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 the band 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 USA. 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 USA, 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 90s and early 00s. 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.
Boon provided lyrics, some guitar work, and some music for the final Level 42 album Retroglide, although he and King have an agreement that Boon 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 90s 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'.
