Dennis DeYoung Just Found Out The Cars Hated Styx—and He Couldn’t Be More Unfazed

Like us, musicians can dislike other musicians’ music. Just because they share the spotlight and have some unspoken understanding of how fame works does not mean they can still not have a distaste for one another. Matter of fact, come to think about it, wouldn’t it make more sense to dislike other artists from a competitive standpoint? Who is to say, but there have been many musicians who have openly criticized other artists.

George Harrison and Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Kiss, Joni Mitchell and Madonna, the list goes on. However, a new musical disconnection has surfaced—Styx and The Cars. Styx member, Dennis DeYoung, learned about The Car’s disdain from a 2006 interview from Classic Rock. Before the article, DeYoung was never even aware of the situation and it seemingly came as quite a surprise. That said, the article did not ruffle any feathers between bands. Rather, it simply added to the historical media collection of each group.

A Long Time in The Making

The Cars frontman, Ric Ocasek stated in the Classic Rock interview, “We opened for about anybody in the beginning. We opened for bands that we really hated, like Styx.” Doubling down on his claim Ocasek also divulged that, “people were relating to us and not relating to them. So they got a little pissed.” A bold statement that goes back decades, as The Cars used to open for Styx back in the ’80s.

Given that this disdain for the band has been boiling for decades, it seems Ocasek and The Cars’ dislike stems from more than just taste. Both bands were successful in the same time frame and genre. Thus, DeYoung believes it had something to do with the fact that The Cars were a new band, saying, “really didn’t know they hated us – but that’s not unusual for new bands who are trying to take the mantle from the reigning chart toppers,” per a Facebook post of DeYoung’s.

DeYoung Didn’t Care

DeYoung is older, more mature, and to all appearances, does not have the time nor energy for such petty feuds. He divulges this by writing in his post that Ocasek’s statements are “nonsense” and a “real knee slapper.” Furthermore, DeYoung does go on to throw some shade, articulating, “We were as big as it gets, and the idea that our fans were anything more than polite to them is ludicrous.”

DeYoung and Styx are Grammy-nominated Rock & Roll Hall of Famers. The Cars hold the same accolades as well. Even though both bands might sound a bit similar and do come from the same era. It seems the two groups believe they have nothing in common. Nonetheless, it is a bit funny to see this come across DeYoung’s desk 18 years later.

Courtesy of Dennis DeYoung