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Chuck Panozzo

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Chuck Panozzo
Background information
Birth nameCharles Salvatore Panozzo
Born (1948-09-20) September 20, 1948 (age 76)
OriginChicago, Illinois
Genres
OccupationBassist
Years active1956–present
Member ofStyx (part-time)[1]
Websitewww.chuckpanozzo.com

Charles Salvatore "Chuck" Panozzo (born September 20, 1948) is an American musician best known as a co-founder of the rock band Styx. He is currently a part-time bass player in the band, sharing bass duties with Terry Gowan. Panozzo is living with HIV, which played a role in limiting his full-time participation.[2]

Early life and education

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Panozzo grew up in a working-class Italian Catholic neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, Illinois.[3] At the age of 7, Panozzo and his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, who died in July 1996, took music lessons from an uncle.[3] He attended Catholic schools.

Panozzo received a degree in art education and taught art at the high school level.[4] He left his teaching job to pursue his career in music with Styx.

Styx

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Styx, 1983 publicity photo (Panozzo second from right)

In 1961–1962, Panozzo founded a band which would eventually become Styx with his brother, John and singer/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung.[5][2][4]

The band's only number one in the US was "Babe", released in 1979.[6] Other successful songs by Styx are "Mr. Roboto", "Show Me the Way", "The Best of Times", "Don't Let It End", "Lady", and "Come Sail Away", the latter being used many times in pop culture.

Panozzo still tours in Styx, but is a part-time member, as a result of his body growing weaker through his battle with AIDS. Bassists Ricky Phillips and Terry Gowan have filled in for him over time.

Sexuality and HIV diagnosis

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According to Panozzo, he first realised his homosexuality when at age seven, he had broken his leg, and in school when the fire alarm went off, an older student had to help him out.[3]

In 1991, he was diagnosed as being HIV-positive, which he kept secret along with his sexuality. By 1998, the disease had progressed to AIDS.[3][7] In 2001, at the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner, in front of 1,000 guests, Panozzo announced that he is gay and is living with HIV.[8][9][10]

Before publicly announcing his diagnosis and sexuality, the only other person who knew Chuck's secret was his twin brother John, who had already died by the time the secret was revealed.[7]

In 2007, he released his autobiography The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life With Styx.[11]

Panozzo has donated money to many AIDS research organizations.[3] He lives with his partner, Tim.

References

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  1. ^ Joel McIver (October 11, 2021). "Styx's Chuck Panozzo and Ricky Phillips share the low-end theories behind the AOR stalwarts' sound". guitarworld. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Prince, Patrick (June 24, 2021). "Bassist Chuck Panozzo cherishes the legacy of Styx". Goldmine.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Chuck Panozzo's Official Website". chuckpanozzo.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  4. ^ a b GIESEKE, WINSTON (August 26, 2011). "The Best of Times for Chuck Panozzo". The Advocate.
  5. ^ CRUMMY, COLIN (August 30, 2017). "Styx Bassist Chuck Panozzo on The Mission & HIV Positivity". Out.
  6. ^ "Styx | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Cohen, Howard (June 13, 2007). "Styx bassist's sexuality no longer secret". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  8. ^ Zimmerman, David (October 11, 2012). "24th Annual National Coming Out Day Promotes LGBT Awareness". The Boston Globe.
  9. ^ RHODES, WENDY (January 27, 2016). "Styx Cofounder Chuck Panozzo on Alcoholism, AIDS, and the Cult of Celebrity". New Times Broward-Palm Beach.
  10. ^ Hinks, Jeremy (September 28, 2021). "STYX and the Legendary & Historic "Smirk" of Chuck Panozzo". Instinct.
  11. ^ Panozzo, Chuck; Skettino, Michele (2007). The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life with Styx. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780814400807.
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