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
His biggest hit, “More Than A Feeling” took writer Tom Scholz five years to complete. The song is an example of the compound AABA form. The verses are in the key of D mixolydian, and the refrain is in the key of G major.
The Book of Rock Lists suggests that the chorus riff may itself be a subtle homage to the Kingsmen’s classic, “Louie Louie”. Scholz credits “Walk Away Renee” by The Left Banke as the song’s main inspiration. Other critics have noted that this song’s main riff is referenced in the Nirvana single “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. The descending verse riff is also similar to the hook from “Badge” by Cream. The song’s instrumental guitar bridge is heavily inspired by the instrumental hooks of The Tornados’ 1962 instrumental hit “Telstar”, but also sounds like the riff from the song “Tend My Garden” by Joe Walsh.
In February 2008, Scholz wrote to Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, requesting him to stop performing the song at public appearances. Huckabee, an amateur bassist, was reported to have been regularly playing the song, sometimes with former Boston band member Barry Goudreau who held himself out on YouTube (it was subsequently yanked by the Huckabee Campaign) and on stage to be “of BOSTON” implying he was currently of the band BOSTON even though he had been out of the band for over two decades. In his letter, Scholz wrote:
While I’m flattered that you are fond of my song, I’m shocked that you would use it and the name Boston to promote yourself without my consent. Your campaign’s use of “More Than A Feeling”, coupled with the representation of one of your supporters as a member “of Boston”, clearly implies that the band Boston, and specifically one of its members, has endorsed your candidacy, neither of which is true.
http://djallyn.org/media/Boston-More Than A Feeling.flvI 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.
- Audio from the 1976 album, Boston:
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