One On One With Singer/Keyboardists Lawrence Gowan Of Styx

by Shanna Torp - Seattle Sound Live

We had the chance to talk to Styx’s singer/keyboardists Lawrence Gowan from the road while on the summer tour with Def Leppard and Tesla. My one on one with Lawrence was just as highly energetic as the live shows are, which I heard are sold out shows. We talked about the surge of younger crowds in attendance and the power of Google and YouTube keeping classic rock alive, new material and a quick glimpse of the show along with some tough questions from fans.

The current line-up is comprised of Tommy Shaw (vocals/guitar), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Ricky Phillips (bass, backing vocals), and on select dates Chuck Panozzo (bass).

Styx has released over 15 studio albums in their 38-year career span and have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Throughout their illustrious career, they’ve performed more live shows since 1999 than all of the previous years of its career combined, they are a nonstop hard working band that delivers an amazing live show. If they stop in your hometown, please go out and see them, they will not disappoint.

SSL – Hi Lawrence, Good Morning! How are you doing?

Lawrence – Good morning to you as well

SSL – Thank you for taking the time to talk with Seattle Sound Live.

Lawrence – I am a little bit envious of you being in Seattle, I love it there.

SSL – We love Seattle too and we are patiently waiting for you to get here, looks like we will be graced with 3 shows this time around. (full tour dates listed below)

Lawrence – Fantastic, that’s great, we are very busy but very happy to be very busy. (laughing)

SSL – Exactly, how is the summer tour going with Def Leppard and Tesla?

Lawrence – The last time I asked about the nuts and bolts side of the tour we are in the top 3 for amphitheater tours of the summer. I have barely seen an empty seat on the tour and it’s been an over the top reaction and the audience seems to be …it’s amazing every single year they seem to be getting more and more attached to a classic rock bill like this and the beauty of it is that every single year, this year is no exception I see more younger and younger people coming to these shows and easily half the audience is under 30 years old and were not even born when some of biggest records were made. So, they are seeing more than 4 hours of classic rock laid out before them, with the young band being Tesla going on first, then us and then Def Leppard. They seem to know the words to every single song and are deemed to be well versed, literally, I suppose as the people that have been with the band ever since the beginning. It is a phenomenal thing to witness.

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