# Styx. REO Speedwagon. Toto. ELO. What ARE these people? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 26, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109 "2004-05-26T02:43:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/21 "2004-05-26T14:44:42Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > …Boston, and Kansas … in this same way. They might even be in the same category as the OP but: what the hell _are_ they? 😕 Nitpick - is **Boston** really in this category, or do you mean **Chicago**? I always though Boston kicked more ass than the other groups mentioned in this thread. I’m fully prepared to admit that they may just be the best of a bad genre, but I can’t just let you guys lump them in with the group that sings, _“Heard it from a friend, who… heard it from a friend, who… heard it from another you’d been messin’ around…”_ Because OH. MY. GOD. Worst song evar. And I do mean EVAR. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/22 "2004-05-26T14:59:28Z")
I don’t like the term arena rock because it really doesn’t describe what the music sounds like, which is the only thing I’m really interested in. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/23 "2004-05-26T15:26:08Z")
“Arena Rock”…I likes it. Perhaps there are subgenres? Like “Arena Art Rock”? ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/24 "2004-05-26T15:33:22Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I always think of Journey, Foreigner, Boston, and Kansas **(and wasn’t there another city/state named band?)** in this same way. They might even be in the same category as the OP but: what the hell _are_ they? 😕 Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![RogueRacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RogueRacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogueRacer)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/25 "2004-05-26T15:41:10Z")
> [@Jurph](#): > > Nitpick - is **Boston** really in this category, or do you mean **Chicago**? I always though Boston kicked more ass than the other groups mentioned in this thread. I’m fully prepared to admit that they may just be the best of a bad genre, but I can’t just let you guys lump them in with the group that sings… Yes, Boston is definitely in this class. Granted, REO does sing some crap, but Boston is just generic rock melodies with no heart. I don’t think anyone mentioned Cheap Trick, who also belongs with this group. Some of the bands like Cheap Trick and REO can be called **Midwestern Rock**. I’ve also heard the term **Blue Collar Rock** which I think is fairly fitting. Still, it’s all really just generic classic rock in the end. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/26 "2004-05-26T15:44:49Z")
I’d call 'em “Pop Rock.” Radio-friendly, a little rock-y with just enough pop to shoo me away. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/27 "2004-05-26T15:45:47Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Perhaps there are subgenres? Like “Arena Art Rock”? What’s the difference in sound between art rock and arena art rock? ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/28 "2004-05-26T16:07:53Z")
> [@](#): > > The lead singer had that psychotic “I have seen the light” look in his eyes. That would be the cocaine. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/29 "2004-05-26T16:40:07Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > I believe **arena rock** is the most accepted term, though the recently-coined **butt rock** might also work. “Butt rock” ain’t that recent, I remember using it in 1993-94 or so. “Dinosaur rock” was how I always described OP-type bands. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/30 "2004-05-26T16:53:03Z")
> [@RogueRacer](#): > > I don’t think anyone mentioned Cheap Trick, who also belongs with this group. _Gahh._ Mention you Cheap Trick in the same breath with these Cheesy Poof ballad boys?! (Okay, not ELO.) (And I guess Trick had one or two power ballads.) (But still.) (It’s just wrong.) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/31 "2004-05-26T17:01:14Z")
“Stadium rock” (kind of like “arena rock”) was what we called it in high school. I’ve always thought that the term “art rock” was better reserved for bands like Rush or Yes…bands that had a trace of prog rock in their sound. Cheap Trick is power pop, as are Badfinger and The Beatles. Classic rock is all of the above and the kitchen sink. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/32 "2004-05-26T17:08:20Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Cheap Trick is power pop. Thought that was The Knack. _head explodes_ ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/33 "2004-05-26T17:16:05Z")
Them too…yeah, it’s confusing. It’s funny to listen to power pop devotees argue about what “is” and “isn’t” power pop. Then again, try defining any rock music genre–the big arguments I remember from my HS days in the 80’s were about who was and wasn’t “metal.” ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/34 "2004-05-26T17:25:24Z")
Yeah, I remember reading an interview with Loverboy in which they described themselves as “heavy metal” … followed shortly by several letters to the editor from _real_ metalheads saying “you’ve got to be kidding”, or words to that effect 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RogueRacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RogueRacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogueRacer)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/35 "2004-05-26T17:44:27Z")
> [@Moody Bastard](#): > > _Gahh._ Mention you Cheap Trick in the same breath with these Cheesy Poof ballad boys?! (Okay, not ELO.) > (And I guess Trick had one or two power ballads.) > (But still.) > (It’s just wrong.) 😉 Hey! I love Cheap Trick, but do I need to remind you of _Busted_? I also rank REO as one of my favorite live bands of all time. Being from the Midwest myself, I do sort of identify with their origins. Cheap Trick formed in Rockford, IL. REO formed in Champaign, IL. I believe Styx claims Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/36 "2004-05-26T17:44:27Z")
Hey - I like most of these groups - own their albums, have fond memories associated with them, etc. so - back off man 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/37 "2004-05-26T18:05:25Z")
> [@Jurph](#): > > Nitpick - is **Boston** really in this category, or do you mean **Chicago**? I always though Boston kicked more ass than the other groups mentioned in this thread. I’m fully prepared to admit that they may just be the best of a bad genre, but I can’t just let you guys lump them in with the group that sings, > > _“Heard it from a friend, who… > heard it from a friend, who… > heard it from another you’d been messin’ around…”_ > > Because OH. MY. GOD. Worst song evar. And I do mean EVAR. Hey, Chicago had its good points, though that song is inexcusable. Beginnings, Saturday in the Park, Colour my World. Just buy a best of album and forget about everything after the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![mbacko1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@mbacko1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbacko1)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/38 "2004-05-26T18:06:27Z")
OK, I’ll admit to liking songs from these bands. What is interesting is that I think a number of these bands fall into this “arena rock” label because at one point they were radio staples and now in today’s world where they have become “classic rock” which only plays their 2 or 3 most popular songs they become bands that can be easily dismissed. For the longest time I thought Chicago only had one interesting album _Chicago Transit Authority_, their first album. I figured that most of the rest of their songs were sappy ballads because that is all I heard on the radio. Recently I purchased some of their early albums (before Terry Kath died) and there is some really great blues and jazz influenced rock music. Styx still puts on a great live show, and they have some great rock songs, “Blue Collar Man”, “Too Much Time on My Hands”, and “Renegade” to name a few. I have to admit that “Babe” is such a sappy song. I think a few other bands would fall into this category. Asia is one, the John Wetton (ex-King Crimson) led supergroup, Foreigner, Bad Company, and Boston. I think Rush teeters on the edge of Arena Rock. They are a bit too straight-up rock to fall into Art-Rock, though I guess _2112_ would qualify. As someone posted, there is no really great way to pin a band under a genre label. They usually have at least one or two songs minimum that don’t fit in the genre. Mike ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/39 "2004-05-26T18:28:23Z")
Would some one **please** tell me what is it with the American obsession to compartmentalize all music and bands into little neat boxes?? 😕 My Winamp has I don’t know how many daft sub-categorises of music to tag MP3s. I use about 5, tops. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109/40 "2004-05-26T18:35:06Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > Would some one **please** tell me what is it with the American obsession to compartmentalize all music and bands into little neat boxes?? 😕 > > My Winamp has I don’t know how many daft sub-categorises of music to tag MP3s. I use about 5, tops. If you use any genre tags, you’re compartmentalizing. We just take it a little further than you do. I don’t think there’s anything uniquely American about it. When you listen to a lot of music, you tend to notice similar styles. If you give a style a name, then when someone asks you what a particular song/album/artist sounds like, you can just mention that name, instead of going through a laundry list of songs/albums/artists that sound similar. If you ask me what Emperor’s _Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk_ sounds like, I can either tell you that it’s progressive second wave black metal, or I can tell you that it sounds like music from Bathory, Mayhem, and Grieg. Which one is more descriptive? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/styx-reo-speedwagon-toto-elo-what-are-these-people/247109.md?page=3)