Jim Vignato
Frontman/Lead Vocals
....Some kids received an Atari for their 13th Birthday in the 1980s; “Jimmy” received a stage! Mr. Vignato has been professionally educated for "musical theater" performance and has has built his rock voice over the years in rock cover bands and other musical theater shows. He has starred as the lead character in many local and regional rock musicals over the course of his career tweaking his stage performances and building up his rock n roll repertoire. From his teen years through today, he's been playing in cover bands, he also plays bass, piano and drums by ear. As a Lead Vocalist Jim has an uncanny ability to totally assume the roles and antics of rock's greatest icon's. Combining his on-stage mannerisms and vocal tone, Jim mirrors Dennis DeYoung & Tommy Shaw's and delivers an exceptional version of the Classic Styx Sound. Mr. Vignato has a deep appreciation of STYX's musical phenomenon and is truly excited about the success of the tribute band, “Rockin the Paradise”. Wishing the very "Best of Times" to all.
Started playing guitar at age 5! He was in 5th grade when he started a band.
Throughout his years, Michael has played in many bands. He got to play with Trent Reznor right before his Nine Inch Nails days.
Michael got into a band with A&M Artist Glen Burtnik. They toured supporting his Heroes and Zeroes album. Glen then got the offer to replace Tommy Shaw, and later, Chuck Pannozzo in Styx. Through his referral, Michael got the gig of guitarist/vocalist/ songwriter with James Young from Styx in his solo project, The James Young Group. They did an album Raised by Wolves. Baranski also got the offer to tour with Styx as a backup singer.
Baranski later got a referral from Hank Horton, who had played with Dennis DeYoung of Styx to join Rockin' the Paradise.
Baranski says "It's a great honor to keep the great music of Styx alive".
Michael Baranski
Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals
BIOS
Performed, toured, and recorded with Dennis Deyoung for 23 years(1986-2009). He played bass and sang on 'Dennis DeYoung: The Music Of STYX' with a 40 piece orchestra live at the Chicago Theatre, which went double platinum. Performed on Soundstage(PBS) with Dennis and a 40 piece orchestra, and the DVD went triple platinum. Hank played bass and sang background vocals on the studio CD '100 Years From Now' as well. The title track went to number 1 on the adult charts. On the bonus track 'Goodnight My Love' on the live Cd, Hank sings with Dennis as a duet.
He also performed, toured, and recorded with James 'JY' Young from 1993-1998, and recorded the 'Raised By Wolves' Cd with him, and is featured on lead vocals on some of the tracks, as well as harmonies on all of the tracks.
On the STYX album 'Brave New World, he is on of two guest bass players, recording "What Have They Done To You', 'Heavy Water', and 'High Crimes'.
He also has a history with Todd Sucherman, playing and recording with Todd and the band 'Another Language' from Chicago, which wrote and recorded the song that turned into a hit for Van Halen...'Right Now'.
Hank continues to write, record, and perform with some of the best players in the industry. Most recently finishing a second Cd with Donny Brown, drummer, writer and vocalist of The Verve Pipe fame.
Hank Horton - Bass & Lead Vocals
*when available
Fred Bensi
Keyboards & Vocals
Keyboardist MISSING PERSONS Band
Missing Persons is an American rock band. The band was founded in 1980 in Los Angeles by guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, vocalist Dale Bozzio, and drummer Terry Bozzio. They later added bassist Patrick O'Hearn and keyboardist Chuck Wild. Dale's quirky voice and heavy makeup made the band a favorite on MTV in the early 1980s.[1]
Dale and Terry Bozzio met while working with Frank Zappa, and they married in 1979.[2] Cuccurullo encountered the pair while contributing to the Zappa album Joe's Garage (1979). O'Hearn was also a former member of Zappa's touring band, and Wild had played with a variety of bands before joining.
DAN LAUDO
DRUMS
Dan Laudo began playing drums after hearing KISS ALIVE! Dan's high school rock band featured future NINE INCH NAILS mastermind Trent Reznor.
Dan moved to Los Angeles to begin the odyssey of finding the right band. First came the band Radio Babylon, then Ton of Bricks. Dan started the band March Hares with Josh Fields in 1996. They were produced by GUNS AND ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke.
Dan got the call to join the band PRONG in 1997. He was with the band for eight years, playing shows around the world, performed on two CDs and a live DVD that were released worldwide.
Dan left PRONG in 2005 and concentrated on his solo venture BIG ON MARS.
Dan plays every instrument and performs all vocals on this CD titled "Alignment".
BIG on MARS released the CD "Alignment" on July 12th, 2012 on Famous and Faithless records. Dan moved to Las Vegas in 2018 and plays locally with the band Alligator Blood. Dan proudly endorses: Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drum Heads, Vic Firth drumsticks
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