[Bruce Wang]

The first album I ever bought for myself was Styx's "Paradise Theater," purchased from Pier Records in 1981. I'm pretty sure it was sold at a garage sale somewhere along the way, which is a shame. I don't wish I had that album, I just wish I had the first album I ever bought, if that makes sense.

The first album I owned was Cruisin' by the Village People.  I didn't buy it.  My aunt bought it for me at a department store in Taipei on the condition that I do the YMCA dance.  I attracted a crowd because that kind of exuberant behavior was very unusual for kids in Taiwan back then.  I remember loving the Village People not just for the disco grooves, but also all the neat costumes.  The gay archetypes, of course, went over the head of my 7 year old self.

I saw Styx at a MTV party during the cable tv convention.  The bill (in descending order): Styx, REO Speedwagon, and Journey, which struck me as backwards (no offense Hank and you other Styx-lovers).  When Journey came out with just the guitarist and keyboardist sans Steve Perry, I realized why they opened.  Instrumental-only Journey is not so good.  (This was before they found the Filipino guy.)  Upon closer inspection of my pass I saw that it read Sounds of Journey.

The midwestern boy in me enjoyed Speedwagon,  Take it on the run, baby!  Then Styx came on.  Well into their set they hadn't played Mr. Roboto yet.  So I started a chant for Mr. Roboto (mostly to be ironic being ethnically Asian).  I got a dirty look from Tommy Shaw.  They didn't play it. I think out of spite.

[Bruce Wang]

The first album I ever bought for myself was Styx's "Paradise Theater," purchased from Pier Records in 1981. I'm pretty sure it was sold at a garage sale somewhere along the way, which is a shame. I don't wish I had that album, I just wish I had the first album I ever bought, if that makes sense.

The first album I owned was Cruisin' by the Village People.  I didn't buy it.  My aunt bought it for me at a department store in Taipei on the condition that I do the YMCA dance.  I attracted a crowd because that kind of exuberant behavior was very unusual for kids in Taiwan back then.  I remember loving the Village People not just for the disco grooves, but also all the neat costumes.  The gay archetypes, of course, went over the head of my 7 year old self.

I saw Styx at a MTV party during the cable tv convention.  The bill (in descending order): Styx, REO Speedwagon, and Journey, which struck me as backwards (no offense Hank and you other Styx-lovers).  When Journey came out with just the guitarist and keyboardist sans Steve Perry, I realized why they opened.  Instrumental-only Journey is not so good.  (This was before they found the Filipino guy.)  Upon closer inspection of my pass I saw that it read Sounds of Journey.

The midwestern boy in me enjoyed Speedwagon,  Take it on the run, baby!  Then Styx came on.  Well into their set they hadn't played Mr. Roboto yet.  So I started a chant for Mr. Roboto (mostly to be ironic being ethnically Asian).  I got a dirty look from Tommy Shaw.  They didn't play it. I think out of spite.