John Curulewski

John J. Curulewski (October 3, 1950 – February 13, 1988) was an American musician who was one of the original members of Styx.

Career


In 1969, Curulewski joined the Chicago-based band TW4, featuring college friends Dennis DeYoung, Chuck Panozzo, and John Panozzo. The group evolved into Styx by 1972. Curulewski played guitar and sang occasional lead vocals on the band's first five studio albums, released from 1972 to 1975. Just after the recording of the album Equinox in 1975, Curulewski left Styx to spend more time with his family, and was replaced by Tommy Shaw.

After his career with Styx, Curulewski became a guitar teacher in the Chicago area and played occasionally in local bands. He died at his home in Midlothian, Illinois on February 13, 1988, from a brain aneurysm, and was buried at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Crestwood. He was survived by his wife and their son.