Two songs into their set Saturday night, Styx gathered together center stage where keyboardist Dennis DeYoung asked, “Did you ever think you’d see us bums together again?”

What he meant to ask was “Did you ever imagine we would sound this good?” And the answer: no way.

Styx surprised the small but dedicated Hilton Coliseum crowd with a knock-your-socks-off set of over two hours of beautiful sounding rock ‘n’ roll.

The gang kicked off the show behind a backdrop and scenario of the Grand Re-opening of Paradise Theater. Probably the most effective lighting display of the evening led the band into the opening “Paradise” theme.

“Blue Collar Man” followed as the crowd grew more shocked by Styx’s energy and sharpness. DeYoung moved into “Lady” by greeting the tune with a beautiful grand piano intro. From the first note to the last, DeYoung sounded perfect.

His keyboarding antics of playing on his head and rear were nearly as entertaining as the Styx sound effects he re-created. But all in all, it was his vocals, over those of James Young or Tommy Shaw, that stole the show.

“Two Much Time On My Hands” and “Fooling Yourself” battled for most impressive tune during an hour or so of rock that included an older medley told through a Shaw story.

DeYoung escaped rock heaven for a short tribute to their recently passed away drummer John Panozzo. He followed with an inspirational version of “Show Me The Way” that was enough to make most of Hilton teary eyed.

Styx eluded from their rock set with a two song acoustic performance, led mostly by Shaw’s dynamic guitar playing. Coming back with a heavyily performance induced version of “Miss America,” Styx closed the set with the classic “Come Sail Away.”

Once again it was DeYoung who introduced the song through a motivational monologue encouraging their fans to follow their dreams. The 10 minute rendition of the classic put a perfect exclamation mark on DeYoung’s thoughts and the Styx show in general.

Their encore was in good fashion with jam versions of “Renegade” and “The Best Of Times,” though they never did come back to the level of intensity as on “Come Sail Away.”

Styx’s theatrics and stage presence alone, were enough to enjoy the show. How well they sounded iced the cake in a huge way. They ensured fans at the end of the evening that Styx was back, but they really didn’t need to say anything.

Kansas opened the evening with an hour of Midwestern rock that ventured into some of their more familiar work such as “Hold On” and “The Point of Know Return.”

Violinist David Ragsdale took honors away from struggling vocalist Steve Walsh, as he jammed along to the strong sounds of the band. Kansas’ outfits and dance maneuvers seemed a little outdated, but all was forgotten when the band re-entered for an encore of “Dust In The Wind” and “Carry On My Wayward Son.”

The rich and familiar sound of the back-to-back classics captivated the audience with ease as Kansas closed their hour set. Their lack of stage presence seemed disappointing for a band that has been together 25 years.

If there was a statement made Saturday night, it was that not even time can take a toll on rock ‘n’ roll.