DJ Allyn – The Soundtrack for my Life

The origins of the band are now shrouded in mystery thanks to later conflicts between Tom Scholz and the other band members. The classic lineup of guitarists Tom Scholz and Barry Goudreau, vocalist/guitarist Brad Delp, bassist Fran Sheehan and drummer Sib Hashian didn’t fully crystalize until the band was signed by Epic Records. However, the five musicians had been working together throughout the early 1970s.

Boston began when Tom Scholz, an MIT engineering graduate who worked at Polaroid answered a newspaper ad placed by guitarist Barry Goudreau, seeking a keyboard player for a band called “Mothers Milk.” (Scholz was predominantly a keyboard player at the time, although he developed rapidly as a guitar player during Boston’s early years.)

Scholz made many recordings at his home studio with the future members of Boston, as well as drummer Jim Masdea (with whom Scholz played in a prior band), and singer Ron Patti from the band Boston Creme. The roots of the first album were created in these early demo sessions with songs such as “More Than a Feeling,” “Hitch a Ride,” “Peace of Mind,” “Foreplay/Long Time” and “Rock & Roll Band.” Scholz soon became frustrated with the limitations of the technology at the time and his inability to capture the sound he wanted, so he began building and designing his own equipment.

The first tapes Scholz produced were rejected by the record labels. A second set of tapes with Scholz on guitar, newly hired singer Brad Delp on vocals and Masdea on drums drew the attention of executives at Epic Records, a division of CBS. The label was dissatisfied with Masdea’s performance, so he was replaced by Sib Hashian. The label also insisted that Scholz re-record the demo tapes in a professional studio with a full band, which led to the hiring of bassist Fran Sheehan. With the exception of “Let Me Take You Home Tonight,” which was recorded in California, Scholz re-recorded the other seven tracks in his home studio.

Lead singer Brad Delp took his own life March 9, 2007, at his home in Atkinson, New Hampshire. Police found Delp dead in his bathroom. Police Lt. William Baldwin called the death “untimely” and said that no foul play was indicated. Delp was alone at the time of his death according to the police report. According to a New Hampshire TV website, Delp was preparing for a summer tour and marriage. His family later revealed that his death was a charcoal-burning suicide and that he was found by his fiancee. Associated Press reported that, according to the New Hampshire medical examiner, Delp’s death was the result of suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning as evidenced by carboxyhemoglobin.

More Than a Feeling

I woke up this morning and the sun was gone,
Turned on some music to start my day.
I lost myself in a familiar song,
I closed my eyes and I slipped away.

It’s more than a feeling (more than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling).
I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
Till I see Marianne walk away.
I see my Marianne walking away.

So many people have come and gone,
Their faces fade as the years go by;
Yet I still recall as I wander on,
As clear as the sun in the summer sky.

It’s more than a feeling (more than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling).
I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
Till I see Marianne walk away.
I see my Marianne walking away.

When I’m tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day,
And dream of a girl I used to know.
I closed my eyes and she slipped away.

She slipped away.

It’s more than a feeling (more than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling).
I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
Till I see Marianne walk away.
I see my Marianne walking away.

Other Related Posts

• June 2, 2009 -- Don’t Look Back ~ Boston
• April 21, 2009 -- Rock and Roll Band ~ Boston
• March 5, 2009 -- Peace of Mind ~ Boston
• August 17, 2008 -- Foreplay / Long Time ~ Boston