Rowland Charles Gould
Encyclopedia
Rowland Charles Gould (born 4 March 1955, Shanklin
, Isle of Wight
) known as Boon Gould, is an English
musician
and one of the four founding members of Level 42
. He is known for his high-calibre musicianship and "throw away" guitar playing technique. Boon is often cited as one of the most underrated guitarists of all time. He has been called 'Boon' since, at a very young age, an uncle of his commented to his mother that his apparent inability to cry was a 'real boon for the family'.
He was the guitarist of the band, and occasional saxophone player on their earliest albums. Boon is the brother of Phil Gould
, who was the drummer and also a founding member of Level 42
. Boon's tenure as a full time member of Level 42 ended in 1987 after a period of sustained illness, nervous exhaustion culminating in him suffering panic attacks whilst on stage during a tour of the United States
. Boon's health was not helped by him fully adopting the stereotypical lifestyle of a pop-star, and a poor diet whilst on tour. He was the first of the original members to quit full time work with the group, although he continued writing lyrics with the group and was present during studio work for the Staring at the Sun
album in 1988.
After this he spent time in a monastery, and in the desert in the U.S.
, where he nearly got a record deal.
Boon has released two solo albums: Tin Man and Love Kills Overtime. The second being under the pseudonym 'Zen Gangsters'. The second album used a number of his brother's drum samples from his later work with Level 42.
Unlike the other original members, Boon has maintained a relationship with Mark King, and has occasionally been seen attending Mark's concerts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Boon provided lyrics for King's album One Man and the full 2004 reunion of the band was officially announced on his website, although this reunion was very brief.
Gould provided lyrics, some guitar work, and some music for the final Level 42 album Retroglide, although he and King have an agreement that Gould is credited solely for lyrics
and King solely for music
.
Boon has a daughter named Chani, but was not married to her mother. He married in the early 1990s and has since had another child.
The song "Good Man In A Storm" from the album World Machine alludes to the childhood of both Boon and Phil Gould. In the song, written by Phil Gould, he states (probably to his mother), "There was a vision, flashing by, of a summer's day I spent with you, with a child who never learnt how to cry."
Shanklin
Shanklin is a popular seaside resort and civil parish on the Isle of Wight, England, located on the east coast's Sandown Bay. The sandy beach, its Old Village and a wooded ravine, Shanklin Chine, are its main attractions. The esplanade along the beach is occupied by hotels and restaurants for the...
, Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
) known as Boon Gould, is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and one of the four founding members of Level 42
Level 42
Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the...
. He is known for his high-calibre musicianship and "throw away" guitar playing technique. Boon is often cited as one of the most underrated guitarists of all time. He has been called 'Boon' since, at a very young age, an uncle of his commented to his mother that his apparent inability to cry was a 'real boon for the family'.
He was the guitarist of the band, and occasional saxophone player on their earliest albums. Boon is the brother of Phil Gould
Phil Gould (musician)
Philip Gabriel Gould, also known as Phil Gould is a British professional drummer, song writer, and singer from the Isle of Wight in southern England...
, who was the drummer and also a founding member of Level 42
Level 42
Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the...
. Boon's tenure as a full time member of Level 42 ended in 1987 after a period of sustained illness, nervous exhaustion culminating in him suffering panic attacks whilst on stage during a tour of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Boon's health was not helped by him fully adopting the stereotypical lifestyle of a pop-star, and a poor diet whilst on tour. He was the first of the original members to quit full time work with the group, although he continued writing lyrics with the group and was present during studio work for the Staring at the Sun
Staring at the Sun (Level 42 album)
Staring at the Sun is the eighth studio album released by the British pop band Level 42, in 1988. Produced by Level 42, Wally Badarou and Julian Mendelsohn. Recorded at Miraval, France. Engineered and mixed by Julian Mendelsohn. Engineer's assistant - Jean Lamoot. Mastered at The Townhouse by Kevin...
album in 1988.
After this he spent time in a monastery, and in the desert in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he nearly got a record deal.
Boon has released two solo albums: Tin Man and Love Kills Overtime. The second being under the pseudonym 'Zen Gangsters'. The second album used a number of his brother's drum samples from his later work with Level 42.
Unlike the other original members, Boon has maintained a relationship with Mark King, and has occasionally been seen attending Mark's concerts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Boon provided lyrics for King's album One Man and the full 2004 reunion of the band was officially announced on his website, although this reunion was very brief.
Gould provided lyrics, some guitar work, and some music for the final Level 42 album Retroglide, although he and King have an agreement that Gould is credited solely for lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
and King solely for music
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
.
Boon has a daughter named Chani, but was not married to her mother. He married in the early 1990s and has since had another child.
The song "Good Man In A Storm" from the album World Machine alludes to the childhood of both Boon and Phil Gould. In the song, written by Phil Gould, he states (probably to his mother), "There was a vision, flashing by, of a summer's day I spent with you, with a child who never learnt how to cry."