Boston: The Band People Love to Hate

Brad Delp, 1951-2007

Brad Delp was born June 12, 1951. He was the voice of Boston on four of their five studio albums sporadically released over more than a quarter century before his suicide in 2007. Boston’s most noted accomplishments happened right out of the gate. The 1976 eponymous debut ranks in the NARM/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Definite 200 Albums list and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified it for sales of 17 million, placing it just outside the top 10 best sellers of all time.

The group’s first single, “More Than a Feeling,” has been dubbed by the Hall as one of the Top 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll and has been cited as an instrumental source for Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (page 17, The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era, 1954-1999).



So why is Boston such a despised band? The derision seems especially targeted at Tom Scholz, who is referred to at SportsJournalists.com as “the paragon of pretentious studio perfection until Axl Rose took the mantle for all times.” Boston is also mocked for copying a slew of its classic rock counterparts. Ironically the band “reviled by some as the creators of corporate rock” (www.thirdstage.ca) began as one of the most DIY efforts in rock history, as MIT graduate Tom Scholz assembled most of the debut album in his basement.

There’s something about an anal, egotistical task master that just doesn’t scream “rock and roll.” Notorious time delays between albums don’t help. The general consensus is that rock and roll is meant to be immediate; it should be rough around the edges and played live, not tweaked and prodded for nearly a decade in the studio.

However, most fans like bands just because they like them, not because they pass certain tests. As critic Sarah Rodman says at thirdstage.ca, “sometimes holding up your lighter, rocking out, and playing air guitar is a fun thing to do. And if you’re going to do it with any band, I would choose Boston over almost any other band from that time period.”




Click photo for more about the band’s debut album.



For more information, including special recognitions for acts, songs, and albums, check out individual entries in the DMDB music makers’ encyclopedia for Boston, Brad Delp, and Tom Scholz. Also check out the Boston’s DMDB page for a detailed bio and links to reviews of their albums and related material.

Boston hit #1 with Third Stage

Third Stage Boston

Charted: October 18, 1986 Peak: 14 US, 37 UK, 11 CN, 35 AU Sales (in millions): 4.0 US, -- UK, 8.5 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. Amanda [4:16] (9/19/86, 1 US, 1 CB, 1 RR, 13 AC, 1 AR, 1 CN, 25 AU) We’re Ready [3:58] (10/11/86, 9 US, 12 CB, 7 RR, 2 AR, 25 CN) The Launch [2:55] Cool the Engines (Scholz, Sheehan, Delp) [4:23] (10/18/86, 4 AR) My Destination [2:19] A New World (Masdea) [0:36] To Be a Man [3:30] I Think I Like It (Scholz, Jon DeBrigard credited as John English) [4:06] Can’tcha Say/ Still in Love [5:13] (1/31/87, 20 US, 27 CB, 21 RR, 7 AR, 88 CN) Hollyann [5:11] All songs written by Tom Scholz unless noted otherwise. Total Running Time: 36:27 The Players: Tom Scholz (guitars, organs, piano, bass, drums, percussion) Brad Delp (vocals) Sib Hashian, Jim Masdea (drums, percussion) Gary Pihl (guitar on “I Think I Like It”)

Rating: 3.594 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

About the Album: “After rushing their second album Don’t Look Back, Boston took eight years to complete the album Third Stage…Only songwriter/guitarist Tom Scholz and vocalist Brad Delp remained from the original lineup, [but] they were the ones responsible for Boston’s sound.” AMG “As such, it is difficult to avoid comparisons with their landmark debut. Third Stage has some strong moments, especially the number one hit Amanda where the band blends acoustic and electric guitars to complement the layered vocals.” AMG “However, the songs are not as strong as those on their debut, and the album is marred by the presence of instrumental fillers and an attempt to cling to a theme of ‘journey through life’s third stage.’ Thus, rather than focusing on universal topics such as the exuberance and uncertainties associated with youth, the mature lyrics are lost on most of their young rock audience.” AMG “Given the time between albums and the changes in the pop landscape, it was a little disappointing to find Boston stuck in the same sound. The album still sounds great when it works on all cylinders (We’re Ready, Cool the Engines), but the album is not filled with enough satisfying moments. This may be nostalgic pop rock of the '80s, but casual listeners should start with their debut.” AMG

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Boston AMG All Music Guide review by Vik Iyengar WK Wikipedia Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 2/19/2008; last updated 8/28/2021.

Boston Don’t Look Back released

Don’t Look Back Boston

Released: August 2, 1978 Peak: 12 US, 9 UK, 13 CN, 8 AU Sales (in millions): 7.0 US, 0.06 UK, 10.5 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. Don’t Look Back (8/18/78, 4 US, 7 CB, 8 HR, 4 RR, 2 CL, 43 UK, 6 CN, 51 AU) The Journey It’s Easy (23 CL) A Man I’ll Never Be (11/11/78, 31 US, 36 CB, 36 HR, 16 CL, 27 CN) Feelin’ Satisfied (3/24/79, 46 US, 51 CB, 67 HR, 6 CL, 84 CN) Party (Scholz, Delp) (12 CL) Used to Bad News (Delp) (26 CL) Don’t Be Afraid Songs written by Tom Scholz unless noted otherwise. Total Running Time: 33:47 The Players: Tom Scholz (guitars, organ, bass, clavinet, etc.) Brad Delp (vocals, acoustic guitar) Barry Goudreau (guitar) Fran Sheehan (bass) Sib Hashian, Jim Madea (drums)

Rating: 3.710 out of 5.00 (average of 25 ratings) Quotable: “This record is better than 96.7% of the AOR records released in the 1970s” – Tim Sendra, All Music Guide Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album:  “The follow-up to Boston’s mega-hit first album, …Don’t Look Back took two long years to complete and it’s hard to figure out why it took so long because it is almost exactly the same as their debut. The guitars still sound like they are being fed through computers and stacked into great walls of sound by robots, lead singer Brad Delp still sounds like he is ripping his throat out and the harmony vocals still sound like a choir of androids warbling angelically.” AMG “Most importantly, the songs are overflowing with hooks, there are plenty of riffs to air guitar to, and the songs stick in your head like dirt on a dog. The main difference lies in the semi-melancholy tone of the record. Boston was a nonstop party of a record but one look at the song titles lets you know that Don't Look Back is a little different: A Man I’ll Never Be, Used to Bad News, Don’t Be Afraid. These songs reveal a reflective side that was nowhere to be found on Boston.” AMG “Not to say the record doesn’t rock because it does mightily. Don’t Look Back has a killer riff that’s very similar to the timeless riff in ‘More Than a Feeling;’ Party is a storming rocker much like ‘Smokin’’ and It’s Easy is mellow 70’s AOR at its absolute best.” AMG “Don’t Look Back is basically Boston, Pt. 2, but don’t let that put you off because even though the band was treading water they were treading it like Esther Williams. This record is better than 96.7% of the AOR records released in the 1970s, combine it with Boston and you are looking at two tickets to AOR paradise.” AMG

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Boston AMG All Music Guide review by Tim Sendra Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 2/19/2008; last updated 8/25/2021.

Boston charted with “More Than a Feeling”

More Than a Feeling Boston

Writer(s): Tom Scholz (see lyrics here) First Charted: September 11, 1976 Peak: 5 US, 4 CB, 3 GR, 4 HR, 1 CL, 22 UK, 4 CN, 11 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK, 2.01 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 141.0 video, 812.16 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Boston’s 1976 self-titled debut album proved to be a classic rock staple with “a sound that was unique and yet somehow familiar.” UCR “The distinctive tone of [Tom] Sholtz’s guitar coupled with the soaring vocals of Brad Delp became the trademark Boston sound.” UCR Critics and the press hated the band, often calling them “corporate rock,” UCR but the 17 million who bought the first album disagreed. The lead single “More Than a Feeling,” was “an almost sickly sweet ear worm” UCR which served up “a rush of sunshine-laced guitars and vocals” UCR which sometimes blended so seamlessly as to seem to become one. The recording is effectively a Tom Scholz solo effort in which he “grafted on Brad Delp’s yelping vocal and enlisted Boyland’s production gloss to persuade the record company bureaucrats they weren’t just putting out a homemade demo.” DM Scholz “wasn’t your average poor struggling rocker; he was an M.I.T. graduate who invented his own effects pedal called ‘The Rockman.’” UCR He was the “ultimate perfectionist” DM and worked on the song for five years, recording in his basement WK with equipment he bought with money he earned from a job at Polaroid. SF The result was “FM immortality.” TB The Book of Rock Lists suggests that the song’s riff on the chorus may be an homage to the Kingsmen’s “Louie Louie.” Scholz has said the Left Banke’s “Walk Away Renee” was the song’s main inspiration. WK In turn, “More Than a Feeling” inspired the riff for Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” RS500 Scholz said he didn’t hear the similarity, but that he “consider[ed] it a compliment.” SF Lyrically, the song is a “blast of nostalgia for the memories invoked by an oldie on the radio.” DT Boston’s website explained that “Feeling” is about “the power an old song can have in your life.” WK The protagonist is discontent with the present and yearning for Marianne, a former lover, whose memory is evoked by an old familiar song. WK Scholz confirmed there really was a Marianne. When he was 8 or 9 years old, he was “secretly in love” with a cousin who much much older. He also said, though, that the lyrics were about the ending of a school love affair. WK Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Boston BC Brad Carl (2015). 50 Songs from the 70s and 80s That Still Hold Up. Pages 13-14. RC Rod Couch (2015). The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era: 1955-2015. Pages 308-9. DM Dave Marsh (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. New American Library: New York, NY. Page 615. RS500 Rolling Stone (12/04). “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” SF Songfacts DT Dave Thompson (2011). 1000 Songs That Rock Your World. Krause Publications: Iola, WI. Page 176. Thunder Bay UCR UltimateClassicRock.com (6/20/2013). “Top 100 Classic Rock Songs” WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/10/2021; last updated 4/29/2024.

Boston's self-titled debut released

Boston Boston

Released: August 25, 1976 Peak: 3 US, 11 UK, 7 CN, 16 AU Sales (in millions): 17.0 US, 0.1 UK, 28.0 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. More Than a Feeling [4:45] (9/11/76, 5 US, 4 CB, 4 HR, 2 RR, 1 CL, 22 UK, 4 CN, 11 AU) Peace of Mind [5:02] (5/7/77, 38 US, 33 CB, 39 HR, 1 CL, 41 CN) Foreplay/Longtime [7:48] (1/22/77, 22 US, 12 CB, 13 RR, 1 CL, 9 CN) Rock and Roll Band [2:50] (2 CL) Smokin’ (Delp/ Scholz) [4:20] (3 CL) Hitch a Ride [4:12] (6 CL) Something about You [3:48] (7 CL) Let Me Take You Home Tonight (Delp/ Scholz) [4:13] (6 CL) All songs written by Tom Scholz unless noted otherwise. Total Running Time: 37:08 The Players: Tom Scholz (guitars, organ, bass, clavinet, etc.) Brad Delp (vocals, acoustic guitar) Barry Goudreau (guitar) Fran Sheehan (bass) Sib Hashian, Jim Madea (drums)

Rating: 4.190 out of 5.00 (average of 26 ratings) Quotable: “Boston is essential for any fan of classic rock” – Vik Iyenyard, All Music Guide Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album: “Nearly every song on Boston’s debut album can still be heard on classic rock radio today due to the strong vocals of Brad Delp and unique guitar sound of Tom Scholz.” VI “This masterwork of studio-happy, high-school-parking-lot music” RW is now one of the best-selling albums of all time and second only to Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destrcution as the best-selling debut by an American rock band, WK but it wasn’t an overnight success. Scholz told The Vinyl Guide he’d worked on the album roughly six years, getting rejected from two dozen record companies along the way. VG “Because of the rise of disco and punk, FM rock radio seemed all but dead until the rise of acts like Boston, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen.” VI Scholz did most of the recording in his home recording studio in his basement at night while holding down a day-job with Polaroid. VG He has become legendary – or infamous, depending on your perspective – for self-designed equipment such as 12-track recording devices VI and studio perfectionism. He said he didn’t set out to do most of the work himself, but ended up doing it that way because it was the only way to get the sound he wanted. VG Eventually the demos attracted the attention of Epic Records, but they wanted the songs re-recorded in a “professional” studio. Scholz was determined to re-cut the songs on his own and Epic producer John Boylan helped “create a diversion” with a band making new studio recordings of the songs in Los Angeles while Scholz continued to redo the recordings in his home studio. WK Epic Records coined the slogan “Better music through science” to promote the album. Scholz hated the term, because it implied that he’d crafted the music with keyboards and synthesizers when, in fact, he hadn’t used them at all. VG He created “an anthemic ‘arena rock’ sound before the term was even coined. The sound was hard rock, but the layered melodies and harmonics reveal the work of a master craftsman.” VI He “fine-tuned his overdubbed guitar orchestra to a pitch that a thousand subsequent album-rockers couldn’t resist.” RW “While much has been written about the sound of the album, the lyrics are often overlooked. There are songs about their rise from a bar band (Rock and Roll Band) as well as fond remembrances of summers gone by (More Than a Feeling).” VI “The pseudo-cosmic ambience invites scoffs…but it’s really just part of the disc’s charm.” RW “Boston is essential for any fan of classic rock, and the album marks the re-emergence of the genre in the 1970s.” VI Even the album cover became iconic. Initially, though, the creative team sent Scholz potential covers of a head of Boston lettuce, a slice of Boston crème pie, and a pot of Boston baked beans. VG On The Vinyl Guide podcast, Scholz mused, “Did they even listen to the music?” VG He pondered if the record company was “confused in between selling records and selling produce.” VG Scholz suggested a guitar-shaped spaceship and Roger Huyssen ended up creating the artwork based on that idea.

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Boston VI Vik Iyengar, All Music Guide VG Vinyl Guide podcast (8/23/2021). “Ep. 297: Tom Scholz – 45 Years of Boston” VG Vinyl Guide podcast (8/26/2021). “Ep. 298: Tom Scholz – Being Analog in a Digital World” WK Wikipedia RW Rickey Wright, Amazon.com Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 2/19/2008; last updated 8/25/2021.