Lawrence Gowan

Lawrence Gowan is a Canadian musician, born in Glasgow, Scotland on November 22. Gowan has been both a solo artist and a member of the band Styx. His musical style is usually classified in the category of progressive rock.

At the age of nineteen, he earned an ARCT in classical piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, in Toronto. Upon graduation, he enjoyed modest local success with the band Rheingold in 1976.

After the band broke up five years later, he began what was to become a very long and successful solo career under the stage name Gowan, releasing his first album under that name in 1982. His 1985 album Strange Animal was his commercial breakthrough in Canada, spawning the hit singles "A Criminal Mind", "(You're A) Strange Animal" and "Cosmetics". His 1987 follow up Great Dirty World gave him another hit single with "Moonlight Desires," featuring Jon Anderson (from Yes) on backing vocals.

1990's Lost Brotherhood, however, was a commercial disappointment, and Gowan pursued a change of direction. He released the more acoustic, adult contemporary ...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". He subsequently released The Good Catches Up in 1995.

In 1997, Gowan released "Healing Waters" as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales after her death. However, despite what many believe, this song was not originally written for this purpose. It was, in fact, used in its original form in the movie When the Bullet Hits the Bone (starring Jeff Wincott) from 1995, two years prior to the accident that killed Diana. This song is not listed in the credits for the movie, however, it is very prominent in the film. After her death, the lyrics were modified into the version that Gowan fans have come to know.

In 1998, Gowan toured as a supporting act for Styx, and was enlisted as the band's live vocalist the following year when Dennis DeYoung was unable to tour because of illness. DeYoung's illness proved a convenient opportunity for a more permanent restructuring of Styx – which had long been plagued by differences in artistic inclination. Gowan subsequently became the band's permanent vocalist; their 2003 album Cyclorama was his first studio album with the band.

His classic "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.

He also guest starred on Chilly Beach

Discography

• 1982 Gowan
• 1985 Strange Animal
• 1987 Great Dirty World
• 1990 Lost Brotherhood
• 1993 ...but you can call me Larry
• 1995 The Good Catches Up
• 1996 Sololive: No Kilt Tonight
• 1997 Gowan au Quebec
• 1997 Healing Waters (single, tribute to the late Diana, Princess of Wales)
• 1997 Best of...
• 1998 Home Field (UK only)

External links

• Official site
• Styx site