Boston is a popular American band created in Boston, Massachusetts (USA). The peak of the group's popularity was in the 1970s of the last century.
During the period of existence, the musicians managed to release six full-fledged studio albums. The debut disc, which was released in 17 million copies, deserves considerable attention.
Creation and composition of the Boston team
At the origins of the group is Tom Scholz. As a student at MIT, he wrote songs while dreaming of a career as a rocker. Interestingly, the tracks that Tom wrote in his student years became part of the debut album of the future band.
After graduating from a higher educational institution, Tom received the specialty "Mechanical Engineer". Soon he got a job as an expert at Polaroid. Tom did not leave his old passion - music. He still wrote songs and worked as a musician in local clubs.
Tom spent the money he earned on the equipment of his own recording studio. The dream of a professional career as a musician did not leave the young man.
In his home studio, Tom continued to compose songs. In the early 1970s, he met vocalist Brad Delp, guitarist Barry Goudreau, and drummer Jim Maisdy. The guys were united by a love of heavy music. They became the founders of their own project.
Due to lack of experience, the new team broke up. The guys never managed to reach certain heights. Scholz did not lose hope to win over the public with his compositions. He continued to work alone. To record some of the tracks, Tom invited former bandmates.
Tom Scholz was well aware that "sailing alone" would not work. The musician was in an "active search" for a label. When the studio material was ready, Tom invited Brad to set the lyrics to music. The musicians together were looking for studios where professionals could listen to their compositions.
The guys sent the tracks to several recording studios. Tom Scholz did not believe in the success of his plan. But suddenly he received a call from three record companies at once. Finally, fortune smiled at the musician.
Signing with Epic Records
Tom chose Epic Records. Soon Scholz signed a lucrative contract. He had no intention of "sailing alone". The organizers of the label contributed to the expansion of the group. Thus, the first line-up of the group included:
- Brad Delp (vocalist)
- Barry Goudreau (guitarist);
- Fran Sheehan (bass);
- Saib Hashian (percussion)
And of course, Tom Scholz himself was at the "helm" of the Boston group. After the final formation of the line-up, the musicians began recording their debut album.
In 1976, the group's discography was replenished with a compilation with a very "modest" title Boston. Almost immediately after the presentation of the album, the album took the honorable 3rd position in the US hit parade.
The debut album was very popular with American youth. During this period of time, teenagers especially noted punk rock tracks. The musical recording of the Boston album was a box office hit. The musicians have sold over 17 million copies of the record. And that's just in the United States of America.
The peak of the popularity of the group "Boston"
With the release of the first album came the peak of the popularity of the American rock band. The team began active touring activities. However, soon the first disappointment awaited the musicians. The fact is that the audience did not take the performances of the guys by ear. It's all because of the lack of acoustic effect. Boston's tour of the US did not enjoy significant success.
After the tour, musicians from the Boston band began recording their second studio album. In 1978, the band's discography was replenished with the album Don't Look Bask. During this period of time, the musicians gained fans not only in their native America. Members of the group found fans of their work in Europe.
In support of their second studio album, Boston went on tour in European countries. But the musicians did not take into account the mistakes of the past, so their performances can be attributed to the list of "failed".
Decreased popularity of Boston
Gradually, the group's popularity began to decline. The team has ceased to be in demand in musical circles. In 1980, the Boston group announced its dissolution. The guys never released the promised third studio album Third Stage. The recording studio, with which the musicians signed a contract, considered the project unpromising.
After several years, when Tom Scholz announced the restoration of the group, they carried out a minor revision of the third album. In 1986, he appeared on the shelves of music stores.
Surprisingly, the collection was successful and gained four platinum awards. The recorded song of Amanda's third studio album was especially liked by music lovers, taking the lead in the charts.
Soon the musicians received an offer to perform at the Texas Jam festival. The band members delighted the fans with a wonderful performance of old and favorite tracks. Despite the fact that the group was warmly received by the "fans", this did not save the Boston group from breaking up. Despite the dissolution of the band, the musicians still got together. But it's been 8 years since then.
Boston team reunion
In 1994, the musicians united and reappeared on stage. Tom announced that the group was "resurrected" and would delight fans of heavy music with an updated repertoire.
Soon the Boston band began recording their fourth studio album. The new collection was called Walk On. Despite the high expectations of the band members, the record was rather coolly received by both fans and music critics.
Corporate America is the band's fifth album, released in 2002. Unfortunately, this record was not successful either. Despite the “failure”, the musicians continued to tour the United States of America.
In 2013, the band's discography was replenished with the sixth studio album Life, Love & Hope. The recording features the voice of the late Brad Delp. He has been the lead vocalist for Boston since its inception.
From a commercial point of view, the sixth studio album cannot be called a success. But the fans greeted the new tracks very warmly. This is mainly due to the fact that this is the last album on which Brad Delp took part.
Death of Brad Delp
Brad Delp committed suicide on March 9, 2007. A police officer and his fiancée Pamela Sullivan found the body in the bathroom at Brad's Atkinson home. Traces of violent death were not found.
Before his death, Brad wrote two notes. One contains a warning that gas is turned on in the house, which can lead to an explosion in the room. The second note was written in two languages - English and French.
It states: “I am a lonely soul… I take full responsibility for my current condition. I've lost interest in life." After Brad wrote the notes, he went into the bathroom and closed the door and turned on the gas.
His fiancee Pamela Sullivan, who had two children with Brad Delp, spoke about the musician's prolonged depression: "Depression is scary, I ask you to forgive and not condemn Brad ...".
After the farewell ceremony, the body of the Boston vocalist was cremated. In the same 2007, in August, a concert was given in honor of the memory of Brad Delp.
Interesting facts about the group Boston
- In the early 1980s, Tom Scholz created his own company, Scholz Research & Development, which made amplifiers and various musical equipment. His company's most famous product is the Rockman amplifier.
- The musical composition More Thana Feeling inspired Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain to create Smells Like Teen Spirit.
- The track Amanda was released without the support of a music video. Nevertheless, the track took the 1st position of the US hit parade. This is practically a unique case.
- The highlight of the rock band is a spaceship. Interestingly, he graced every cover of the band's albums.
The Boston Band Today
Today the group continues to give concerts. Instead of Brad, a new member was taken into the lineup. The Boston line-up has completely changed. Of the old members in the team, there is only Tom Scholz.
The new group of the group includes such musicians:
- Gary Peel;
- Curly Smith;
- David Victor;
- Geoff Nail;
- Tommy DeCarlo;
- Tracy Ferry.
