Blackrose Entertainment Bring Gowan Back to Oshawa After 49 Years
- jaybroderick
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
By: Jay Broderick
Oshawa, Ontario - For over 10 years, Durham Region promoter's Blackrose Entertainment, have been bringing the absolute best entertainment of all facets to Southern Ontario. The husband and wife team of Scott and Christine Templeton have built a business that considers community first. Outside of bringing outstanding acts to the stage, running fundraisers and giving back is of utmost importance. To add to their resume, the couple is so down to earth. In a fairly brief discussion upon my first meeting, it's easy to see how they've lasted this long. Of course, bringing acts like Gowan back to Oshawa after 49 years does nothing but solidify their stronghold in the entertainment world.
In downtown Oshawa sits a 600 seat venue that has existed for over 105 years. Originally built in 1919, the Regent Theatre is one of those venues where you just feel the presence of the artists that have performed there over the past century. Not in a creepy, haunted way either. It's all nostalgia. While I have sat in these seats as a fan, I had been unsuccessful in previous bids to photograph an event here. That is until May 15, 2025.
Gowan
How proud are we Canadians? When one of our own hits the bigtime, we beam with pride. But nothing quite surpasses that feeling than when it's a local! Lawrence Gowan is a Scarborough boy. He attended the Kingston and Victoria Park Catholic Boys High School Neil McNeil. If you're from Scarborough, you will undoubtedly have heard of this school. And if you're like me, you'll smile at the trivia.
In 1985, Gowan released his breakthrough album Strange Animal. It sent the musician into stardom. A very successful "solo" career eventually landed the singer with the job of lead vocalist/keyboardist for American rock band Styx in 1999. His homeland people in Canada were ecstatic, but despite his demanding new job, Gowan never forgot his roots. He continues to tour as a solo artist, and when I caught my first Gowan show in November 2023, I was desperate to see him again. I mean, the man is simply pure gold! A true showman! I walked away from that Massey Hall show a year and a half ago with an ear to ear grin after having seen a superb concert. So when I heard about the Strange Animal 40th Anniversary Tour, the May 15th show at Regent Theatre was immediately marked in my calendar. With nothing but luck, a last minute approval to cover the show came with more ear to ear smiles, and on show day, I headed to Downtown Oshawa.
With the expected 2 hour set, there was not a typical opening act for this show. Instead, Blackrose founder Scott Templeton headed on stage and introduced long time Canadian comedian Glenn Ottaway. He made his way onto the theatre stage, celebrating his 75th birthday. He shared a couple jokes, performed a magic card trick with the help of an audience member, and quickly asked the crowd to yell out "We're here to see Gowan, not you!!" The comedian's urged chants rang through the venue while Ottaway recorded the crowd on his cellphone. Heading off stage, it was a unique and fun way to start the show.
A split second later, the house lights went down... and it's showtime! In typical fashion, Lawrence Gowan appears, decked in iconic kilt, and standing high on his spinning keyboard. Arms high in the air, the band starts into opening track "Awake the Giant" and the performing giant awakens! Immediately, so does the crowd! Man, Gowan shines! The electricity immediately pours off the stage as Gowan sings and jumps, and dances and moves all about. And with this era of music, there comes a distinct crowd. A more mature crowd. And with this, comes a huge amount of respect for the musicians. There's no chatter. Just eyes on the stage, and ears open to the music. As any given track concludes, an applause like little else fills the theatre. OR, perhaps it's simply a result of the performance on the stage.
Gowan also has a profound ability to interact with the crowd. He shares that before hisbig break in the mid 80s, he played the Holiday Inn in Oshawa. He drops the bomb that that was 49 years ago, and wonders what took him so long to come back. He cracks jokes better than tonight's opener (with all due respect Glenn!), and even takes the time to personally hand a guitar pick to a female fan in the front row and proceeds to take her cell phone, in order to take a picture. "The easiest way to get a phone from a woman? Hand her a guitar pick!"
As the band rolls through fan favourites like "One Brief Shining Moment" and "All the Lovers in the World" they sound great! As a photographer, the lighting is superb. As a fan, the entertainment value is immense! But the real intent of this one? To celebrate 40 years of Strange Animal. This concept of playing full albums in its entirety, track by track is so cool. After the singer introduces his band, including long time guitarist Bob McAlpine and his baby brother Terry Gowan, and their Scarborough roots (which came with deafening applause from the crowd) they roll into Side 1, Track 1 "Cosmetics". They don't stop, playing Side 1 straight through. Man, Larry's range is mind-blowing as he hits those high notes, seemingly effortless. At the end of "Burning Torches of Hope", Lawrence simply states, humorously "Side 2", and they go right into "Keep the Tension On".
Aside from the audiophiles, most concert goers typically want to hear the hits. So when the intro to the title track "Strange Animal" hums through the speakers, the crowd erupts. People get out of their seats and dance in the aisles. During the track, Gowan grabs a guitar and solos with McAlpine. At the song's completion, the whole venue rises to their feet in a standing ovation. Man! They are loud!!! But we're seemingly just getting started. The piano intro to the final track of the album, the massive "A Criminal Mind" is heard. Again, the Regent Theatre patrons explode in cheer, and Lawrence Gowan and his band tear the roof down. Again, at the end of this one, the sold out venue rises to its feet, in another standing "O". As the band gazes out into the raucous crowd, they seem overwhelmed at the reception they are receiving. They appear humbled as they leave the stage.
Of course, the crowd remains on their feet, and the band reappears. "49 years later and you're still doing that? I have to say, thank you so kindly for that! It's been far too long. We have to come back again. Maybe we'll do it again on Sunday!" Staying with his humorous self, Gowan jokes, as this is the first of 2 shows here. The second of course being on Sunday May 18 (at press time, there were still some single seats available). The band then rolls into the encore "Moonlight Desires", and yes, you guessed it, another standing ovation as the concert comes to a close. The third in a row!
What more can I say? This guy is something else! If you have never had the pleasure, please do yourself a favour. OH, and THANK YOU BLACKROSE ENTERTAINMENT!!!
"I'M MADE OF COLD STONE!"
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Gowan Online
show date: May 15, 2025
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