Since the 1990s, GRAND ILLUSION has been stunning local and regional audiences with their impossibly accurate performances of STYX tunes. Playing shows from northern Quebec, Canada to southern Pennsylvania, USA, and just about everywhere in between, GRAND ILLUSION continues to play to “fire-code-breaking” crowds, faithfully recreating the feel of arena concert events of the 1970s and 80s, earning them multiple prestigious awards in just their first 3 years together!

By associations through their booking agency at the time, a GRAND ILLUSION demo cassette tape found its way into the hands of STYX band members backstage during their "Edge of the Century" tour and they were blown away.

During their first listen, an uneasy tension was felt by STYX members as if they were more than flattered by the tribute. Later, STYX guitarist James Young spoke of their  trepidation confiding in the boys that GRAND ILLUSION sounded so hauntingly genuine to the original versions, for a few seconds after their first listening to the demo, JY and Dennis De Young among others thought the tape was an unauthorized bootleg recording of their own performance.

When they realized they were hearing a tribute band,  they just HAD to meet these guys! Backstage VIP invites soon followed, and a couple of weeks later, GRAND ILLUSION was backstage partying with STYX. Ultimately, STYX was flattered beyond words and immediate friendships were forged.

After a lengthy hiatus, with RIC STAVE on bass guitar, Taurus bass pedals, keys & vocals, and the addition of world class  virtuoso lead guitarist JOHN DANIELS, and the highly acclaimed  performing guitarist/vocalist SCOTT HELFRICH, while working tirelessly on other projects, this power trio still had room on their plates to answer the call when lead singer/keyboard player and GRAND ILLUSION founding-father RICK ALLEN posed the question, “Ya wanna?”

Fortunately for Rick and fans of STYX music everywhere, the unanimous reply was a resounding “YES!!” 

With the added ingredient of nationally endorsed drummer/percussionist MICHAEL TANTILLO, this new and dynamic 5-piece lineup set out to do more than merely "cover the old covers", they breathe new life and energy into the mix that must be seen to be believed!

GRAND ILLUSION has been and continues to be a perennial favorite at large concert venues, performing for thousands every year in large theatres and venues, and at outdoor rock festivals.

They have been the opening act for HONEYMOON SUITE and CHEAP TRICK, and are as comfortable on stage in front of arena sized crowds as they are in more intimate venues performing for only a couple of hundred guests.

Now, live the illusion for yourself as GRAND ILLUSION performs all of your favorite STYX classics, from the earlier days, through the STYX multi-platinum album years, presenting the audience with a spectacle that must be more than seen and heard, it has to be experienced!

So come join GRAND ILLUSION as they take you by the hand on this guided tour through the decades of some of the most loved and highly regarded progressive classic rock music of the 1970s and 80s, as you Sail Away to return to the Paradise Theatre once again!