He brought an interesting history to his music to go with a powerful voice and athletic presence.
Today, he came across my news feed because he has been the lead singer of Styx, another ‘80s band, for quite awhile now.
It took me back to the days of cool songs, unique cartoon music videos, and an interesting interview on “The New Music Magazine”.
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Canadian performer Gowan in the '80s. Source: https://letsrock1.ca/2020/09/01/lawrence-gowan-again/ (May be subject to copyright) |
Wikipedia reveals Gowan released his self-titled debut album in 1982, but none of the singles he released charted and the album peaked at number 82 in Canada. Gowan was nominated for a Juno for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year.
He still had a record deal for a second album and went to Scotland and Ireland to research his family history and write songs. While there he met with some heavy hitters in the music business who arranged for him to play with some of Peter Gabriel’s backing musicians and record at a studio owned by Ringo Starr.
The result was “Strange Animal”, released in February of 1985. It was Gowan’s second album and his breakthrough on the Canadian music scene, peaking at number five on the Canadian album chart.
The album would be nominated for Junos for “Album of the Year”, and Gowan would be nominated for “Male Vocalist of the Year”.
“A Criminal Mind”
The first single was “A Criminal Mind”, which went all the way to number five on the Canadian charts. Wikipedia reveals the inspiration came from a Kingston Penitentiary exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto representing the Canadian penal system. It was an empty cell with a single guard. Gowan sat in the cell awhile then talked to that guard about how inmates become repeat offenders.
The first single was “A Criminal Mind”, which went all the way to number five on the Canadian charts. Wikipedia reveals the inspiration came from a Kingston Penitentiary exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto representing the Canadian penal system. It was an empty cell with a single guard. Gowan sat in the cell awhile then talked to that guard about how inmates become repeat offenders.
I thought this was pretty cool.
I also vividly remember the video for “A Criminal Mind”, which used a cartoon. It was perfect for the times, when music videos helped promote songs. I read that Gowan benefitted a great deal by the emergence of MuchMusic. They played his videos a great deal, helping the album to double platinum status.
The first time I saw the video for “A Criminal Mind” was on “Video Hits” on CBC Channel 9 on the peasant vision dial. It was part of a tribute to videos that used cartoons including “Take on Me” by A-ha and “Don’t Answer Me” by Alan Parson Project.
“A Criminal Mind” won the Juno for Best Video, and was also nominated for a Juno for Single of the Year.
“(You’re a) Strange Animal” and beyond
The second single off “Strange Animal” was “(You’re a) Strange Animal” which peaked at number 15 on the Canadian charts, but got a lot of air play.
The second single off “Strange Animal” was “(You’re a) Strange Animal” which peaked at number 15 on the Canadian charts, but got a lot of air play.
I also remember the video from “(You’re a) Strange Animal” quite well. It used a narrator who sounded like the same voice actor who did the voice of Parafino in the cartoon “Spider Man”. That cartoon used to play Saturday mornings on Channel 13 on peasant vision. It’s possible because “Spider Man” was produced in Canada.
The video was also nominated for the Juno for Best Video, but obviously didn’t win because “A Criminal Mind” won.
Gowan released two more singles from “Strange Animal” that received significant air play. “Guerilla Soldier” went all the way to number 24 on the Canadian charts and “Cosmetics” peaked at number 41. The video for “Cosmetics” was also nominated for a Juno for Best Video.
“Great Dirty World”
Gowan had established himself on the Canadian music scene, and fans were waiting for a follow-up to “Strange Animal”.
Gowan had established himself on the Canadian music scene, and fans were waiting for a follow-up to “Strange Animal”.
That follow-up album was “Great Dirty World”, coming out in 1987. It went all the way to number one the Canadian album charts.
The first single was “Moonlight Desires” which peaked at number 10 on the Canadian singles chart. Interestingly, Jon Anderson of the band Yes provided background vocals.
The second single “Awake the Giant” was also on the radio a lot, peaking at number 36 on the Canadian singles chart.
Gowan was nominated for Junos in 1987 for Male Vocalist of the Year, Canadian Entertainer of the Year, and Album of the Year for “Great Dirty World”.
Classically trained
There used to be this show called “The New Music Magazine”, produced by Global in Toronto that aired on Channel 7. It had all kinds of interviews and behind-the-scenes features on primarily Canadian musicians.
There used to be this show called “The New Music Magazine”, produced by Global in Toronto that aired on Channel 7. It had all kinds of interviews and behind-the-scenes features on primarily Canadian musicians.
One time on “The New Music Magazine”, there was a piece on Gowan. He talked about going back to the conservatory where he studied classical music to visit with his old instructors. I thought that was pretty cool. I recently discovered on Wikipedia that at age 19, Gowan earned an ARCT in classical piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. The ARCT is the highest academic standing awarded in the Royal Conservatory’s certificate program.
The years after
Gowan kept on writing, recording and performing, earning another Juno nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year in 1991. This after he released the album “Lost Brotherhood” in 1990, and the single “All the Lovers in the World” that peaked at number six on the Canadian singles chart. The song “When There’s Time (for Love)” also peaked at number six in 1993.
Gowan kept on writing, recording and performing, earning another Juno nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year in 1991. This after he released the album “Lost Brotherhood” in 1990, and the single “All the Lovers in the World” that peaked at number six on the Canadian singles chart. The song “When There’s Time (for Love)” also peaked at number six in 1993.
Gowan opened for Styx during their tour in 1997, where he got to know the band. When their lead singer fell ill in 1999, Gowan was asked to fill in for 53 dates. He then became the permanent lead singer after that tour in 1999, and is still with them to this day.
Another cool thing I learned is that Styx plays “A Criminal Mind”, and makes a point of doing so when touring in Canada. It kind of reminds me of Neil Finn singing “I Got You”, his hit with Split Enz and “Don’t Dream it’s Over’, his hit with Crowded House, when he performs with Fleetwood Mac.
Parting thoughts
As more and more bands either merge or solo artists join existing bands, I have joked that soon everyone will be in one big ‘80s super band.
As more and more bands either merge or solo artists join existing bands, I have joked that soon everyone will be in one big ‘80s super band.
More often than not, these new combinations are really good.
I have not heard Gowan sing with Styx, but I like them both and can imagine them being great together, kind of like peanut butter and chocolate.
Looking back, I always thought Gowan had an interesting voice – powerful, melodious and unique. His songs had a message, he was a music video pioneer, and he was a unique part of the Canadian music scene of the ‘80s. His classical training provides another layer of depth to his music too.
He never really had much success in the States as a solo act, although I am not sure if his music was released down there, but he was always on the radio up here.
I am glad he has found that success with Styx, because he sure deserves it.
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