burtnik left styx in september 2003, to spend time with his family and to pursue a solo career and release the album "welcome to hollywood". he was replaced by ricky phillips, formerly of the babys and bad english. panozzo continues to play bass for some shows with phillips on rhythm guitar, while phillips continues as a stand in bassist for panozzo during shows without him. burtnik would go on to join up with deyoung for numerous tour dates over the next several years.