Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists.[2] Bostons best-known works include the songs More Than a Feeling, Peace of Mind, Foreplay/Long Time, Rock and Roll Band, Smokin, Dont Look Back and Amanda. They have sold over 31 million albums in the United States, of which 17 million were for their self-titled debut album and 7 million were for their second album, Dont Look Back.[3][4] Altogether, they have released six studio albums. History[edit] Before debut album[edit] Tom Scholz first started writing music in 1969 while he was attending MIT, where he wrote an instrumental, titled Foreplay.[5] While attending MIT, Scholz joined the band Freehold, where he met guitarist Barry Goudreau and drummer Jim Masdea, who would later become members of Boston. Vocalist Brad Delp was added to the collective in 1970. After graduating with a masters degree,[6] Scholz worked for Polaroid, where he used his salary to build a recording studio in his basement, and to finance demo tapes recorded in professional recording studios.[5] These early demo tapes were recorded with (at various times) Brad Delp on vocals, Barry Goudreau on guitar, Jim Masdea on drums, and Scholz on guitar, bass and keyboards . The demo tapes were sent to record companies, but received consistent rejections.[5] In 1973 Scholz formed the band Mothers Milk with Delp, Goudreau, and Masdea.[5] That group disbanded by 1974, but Scholz subsequently worked with Masdea and Delp to produce six new demos, including More Than a Feeling, Peace of Mind, Rock and Roll Band, Something About You (then entitled Life Isnt Easy), Hitch a Ride (then entitled San Francisco Day), and Dont Be Afraid. Scholz stated they finished four of the six by the end of 1974, and they finished More Than a Feeling and Something About You in 1975.[7][8] Scholz played all the instruments on the demos, except for the drums, which were played by Masdea, and used self-designed pedals to create the desired guitar sound.[5] The violin-like sound of the guitars was created in the early 1970s by Scholz, and it became a truly distinctive innovation in American music.[9] This final demo tape attracted the attention of promoters Paul Ahern and Charlie McKenzie. Masdea left the band around this time. According to Scholz, the managers insisted that Masdea had to be replaced before the band could get a recording deal.[5] Years later, Delp told journalist Chuck Miller: [Jim] actually told me he was losing interest in playing drums. I know Tom felt very bad when the whole thing happened. And then, of course, we started getting some interest.[10][11] Scholz and Delp signed a deal with Epic Records after Masdeas departure, thanks to Ahern & McKenzie. Before the deal could be finalized, the band had to do a live audition for the record company executives. The duo quickly recruited Goudreau on guitar, bassist Fran Sheehan and drummer Sib Hashian to create a performing unit which could replicate Scholzs richly layered recordings on stage. The showcase was a success and the band agreed to put out 10 albums over the next six years.[5][10] In addition to the firing of Masdea, the record label also insisted that Scholz re-record the demo tapes in a professional studio. However, Scholz wanted the record to be recorded in his basement studio so that he could work at his own pace.[5] Upon request of Tom Scholz, Masdea played drums on the track Rock and Roll Band, and the instrumentation was recorded in Scholzs studio.[5] The multitrack tapes were then brought to Los Angeles, where Brad Delp added vocals and the album was mixed by John Boylan. It was then that the band was named Boston, by suggestion of Boylan and engineer Warren Dewey. Boston (1976) The debut album, Boston, released on August 8, 1976, was an enormous success. The record ranks as one of the best-selling debut album in U.S. history with over 17 million copies sold.[12] During the late summer and early fall of 1976, Boston attracted much publicity due to the unprecedented record sales by an unknown act, its unique sound, and singer Brad Delps vocal abilities. However, there was a conscious effort to de-emphasize Scholz as the total mastermind behind Boston.[13] After opening for Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Foghat and others in the autumn, the band embarked on a headlining tour in the winter and spring of 1976-1977 to support the album.[14] This helped establish Boston as one of rocks top acts within a short time, being nominated for a Grammy award as a Best New Artist.[14][15] Boston was the first band in history to make their New York City debut at Madison Square Garden.[13] The album spawned three singles, More Than a Feeling, Long Time, and Peace of Mind, all of which made the national charts.[14] Additionally, the album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the charts for 132 weeks.[ Dont Look Back (1978)[edit] Despite having problems with manager Paul Ahern, being caught in the middle of a fight between Ahern and his business partner Charles McKenzie, and doing most of the recording work alone,[13] Scholz completed the second Boston album two years after the debut albums release. The second album, Dont Look Back, was released by Epic in August 1978. At the time this was considered a long gap between albums, but Scholz still considered Dont Look Back to be a rush job and was unhappy with the albums second side in particular.[17] Overall Dont Look Back sold about half as well as the debut album, eventually selling over 7 million records.[18] Another tour followed, and the albums title track became a Top 5 hit. Additionally, two other singles, A Man Ill Never Be, and Feelin Satisfied went Top 40 and Top 50 respectively.[14] Despite the success, Scholzs relationship with Ahern completely deteriorated.[19] Delayed by technical renovations to his studio, Scholz eventually began the process of working on Bostons third album, determined to complete the album at his own pace and up to his demanding standard Solo projects and CBS lawsuit (1979–1985)[edit] In late 1979, Scholz began writing new material, but Bostons former co-manager, Paul Ahern, argued that, according to an agreement Scholz had signed years earlier with Ahern, Ahern owned a percentage of all songs Scholz wrote from that point on.[19] Delayed further by the dispute, Scholz suggested that in the meantime the individual members should work on whatever other projects they might be considering. Goudreau then decided to record a solo album that featured Boston members Delp and Hashian, and which was recorded with the help of Paul Grupp,[20] an engineer and producer familiar with Scholzs studio techniques.[14] The album, released in 1980, was titled Barry Goudreau and featured the minor hit single Dreams. There was tension when CBSs marketing connected Goudreaus solo album to Bostons signature guitar sound, despite Scholz not having played at all on this album.[17][21] Scholz objected to the ad copy, but it became irrelevant when Epic dropped promotion on Goudreaus album citing lack of interest. Goudreau left the band in 1981 and formed Orion the Hunter. Delp contributed vocals and co-wrote songs on the debut album, but returned to Boston and recorded vocals on the third Boston album.[14] While Scholz and Delp were recording new material for the third Boston album, CBS filed a $60 million lawsuit against Scholz, alleging breach of contract for failing to deliver a new Boston album on time.[14] During this same period, Scholz founded his successful high-tech company Scholz Research & Development (SR&D), which made amplifiers and other musical electronic equipment. Its most famous product, the Rockman amplifier, was introduced in 1982.[22] The legal trouble slowed progress toward the completion of the next album, which took six years to record and produce. Joining Scholz in the albums development again were Delp and Jim Masdea.[23] In 1985, guitarist Gary Pihl left Sammy Hagars touring band to work with Scholz as both a musician and an SR&D executive. As CBS v. Scholz played out in court, CBS opted to withhold royalty payments to Scholz, hoping to force him to settle on unfavorable terms.[14] The lawsuits first round was eventually decided in Scholzs favor, and Scholz moved the band to MCA Records.[ Third Stage (1986–1988)[edit] Despite the adversity, progress continued to be made on the third Boston album. A tape of one of the songs, Amanda, leaked out of the studio in 1984. The song became the lead single when Third Stage was finally released on September 23, 1986.[24] The album and lead single Amanda both went to No. 1 on Billboard, and subsequent singles, Were Ready and Cantcha Say were Top 10 and Top 30 respectively.[14] The group headed off on tour to promote Third Stage in 1987 and 1988. Third Stage was played in sequence in its entirety during the shows, with expanded arrangements of some cuts. Boston would open with Rock and Roll Band and brought back the original drummer, Jim Masdea, to play drums for this one song. For the tour the group was joined by Doug Huffman and David Sikes, both of whom stayed with the band into the mid-1990s.[14] The CBS case took seven years to run its course, and in April 1990 Scholz won.[14] A jury awarded him millions in unpaid royalties and punitive damages. Delp departs; Walk On (1989–1996)[edit] By Spring 1990, Scholz was back in the studio working on the bands fourth studio album.[14] Later that year, Delp told Scholz he wanted to concentrate on other projects, and might not be available for some time.[25] With Delps departure, Scholz was now the last remaining original member. Before he left, Delp co-wrote the song Walk On with Scholz and David Sikes, which eventually became the title track of the new album.[26] Delp subsequently joined Barry Goudreaus new band, RTZ.[14] Scholz eventually replaced him with Fran Cosmo, who had previously been in Goudreaus previous band Orion the Hunter. For the second album in a row, and for the second time in a decade, Scholzs work was delayed by renovations to his studio. In the end, eight years passed between Third Stage and Walk On, which was released in June 1994. Walk On was certified platinum by the RIAA, but only reached No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.[14] Unlike Bostons previous albums, it failed to chart in the Top 5. It produced one hit single, I Need Your Love which was widely played on some rock radio stations.[14] Delp reunited with Boston at the end of 1994. Their first appearance was for two benefit shows at the House of Blues on December 12–13, 1994 in Cambridge.[14] The band also handed a check of $5,000 to Globe Santa and another check of $5,000 to Operation Christmas in Fall River.[27] The group, with Delp now back in the band, toured in the summer of 1995 with both Cosmo and Delp combining vocals. By this time drummer Huffman had been replaced by Curly Smith, who was previously with Jo Jo Gunne.[14] Following the conclusion of the Livin For You tour in 1995, Scholz announced that a greatest hits album would be released.[14] Initially planned for release in August 1996, the album was pushed back to a 1997 release date.[14 Death of Brad Delp (2007)[edit] On March 9, 2007, lead singer Brad Delp committed suicide at his home in Atkinson, New Hampshire.[30] Police found Delp dead in his master bathroom, along with several notes for whoever would find him.[30] In the bathroom where Delp committed suicide, two charcoal grills were found on the bathroom fixtures, and the door sealed with duct tape and a towel underneath.[30] Police Lt. William Baldwin called the death untimely and said that no foul play was indicated.[31] Delp was alone at the time of his death, according to the police report. Delp was found by his fiancée, who saw a dryer hose attached to his car.[30] According to the New Hampshire medical examiner, Delps death was the result of suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning as evidenced by carboxyhemoglobin.[30] Delps last concert with Boston was performed at Boston Symphony Hall on November 13, 2006, at a concert honoring Doug Flutie. A concert in honor of Delp named Come Together: A Tribute to Brad Delp occurred on August 19, 2007, at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston. The concert included, in order of appearance, Ernie and the Automatics, Beatlejuice, Farrenheit, Extreme, Godsmack, RTZ, Orion the Hunter, and finally the current version of Boston.[32] All of the living members of Boston were invited to perform in the concert. The singers for Boston included Michael Sweet of Stryper, former band member Curly Smith, band member Kimberley Dahme, and a Boston fan from North Carolina named Tommy DeCarlo, who was chosen to sing based on his performances of Boston cover songs on his MySpace page.[33][34] Another former Boston vocalist, Fran Cosmo, was unable to sing because of a ruptured blood vessel in his throat, but did play guitar. Jim Masdea, Fran Sheehan, and even Barry Goudreau joined Scholz and the rest of the band on stage for the finale, Dont Look Back. Curly Smith and Kimberley Dahme split the lead vocal on the finale. Sib Hashian, while present, refused to go on stage with the other Boston alumni, citing discomfort with Tom Scholz.[ https://youtube/watch?v=SSR6ZzjDZ94
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:46:19 +0000
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