Boston F.A.Q. - Section 1 - History of Boston v2.01

SECTION 1: HISTORY OF BOSTON v2.01

1.01 1965-1970-- Tom Scholz (born Donald T. Scholz 3/10/47 in Toledo, Ohio) attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while occasionally playing keyboards in various Boston-area bands at night. By his junior year he is also dabbling into guitar. He eventually meets up with drummer Jim Masdea, and the two begin to experiment with recording their music.

1.02 1970-1973-- After graduating from M.I.T. (with a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering), Tom lands a job with Polaroid. Scholz soon joins a band led by guitarist Barry Goudreau (b. 11/29/51), initially on keyboards, but his guitar abilities advance so quickly the group is soon playing his music. He works at Polaroid during the day and makes demo recordings in his basement studio at night (as well as continuing to play in various bar bands). Barry introduces Tom to Bradley Delp (b. 6/12/51), and Brad begins to sing on Tom's demos. After completing a 6-song demo tape, Tom and his wife Cindy mail copies to every major record label. The tape is rejected by every label.

1.03 1973- Summer 1975-- Tom quits the nightclub scene and concentrates on recording another batch of demos with Brad Delp and Jim Masdea (using a newly-purchased 12-track recorder). Again, copies of the tape are sent to various record labels, but they are again rejected. Local promoters Paul Ahern and Charlie McKenzie (who signed the J. Geils Band) are hired to be Tom's management. Ahern and McKenzie, who have several contacts in the music industry, help get the still-unnamed group a recording contract with CBS/Epic Records.

Barry Goudreau is brought back into the fold, and Fran Sheehan (b. 3/26/49), who had played with every member of the band at one time or another, is added on bass. At Ahern's insistence, Masdea is removed from the drummer's spot; John "Sib" Hashian (b. 8/17/49) replaces him.

1.04 Winter 1975-- Tom sets out to re-record the demo tapes, and the band is given a new name: "BOSTON." Most of the material for the first album is recorded in Tom's basement studio in Foxglove, Massachusetts.

1.05 August 8, 1976-- The group's debut album, _Boston_, is released. It is almost entirely written by Scholz, with Delp writing "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" and co-writing "Smokin'." The album stays on the charts for 101 weeks, peaking at #3. By 1995 it had sold over 15 million copies in the U.S. alone, making it the highest selling debut album of all time, and second-highest selling album of all time (behind Michael Jackson's _Thriller_ at 24 million). It would later be eclipsed at #2 by Fleetwood Mac's _Rumours_ and several other albums.

"More Than A Feeling" is BOSTON's debut single, peaking at #5 on the charts. Scholz finally quits his job at Polaroid.

1.06 September 1976-May 1977-- The group launches a tour with innovative technology brought along to help the live BOSTON compare to the studio BOSTON. Initially they open for other acts, but soon they are headlining (supported by Sammy Hagar, among others). "Long Time" charts at #22 in March 1977, and the follow-up "Peace Of Mind" hits #38 in June.

BOSTON is nominated for a Grammy Award ("Best New Artist") and they're voted by the readers of _Rolling Stone_ magazine as Best New Band; _Time_ magazine praised the album as one of the Top 5 of 1976.

1.07 Fall 1977-- Scholz and the band begin work on a second album. After six months Epic Records demands the album, but Scholz isn't finished yet. Eventually Scholz turns the tapes over, but he complains that only the first side is complete.

1.08 August 2, 1978-- After postponing the release date several times, _Don't Look Back_ is finally released. It tops the pop charts-- it was shipped double platinum-- but eventually fails to sell half as many copies as the first album.

Again, most of the material is written by Scholz, with Delp writing "Used To Bad News" and co-writing "Party." The title single is a Top-5 hit (#4), and follow up ballad "A Man I'll Never Be" reaches #31 in early 1979.

The group plans to hit the road for another tour, again with Sammy Hagar.

1.09 1978/9-- During a tour break Delp, Goudreau and Hashian step into the studio with Hagar to contribute to Hagar's next album, _Street Machine_. The only confirmed song that the three sing on is a cover of "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay", which is released as a single only (peaking at #65).

"Feelin' Satisfied", from _Don't Look Back_, is the last BOSTON single released for 7 years, peaking at #46 on the Billboard Chart.

1.10 March 1979-- Touring continues, with the band moving on to Japan in April. They break from touring for most of the summer before playing European dates in the fall.

1.11 1979/80-- After completing the "Don't Look Back" tour, Scholz agrees to produce Hagar's next album, _Danger Zone_. However, CBS intervenes midway and orders Scholz to complete the third Boston album before producing any other artists.

Meanwhile, Scholz becomes involved in a legal battle with now-former manager Paul Ahern. Scholz vows that production of the third BOSTON album will not be dictated by CBS or his ex-management.

1.12 1980-- Goudreau, itching to record new material in the wake of Scholz' pledge to take his time, records a solo album. He even borrows Delp and Hashian for the project, titled _Barry Goudreau_. The album, produced by Goudreau and John Boylan (who assisted with the first two Boston albums), peaks at just #88 on the charts. Goudreau's debut single, "Dreams," fails to crack the Hot-100 singles chart. Scholz is not happy with CBS marketing the album essentially as 'Almost BOSTON,' and Goudreau soon leaves the band.

Scholz forms Scholz Research & Development (SR&D), and begins to design and market various music-related techno-gadgets. Their first product is called the Power Soak, and a couple years later SR&D releases a portable amplifier known as the Rockman. Both products soon had sales marks in the tens of thousands.

Recording begins on the third BOSTON album, with Scholz playing all musical instruments (including some drums), and Delp continuing to sing all vocals. Sib Hashian initially remains on drums, but midway through the project he is replaced by Jim Masdea. Fran Sheehan also initially remained with the group, but by 1983 he was out. It has also been reported that Delp briefly quit the band c. 1981-82.

1.13 1982-- CBS/Epic, growing ever-impatient with Scholz, begins to withhold royalties from the first two Boston albums. When Scholz complains, CBS answers by filing a $20 million breach-of-contract lawsuit. Scholz answers by counter-suing CBS, and the two parties will spend much of the 1980s arguing in court. Initially Tom is ordered not to release any music under the name "BOSTON," but by 1985 his lawyers get the injunction lifted; Scholz moves the band to MCA Records.

1.14 Late 1983-- Goudreau forms the group Orion The Hunter with Fran Cosmo (lead singer of three songs on _Barry Goudreau_), former Heart drummer Michael De Rosier, and bassist Bruce Smith. Their 1984 self-titled debut album peaks at #57 on the charts, and "So You Ran" is a minor hit single (charting at #58). Delp contributes backing vocals to three songs, including follow-up single "Joanne." Delp also co-wrote five of the album's nine songs. Orion The Hunter tours in support of Aerosmith during the spring/summer of 1984.

1.15 1986-- The third BOSTON album is finally released September 26. Appropriately titled _Third Stage_, it tops the charts for 4 weeks straight, and lead single "Amanda" is also a #1 hit. Again, most of the material is written by Scholz, with contributions from Delp, Sheehan and Masdea. "We're Ready" hits #9 in February 1987.

A tour is scheduled (starting in June 1987), and Scholz adds Gary Pihl (guitar), David Sikes (bass) and Doug Huffman (drums) to the lineup. Pihl had previously been in Sammy Hagar's band, and had known Scholz since the two groups had toured together in the 70's. He had also added lead guitar to _Third Stage_'s "I Think I Like It." Sikes had played with Aldo Nova and Giuffria. Masdea also goes on tour, playing percussion, drums and some keyboards. The band plays _Third Stage_ in its entirety live on stage.

Meanwhile, _Third Stage_ becomes the first album to achive "Gold" status (500,000 copies sold) in the compact disc format.

1.16 1987-- "Can'tcha Say (You Believe In Me)/Still In Love" hits #20 on the charts in April. The group's final single for another 7 years is "Hollyann", which fails to crack the Hot-100. In August, BOSTON plays 9 sold-out concerts in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Scholz has the first two shows professionally videotaped. However, Scholz is unhappy with the quality of the recordings, and they are not offered for public consumption.

1.17 1988-- After a one-year layoff, the group (minus Masdea) gets together in December for a series of concerts in Canada and Seattle.

Scholz spends much of the late 80's-early 90's in court, fighting various lawsuits. The CBS lawsuit drags on until 1990 (Scholz wins), and several members of the band sue for royalties (Sib Hashian, Jim Masdea, Fran Sheehan). Scholz settles out of court with his former band mates. Scholz is also still involved in a lawsuit with former Boston manager Paul Ahern.

1.18 1990-- Work begins on a fourth BOSTON album in November. The lineup includeds Scholz, Pihl, Sikes and Huffman, but Masdea is out of the picture (after having sued Scholz) and Delp's status is uncertain. Scholz, after having moved following a divorce, has been outfitting his new home's basement, eventually christening it "Hideaway Studio II."

1.19 1991-- Delp reunites with Goudreau once again, as they form RTZ with session musicians Brian Maes (keyboards), Tim Archibald (bass) and David Steffanelli (drums). Their debut album, _Return To Zero_, reaches only #169 on the charts, but several songs do well as singles. "Face The Music" hits #49 on the pop charts in September 1991, and "There's Another Side" is a rock-radio hit. RTZ goes on tour, playing versions of Boston's "Long Time" and "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" in concert.

1.20 March 1992-- RTZ scores a Top-40 hit "Until Your Love Comes Back Around" (#26), and the band's final single, "All You've Got," reaches #56 in July.

RTZ also appears on ABC-TV's "In Concert" program, performing "Long Time."

After Giant Records drops RTZ in late 1992, the band attemps to land a new recording contract. A follow-up album was initially scheduled for 1994, but by late 1994 the group had split up.

1.21 1994-- The fourth BOSTON album is finally released June 7-- after proposed release dates of November 19, December 21, February 15, March 29, April 26, May 24, etc. have passed by. Titled _Walk On_, the advance single issued May 18 is "I Need Your Love." Replacing Brad Delp as lead vocalist is none other than Fran Cosmo, who had participated in Barry Goudreau's two 1980's projects. A new writing pattern has emerged, with Scholz collaborating with non-Boston writers on several songs.

"I Need Your Love" peaks at just #56, while follow-up single "What's Your Name" fails to crack the charts. The album debutes at #7 but soon fades from the Top-40 after peaking at #5.

Scholz loses his lawsuit with Ahern (Ahern had claimed he was owed royalties for _Third Stage_), and is later ordered to pay $1 million in damages in addition to the $544,000 already awarded to Ahern. Scholz immediately appeals the decision.

The long-awaited tour is delayed until the following spring, but BOSTON schedues two charity concerts at the Harvard Square House Of Blues on December 12 and 13. It was initially rumored that Brad Delp would make a guest appearance at the December 12 show, but on December 4 Scholz announces that Delp has re-joined the group. It is also announced that William "Curly" Smith had replaced Doug Huffman on drums. Smith had been a member of Jo Jo Gunne (1972-74) and also did various sessions as a dummer and harmonica player.

1.22 May 16, 1995-- BOSTON's "Livin' For You" 1995 Tour kicks off in Mankato, Minnesota. Scholz also announces that BOSTON has left MCA Records, though other sources indicate that the breakup was mutual.

1.23 June 20-- _Orion The Hunter_ is re-issued on CD by Razor & Tie Records. After dozens of Boston fans encourage R&T to re-issue _Barry Goudreau_, the label makes tentative plans to do so.

1.24 August 6-- The BOSTON 1995 "Livin' For You Tour" wraps up in Detroit, Michigan.

Following the conclusion of the tour, Scholz announces that BOSTON will next release a Greatest Hits album. It was initially planned for an August 1996 (the 20th anniversary of the first album), but the album's release would eventually be pushed back nearly a full year. The album is set to be released on BOSTON's original record label, Epic, which is now owned by Sony.

Scholz also disbands SR&D, selling the rights to the Rockman product line to Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc.

Brad Delp spends much of his post-tour free time performing in a Beatles tribute band known as BeatleJuice.

Gary Pihl also contributes to a couple of side projects, including an album recorded with a side group called Alliance (featuring David Lauser and ex-Night Ranger keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald, both of whom had played with Pihl in Sammy Hagar's band).

1.25 April 23, 1996-- Razor & Tie Records re-issues the _Barry Goudreau_ album on CD.

1.26 May 1996-- Brad Delp contributes backing vocals to _Long Line_, an album by former J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf. Wolf's backing band includes several former members of RTZ. Delp also contributes the song "Hold On" to the soundtrack of the independent film "The Runaways"--Delp's son John Michael has a small part in the movie. The song was written by Gary Pihl.

BOSTON schedules a 1996 summer tour, with Cheap Trick as the opening act.

Scholz wins most of the apeal in the Paul Ahern lawsuit, and the rest of the case is sent back for re-trial.

1.27 June 1996-- Tom Scholz seriously injures his left hand playing basketball, and the 1996 BOSTON tour is canceled.

1.28 April 1997-- BOSTON announces a 1997 summer tour. Once again, both Brad Delp and Fran Cosmo will be singing with the band.

1.29 June 3, 1997-- BOSTON's _Greatest Hits_ album is finally released. It contains three new songs: "Tell Me" (sung by David Sikes) and "Higher Power" (sung by Fran Cosmo and Brad Delp), plus an instrumental rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" which had originally been issued as a promotional single in 1994.

1.30 July 1, 1997-- BOSTON's 1997 tour kicks off with a "warm-up show" in Evansville, Indiana.

1.31 September 6, 1997-- BOSTON concludes its 1997 tour with a concert in Puerto Rico.

1.32 January 1998-- Tom Scholz reportedly begins work on a fifth studio album, while the other members of BOSTON work on various solo projects; Brad Delp continues to play dates with BeatleJuice, David Sikes and Curly Smith record an album under the name Innocent, and Smith also works on a solo album.

1.33 Early 1998-- Barry Goudreau re-emerges with an album by BOSTON-area singer Lisa Guyer. The album, titled _Gypsy Girl_, features Goudreau on guitars and bass; he also produced and engineered it.

1.34 Arpil 1998-- It is announced in April 1998 that a second RTZ album will be released. Tentatively titled _The Lost_, it will reportedly feature the material that RTZ had written for a proposed follow-up to "Return To Zero." The album is slated to be released in August 1998 on the Swedish-based MTM label.

1.35 October 1998-- RTZ _Lost_ is released on MTM in Europe. Featuring 10 new songs. A Japanese version is said to be in the works for early 1999.

1.36 January 1999-- January 13, 1999 Tom Scholz, Brad Delp, Fran Cosmo and Anthony Cosmo (Fran's son) are featured on Rockline II. Two new songs are played, "Someone" with Brad Delp on vocals, "Turn It Off" with Fran on vocals and Anthony on Guitar (also written by Anthony Cosmo.) No official date is given for the next release...

1.37 May 1999-- RTZ _Lost_ is released on Avalon in Japan. Featuring one additional song entitled "Dangerous".

1.38 January 2002-- Boston plays The Star Spangled Banner at the Fiesta Bowl on January 1st.

1.40 November 2002-- Artemis releases _Corporate America_ on November 5th, 2002. Featuring 9 new songs and a live version of Livin' For You.

1.41 June 2003-- BOSTON embarks on the _Corporate America_ summer tour which includes 54 dates in 80 days.

1.42 August 2003-- Barry Goudreau and Brad Delp release _Delp & Goudreau_ featuring 10 new songs.

1.43 July 2004-- BOSTON continues to support _Corporate America_ with a summer tour that includes 31 dates in 45 days!

1.44 October 2004-- BOSTON headlines Arrowfest in Irvine, California on October 2nd. The show includes REO Speedwagon, Styx, Steppenwolf, 38 Special and Edgar Winter.

1.45 December 2004-- Frontiers Records releases RTZ _Lost and Found_ featuring 11 songs recorded prior to the first