Back then cars were built well enough that you could sit with your back to the windshield and not dent the hood. Got a room at the Pinnacle Inn. Woke up the next morning to an amazingly beautiful sunrise and cup of coffee. I stood in the door watching the sun rise and her walking up to say goodbye before I headed back home. I never saw her again. Here it is 40 years later and I still miss her and can see that amazing smile. As the song goes "first love never runs dry". I wish I could go back and not do whatever it was I did wrong.

Always love when you choose this song in your concerts. Waiting patiently for one more round of concerts

Desert Moon is a masterpiece. The guitar playing by Tom Dziallo on Dennis’s solo records is stellar. 👍🎸

yup i hear you dennis,you look back of them good ole days as we all do,but the only thing different,your my past life im not in yours,so thank you for that!!your a big part of me!!and was great having you there!!!no regrets of my choice of music and when i pass away,thanks for the memorys you gave me.im sur eyou won tread this but,had to say it.

Short and sweet: My mom and I both ended up with covid pneumonia. She didn't make it. I haven't grieved yet, but when I do, it's going to hit hard...

At 18, I moved to Chicago to go to college and I would drive back to Michigan quite often on the weekends. I remember the Desert Moon Album blaring over the old 6x9 SONY speakers over again during the drive. Great times! I loved Desert Moon!

Huge Styx fan, but only found Desert Moon 5 years ago. I love it! Thank you Dennis.

My going back in time days is going back to those days of Dennis DeYoung!

I forgot to mention but I'll say it now.... it's crazy how time changes everything. Go back when STYX was at its highest point, imagine having RU-vid etc at your fingers... Dennis DeYoung would have over a million subscribers, maybe 2 or 3 or 4 million. I'm 99% sure I am correct. It's sad how artists didn't have the power they do today with social media. I see this with so many artists from yesteryear. Ah yeah they don't make music like this anymore Dennis. So thankful STYX and your years of music after STYX walked into my life.

Regards Dennis from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 we waiting for your comeback to our beautiful Island.🏄

So great to hear all your thoughts Dennis. Thanks so much for doing this.

Where the heck is the love button! Love this!!!! So good to see you again, glad you are well. 1984 was the best year for music, in my humble opinion. Your solo career is what caught my attention. Between the lyrics, music, and videos…all really good stuff! I also love the video for “Call Me”! As a HUGE fan it is so surreal to watch you watching your own video…and explaining it. Wow. One question, was the car yours??? Super cool fun fact that one of the guys was “Roboto”. I assumed he was an actor and actually thought he was very well cast.

Nice seeing you again Dennis ! Love how you sing that part at 29 mins 10 seconds in, you do something cool with your voice right there. 24 mins 10-12 seconds on the vid. You look well. Grew up with you. You're an amazing artist. 🙂

Absolute masterpiece.....thanks Dennis!

I am a Styx fan but actually never heard of "desert moon" until I went to my senior prom on the gateway clipper in Pittsburgh in 1988. It is a song about all of us and how we want to relive our past selves somehow but coming up short. Thank you Dennis your always a class act and wish you and your family all the best...keep rocking!

That's what I love about these kind of songs. They have meaning. There are too many songs are superficial and in the end they are all about nothing ...

I like everything from Blues to Groove Metal and World Music. Dennis has such a pure voice, effortless.

So great to see you, Dennis! Glad that you, Suzanne & your family are all doing well. This is one of my favorite Styx songs... and what an interesting story! Thanks for sharing your memories with us "kids" . You're officially adopted, "Uncle Dennis". 🤣 Love & blessings to you, Suzanne & family. 💗🙏💗

One of my favorite songs

You're the BEST ever DDY. Please come back to KCMO someday even if that BRAT Tommy wont rejoin you before we all are 6 feet under. Thank you and Styx for the music of my elementary/jr/and high school years ❤❤

Must be a great feeling looking back at your song and knowing just how many lives you brightened up in those days. The 80s were the best times of my life 😀

The voice..... speaks too! Desert Moon was a great tune and vid. But yes, my mind will always view Styx as Dennis, the P bros, JY and Tommy. Nothing else will be Styx. It had it's day, did it's thing and you can't go back, as Dennis says here in the vid. Just remember for a few nostalgic moments. Ah, thankfully, the tunes are still there recorded. Thanks for the commentary, Mr. DeYoung!

If I didn't know better - I'd say Mr. DeYoung was feeling nostalgic himself when the video/music starts and then @16:32 -- that subtle eyebrow raise @16:42 when he sees his younger self. We feel it too Mr. DeYoung. That's why this song is so timeless.

Definitely my favorite video of all time. The song is perfect and the video just takes it up a notch. Thank you for commenting on it and sharing the stories of making it.

One of the greatest talents in rock. DNA BABY. Next up Cleveland Ohio.

Your sense of humor is fantastic. Thanks for making these videos

Definitely a hometown feel and has always sent me to reminiscing. Great song!

Absolutely love this song and enjoyed the video as well. I was fortunate to see the Kilroy tour in July 1983 in Richmond, VA. What great memories and I’ve seen Dennis twice as a solo artist and loved the show. I wish that the guys could get back together for a final run around the country. Styx is not Styx without Dennis!!!!

The song tells so much about the 80s without even describing what 80s life is all about and thats magic. there is magic in this music artistry!

This was the song that hooked me for life. My buddy had just bought Caught in the Act the previous Christmas and loved it and started my Styx journey. The whole cassette was awesome. That’s all i used to listen to as i Rode my bike doing my paper route. I’m still waiting to use my Christmas 2019 gift which are tickets to the show on Long Island. At the paramount theater

" It drips of NOSTALGIA" is the perfect caption! GEN X, 1965 ...and my Uncle a producer at A&M RECORDS 1969-1995. I had a fantastic childhood watching this band "STYX" and many backstage passes! I'm 56 years young , and was born in 1965, hence the red 65' Ford Mustang.Thank you Mr. DeYoung and STYX "for the greatest teen years" [ 75-85] ever!

What is impressive is your voice is still the same! Fabulous!

" health, number one, family number two, and everything else is after that, that's it " - Dennis DeYoung

your voice was amazing and beautiful back then and still is just as amazing and beautiful now. Thank you for doing these videos and sharing your stories.

This is my favorite song!!!

I love the extended guitar solo that Jimmy Leahey plays when you do this song live. I have the Blu-ray of your 2014 LA concert (which is great), and that's one of the highlights of it for me.

Sometimes we don't appreciate the individual members of a band until they break out and do solo work. This was the first time I heard your voice outside of the package known as Styx. Musically, it touched my soul. The melodies and lyrics were just incredible. Then, when the video dropped, that really got me because of the emotions involved with the story. I get choked up when I hear certain pieces of music....and this was probably the first song where I clued in to that fact. And, you're right Dennis. I'm smack in the middle of my 50's. Those early MTV days were the best, especially when the ability to hear the music videos in high-fidelity stereo came along around the time this video was in the lineup. Turn up the amp and let those Pioneer floor speakers pound out Desert Moon. BTW, watching your facial expressions during your review was a treat. I could feel your sense of accomplishment with this piece. You have one amazing career to be proud of.

Is this the train to Desert Moon? What a beautiful line.

WE LOVE YOU OUT HERE DENNIS!!!

Dennis, thank you for this video. I've loved this song since I first heard it on the radio back when it came out. Never get tired of it no matter how many times I hear it. It's one of those songs that has touched my soul and I can't help but sing along to. Thank you for this great song!!!

Hey Dennis I don't know if you read the comments but, Thanks for the shout out. I have very fond memories of this shoot. You were a pleasure to work with. The DP Tom Grubbs

Good Stuff ..Styx!..To the Old days!..Cheers!

The song was a masterpiece and the video complimented it well. I have always loved this song and think it is the best that Dennis ever wrote- in Styx or out.

Thanks Dennis, love love this song and video. Next, you can highlight Show Me The Way.😁 Forver a fan of Styx and Dennis DeYoung💖

How Beautiful this song is!! Kept repeating this non stop. nostalgia , 80s man. Oh so wonderful!

I had the first three solo albums on CD all three were great. They were lost during a move and I miss listening to them. Black Wall is one of my favorite songs from his solo albums. Dennis thank you for the years of amazing music!! I hope you have not retired I would love to get to see you again!!

Now with Russia invading the Ukraine "Show me the way" is so needed to be rereleased! Thank you so much for a song that gives us hope. Dave and I can't wait to see you live again. You are our favorite musician for 60 years! Love to you and Suzanne. God bless. Connie ✝️🙏❤️

Thank you for this. The voice of my childhood. Perfect.

I Fucking love Dennis. He seems like the coolest guy in the world. Desert Moon reminds me of coming home from the Marine Corps. Everything was the same except for me

Thanks Dennis. Mustang all the way! It’s amazing how today’s technology allows us to virtually sit in your presence. Never in my mind did I ever think while I was growing up that I would ever get to see a star in an informal way or get to feel like I’m hanging out with them. This video makes the Desert Moon video have more meaning when I see it now.

We had this video recorded on VHS, then there was a Teddy Ruxpin commercial, then my cartoons that were recorded lol. So this video holds a special place in my childhood. Very cool to hear the stories I was too young to know at the time ❤️

Watching this Dennis, I can really see how much Matt looks like you. Hope to see you soon.

Greetings from a Minnesota boy living in Norway!!!

Watching the commentary from Mr. DeYoung, something became abundantly clear to me. Humility! Most "big" stars enter a room today thinking in their head; "Here I am." I have no doubt that Dennis enters a room thinking in his head; "There you are."

Hello Dennis, I am glade that you & your family are doing good. Sometimes I really wonder about our world . So much has changed & not for the best at times. Well you stay safe and well and keep Rocking. Signed John Gregory from Munster Indiana.

The outro guitar solo on this song is fantastic …

Thank you so much for this. I watch this video and listen to this song often. It's a fantastic song. When I was younger, I didn't quite understand it. Now that I'm 46, I completely understand it. It's definitely one of my favorite songs.

I love you Dennis Deyoung!!! Thank you for an awesome video!!!!

This video certainly plays out like a film trailer. This would make for a great full length film!

Desert Moon is video and songwriting perfection. I could watch and listen to the song and video a million more times. ❤

Uncle Dennis...Thank you for visiting us again. Please, we would love another story and some good cheer soon! Continued Health and Happiness to you

Wow, I thought this would be a good video because I heard Desert Moon when I was dating my wife in 1984 and instantly loved it. I never knew the backstory and listening to Dennis is like sitting down with an old friend. This was an awesome video. Much love Dennis! Keep on rocking!!!

I feel such a connection to this song. It takes me back to when responsibility was unlimited. Being young,memories of summer and lost loves wanting to relive those days.

Glad to see you again....like an old friend.

I love the Desert Moon video! That video brings me back in time.

That part you talk about going from adolescence to 'adulting' at warp speed hits hard. I was in that 'coming of age' era of my life when this came out. Now I'm pushing 50. I can't tell you where time went. Spent 12 years in the military which seems like a blur. This song takes me back to my high school years in the late 80s where we went to the pool during the days and played kick the can at night before driving. Then driving opened the little world a bit bigger. To the bowling ally and cruising in the summer. Sooooo many crushes came and went, and memories that'll fade like the lyric 'bragged of things we never done.' Now being medically retired for a few years from the Navy, all I can do is sit read and watch videos. Your videos, Mr DeYoung, brighten the days more. And make me feel like I'm back in the carefree teenage life again. I can never express my thanks for that. edit: forgot to add a word......

Hi Mr. DeYoung! i am so thrilled to have the chance to send you this message. Desert Moon is a song that has a beautiful meaning in my life. Recently married at the time and a son on his way, some reversal of fortune on other aspects of my life hit me a little hard. I was forced to move out of my beautiful hometown and change life habits at the time, but I didn't give up. The message of the song kept me going and finally I made it back, hometown and everything. When I moved back I played in my car the cassette I had with the song in it as I drove back into town. I always listen to it and watch the video EVERYTIME I have a chance. I am living my "Golden Hour" now and I thank you for the memory of this magnificent song and the life I have. I own the cassette, LP, CD and iTunes versions of this hymn. Stay safe! My wife and I admire you and your work.

Dennis was a great friend to have when I was young .

I turned 15 in the Fall of 1984... grew up in Indiana... Mid West boy... Desert Moon was one song & album I totally dug... I wore that cassette out... when I watch the video it's like visiting an old friend... hearing the song is like listening to an old friend's voice on the phone... straight to the very soul & heart.

HELLO. THIS. VIDÉO IS. GREAT. ÉMOTION.AND. SONG. IS. BEAUTIFUL. THANK. YOU. DENNIS. DE. YOUNG. FOR. THE. SONG. DESERT. MOON 1984. FROM. PARIS. SAMSIC !

Nice one Dennis, great to see you again. Superb song and video. Keep on Rockin 😁

Would love to have lessons. You are one of the biggest inspirations for my life.

Always Loved this Song! Thanks for the Commentary on the Video! Still want to see you Live someday! God Bless and Stay Safe Too!

Hey everybody, it's music time! LOVE that song, btw. It's hilarious. Desert Moon, however, is my favorite "solo Dennis" song. The story is beautiful, as is the guy who put it to music.

Thank you Dennis. This is one of my all time favorite songs not just the video. It is still on my playlist today! I hope that you get to go out on one more tour so that I can come see you again!

I love just about every song you have done! Lady is my favorite. Its uncanny how much my ex looks like you! Same curly hair and same nose. Only he had a mustache! This song makes me sad. I miss the great times we had as teens. Everything was so much safer 40 years ago! I love your channel!

Dennis, you are an amazing artist who can transport us all back to our earlier years. Our stories are all different and yet the same. Thank you for sharing your talent with us little people.

Dennis. Love you man. Please give us another tour with August and Jimmy!!! 🙏🙏🙏

Love,Love, Love, Love, Love!!❤❤💯

An excellent song and excellent video to accompany it. Watching this brings back memories which I'm sure it does for a lot of folks. I'm reminded of when I first listened to the album and seeing the video on MTV. Those were the days! As with everything you have done, the production is top shelf. Would love to see you do the same for the rest of the music videos you have done. I hope you and the family are doing well.

love this song

Always loved Desert Moon, the song, and the video. Beautiful song.

Dennis, Thank you for sharing your memories with us. I have been a fan of your music since childhood.

Good day sir! I got to know you because of my mom... you have a wonderful voice!!!! My mom and I love it! She knows a lot of your songs... and likes to ''sing with you''! She has a beautiful voice as well! I left her to get an appartment couple of years ago ( I'm 23!). She had the chance to see you with Styx, in Montreal (forum), lucky her!!! And every now and then, I take her for a car ride and WE have a playlist with you! My dad passed away last may, I like to hear that song of yours Desert Moon, The best of times, ect! Sir, we really do LOVE you! Take care!!!!

I'm totally in tears.

I just love you. You always make me feel better, you're so funny.

Need more of these please

If I had one wish it would be to be related to Dennis like he would be my uncle. What talent, what memories in high school blasting Desert Moon!