James Young
James Vincent Young (born November 14, 1949) is an American musician who is best known as a founding member, and one of the guitarists and occasional lead vocalists in the American rock band Styx.
Also recorded as James V. Young · James Vincent Young
James Young
Matt Becker · CC BY 3.0
- Name
- James "J.Y." Young
- Birth Name
- James Vincent Young
- Born
- 14 November 1949
- Birthplace
- Chicago, Illinois, US
- Occupation
- * Musician
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- hard rock
- Education
- Illinois Institute of Technology · Calumet High School
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James Vincent Young (born November 14, 1949) is an American musician who is best known as a founding member, and one of the guitarists and occasional lead vocalists in the American rock band Styx.
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wikidata · Q6145951
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — James "J.Y." Young • Birth Name — James Vincent Young • Born — 14 November 1949 • Birthplace — Chicago, Illinois, US • Genre — * Hard rock • progressive rock • Occupation — * Musician • songwriter • Instrument — * Guitar • vocals • Years Active — 1966–present • Label — * A&M • Passport • Absolute • Current Member Of — Styx
Early life, family and education
Early life, family and education
Young was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Calumet High School. His father, who he described as "very conservative", could play piano by ear. His idols were Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, and Albert King. Young graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
Career
Career
Young's first band, the Catalinas, won a "Best Teens in America" contest, came in third place at a Chicago talent competition, and toured Europe in 1966. In 1970, Young joined the band TW4 while a college student. That band later became the first incarnation of Styx. After Styx's initial breakup in 1984, Young collaborated with Jan Hammer on the album City Slicker (1985). Since reforming in 1995, Young is still a member of Styx.
Personal life
Personal life
Young was married to Susan Godsted for just over fifty years. Godsted had been partially paralyzed on the right side of her body as a result of a stroke. She died on November 10, 2022.
Solo studio albums
Solo studio albums
• City Slicker (1985), with Jan Hammer • Out on a Day Pass (1988) • Raised by Wolves (1995), with James Young Group
As guest
As guest
• Jim Peterik, Don't Fight the Feeling (1976) • Tommy Shaw, Ambition (1987) • Enuff Z'Nuff, Paraphernalia (1998) • Enuff Z'nuff, Clowns Lounge (2016) (archival)
Discography
• Illustration — Young performing in 2008
Citations
References
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authority record
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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