Gary Loizzo, Longtime Styx Producer/Live Sound Engineer, Passes At 70

Gary Loizzo

Longtime STYX producer and live engineer GARY LOIZZO passed away in CHICAGO on JANUARY 16th, surrounded by his family at the age of 70 after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Prior to his production career, GARY was the lead vocalist/guitarist of THE AMERICAN BREED, who sang the band’s 1968 Top 5 hit single, “Bend Me, Shape Me.” He also got to sing “Bend Me, Shape Me” with STYX as his backing band at the HOLLYWOOD CASINO AMPHITHEATRE in TINLEY PARK, IL, on SEPTEMBER 5th, 2015, bringing everything full circle.

GARY started GARY AND THE KNIGHT LITES in CHICAGO before changing their name to THE AMERICAN BREED, recalled STYX co-founding guitarist/vocalist JAMES "JY" YOUNG, whose band at the time opened for them. "He was one of a kind.”

“What really stands out the most is the person GARY was — a man who led by example,” says guitarist/vocalist TOMMY SHAW. “He was the guy you looked up to as the most calm and straightforward guy, and the one you could count on at all times to be that person.”

GARY became an integral member of the STYX production team while working with the band as an engineer on their 1974 album, "Man of Miracles." He garnered a pair of GRAMMY nominations for Best Engineered Album of the Year for his work on 1979’s multiplatinum-selling "Cornerstone" and 1983’s "Kilroy Was Here," both of which were recorded in OAK LAWN, IL, at his own PUMPKIN STUDIOS, as was 1981’s chart-topping "Paradise Theater."  GARY rose to co-producer on albums like 2003’s "Cyclorama" and 2005’s "Big Bang Theory."

Added SHAW: “I feel blessed to have worked with him for so many years, and to call him my friend. He was a good man, and a straight shooter whose opinions I respected and always took to heart.”

GARY is survived by wife DIANE, daughter DAWN KNOEBEL, sons TODD, VINCE and DOUG and grandchildren JAKE, ALEX, JACK, BROOKLYN, BEN, GIANNA, JOSETTE and LILLY.

His funeral service is being held today in ORLAND PARK, IL.

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