Ricky Phillips, a longtime member of the popular 1970s-80s rock band Styx, is leaving the band after more than 20 years.
“I am taking a break from the road. I’m not retiring, just taking a break,” Phillips wrote on Facebook Wednesday.
Phillips played bass, guitar and sang vocals for the band, according to Styx’s website. The musician said that he will be co-producing a project as he steps away from touring.
“I will always cherish the adventurous days recording and touring with Styx. And, I will truly miss the wonderfully-crazy and faithful Styx fans... whose smiling faces I often saw more than my own family,” he said.
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Styx responded to Phillips’ announcement with the band’s own statement.
“It was a joy to spend two decades with Ricky Phillips in Styx and we wish him all the best in his next adventure,” Styx said on Facebook Wednesday. “He’ll always be a part of the Styx family and we’ll miss his presence on our stage and in our touring lives.”
Formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1972, Styx is known for incorporating hard rock, acoustic rock, piano, upbeat tracks, synthesizers and elements of international musical theatre into their sound.
Some of the band’s most popular songs include “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” and “Mr. Roboto.”
Styx is currently on tour with their next show scheduled for Friday in Wallingford, Connecticut, followed by three shows across New York. A replacement for Phillips has yet to be announced.