Lawrence Gowan

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:BLP sources Template:Infobox musical artist

Lawrence Henry Gowan (born 22 November 1956) is a Scottish-born Canadian singer and keyboardist. Gowan is a solo artist and has also been vocalist and keyboardist of the band Styx<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> since May 1999.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His musical style is usually classified in the categories of pop and progressive rock.

Early life

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he and his family immigrated to Canada where he was raised in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, Ontario.<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:CbignoreTemplate:Dead YouTube link</ref>

Career

At the age of 19, he earned an ARCT in classical piano performance from The Royal Conservatory of Music, in Toronto, Ontario.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Upon graduation, he enjoyed modest local success with the band Rheingold in 1976.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=law/>

After the band broke up five years later, Gowan began a solo career under the stage name Gowan, releasing his first album under that name in 1982, which was produced by Rob Freeman<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and featured Kim Mitchell of Max Webster on guitar. This album contained the singles "Victory", "Give In" and "Keep Up the Fight".

After his 1982 debut album Gowan did not fare well, Gowan "found himself naturally gravitating" to the Queen Street West music scene that was developing in Toronto in the mid-1980s.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Still signed to Columbia Records, the label agreed to fund his next album.Template:Sfn Gowan spent a year writing songs, and also travelled to Scotland and Ireland to trace his heritage.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn While there, he received a telephone call from English record producer David Tickle, who said he would produce the albumTemplate:Sfn and arranged a recording session. Tickle secured the services of several session musicians from the backing band of Peter Gabriel for the recording session, including bassist Tony Levin, drummer Jerry Marotta, and guitarist David Rhodes.Template:Sfn The album Strange Animal was recorded at Startling Studios owned by Ringo Starr and was his commercial breakthrough in Canada. The album spawned the hit singles "A Criminal Mind", "(You're a) Strange Animal", "Guerilla Soldier" and "Cosmetics".<ref name=law/> That year he won a CASBY Award for most promising male artist.<ref name="Inc.1985">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

His 1987 follow up Great Dirty World gave him another hit single with "Moonlight Desires", featuring Jon Anderson (from Yes) on backing vocals,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> as well as "Dedication".

Lawrence Gowan in 2006 at a Styx show.

Although he was very successful in Canada, all three of Gowan's albums had been issued in the US to virtually no attention, and he was dropped by Columbia Records. 1990's Lost Brotherhood, recorded at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario, had a harder rock sound, and featured such players as Red Rider member Ken Greer, former Coney Hatch guitarist Steve Shelski and Rush's Alex Lifeson. It produced the singles "Lost Brotherhood", "All the Lovers in the World", and "Out of a Deeper Hunger". This was Gowan's first album for Anthem Records.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

A few bars from "The Dragon" can be heard playing on a car radio in the 1990 movie "Navy Seals" and appears on the original motion picture soundtrack.

He released the more acoustic ...But You Can Call Me Larry in 1993 under his full name, returning to the Canadian pop charts with "When There's Time for Love", "Soul's Road" and "Dancing on My Own Ground". International success was not forthcoming, though, and Anthem dropped Gowan from their roster. He subsequently released The Good Catches Up independently in 1995, which featured the single "Guns and God", which received moderate airplay in Canada. Also that same year, Gowan was part of an all-star lineup at Toronto's Massey Hall to celebrate Ronnie Hawkins' 60th birthday, as documented on the album Let It Rock, sharing the stage with veteran rockers Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and The Band. In 1997, Gowan released two live CDs: Sololive – No Kilt Tonight containing a rendition of Ragtime's classic "King Chanticleer Rag", and Au Québec with a cover of Harmonium's "Pour un instant" as well as his first composition in French, "Stéphanie", for his fan base in Quebec.

In 1997, Gowan released "Healing Waters" as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales after her death.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "Healing Waters" was initially an unreleased song from Gowan, though it was used in its original form in the 1996 Jeff Wincott movie, When the Bullet Hits the Bone.

In 1998, Gowan was the recipient of the National Achievement Award at the annual SOCAN Awards in Toronto.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

His song "A Criminal Mind" was covered in 2005 by Canadian hip-hop artist Maestro; Gowan appears in the video and his vocals are sampled on the track.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The song was also covered by Canadian gypsy jazz music group The Lost Fingers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The song was sampled in a song performed by Akon and Freck Billionaire.

He also guest-starred on the Canadian animated comedy series Chilly Beach.

In February 2006, Gowan did four orchestra-accompanied concerts in London, Ontario and Kitchener, Ontario. Also in 2006, his home was featured on MTV's Cribs.

In March 2010, Gowan released "Return of the Strange Animal", a remastered version of 1985's "Strange Animal" plus a making-of documentary and music videos on DVD.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2010, Gowan performed two solo shows in support of the 25th anniversary of the "Strange Animal" album.

In May 2012, Gowan re-issued a remastered version of 1987's "Great Dirty World".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=stevenson>Template:Cite news</ref>

As of 2012, Gowan was recording a new solo album which he hoped to have completed sometime in 2013, but has yet to be released.<ref name=stevenson/>

Gowan acquired the master tapes to his catalogue from CBS Records International in the 2010s, and assigned them to Linus Entertainment under the True North Records label.<ref name="FYIMusicNews.ca">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 11 October 2012, Gowan appeared on episode 29 of John Wants Answers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 13 October 2013, Gowan played a solo concert, titled 'In Kilt Tonight' at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. All proceeds were donated to McDermott House Canada, a charitable organization.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Styx

In 1997, during Styx's tour, Gowan performed as a supporting act for Styx at Montreal's Molson Centre and Quebec City's Colisée.<ref name=law>Template:Cite news</ref>

Tommy Shaw admired his talent and vibrant stage charisma, and called him in May 1999 asking him to tour with them for 53 dates, temporarily replacing their lead singer Dennis DeYoung who had fallen ill. Gowan permanently replaced the lead singer after the tour. Since then, Gowan's classic hit, "A Criminal Mind", is often played by Styx.<ref name=law/>

Styx had long been plagued by differences in artistic inclination. DeYoung's absence created an opportunity for a more permanent restructuring of Styx. Gowan subsequently became the band's permanent vocalist.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Styx's 2003 album Cyclorama was Gowan's first studio album with the band. Gowan sings two songs on Cyclorama, "Fields of the Brave" and "More Love for the Money", both of which have an easily recognizable Gowan signature. He then continued recording with Styx for their 2005 album, Big Bang Theory. Although praised by fans, the album sold few copies.

Gowan continues with Styx to the present and is featured on many live releases from the band. The band released studio recordings of older Styx songs with the new line-up, titled Regeneration (released in two volumes in 2010 and 2011), and Gowan sings lead vocals on several tracks that were originally recorded by Dennis DeYoung.

In May 2017, Styx announced their new album The Mission and revealed the first single "Gone, Gone, Gone" featuring Gowan on lead vocals. It received little airplay in the U.S. and did not chart. On the album, Gowan also does lead vocals for "The Greater Good", "Time May Bend", and "The Outpost". He also composed an instrumental piece called "Khedive".Template:Citation needed. Both albums were critically praised, but sold few copies and did not chart any singles.

Awards and nominations

The following are Gowan's Juno nominations:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • 1983 – Nominated – "Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year"
  • 1985 – Winner – "Best Video" for "A Criminal Mind" with director Rob Quartly animation and direction by Greg Duffell / Lightbox Studios Inc.<ref name=canoe>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • 1985 – Winner – "Best Album Graphics" for Strange Animal (awarded to designers Rob MacIntyre and Dimo Safari)<ref name=canoe />
  • 1985 – Nominated – "Male Vocalist of the Year"
  • 1985 – Nominated – "Album of the Year" for Strange Animal
  • 1985 – Nominated – "Best Selling Single" for "A Criminal Mind"
  • 1985 – Nominated – "Best Video" for "(You're a) Strange Animal" animation by Greg Duffell / Lightbox Studios Inc.
  • 1986 – Nominated – "Best Video" for "Cosmetics" (director: Rob Quartly)
  • 1987 – Nominated – "Male Vocalist of the Year"
  • 1987 – Nominated – "Album of the Year" for Great Dirty World
  • 1987 – Nominated – "Canadian Entertainer of the Year"
  • 1991 – Nominated – "Male Vocalist of the Year"

In 1995, Gowan was presented with the SOCAN award for songs that have won major airplay in 1995 for his song, "Dancing on My Own Ground".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 16 November 1998, Gowan received the National Achievement Award from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 2003, Gowan was presented with the SOCAN award (along with three other musicians) for songs that have surpassed the 100,000 radio-airplay mark for his song, "Moonlight Desires".<ref name=tony>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2011, Gowan was presented with a star on the Scarborough Walk of Fame – Entertainment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2013, Gowan announced he was recording a new studio album, complete with new original material. The album is apparently in production in downtown Toronto at a private studio. According to Gowan, the album is based on an old concept album by Rhinegold, which was written and conceived in the mid-1970s, during their rounds of the Toronto club scene.

In 2018, Gowan's song "A Criminal Mind" was certified as a Platinum Single in Canada, surpassing a combined 80,000 physical 7" and digital downloaded units sold.<ref name="FYIMusicNews.ca"/> Gowan was presented with the plaque on stage at his show in Windsor, Ontario at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor .

Members

  • Lawrence Gowan – lead vocals, keyboards, guitar
  • Danny J. Ricardo – guitar (2010–2014)
  • Ricky Tillo – guitar (2016)
  • Bob McAlpine- guitar (2017)
  • Pete Nunn – keyboards (2010–2013)
  • Emm Gryner – keyboards, backing vocals (2014)
  • Ryan Bovaird – keyboards (2016)
  • Terry Gowan – bass, backing vocals
  • Todd Sucherman – drums, percussion
  • Taylor Mills – backing vocals (2010–2012)
  • Divine Brown – backing vocals (2016)
  • SATE (Saidah Baba Talibah) – backing vocals (2017)
  • Dylan Gowan - Drums (Massey Hall Toronto) Nov. 30, 2023

Personal life

Gowan is married to Jan Gowan<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and has two children.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Discography

Solo albums

Title Release Peak chart
positions
CAN
Gowan 1982 82
Strange Animal 1985 5
Great Dirty World 1987 4
Lost Brotherhood 1990 26
...But You Can Call Me Larry 1993 60
The Good Catches Up 1995 —

Live albums

  • Solo Live: No Kilt Tonight (1996)
  • Gowan au Québec (1997)

Compilation albums

  • Best of... (1997)
  • Home Field (1998)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DVDs

  • Gowan Live in Concert (2006)

with Styx

Studio albums

Live albums

Solo singles

Title Release Peak chart positions Album
CAN
<ref>Canada Top Singles peaks RPM magazine</ref> 		CAN
AC
<ref>Canada Adult Contemporary peaks RPM magazine</ref>
"Keep Up the Fight" 1982 — — Gowan
"Make It Alone" — —
"A Criminal Mind" 1985 5 14 Strange Animal
"(You're a) Strange Animal" 15 —
"Guerilla Soldier" 24 —
"Cosmetics" 41 —
"Moonlight Desires" 1987 10 2 Great Dirty World
"Awake the Giant" 36 —
"Living in the Golden Age" 78 —
"All the Lovers in the World" 1990 6 6 Lost Brotherhood
"Lost Brotherhood" 44 —
"Out of a Deeper Hunger" 36 17
"When There's Time (For Love)" 1993 6 11 ...but you can call me Larry
"Dancing on My Own Ground" 1994 15 17
"Soul's Road" 13 15
"Your Stone Walls" 46 —
"Heart of Gold" 1995 88 46 Borrowed Tunes: A Tribute to Neil Young
"I'll Be There in a Minute" 41 — The Good Catches Up
"Guns and God" 14 20
"Laura" 1996 — 33
"The Good Catches Up" 18 21
"Get It While You Can" 1997 21 —
"Healing Waters" — 13 Best of...
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

References

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Works cited

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