Boston (band)

Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered onguitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists.[2]  Boston's best-known works include the songs "More Than a Feeling", "Peace of Mind", "Foreplay/Long Time", "Rock and Roll Band", "Smokin'", "Don't Look Back", and "Amanda". It has sold over 31 million albums in the United States, of which 17 million were for its self-titled debut album and seven million were for its second album,Don't Look Back.[3] [4]  Altogether, the band has released six studio albums.



Contents
[hide]  *1 History  ==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 master's 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bioofficial_5-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[5]  In 1973 Scholz formed the band Mother's Milk with Delp, Goudreau, and Masdea.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bioofficial_5-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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 Isn't Easy"), "Hitch a Ride" (then entitled "San Francisco Day"), and "Don't 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[7] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bioofficial_5-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[9]
 * 1.1 Before debut album
 * 1.2 Boston (1976)
 * 1.3 Don't Look Back (1978)
 * 1.4 Solo projects and CBS lawsuit (1979–1985)
 * 1.5 Third Stage (1986–1988)
 * 1.6 Delp departs; Walk On (1989–1996)
 * 1.7 Greatest Hits and Corporate America (1997–2006)
 * 1.8 Death of Brad Delp (2007)
 * 1.9 Slightly more present day (2008–2012)
 * 1.10 Life, Love & Hope & Present day (2013–present)
 * 2 Spaceship
 * 2.1 Appearances
 * 3 Innovation and style
 * 4 Band members
 * 5 Discography
 * 5.1 Studio albums
 * 6 References
 * 7 External links

From left: Barry Goudreau, Tom Scholz, Sib Hashian, Brad Delp, Fran Sheehan, in 1977.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bioofficial_5-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-miller-boston_10-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[10] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-musicians-magazine-87_11-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[11] Scholz and Delp signed a deal with Epic Records after Masdea's 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 Scholz's richly layered recordings on stage. The showcase was a success and the band agreed to put out 10 albums over the next six years.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bioofficial_5-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-miller-boston_10-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[10]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bioofficial_5-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[5]  Upon request of Tom Scholz, Masdea played drums on the track "Rock and Roll Band", and the instrumentation was recorded in Scholz's studio.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bioofficial_5-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bioofficial_5-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[5] ===Boston (1976)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Brad Delp, the original lead singer. Along with Scholz, Delp was the only other person signed to Epic Records as Boston.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">The debut album, Boston, released on August 8, 1976, was an enormous success. The record ranks as one of the best-selling debut albums in U.S. history with over 17 million copies sold.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-nme_12-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[12]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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 Delp's vocal abilities. However, there was "a conscious effort to de-emphasize Scholz as the total mastermind behind Boston".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-crowe_13-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[13]  After opening forBlack 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  This helped establish Boston as one of rock's top acts within a short time, being nominated for a Grammy award as a "Best New Artist".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-rockwell_15-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[15]  Boston was the first band in history to make their New York City debut at Madison Square Garden.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-crowe_13-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[13]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">The album spawned three singles, "More Than a Feeling", "Long Time", and "Peace of Mind", all of which made the national charts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  Additionally, the album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the charts for 132 weeks.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-billboarddebut_16-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[16] ===Don't Look Back (1978)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-crowe_13-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[13]  Scholz completed the second Boston album two years after the debut album's release. The second album, Don't Look Back, was released by Epic in August 1978.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">At the time this was considered a long gap between albums, but Scholz still considered Don't Look Back to be a rush job and was unhappy with the album's second side in particular.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-officialdlb_17-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[17]  Overall Don't Look Back sold about half as well as the debut album, eventually selling over 7 million records.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-riaa_18-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[18]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Another tour followed, and the album's title track became a Top 5 hit. Additionally, two other singles, "A Man I'll Never Be", and "Feelin' Satisfied" went Top 40 and Top 50 respectively.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  Despite the success, Scholz's relationship with Ahern completely deteriorated.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ahern_vs._Scholz_19-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[19]  Delayed by technical renovations to his studio, Scholz eventually began the process of working on Boston's third album, determined to complete the album at his own pace and up to his demanding standard. ===Solo projects and CBS lawsuit (1979–1985)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">In late 1979, Scholz began writing new material, but Boston's 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ahern_vs._Scholz_19-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[20]  an engineer and producer familiar with Scholz's studio techniques.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  The album, released in 1980, was titled Barry Goudreau and featured the minor hit single "Dreams". There was tension when CBS's marketing connected Goudreau's solo album to Boston's signature guitar sound, despite Scholz not having played at all on this album.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-officialdlb_17-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[17] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-officialb_21-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[21]  Scholz objected to the ad copy, but it became irrelevant when Epic dropped promotion on Goudreau's 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[22]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">The legal trouble slowed progress toward the completion of the next album, which took six years to record and produce. Joining Scholz in the album's development again were Delp and Jim Masdea.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-officialts_23-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[23]  In 1985, guitarist Gary Pihl left Sammy Hagar's touring band to work with Scholz as both a musician and an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholz_Research_%26_Development,_Inc. 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">The lawsuit's first round was eventually decided in Scholz's favor, and Scholz moved the band to MCA Records.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14] ===Third Stage (1986–1988)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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 Stagewas finally released on September 23, 1986.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Boston_Encyclo_Ref_24-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[24]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">The album and lead single "Amanda" both went to No. 1 on Billboard, and subsequent singles, "We're Ready" and "Can'tcha Say" were Top 10 and Top 30 respectively.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">The CBS case took seven years to run its course, and in April 1990 Scholz won.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  A jury awarded him millions in unpaid royalties and punitive damages. ===Delp departs; Walk On (1989–1996)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">By Spring 1990, Scholz was back in the studio working on the band's fourth studio album.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  Later that year, Delp told Scholz he wanted to concentrate on other projects, and might not be available for some time.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[25]  With Delp's 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-officialwo_26-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[26]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Delp subsequently joined Barry Goudreau's new band, RTZ.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  Scholz eventually replaced him with Fran Cosmo, who had previously been in Goudreau's previous band Orion the Hunter.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">For the second album in a row, and for the second time in a decade, Scholz's 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  Unlike Boston's 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[27]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-17" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  Following the conclusion of the "Livin' For You" tour in 1995, Scholz announced that a greatest hits album would be released.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  Initially planned for release in August 1996, the album was pushed back to a 1997 release date.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14] ===Greatest Hits and Corporate America (1997–2006)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Boston released a compilation album in 1997, titled simply Boston: Greatest Hits. The album featured all of the band's hit singles except "We're Ready", "Can'tcha Say (You Believe In Me)/Still In Love", and "I Need Your Love" along with three new songs, "Higher Power", "Tell Me", and an instrumental version of the "Star Spangled Banner". Smith and Sikes left the band in late 1997 and recorded an album together.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[28]

Tom Scholz, the band's founder, lead guitarist, and organist<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Scholz headed back to the studio in 1998 to begin work on a fifth album, which eventually turned out to be Corporate America. The title track of "Corporate America" was uploaded by Tom Scholz to MP3.com under the pseudonym of "Downer's Revenge" in early 2002 in order to test the album's appeal to a younger demographic.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-yahoo_29-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[29] The song reached No. 2 on the progressive rock charts on the website for two weeks.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-yahoo_29-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[29]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">November 2002 marked the release of Corporate America on the independent label Artemis Records. This album featured the largest Boston lineup ever; returning members included Delp and Cosmo on guitar and lead vocals, Scholz on lead guitar and organ, and Gary Pihl on guitar, along with new members Anthony Cosmo on rhythm guitar, Jeff Neal on drums and Kimberley Dahme on bass and vocals. Dahme, Delp, and Cosmo all contributed lead vocals to the album. The group embarked on a national tour in support of the album in 2003 and 2004.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bostonorghistory_14-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[14]  In 2006, the first two Boston albums appeared in remastered form. ===Death of Brad Delp (2007)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">On March 9, 2007, lead singer Brad Delp committed suicide at his home in Atkinson, New Hampshire.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-delpsuicide_30-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[30]  Police found Delp dead in his master bathroom, along with several notes for whoever would find him.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-delpsuicide_30-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-delpsuicide_30-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[30]  Police Lt. William Baldwin called the death "untimely" and said that no foul play was indicated.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-delpeagletribune_31-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-delpsuicide_30-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[30]  According to the New Hampshire medical examiner, Delp's death was the result of suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning as evidenced by carboxyhemoglobin.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-delpsuicide_30-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[30]  Delp's last concert with Boston was performed at Boston Symphony Hall on November 13, 2006, at a concert honoring Doug Flutie.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[32]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[33] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-34" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[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, "Don't 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[35] ===Slightly more present day (2008–2012)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">The ongoing conflicts among the surviving band members spilled over to the 2008 Presidential campaign. Barry Goudreau appeared with Mike Huckabee and played with him at some rallies in New Hampshire.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-foxnews_36-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[36]  Huckabee used "More Than a Feeling" as a campaign theme song.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-foxnews_36-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[36]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Scholz, a self-described "Obama supporter",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-huckabee_37-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[37]  sent an open letter to Huckabee in February 2008 stating that the band had never endorsed any candidate, and that he had never authorized the use of "More Than a Feeling" as Huckabee's theme song.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-foxnews_36-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[36]  Scholz made a point of saying that he, and not Goudreau or Sheehan, actually played all the guitars on "More Than a Feeling" as well as most of Boston’s songs.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-huckabee_37-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[37]  Huckabee did stop using "More Than a Feeling" as a theme song.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">In the spring of 2008, Scholz and Sweet introduced a new Boston lineup, which subsequently did a North American summer tour, playing 53 dates in 12 weeks (on a double bill with Styx). Scholz was the only founding member of Boston to play on the tour, although longtime member Gary Pihl was also part of the band, and Dahme and Neal returned on bass and drums, respectively. DeCarlo and Sweet shared lead vocals.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">In January 2009, Greatest Hits was re-released as a remastered disc.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Michael Sweet left the band in August 2011 in order to focus on Stryper.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[38]  In 2012, guitarist and vocalist David Victor joined the band, beginning in the studio, where he contributed vocals to several tracks on the album in progress.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[39]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Scholz and Pihl led the band on a 2012 North American tour, beginning on June 28, 2012, at the Seminole Hard Rock Live arena in Hollywood, Florida and ending on September 8 at the U.S. Cellular Grandstand in Hutchinson, Kansas.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[40] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[41]  Victor and DeCarlo shared lead vocals, with drummer Curly Smith returning for the first time in over a decade, and former Stryper member Tracy Ferrie on bass. Neither Dahme nor Neal played on the tour. No announcement has been made concerning Dahme's status in the band, although (as of December 2012) her website indicates that she is pursuing a solo career. Her involvement with Boston is spoken of in the past tense: "She toured with Boston playing bass and singing from 2001 until 2012."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[42] ===Life, Love & Hope & Present day (2013–present)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Boston's 6th album was released on December 3, 2013, by Frontiers Records. Life, Love & Hope includes lead vocals from Brad Delp, Tommy DeCarlo, Kimberley Dahme, David Victor, and Tom Scholz. Work on the album started in 2002.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[43]  On 11th December 2013, Boston released a Christmas song, God Rest Ye Metal Gentleman 2013.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[44]  In 2014 Boston embarked on the "Heaven On Earth Tour" spanning the United States and Japan.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-45" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[45] ==Spaceship<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">One of the themes of Boston's albums is the presence of a guitar-shaped spaceship, ostensibly a colony ship bearing the city of Boston, with the city's name emblazoned across the front. ===Appearances<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Their spaceship also appeared on their tours in the late 1980s, early 1990s, and early 2000s in the form of a giant lighting rig and accompanied on stage by their giant pipe-organ set piece, which is known to Boston insiders as Bertha because of its sheer size. ==Innovation and style<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Boston's genre is considered by most to be hard rock, while combining elements of progressive rock into their music.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-yahoo_29-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[29] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[46]  Former singer Brad Delp was well known for his extended vocal ranges, shown on hits such as "More Than a Feeling".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-47" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[47]
 * Boston – Two long lines of guitar shaped starships flee a planet that is breaking apart. The ships all have blue flames coming out of the bottom.
 * Don't Look Back – The Boston ship is flying low or perhaps hovering over a grassy, crystalline planet. The ship has searchlights on.
 * Third Stage – The Boston ship is either headed towards, or perhaps has just undocked from, a large flat spaceship resembling a bank of pipe organ pipes.
 * Walk On – The Boston ship is shown crashing through a rock outcropping.
 * Greatest Hits – The Boston ship is flying low over a planet with turquoise rocks and a turquoise tower in the distance.
 * Corporate America – The Boston ship is flying towards an Earth-like planet.
 * Life, Love & Hope – The Boston ship is flying in space, near a nebula.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Guitarist and primary song writer Tom Scholz' blend of musical styles, ranging from classical to 1960s English pop, has resulted in a unique sound, most consistently realized on the first two albums (Bostonand Don't Look Back). This sound is characterized by multiple lead and blended harmonies guitar work (usually harmonized in thirds), often alternating between and then mixing electric and acoustic guitars. The band's harmonic style has been characterized as being "violin-like" without using synthesizers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-48" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[48]  Scholz is well-regarded for the development of complex, multi-tracked guitar harmonies. Another contributing factor is the use of handmade, high tech equipment, such as the Rockman, used by artists such as Journey guitarist Neal Schon, the band ZZ Top, and Ted Nugent. Def Leppard's albumHysteria was created using only Rockman technology. Scholz' production style combines deep, aggressive, comparatively short guitar riffing and nearly ethereal, generally longer note vocal harmonies. A heavier, lower and darker overall approach came in the next two albums (Third Stage and Walk On). The original track, "Higher Power", on the Greatest Hits album exhibits a near Germanic, almost techno influence with its sequencer-sounding keyboards, a sound most fully realized on Corporate America's title track.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302947998px;">Singer Brad Delp, who was strongly influenced by the Beatles,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-49" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.909090995788574px;">[49]  is also credited for helping to create Boston's sound with his signature vocal style. ==Band members<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Main article: List of musicians in the band Boston;Current members ==Discography<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Main article: Boston discography===Studio albums<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ===
 * Tom Scholz – lead and rhythm guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (1976–present)
 * Gary Pihl – rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1985–present)
 * Curly Smith – drums, percussion, harmonica, backing vocals (1994–1997, 2012–present)
 * Kimberley Dahme – bass, guitar, vocals (2001–present)
 * Jeff Neal – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2002–present)
 * Tommy DeCarlo – lead vocals, keyboards, percussion (2008–present)
 * Tracy Ferrie – bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)