Styx Debuts New Line of Jewelry, Campaigns for AIDS Awareness

Wondering what to get the Styx fan on your holiday shopping list for Christmas? Well, wonder no more: In conjunction with New York boutique owner and designer Diana Warner, the band has announced its first-ever line of official Styx jewelry. The collection went on sale November 11, exclusively through the band's website.

So what does Styx jewelry look like? Well, for starters, they're selling eight dog tag necklaces, each strung through 30-inch chains made of gunmetal, antique gold, or antique silver plate over brass. The charms themselves are made of pewter and rose gold, gunmetal, antique gold or antique silver, and according to a press release announcing the collection, prices range from $55-$200. Future additions to the Styx jewelry line will include guitar pick earrings and charms engraved with "Come Sail Away with Me."

According to the band, this is only the beginning of the collection, which is scheduled to expand in 2012. Warner collaborated on the project with guitarist Tommy Shaw's wife Jeanne, who said, "The second we saw Diana’s pieces, we knew we wanted to work with her. We’re so thrilled to be able to offer something very special to Styx’s fans that’s worlds different than anything we’ve done before.  We hope they love the collection as much as we do."

In more serious Styx-related news, the band's founding bassist, Chuck Panozzo, is leading a public awareness campaign for World AIDS Day on December 1. Panozzo, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1991, has spent the last 10 years working to increase awareness and help raise funds for a cure.

"Being involved in AIDS research and my commitment to equal rights, are two very important matters to me," said Panozzo in a statement. "Through my role with Styx, I have been given the unique opportunity to help make a difference. My music and artistic expressions have come full circle and has manifested in my involvement with pediatric AIDS. As a former teacher, I have realized how important education is and I found it to be a way to combat prejudice and intolerance; two things which we as society must fight to eradicate."

Panozzo's campaign is currently focused on assisting GeoVax Labs, where work continues on a vaccine that's currently undergoing human trials. "Presently, the cost of treatment is only affordable by the wealthy; a vaccine solution which can be accessed by all is a key. We have to make sure things are not being ignored," said Panozzo. "We are obligated to help and we will prevail. I want people to know that something is being done and hope for millions is out there."

Panozzo continues to tour with Styx as they take to the road in support of their latest album, 'Regeneration Volume I & II,' which features re-recordings of early hits alongside new versions of the Damn Yankees hits 'Coming of Age' and 'High Enough,' originally recorded during Shaw's tenure in the rock supergroup alongside Ted Nugent and Night Ranger's Jack Blades.