Authors: Chuck Panozzo with Michele Skettino

Publisher: Amacom

ISBN: 978-0-8144-0916-9

Many of you probably already know who I mean when I mention the name Chuck Panozzo but for those of you who aren’t too familiar, he was the first person to form the rock group Styx. He was also one of the bravest men back in the early days when the band was formed for coming out to a few of his close friends and family. However for many years after this, his sister Emily remained convinced that her brother was just going through a phase and nobody would take his confession seriously. In those days being gay was very much a taboo subject, rarely talked about with the press always covering up and denying this sexuality. Forty years later since forming Styx, Chuck has with the help of writer Michele Skettino, written his biography.

Within these pages we learn about Chuck’s life from those very first days when Styx was created with the help of his brother John and close neighbourhood friend Dennis De Young, to his later years with the band.

With a touching use of words, Chuck captures us all with his wonderful and tear-jerking story. We follow him as a curious young boy struggling to know his own sexuality and eventually learn about his brother who fought a daily battle with alcohol addiction.  We learn how John slowly faded away and ultimately died, leaving Chuck grief ridden.

This was only the tip of the iceberg for Chuck, as he had a problem of his own. Doctors informed him that there maybe a chance he had some sort of disease, tragically

he was later diagnosed with AIDS which left Chuck weak and tired.

Unfortunately John’s death and Chuck’s own problems were not the only thing troubling the rock star as we follow another of Chuck’s closest friends who like Chuck , suffered from AIDS too.  Sadly the disease, which doctors hadn’t found a cure for, took the life of his much loved friend and finished a precious closeness shared between the friends.

Writing this poignant book, Chuck hoped to open more people’s eyes to the devastating effects that AIDS can have on lives and also convince other gays that it is nothing to be ashamed of.

In this touching true story is a collection of photographs, illustrating the young and most confusing phases in Chuck’s life right through to his proudest moments. The picture he and new partner, Tim, drew in support of the “Rock Art Show Benefiting Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS” is also featured.

With this biography I feel that Chuck has accomplished what he wanted to tell the world and has given his support to the thousands out there who are gay themselves.  To read this book, it is emotionally stirring and the most incredible story of one man’s journey through life. You don’t have to be gay yourself, to be able to read and completely empathize with Chuck.

It is one book I can guarantee you’ll be proud to own.

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts: Jessica has been a book reviewer for a newspaper and a national women's magazine and is working on a novel.