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Styx Meets ApologetiX Keyboardist
Wed., Jan. 16. 2013 1:30pm EST
Classic-rock superstars Styx got to meet ApologetiX keyboardist Tenacious Todd Waites -- or was it the other way around -- backstage at a Styx show, December 30 in Merrillville IN.
Todd and his wife, Laura, were the guests of Styx co-founder and bass player, Chuck Panozzo. Having lived with HIV for over 20 years, Chuck was encouraged by Todd's testimony of how God helped him through cancer and the loss of his arm, and invited Todd to the show after they had corresponded via Facebook.
We asked Todd to tell us about the evening:
"I'd seen Styx before on a Def Leppard tour and had met Tommy Shaw and JY (James Young). This time we got to chat with their keyboardist, Lawrence Gowan, Chuck, and JY again. Gowan is one of the most talented keyboardists out there with a great voice to boot.
"People say that I have energy up there behind the keyboards, but compared to Gowan I look like I'm sitting on a recliner on stage! He and Laura and I spoke with him about his wife, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and was undergoing treatment. He since has written me saying that some tests came back and she is now cancer free. I told him we had prayed for her.
"Gowan watched some of the videos of me and said that my "playing is "great" although I know he was being extremely polite! Also, I used to be Laura's favorite keyboard player, but now it's Gowan. She also has a crush on him now, so this little outing for our anniversary sure backfired!
"Chuck and I have struck up a really neat friendship over the past few months that I've really enjoyed. It's amazing hearing the stories of the early days of such a legendary band through the eyes of a founding member! In addition HIV, he's also had cancer over the years. He's like a Timex watch; he just keeps on ticking.
"We have a very cool relationship. He has been exposed to very harsh Christians that have been mean, hateful and judgmental to him. I just wanted him to see a glimpse of the real Jesus and just be a loving friend. I am flattered that he told me "you really are who you say you are, and live what you say you believe". He has shown me that regardless of if we agree or not, mutual respect and love doesn't have to be absent."
To see some photos from Todd's meeting with Styx, go to http://www.facebook.com/todd.waites.7?ref=ts&fref=ts
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