With its dramatic a cappella opening, thunderous guitars and unforgettable chorus, the 1978 classic has become one of the band's signature songs and a staple of classic rock radio. Today, it's also a familiar soundtrack for Fourth of July celebrations, but the song began in a far more unexpected way, as a soft piano ballad.
Although best known as a guitarist, Shaw revealed that "Renegade" was originally written on piano after he became fascinated with a chord progression from Tales of Mystery and Imagination by The Alan Parsons Project.
It wasn't long before he'd written the whole song, including the lyrics.
When Shaw brought the idea to the rest of Styx during sessions for Pieces of Eight, keyboardist Dennis DeYoung took over the piano part before the band transformed the song into the hard-driving rocker fans know today.
Released as the third single from Pieces of Eight in 1979, "Renegade" became one of Styx's biggest hits, reaching No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its story of a wanted outlaw, combined with soaring harmonies and arena-ready guitar riffs, helped make it one of the defining rock songs of the era.
Nearly 50 years after its release, "Renegade" remains one of Styx's defining achievements. What began as a piano composition inspired by another classic album evolved into one of rock's most enduring anthems, proving that some of the biggest songs can grow from the simplest musical ideas.
Related: '70s Rock Legend Announces New Song on the Fourth of July
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