Big Bang Theory is the fifteenth studio album and the first covers album by the American rock band Styx, released in 2005. It consists of cover versions of classic rock songs.

Origin

In 2004, Styx performed a cover of the Beatles song "I Am the Walrus" at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival, where the song was received so well that it was released as a single. The video featured original bassist Chuck Panozzo as the "eggman". The single's success resulted in the band recording this album of cover songs. As a result of an appearance on the Today Show the week of the album's launch, the album reached No. 46 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, Styx's first time in the top 50 since 1983's Kilroy Was Here. However, the album only charted for one week. The single "I Am the Walrus" reached a high of number 27 on the Billboard Heritage Rock Chart, but failed to chart on any other rock or pop chart.

Track listing

  1. "I Am the Walrus" (the Beatles cover)
  2. Lead vocals: Gowan
  3. Lead guitar: Shaw
  4. "I Can See for Miles" (the Who cover)
  5. Lead vocals: Shaw
  6. Lead guitar: J. Young
  7. "Can't Find My Way Home" (Blind Faith cover)
  8. Lead vocals: Shaw
  9. Lead guitar: J. Young
  10. "It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)" (Willie Dixon cover)
  11. Lead vocals: J. Young
  12. Lead guitar: Shaw
  13. "I Don't Need No Doctor" (Ray Charles cover, a la Humble Pie)
  14. Lead vocals: Gowan
  15. Lead guitar: J. Young
  16. "One Way Out" (the Allman Brothers Band cover)
  17. Lead vocals and lead guitar: Shaw
  18. "A Salty Dog" (Procol Harum cover)
  19. Lead vocals: Gowan
  20. Lead guitar: Shaw
  21. "Summer in the City" (the Lovin' Spoonful cover)
  22. Lead vocals: Shaw
  23. Lead guitar: J. Young
  24. "Manic Depression" (the Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
  25. Lead vocals and lead guitar: J. Young
  26. "Talkin' About the Good Times" (the Pretty Things cover)
  27. Lead vocals: Gowan
  28. Lead guitar: Shaw
  29. "Locomotive Breath" (Jethro Tull cover)
  30. Lead vocals: J. Young
  31. Lead guitar: J. Young and Shaw
  32. "Find the Cost of Freedom" (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover)
  33. Lead vocals: Styx
  34. Lead guitar: J. Young and Shaw
  35. "Wishing Well" (Free cover)
  36. Lead vocals and lead guitar: Shaw
  37. "Blue Collar Man @ 2120" (rerecording of a Styx song)
  38. Lead vocals and lead guitar: Shaw

Personnel

Styx

  • Tommy Shawvocals, guitars
  • James "JY" Youngvocals, guitars
  • Lawrence Gowanvocals, keyboards
  • Ricky Phillipsbass
  • Todd Suchermandrums

Additional musicians

  • The Oracle Divaguest vocals on "It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)" and "Wishing Well"
  • Johnnie Johnsonpiano on "Blue Collar Man @ 2120"
  • Koko Taylorguest vocals on "Blue Collar Man @ 2120"

Production

  • Gary Loizzoproducer, engineer, remixing
  • Derek Downing, John Maschoff, Mike Pierceassistant engineers
  • Dan Stoutmastering at Colossal Mastering, Chicago

Charts

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! scope="col" | Chart (2005)

! scope="col" | Peak<br> position

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References