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©
photo by Laura Richter
Lawrence
Gowan
Joe Stark/Billy Squier/Bad Compay/Styx Concert
July 13, 2001
Verizon Music Center—Noblesville, IN
Though it may not
be the best quality photo, nor would it mean anything to anyone
else, “The Polaroid” is one of my prized Styx possessions!
Recommended Websites:
Styx
World
The official website of Styx.
Includes a diary with regular entries from Tommy Shaw. You can
also join the Styx Private Lounge (membership fee applies) and
have access to “golden circle seating”concert tickets,
chats with the band, bulletin board, special merchandise, and
more.
The
Official Gowan Website
The official site for Lawrence Gowan. Includes photos and information
about Lawrence with and without Styx, tour dates, fans' page,
"Gowan's Notes," and more.
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A Mouth Watering
Experience!
subtitled
Thumbs Up to
Lawrence Gowan!
Sitting in the front row of a concert has its
advantages. Especially when you're seeing one of your all-time
favorite bands. In my case, it was Styx in February 2001.
I first saw Lawrence Gowan perform with Styx in
July 1999. I had recently learned that Larry had replaced Styx
founder and front man, Dennis DeYoung, and was a little apprehensive
about the show. However, I was a huge fan of Styx, especially
guitarist and vocalist Tommy Shaw, so I was determined to attend
the concert. As soon as Larry hit the stage, my concerns were
put to rest. His musical and vocal talent, as well as stage presence,
won me over.
Having attended many Styx concerts, I
was familiar with some of Larry's on-stage shenanigans, including
his popular gimmick of taking pictures of the band with a Polaroid
camera and giving the print to a member of the audience. During
the latter part of the show, Larry came to "my" side
of the stage and snapped a picture of Tommy and the boys. To my
surprise, Larry stopped in front of me, bent down, and handed
me the picture! Woo hoo!
Awestruck, I glanced down
to look at the photo. Unbeknownst to me, however, Larry also reached
down to stroke my cheek, saying what I believe was "This
is for you, angel," at the exact same moment I looked up
to thank him. As I lifted my head, mouth open to speak, his thumb
inadvertently wound up in the corner of my mouth! I was so embarrassed,
I can only imagine what the expression on my face must have been
— or what Larry must have been thinking!
As I learned later, this was a totally intimate
experience between Larry and myself. My girlfriend, Laura, who
was standing next to me and witnessed the photo exchange, had
no clue that Larry's thumb wound up in my mouth. Nor did any of
the Styx fans who approached me after the show to admire my prized
possession!
Whenever I now hear the
song "Under My Thumb" by the Rolling Stones, it has
a whole new meaning!
Larry
& Me
Merrillville, Indiana
July 2002
©
photo by Laura Richter
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