Ricky Phillips, Styx’s bassist for over 20 years, has announced that he’s leaving the group.

In a message to fans on Facebook, the bassist shared: “Dear Friends, after touring for 50 years with The Baby’s, Bad English, opening for Tina Turner (on the Private Dancer tour with John Parr), Belinda Carlisle’s first solo tour, rehearsing in Tahoe and recording at Little Mountain in Canada with Jimmy Page and David Coverdale and writing, touring, and co-producing 10/10 with Ronnie Montrose, to name a chosen few…l’m taking a breather. My last 20+ years of touring and recording with my friends in Styx has come to an end. I am taking a break from the road. I’m not retiring, just taking a break. Presently, I have accepted an offer to co-produce a project in a studio close to home. I’ve known since I was a kid that live performance is in my blood so, in time I will post any future engagements or commitments. But for right now, Melissa and I will share coffee talk and meals from home…with our critters close by. Of course, I will always cherish the adventurous days recording and touring with Styx. And, I will truly miss the wonderfully-crazy and faithful Styx fans…whose smiling faces I often saw more than my own family. Peace be with you all…and Happy Trails, Ricky”

Prior to joining Styx in 2003, Phillips performed with the Babys, Bad English, Coverdale-Page and Ted Nugent. Styx responded to Phillips’ on their Facebook page with a show of support for their longtime bandmate, writing: “It was a joy to spend two decades with Ricky Phillips in Styx and we wish him all the best in his next adventure. He’ll always be a part of the Styx family and we’ll miss his presence on our stage and in our touring lives. With all our love, The Styx Family.”

Styx is currently on tour, and a replacement for Phillips has yet to be announced. Chuck Panozzo, who co-founded Styx and was the original bassist, is still involved with the band at a limited capacity due to his HIV diagnosis.

Editorial credit: Brandon Nagy / Shutterstock.com