In the early ’80s, Styx were one of the most successful rock bands in America, riding high on hits like ‘Come Sail Away’ and ‘Babe’. Their golden run began in 1977 and reached its zenith with the concept album Paradise Theatre, which hit No 1 in the summer of 1981. However, their trajectory took a sharp downturn with the release of Kilroy Was Here, particularly its standout track, ‘Mr. Roboto’.
Key facts:
- ‘Mr. Roboto’ is a synth-rock anthem from the album Kilroy Was Here.
- The song peaked at No 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- ‘Kilroy Was Here’ also made it to No 3 on the Billboard charts.
- The album features a character named Robert Orin Charles Kilroy.
- James Young claimed that ‘Mr. Roboto’ alienated half of Styx’s audience.
The divisive nature of ‘Mr. Roboto’ sparked intense debate among fans and band members alike. James Young stated, “Dennis had this vision for an idea that none of the rest of us agreed with, and we battled about it for quite some time.” This internal conflict ultimately led to Tommy Shaw departing for a solo career shortly after the album’s release.
Critics were quick to pounce on what they perceived as a misguided attempt at innovation. Bob Pittman bluntly remarked, “That song, Mr. Roboto, it killed Styx. It was truly awful. I mean, that was about the dumbest idea ever.” Yet, Dennis DeYoung defended his creation—he believed that its catchiness was part of its charm: “Mr. Roboto was dismissed by so many people because it was so doggone catchy and clever.”
The music video for ‘Mr. Roboto’, featuring DeYoung as Kilroy himself, added a layer of theatricality that some fans found appealing but others deemed excessive. The album had a vaguely Orwellian theme that may not have resonated with all audiences at the time.
As Styx found themselves at a crossroads in their career during the early 1980s, they faced an uncertain future. Dennis DeYoung later reflected on his attempts to create another concept album with Kilroy Was Here: “Was it too much? Maybe.” Ultimately, this ambitious project marked the beginning of Styx’s disbandment in the late 1980s—a stark contrast to their earlier successes.
