Not a warts and all Styx biography but a personal history as told by one of their founding members, bass player Chuck Panozzo. Chuck's role in the band has been restricted over the last few years following his HIV diagnosis but he does join them for a few songs on most nights. The really interesting part of this book takes place in Chicago in the 1960's, as together with twin brothers John and Dennis De Young, Chuck forms a high school band and decides to embark on a full time career as a musician.

Running parallel to the story of Styx is Chuck's struggles with his own sexual identity, something that he kept hidden from his band mates and their fans for many years. For anyone looking for the real behind the scenes story as to what transformed Styx into a multi-platinum selling act then you won't find that here as, by his own admission, Chuck was some way removed from the creative heart of the band. What you do get is a good, honest account of what life was like for a gay musician as part of a hugely popular American Rock band, who was to all intents and purposes leading a double life.

In later years brother John was edged out of Styx due to his problems with alcoholism and there is a frank account of how Chuck tries to support John and protect his role, before his own medical problems in the late 90's begin to limit his own contribution to the band. His subsequent "coming out" in 2001 proves something of an awakening and he describes the internal squabbles within Styx as "bickering over trivial matters", Chuck himself going on to do much charity work for AIDS awareness and Gay Rights.

Whilst it might not lift the lid on Styx, ‘The Grand Illusion' ultimately proves to be an uplifting book.

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