At Book Expo America in New York last month, I was pleased to see dozens of old rockers and new fans in a long line waiting for Chuck Panozzo to autograph his book, The Grand Illusion, an autobiography of this bass player for the band, Styx.

AuthorViews got a chance to meet Chuck Panozzo and interview him privately at the Bywater Tech Center during Carnival. Styx was in town to perform after the Endymion parade at the annual krewe's ball, held in the now-infamous SuperDome.

In this candid, 2-minute interview, Chuck shares what it was like growing up "different," and how he kept a secret for years in an attempt to spare his parents, band members, and fans. It's a moving clip.