Boston
Biography
The arena rock group behind one of the fastest-selling debut albums in history, Boston was essentially the vehicle of studio wizard Tom Scholz, born March 10, 1947, in Toledo, OH. A rock fan throughout his teen years, he began writing songs while earning a master's degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduation, he began work for Polaroid, and set about constructing his own 12-track recording studio in the basement of his home, where demos were recorded that earned Scholz and vocalist Brad Delp a contract with Epic in 1975. Although some recording and overdubs were later done in Los Angeles, the 1976 release of Boston consisted largely of tapes recorded in Scholz's basement. (By then, the lineup had coalesced around Scholz, Delp, guitarist Barry Goudreau, bassist Fran Sheehan, and drummer John "Sib" Hashian.) Boston spawned three hit singles ("More Than a Feeling," "Long Time," and "Peace of Mind"), and shot immediately to the top of the charts, remaining the best-selling pop debut effort in history before it was supplanted by Whitney Houston's first album in 1986.
Despite the record's overwhelming success, Scholz spent over two years working on the follow-up, 1978's number one hit Don't Look Back; a perfectionist, he only then released the album because of intense label pressure for product. Unsatisfied with the results, he swore to produce the next album at his own pace; as a result, the chart-topping Third Stage did not appear until 1986, at which time only Scholz and Delp remained from the original lineup.
Scholz spent the next several years in the courtroom: eventually, he won a seven-year battle against Epic, which claimed Boston had reneged on its contract by taking so long between releases. When the band resurfaced again in 1994 with Walk On, Scholz was the lone remaining member; Delp and Goudreau had reunited in 1992 as RTZ, releasing the album Return to Zero. Unlike previous returns, Walk On was a commercial failure. Radio and MTV ignored any attempts at singles or videos, and the minimalist approach taken by the popular alternative artists of the era made the crystalline production and lengthy recording time seem anachronistic.
Taking another eight years to work on the next record, he targeted the Internet crowd first by releasing a single to www.MP3.com in the summer of 2002. The track became the site's number one download, and word of their new album spread quickly. (Delp's return to the group also helped matters.) Secondly, Scholz set his lyrical sights on political targets, going so far as to title the record Corporate America as he emphasized his disdain for the system he had been a vital part of at one time. After releasing the record in the fall of that year, Boston embarked on a tour that took them into 2004. In March of 2007, however, Delp passed away in an incident later ruled suicide.
In addition to his fame as a musician, Scholz also found success as an inventor and businessman. In 1981, he formed Scholz Research & Design, Inc., a company founded to create high-tech music equipment. After first developing the Power Soak, a volume-control device, SR&D introduced the Rockman, a small and inexpensive guitar amplifier with headphones. The Rockman proved phenomenally popular with other musicians, and the capital generated from its sales helped fund Scholz's further musical ambitions. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
Boston is a great guitar and vocals rock band. I love listening to them rock while I cruise down the road.
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So Tom is a perfectionis t . . . . a n y o n e of us in his situation would have done the very same thing !!!
You see Tom knew that once a recording is set in stone, it can never be touched again. Only in a cover, note for note and word for word. The man of course was inspired by those who in turn were inspired and on and on and on until ending up back at the very first rock bands of the cave men days!!! In essence Tom gave us music that has always and will always touch lives |
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boston was a GREAT band, but sadly overlooked with bands like ACDC, Def Leppard, and Journey. No offense to those 3 bands, they rock 2
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most people _are_ dorks when it comes to playing their musik. for ex, a cd comes encoded with predefined eq's, that only a 6.1 amp can decode. yet, most don't quite understand this point and miss out on some killer stuff. GO FEGURE
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If that is what hell is, then I want to go right now. Brad had an unbelievable set of pipes... and I will laugh because people still listen to Boston after over 30 years, but NO ONE, except maybe you, will remember Godsmack in the next 5.
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i didnt know they were guitars until i just read that post, im 20 and was raised on boston, i have every album and i never noticed it
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i never knew their space ships were guitars untill i hit 20 haha lol and that was back in the 8os wait hmm i dont remember 20 ha
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The first time I heard More Than a Feeling, it was a religious experience.
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Scholz used more than his basement. Several rooms in the house were used for their unique acoustics, including the bathroom.
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one of the fastest-sell i n g debut albums of all time for a reason!!! They were amazing!!!
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I agree with Taylor. I'd be hard pressed to name my favorite Boston song. Does "all of them" count?
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Usually I can name my favorite song from a band, but for these guys it's impossible. Their entire debut album is golden.
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i never got to go to one of Brad's concerts but even without him boston is still a great band and he and tom will always be the heart and soul of Boston!
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Hey All! Just my 2 cents here. BOSTON is my all-time favorite band...and have seen them live 22 times!! Brad is always "The Voice", but when Michael Sweet of Stryper joined them this past year;...well , it was still awesome. The Band still rocks your face off, and with a georgeous bass player in Kimberly Dahme!
Got to hang out with them prior to their show in Mohegan Sun Casino in COnnecticut in August of 08, and met all the members but Tom.....Grea t down to earth people. Not sure you can say t |
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Tuskinrader, Bon Jovi is nowhere near as good as Boston. Never. No way.
Revived: Yes, Led Zep is better than Boston. Van Halen? Well, it's not the same style of music (neither is Led Zep), but one thing VH & Boston have in common is; they both had great debut albums, and slowly went downhill from there. But Boston's 1st LP is a true classic. I have listened to it so many times. |
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GREAT MUSIC,BRINGS BACK ALOT OF MEMORIES,ALL THE MUSIC IS WELL DONE WITH THESE GREAT SINGERS..NEV E R SAW THEM IN PERSON BUT STILL HAVE SOME RECORDINGS.. . T H A N K S PANDORA
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One of the greatest artist ever, 1976 was a great year and a great album ! BOSTON. Jim
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it all brings back memories and fond memories especially for my deceased friend that played it all, Donnie I love you
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