Lawrence Gowan continues to feel the thrill of performing in front of a live audience.
Whether it’s seeing hands wave from side to side, or the collective group standing up for an encore, Gowan is more than game to build a connection with the people he sees in different parts of the world.
It might be why the Canadian singer and keyboardist is still going strong at 69 years old, making sure he’s the consummate showman, touring with Styx during the band’s “Evening with Styx” as it makes a stop Tuesday, March 24, at Buddy Holly Hall.
“We do around a 100 shows a year and, honestly, I never think about my age when I’m on the stage,” Gowan said, pausing for a moment. “But, let me tell you, the next morning — my body reminds me. And, then I think to myself, ‘Maybe, I did a little too much last night.’ “
That won’t be an issue when Gowan and the rest of his bandmates, which includes Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Terry Gowan (bass, vocals), and Will Evankovich (mandolin, guitars), take the stage around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday. Jay Psaros is scheduled to open the night at 7:30 p.m.
The motivation will not only be in the venue’s name, but also playing in Lubbock, Texas — home to Buddy Holly, a musical pioneer who transformed rock and roll in the late 1950s.
“It’s so cool to be able to play in a place that is named after someone whose career had such an impact on the music industry,” Gowan said of Holly, who died at 22 years old in a 1959 plane crash, famously known as “The Day the Music Died.” Holly was referenced by the Beatles, and played a large part in their inspiration, too.
The same goes for Gowan, who recalled finding a 78 rpm record of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll be the Day.” To him, it was a way to not only learn musical history, but was the continuation of what would be a long career — 28 of those years being a part of Styx.
“What a legacy that is, for Styx,” Gowan said of the band, which formed back in 1972 in Chicago. “To know that some people in the audience weren’t even born when these records came out. … I think it shows staying power.”
More so, Gowan is adamant that the reason Styx has lasted more than half a century is its ability to captivate its fans — young and old — with playlist favorites such as “Mr. Roboto” and “Come Sail Away.” That, or can hit nostalgia notes as someone hears the familiar ballad of “Renegade” which they may have heard while attending a sporting event or playing inside a gym.
You can also throw in making new music, as the band came out with its “Circling from Above” album on July 18, 2025. It marked the third album in eight years.
“We’re really proud of that new album, put in a lot of work and challenged ourselves,” Gowan said. “But, fans that come Tuesday will definitely be able to get a little more of our playlists than if we were touring with another band.
“It’s a way for some people to reconnect with their youth, with some of the hits, or looking for a good time.”
What to know
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24
Where: Buddy Holly Hall
Cost: Tickets from about $66.66 to $172.54
More information: www.buddyhollyhall.org
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Styx bringing classic rock sound to Buddy Holly Hall on March 24
Reporting by Carlos Silva Jr., Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
