James Young (American musician)

James Vincent Young (born November 14, 1949) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter who is best known for playing lead guitar in the American rock band Styx.[1] Young began playing keyboard and piano at the age of five. He attended Calumet High in Chicago and learned to play clarinet and guitar during those years. He was nicknamed by Styx members & long time fans as "J.Y." and is often referred to as "The Godfather Of Styx".

James "J.Y." Young
James "J.Y." Young performing with Styx on July 2, 2010 at Memorial Park in Omaha, Nebraska
Background information
Birth name	James Vincent Young
Born	(1949-11-14) November 14, 1949 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Hard rock, Progressive rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals, keyboards
Years active	1966–present
Labels	A&M, Passport, Absolute Records
Associated acts	Styx

In 1970, Young joined the band TW4[2][3][4][5] while a student at Illinois Institute of Technology, from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. That band later became the first incarnation of Styx.

After Styx's initial breakup in 1984, Young released the solo albums City Slicker (1985 with Jan Hammer),[5] Out on a Day Pass (1993), and Raised by Wolves (1995 with James Young Group). He is the only full-time original member left in Styx's lineup (Chuck Panozzo makes frequent live appearances, plus a guest appearance on albums) and has appeared on all Styx albums. Young tends to write the more hard rock pieces for Styx. He is best known for the Styx songs "Miss America" and "Snowblind". Young managed the Chicago, Illinois -based rock band 7th Heaven in 1998 along with Alec John Such of the band Bon Jovi.