Post-Styx Career
In February 2000, DeYoung was approached to perform a concert featuring his many songs from Styx, as well as his solo works and his 1997 stage musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with an orchestra. The show, performed at the Rosemont Theatre in DeYoung's hometown of Chicago, was a family affair for DeYoung. His wife Suzanne and sister-in-law Dawn Marie Feusi sang backup, his daughter Carrie Ann was in charge of publicity, while his son Matthew designed the stage lighting. The concert was well received and formed the basis for a touring version of the show, and eventually an 2004 album, The Music of Styx - Live with Symphony Orchestra.
Healthy once again, DeYoung returned to touring North America with a 50-piece orchestra augmented by a five-piece rock band which included Tommy Dziallo on guitar, Hank Horton on bass, and Kyle Woodring (from John Mellencamp and Deana Carter) on drums, all of whom also played shows with DeYoung with or without the orchestra.
DeYoung made his major motion picture debut in 2005's The Perfect Man, in which he played the lead vocalist in a Styx tribute band.
In 2006, DeYoung appeared along with Supertramp's Roger Hodgson on Canadian Idol where he performed with and mentors the contestants.
On April 20, 2006, at the Community Theatre in Morristown, New Jersey, DeYoung took to the stage once again with former Styx member Glen Burtnik as part of his Lost Treasures concert series. It marked the first time in nearly seven years the two had appeared together. On his website, DeYoung jokingly dubbed the performances "The Denny and Glenny Show." While on stage, the duo opened with the Beatles classic "We Can Work It Out" and also performed "Watching The World Go By", and "All For Love", songs that were originally written for the unreleased Edge of the Century 2 album.
On September 14 and 15, 2006, DeYoung appeared with Hal Sparks on Celebrity Duets, a show produced by Simon Cowell. They sang "Come Sail Away" and "Mr. Roboto." DeYoung was invited back to perform on Celebrity Duets on September 28, 2006 with finalist Hal Sparks. The pair performed the Styx breakthrough hit "Lady" written by DeYoung in 1973, with DeYoung serenading his wife Suzanne in the audience while Hal did the same for his long-time girlfriend.
In 2007, DEP Records of Canada released DeYoung's stateside CD Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx Live with Symphony Orchestra which went on to achieve platinum status. In Canada 50,000 plus copies sold for a double CD qualifies as platinum. They also released his DVD The Rock: Symphonic Music of Styx which went triple platinum. In addition he appeared on the television show Star Académie.
On June 19, 2007, DeYoung released in Canada his fifth solo album, One Hundred Years from Now marking a return to his rock roots. The first single, the title track, was a duet with Québécois singer Éric Lapointe. The single reached #1 on the Québec Radio Single and Soundscan charts. The album was released in the U.S. on April 14, 2009 with slightly different tracks.
On New Year's Eve 2007, he performed "Mr. Roboto", "Come Sail Away" and many other classics to a large audience at Victoria Park in Niagara Falls, Canada, and millions of viewers via live television on CHCH-TV Channel 11. Following his concert he did a brief live interview with CHCH-TV's Mat Hayes.
On May 8, 2008, DeYoung's musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame premiered at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in Chicago. This production went on to win the Joseph Jefferson Award for best musical in Chicago in 2008.
On September 20, 2008, DeYoung performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame benefit concert for the John Entwistle foundation. The benefit concert was held at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary, North Carolina and featured many other rock and roll musicians. He and his band performed many of Styx's hits.
In November and December 2008 DeYoung was a featured artist on the German Night of the Proms 20 city tour. He joined Robin Gibb, Tears for Fears, 10CC and Kim Wilde on the sold out tour. He also accompanied Robin Gibb on piano performing "How Deep Is Your Love".
On July 12, 2009, DeYoung was honored by his native Chicago with the "Great Performer of Illinois Award." Following the award ceremony in the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park in Chicago, DeYoung and his band performed many of Styx's hits in a free concert.
On October 13, 2009, DeYoung's sound creation the "ARF 2600" was given its world premiere at the opening of The 101 Dalmatians Musical in Minneapolis, MN.
In 2010, DeYoung formed a new rock band dedicated to the music of Styx featuring new members guitarist and lead vocalist August Zadra and bass player and vocalist Craig Carter. They joined with John Blasucci, Jimmy Leahey, Tom Sharpe and Suzanne DeYoung in performing Styx hits including "Renegade", "Blue Collar Man" and others as well as DeYoung's solo works.
As of 2012 DeYoung continues to tour the world with his symphonic shows, rock band shows and acoustic shows.
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