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Glen Burtnik

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Glen Burtnik
Birth nameGlenn Burtnick
Born (1955-04-08) April 8, 1955 (age 69)
Irvington, New Jersey, United States
GenresPop, rock, rock and roll
Occupation(s)Musician, vocalist, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, bass guitar, guitar, piano
Years active1978–present
LabelsIndependent
Websitewww.theorchestra.net

Glenn Burtnick (born April 8, 1955), better known as Glen Burtnik, is a singer, songwriter, entertainer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a former member of Styx.[1] Burtnik is originally from North Brunswick, New Jersey, in the Middlesex County part of the Raritan Bayshore, of the larger Jersey Shore and lives in Asbury Park, New Jersey, both popular Jersey Shore towns. Burtnik has written hit songs for Randy Travis, Patty Smyth and Don Henley. The spelling of his name has shortened a few times over the years (born Glenn Burtnick, then changed to Glen Burtnick, and finally Glen Burtnik, spelled with one N, no C).[2]

Life and career

Burtnik appeared in the Broadway production of Beatlemania as Paul McCartney, alongside Marshall Crenshaw, who played John Lennon. He continues his love of The Beatles to this day, with the tribute band Liverpool. This band are regular performers at The Fest For Beatles Fans, annually held in the Metropolitan New York City area and Chicago with occasional stops elsewhere.

He has written chart-topping hits such as "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" for Patty Smyth and Don Henley, "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man", and "Delicious Surprise (I Believe It)", hosted the School of Rock radio show on The Hawk 105.7 FM, and recorded/toured/collaborated with well-known artists.[2] As a member of Styx, he was heavily featured on the hit album Edge of the Century, on which he wrote (along with long-time associate, Plinky Giglio) the top ten Mainstream rock hit, "Love Is the Ritual", and co-wrote (with lead singer Dennis DeYoung) the last Billboard Top 40 hit for the band, "Love at First Sight" (#25, 1991). Styx broke up again, after being active for only 2 years since their previous break up. Styx got back together again 4 years later, but Burtnik didn't join because Tommy Shaw quit Damn Yankees and came back with Styx. Burtnik rejoined Styx in late 1999, as original bassist Chuck Panozzo couldn't play "full time" anymore because of sicknesses. Thus, Burtnik took over playing the bass guitar and Styx started playing songs from Edge Of The Century live again. He went on to record Cyclorama with Styx in 2003 leading on 2 songs. Burtnik's song "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" was made and recorded before Cyclorama, but they rerecorded it and put it on the album. Burtnik also lead on the song "Killing The Thing That You Love", and shared vocals with Shaw on "Yes I Can". Burtnik left 1 year later in 2004 being replaced with Styx' current bassist Ricky Phillips.

He was a member of LaBamba and The Hubcaps led by New Jersey shore favorite Richie 'LaBamba' Rosenberg before leaving to start his solo career in 1986. One of the Hubcaps' popular songs was the Burtnik-written "Here Comes Sally" which later appeared on Burtnik's 1987 solo LP Heroes & Zeros.

While solo success has been relatively elusive, he did score a minor hit in 1987 with "Follow You," a track off his Heroes & Zeros album, which peaked at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up releases have been less successful.

In 1989, Burtnik performed the song "Not So Far Away" for the film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

One of his songs, "Face in the Mirror" was used in a series of TV commercials for Philishave electric shavers in the 1990s.[3] Burtnik officially left Styx in 2003 because he wanted to be closer to home.

In 2006, Dennis DeYoung asked him to be a part of his band for selected shows to help promote his CD One Hundred Years from Now, which was released in Canada in 2007 and in the USA in 2009. Burtnik performed with DeYoung some of the material he wrote with Styx during the Edge of the Century album including "Love Is the Ritual" and "Edge of the Century".

Burtnik and his family were featured on the October 16, 2006, season premiere episode of the Discovery Channel show, It Takes a Thief. During the second season of this show, Burtnik and his family were the "victims" of a staged robbery.

Since 2009 he has performed with The Orchestra, replacing the late Kelly Groucutt on bass.

Glen Burtnik's Xmas Xtravaganza is a regular holiday concert which benefits area food banks and other worthwhile charities.[1] The show has grown larger each year, evolving into a New York-New Jersey area tradition. It features a cast which changes from year to year, but in the past has included such as Patty Smyth, John McEnroe, Phoebe Snow, Marshall Crenshaw, The Patti Smith Band, Fred Schneider (B-52's), Jill Sobule, Idina Menzel, Jeffrey Gaines, Freedy Johnston, Dan Bern, John Waite, Curtis Stigers, Styx, Mary Lee Kortes, and Willie Nile, amongst others. The 2008 show featured over 100 performers.[1][4] The 2010 show was staged at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey, and again featured over 100 performers. Originally started in 1989, the show has been held most years except 1990-1991, making the 2010 Xmas Xtravanganza the 20th Anniversary of this event.[2][5]

Discography

(Excludes soundtracks and guest appearances/contributions)

Solo albums

  • Talking in Code (1986)
  • Heroes & Zeros (1987)
  • Slaves of New Brunswick (1991) (credited to "Slaves of New Brunswick")
    • technically a "Glen Burtnik and Friends" release, featuring Glen Burtnik and 60 of his friends
  • Palookaville (1996)
  • Retrospectacle (1996)
  • Welcome To Hollywood (2004)
  • Solo (You Can Hardly Hear) (2005)
  • The Welcome To Hollywood Demos Vol. 1 (2005)

Solo singles

  • "Where Music Lives" (2011)
  • "Baby Cinderella Monkeyshine" (feat. Emily Grove) (2011)
  • "The Trouble with Sally" (2011)

Styx

As a member of other bands, etc.

  • "I Hate Disco Music" b/w "Ooga Sha La Bango" (single) (1978) (with The Sides)
  • Hammer (1979) (with Jan Hammer)
  • Helmet Boy (1980) (with Helmet Boy)
  • A Live Christmas Extravaganza (1994) (various artists)
  • Stiff Competition: A Tribute to Cheap Trick (various artists)
  • Spirit of Asbury Park (various artists)
  • Jersey Jams Jersey Cares (various artists)

The Weeklings

  • The Weeklings (Monophonic)
  • Studio 2 (2016)
  • Live at Daryl’s House Club Vol. 1 (2017)
  • 3 (2020)

References

  1. ^ a b c Pareles, Jon (December 6, 2002). "Pop and Jazz Guide: Glen Burtnik's Xmas Xtravaganza". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Kohlhepp, Jennifer (December 9, 2004). "Rockers to stage holiday show at State Theatre: No. Brunswick resident, Styx guitarist Burtnik plans Xmas Xtravaganza". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2013. Burtnik, a lifelong North Brunswick resident who has written hit songs for Randy Travis, Patty Smyth and Don Henley, will throw his annual benefit concert at the State Theatre in New Brunswick on Friday
  3. ^ "Various - Face In The Mirror (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  4. ^ Staff (December 14, 2009). "Glen Burtnik's Xmas Xtravaganza". Third Stage. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  5. ^ Lustig, Jay (November 24, 2009). "Glen Burtnik ready for Xmas Xtravaganza at Count Basie". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
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