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Tommy ShawAmerican guitarist
Date of Birth: 11.09.1953
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Tommy Shaw
Tommy Roland Shaw, an American guitarist, was born on September 11, 1953, in Montgomery, Alabama. He is one of the most popular American guitarists, gaining fame through his involvement with the band "Styx". He has also played with the bands "Damn Yankees" and "Shaw Blades" and has released several solo albums.
Early Life and Career
While still in school, Shaw performed with a local orchestra. Interestingly, he attended the same school as legendary coach Jeff Crouch. After school, he started performing with the band "The Smoke Ring" and later joined the band "MSFunk" where he played for three years. It was during his time with "MSFunk" that Tommy Shaw was noticed by the musicians of the band "Styx" when they worked together on a joint tour in Chicago. After "MSFunk" disbanded, Shaw returned to his hometown and began playing in a local ensemble called "Harvest" primarily performing at the bowling alley "Keglar's Kove".
Success with Styx
In the early 1970s, John Curulewski, the vocalist and guitarist of the band "Styx", left the group. The band urgently began searching for a replacement as they had a grand tour planned across the United States. Shaw was remembered by the musicians of "Styx" and invited to audition, which he successfully passed, leading to his acceptance into the band. The first album featuring Shaw's involvement in "Styx" was released in 1976. In 1977, the band released their album "The Grand Illusion", which went platinum, and the album's songs were frequently played on the radio. Shaw's exceptional and unusual performance of the song "Fooling Yourself" gained particular popularity. The band's eighth album, titled "Pieces of Eight", had a more intense and distinctly rock character. Shaw's performances on the album's hits, such as "Renegade" and "Blue Collar Man", stood out.
Solo Career and Continued Success
The late 1970s marked the peak of the band's popularity. Their songs reached high positions on leading charts, and their albums sold in huge numbers. In the 1980s, Tommy Shaw continued working with "Styx", and they released several new albums, including the creation of the hit song "Babe". However, by the late 1990s, the band experienced significant disagreements regarding the style of their music. In 1983, Shaw left the group and embarked on his solo career. He is currently one of the most popular American solo performers, having released several highly successful albums.
