Formed in Chicago in 1972, Styx became famous for its albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Known for combining hard rock balanced with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of musical theater, the band established itself with a progressive rock sound in the 1970s. In the 1980s they began to incorporate pop rock and soft rock elements. Styxreleased four consecutive albums certified multi-platinum by the RIAA, as well as 16 top-40 singles in the US, eight of which hit the Top-10.