By Dustin Schoof
The Express-Times

Boston lead singer and guitarist David Victor's enthusiasm for the band and their music is palpable, along with the reverence he has for those early years.

"I grew up with Boston's music and my sister Peggy brought home the Boston album, we played it all the time. Every song was or became a hit," says Victor, whose passion for the band ultimately landed him in the lead vocals spot at the age of 48.

"You don't expect your break when you're nearly 50, but that's how it happened for me," Victor says.

Formed in 1976, Boston will touch down Sunday on the Stands Steel Stage during Bethlehem's Musikfest celebration.

Part of a 40-city tour which began in June, the Musikfest stop is the first for Victor. "Every city we go to is a first for me," says Victor, a native of California. The band performed at Musikfest in 2008.

Victor was brought into the Boston fold about two years ago, thanks to posting his work, playing and singing classic Boston songs on YouTube. "Getting that call was pretty unbelievable," Victor says.

Hits the band maintains on its play list include "Don't Look Back," "Amanda," "Smokin'," "Rock and Roll Band," and "Foreplay/Longtime."

"I'd have to say 'Foreplay/Longtime' is probably my favorite Boston song. It's as fresh and relevant today as it was when (guitarist) Tom (Scholz) wrote it," Victor says.

Victor credits Scholz's meticulous attention to detail – both in the studio and out of it - for the music's staying power.

While founder Scholtz is the only original member of the band, Victor says the rest of the group continues in Boston's spirit. "It all comes together," he says.

Victor says technology, always a hallmark for Boston, continues to be part of the show. "We have this great multimedia show on screens with relevant clips running behind us, so it's a pretty amazing show," Victor says.

Victor says the band is working on new material, but declined to say if or when a new recording was coming. "We are working, and it's looking like we'll be heading back into a studio this fall, but other than that, I can't say much more," Victor says.

For now, Boston's hits – along with the trademark spaceship logo – remain on center stage for fans of their classically-infused brand of rock 'n' roll.