Nature of the Beast

I discovered Dennis Deyoung and Tommy Shaw both at the same time, from my sister's Styx albums. Dennis I saw as someone from my world, unlike most singers who seemed to be from a world I couldn't relate to. Dennis was from Chicago, like my parents, and he seemed to share my values. That and the messages in his music made him someone I could look up to.

Tommy Shaw I appreciated differently. He wasn't ever someone I looked up to. However, while Tommy Shaw has a very different background than me, I related to him on a deeper level. I connected to Tommy Shaw on an emotional level. He seemed to be like me inside. I took comfort from Tommy Shaw's music; he made me feel less alone. Here was someone else who felt in the manner that I felt. I can't imagine what my life would be like without having discovered Tommy Shaw. I appreciate Tommy Shaw not because I admire him (though I do admire his talent and his looks) but because he is like me.

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