Conservatory in Toronto and eventually got a de- gree in classical piano. Then I started doing my own music and had a long solo career and did re- ally well with that. I had multi-platinum records and number one songs, then in 1999 I was asked to join a band called Styx and I have been with that band for 20 years, and then one Sunday morning I find myself speaking with Michael Buf- falo Smith on the phone.


MBS (Laughs) When did you first notice that you wanted to be a musician? I was like 8 years old. Like millions if other musi- cians of our generation, it was all because of see- ing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. When they walked onstage, it cast some sort of magical spell over me and over the entire planet. I was in- credibly affected by it, and the next day I started bugging my dad for a guitar. I learned to play that, and then a couple of years later my Mom kind of urged me to learn the piano. That may have been her critique on my guitar playing.


It’s funny, Lawrence. I have interviewed hundreds of musicians, and about 90 per- cent of them cite the Beatles on Ed Sulli- van as the seed that started them growing as musicians. I know. It’s something that our generation all have in common, at least on this side of the water. That was a galvanizing moment. Our word completely changed in about three minutes. We are all out here performing, and all of that kind of exploded out of that moment in time. And our lives are better for it.


Lawrence, who were your major musical influences? I would say the Beatles would be number one. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones pretty much defined my 1960s love of music. Next would have to be the Canadian band The Guess Who. They had a piano player up front, Burton Cummings. Of course, Elton John. Those two kind of simulta- neously. But then when I saw Rick Wakeman in a cape playing with Yes, I thought “Is it possible you could be a super hero and a musician?” That really grabbed me. From there it was Freddie Mercury, Peter Gabriel, Jethro Tull. These bands that had larger than life front men drew me in. If


they happened to be a keyboard player that was so much better. All of the early inspirations are still the music that I love most. And progressive rock- Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Genesis. I just saw King Crimson a few weeks ago. They’re as great as ever. What they can do with a musical idea. They can take it to such a phenomenal place, I’m really drawn to that.


I read online that you did some traveling Scotland and Ireland to trace your roots. I find that very interesting. I had a fantastic life experience in 1984. We recorded my second album at Startling Studios in Ascot, Berkshire, England. The studio was part of a home owned by Ringo Starr. It was a house he bought from John Lennon. John had recorded the Imagine album there. So, I recorded my album Strange Animal there. Ringo was living there and he’d pop in every 2-3 days and make some encouraging comment about the record as it began to evolve. Ringo came in one day and said he was going to need the studio for the week- end because he was going to read for the chil- dren’s TV show that became Thomas the Tank Engine. He came in and asked, “Would you mind if I use the studio this weekend?” I thought, “What? This is Ringo Starr.” Of course, he was just being polite but it was amazing just hearing him say those words. Over those next few days I went on my first of several trips back to Scotland and visited all my relatives and saw where I was born and the neighborhood I was born into. Then I went to Ireland because my father is from Northern Ireland, and I visited my relatives there. The area has a very strong pull for me, and it was great beginning to learn about my roots.


Someday, if I live. I’d love to visit Scotland. My family is Scotch and Irish on one side and Cherokee on the other. I can tell you this. Gowan, in Scottish Gaelic means blacksmith. So, we actually have the same last name.


Cool. I knew Smith came from a black- smith. Very interesting. According to my research you really hit big in Canada in 1985 with Strange Animal. Tell us about that.


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