John Curulewski

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John Curulewski (right) as a member of Styx.
John Curulewski (right) as a member of Styx.

John Curulewski (October 3, 1950February 1988), nicknamed JC, was one of the original members of Styx. He joined Dennis DeYoung, the Panozzo brothers, and James Young to form TW4 in 1968, which was renamed to Styx in 1970. He played lead guitar on the first five studio albums: Styx, Styx II, The Serpent Is Rising, Man of Miracles, and Equinox. He left just before the Equinox promotional tour and was replaced by Tommy Shaw.

JC left Styx because he wanted to spend more time with his family, and have more creative control in his future endeavors. JC's leaving the band was very sudden. He went on to teach guitar at the Music Stop in La Grange, Illinois. He died in February 1988 from a brain aneurysm at 37 years old.