After learning about the new Moog synthesizer, at age 12, Leroy became obsessed with the idea of someday making music with one. At that time, there were none available in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. Even if there had been, the $5,000 to $50,000 price tag was out of range for all but the most upscale buyer. So he began to absorb any and all information he could get his hands on that could some day enable him to build his own. At age 19, in order to learn the keyboard, he began studying piano on an upright grand purchased for $125 in 1975. All this led to a career in electronics and music, starting with repair tech positions at Lake Music, Days Music, The Musician's Bench, and Entertainment Electronics, followed by road work as a keytech / roadie for Al Dimeola, The Tubes, Jeff Lorber, Johnny and the Distractions, Todd Rundgren and Quarterflash. The artists he was employed by were very generous in encouraging him to pursue his music. He played keyboards in local bands such as Cause For Alarm, Johnny and the D's, Reflex, The Sharks, the Warlocks, and The Reach.