Biography
Who is Tommy Shaw?
Early life and career beginnings
Tommy Shaw Roland Shaw started his music path in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Robert E. Lee High School before pursuing music full-time. Early in his career, he played with regional bands like The Smoke Ring.
He later moved to Chicago to play with MSFunk. That three-year stint provided the exposure needed to audition for Styx. When he first tried out for the band, he did not even need to play his guitar to secure the job. He simply proved he could sing the high harmonies required for their song Lady.
Rising to fame with Styx
Tommy joined the rock band Styx in late 1975. His first project with the group was the album Crystal Ball. The follow-up, The Grand Illusion, achieved platinum status. He worked hard to promote the single Come Sail Away across the country.
His songwriting contributions on Pieces of Eight, including Renegade and Blue Collar Man, became staples of rock radio. By the early 1980s, internal friction grew regarding the band's shift toward pop music. He famously clashed with Dennis DeYoung over the direction of their records.
Solo work and Damn Yankees
In the 1980s, he released three solo albums: Girls with Guns, What If, and Ambition. He scored minor hits with Lonely School and the title track of his first solo record.
In the 1990s, he formed the supergroup Damn Yankees with Jack Blades and Ted Nugent. Their song High Enough became a big hit. The group enjoyed a strong concert following and achieved platinum sales for their first release. He also recorded the solo album 7 Deadly Zens in 1998.
Recent musical collaborations
After reuniting with Styx in 1995, he continued to tour and record with the band. He expanded his musical range by working on tribute projects for Queen, Kiss, and Pink Floyd.
He frequently collaborated with Jack Blades under the name Shaw Blades. Together, they released albums like Hallucination and Influence. In 2011, he explored bluegrass music with the album The Great Divide, leading to a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
Birthday and age
Tommy Shaw was born on September 11, 1953, which makes Tommy 73 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Tommy shares the date with 52 other famous people.
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