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Boston's official site bandboston.com has posted some news by Tom Scholz regarding a final Boston concert, as well as the rumored Greatest Hits remaster.
A FINAL BOSTON CONCERT
After hearing that Beatlejuice planned to put on one last concert as a tribute to Brad, we decided we would really like to do something similar with BOSTON. After all, people around the world have listened to Brad singing these songs for thirty years.
We planned to let several well known singers that had a history with BOSTON cover Brad's lead vocal parts, and invite all our former bandmembers to sit in during the performance. The musicians and crew members of BOSTON feel like they are a part of a family, the loss affected us all, and we needed to get together again one more time. BOSTON concerts are what brought us together in the first place, so it seemed like the best thing to do for everyone.
Within a couple of weeks we had acquired a roster of great singers to fill in for Brad, and contacted many of our former band members, who were very excited about sitting in. Our guest vocalists were eager to sing the songs Brad made famous with BOSTON. All together we had about 20 performers who would be included in various parts of the concert. Since we had begun rehearsing for our spring shows early last winter, we were basically ready to play any time in April or June. We prepared a tentative set about two and a half hours long that included our most popular songs, with the extensive live arrangements we have presented in the past.
A note here about getting ready for a BOSTON concert: While we do our best to make BOSTON performances look effortless, in reality the parts are difficult to play and the intricate arrangements are a lot to remember. To be prepared for a typical concert requires both constant drilling so that the changes are automatic, and peak performance level to accomplish playing some of the instrumental passages. Once we have done this, improvisation on themes becomes possible, and concentration can be directed to emotion rather than simply recalling parts.
In my personal case this requires several months of preparation, followed by a time consuming ritual of daily rehearsal. Even during a tour, I practice 2 to 3 hrs a day.
Back to reality. Unfortunately, the local Live Nation promoter, who is the only game in town for putting on a major concert, was not able to give us a date for our BOSTON concert any earlier than late October. By that time the layers of rust would be very thick, and all those arrangement details long forgotten.
Rather than spending the time necessary to perform up to BOSTON standards six months from now, we've decided to let go of the idea and return to the studio where I had several projects already in the works. I'm also looking forward to possibly completing an engineering design I've neglected which could improve many people's lives.
Hopefully someday we will be able to resurrect the idea and put on a BOSTON reunion concert. Meanwhile we are planning to play a few songs along with several other bands at an Aug 19th tribute being put together by Brad's son and daughter. Although this won't be a BOSTON concert, we will play a few songs, as will Beatle Juice, Sammy Hagar, Extreme, Godsmack, RTZ, Cheap Trick, Ernie and the Automatics, and Charlie Farren, according to the information we have.
A bit of other news: I've just finished remastering BOSTON'S Greatest Hits CD which now includes "I Had a Good Time." It sounds a lot better than the old 1997 version; we'll let you know when Sony plans to release it. I plan to start mixing live tracks for a BOSTON Live CD next.
Walk On and Don't Look Back,
Tom Scholz
Source: bandboston.com
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There is a new show added for the In My Life - A Concert for Brad trubute show, which already has two shows for May 03/04.
The third show is scheduled for Wed. May 02/07. Tickets will go on sale starting Tuesday, April 17 at 2pm EDT. There is a limit of four tickets and if the other two shows are any indication, tickets won't last long before selling out.
More information: www.regenttheatre.com/events/brad.htm
Source: Regent Theatre
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If you have been to the forums at gonnahitcharide.com, you probably know of komit, who is a reliable source of information when it comes to Boston. Komit has made a very interesting post. The info was also posted on Boston_Rocks.
...Rumor has it that a concert in honor of Brad is scheduled for August 19th, in Massachusetts. It will include numerous bands, ending with Boston's last live performance, which will include all members that ever played with Boston, including the 3 other original members. Barry's bands RTZ and Ernie and the Automatics will perform as well.
There is also talk in that post that this show will take place in Mansfield, MA at the Tweeter Center. Also, it is said that Brad's kids were planning a show with the other bands and that Tom was planning a show as well, so it was decided that the two would be combined.
Source: Gonna Hitch a Ride
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On May 3rd and 4th, 2007, The Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA will be hosting a two-day concert by Beatlejuice honoring the memory of Brad Delp, who was one of the band's members.
The concert will feature many guests, including Mike Gerard, Buddy Bernard, Brian Maes, Gardner Berry, Lisa Guyer, Jimmy Rogers, Dave Stefanelli, Kimberley Dahme, Michael Troy, Pete Distefano, MaryBeth Maes, Charlie Farren and Bob Squires.
The show will take place Thursday, May 3 and Friday May 4 at 8pm. Reserved Seats $20 (includes $1.50 theatre restoration fee). Tickets go on sale beginning Tuesday, April 10 at 12 Noon.
More Information: www.regenttheatre.com/events/brad.htm
Source: Regent Theatre
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Former Boston member Antonio Cosmo has composed a tribute to Brad called 'One'. Antonio posted this on a MySpace bulletin March 14 @ 10:41pm:
I rushed in the studio yesterday to record this track for a great friend..
I think he would have enjoyed it..AC
You can listen to the song on Antonio's Myspace page.
Source: myspace.com/anthonycosmo
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More details regarding Brad Delp's suicide have been released:
ATKINSON, N.H. --Brad Delp, the lead singer for the band Boston who killed himself last week, left behind a note in which he called himself "a lonely soul," according to police reports released Thursday.
Toxicology tests by the state medical examiner's office showed that Delp committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. Police said Delp had sealed himself inside a bathroom with two charcoal grills sometime between 11:30 p.m. March 8 and the next afternoon, when he was found by fiancee Pamela Sullivan.
Sullivan told police that Delp "had been depressed for some time, feeling emotional (and) bad about himself," according to the reports.
He was found on the floor of the bathroom, his head on a pillow and a note paper-clipped to the neck of his shirt.
"Mr. Brad Delp. J'ai une ame solitaire. I am a lonely soul," it read.
Sullivan called police after noticing a dryer vent tube connected to the exhaust pipe of Delp's car. In the garage, police found a note taped to the door leading into the house.
"To whoever finds this I have hopefully committed suicide. Plan B was to asphyxiate myself in my car."
In a third note on a door at the top of the stairs, Delp cautioned that there was carbon monoxide inside.
"I take complete and sole responsibility for my present situation. I have lost my desire to live," he wrote. The note also included instructions on how to contact his fiancee. There was a picture of Delp and Sullivan in the bathroom.
"Unfortunately she is totally unaware of what I have done," the note said.
The notes also said the couple's cat, Floppy, should be in a room that was safe from the deadly gas and asked that someone find her and make sure she was all right.
Police later found four sealed letters in an office addressed to Sullivan, his children, their mother, Micki Delp, and another couple whose identity was not disclosed. Police Lt. William Baldwin said police gave the letters to family members without reading them.
Outside the bathroom, police found a carbon monoxide detector with the battery removed.
Delp joined Boston in the mid-1970s and sang two of its biggest hits, "More than a Feeling" and "Long Time."
He had planned to marry Sullivan this summer during a break in a tour with Boston. A lifelong Beatles fan, Delp also played with the tribute band Beatle Juice.
Delp was cremated Wednesday, police said. A private funeral was held earlier this week.
Source: Boston Globe
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The death of Brad Delp has had a profound impact on many fans. The cause of death makes me as sad as I was when I first read the news of his death as it appears Brad took his own life.
CONCORD, N.H. --The family of Brad Delp, the lead singer for the band Boston, said Wednesday his death was a suicide.
"He was a man who gave all he had to give to everyone around him, whether family, friends, fans or strangers," the family said in a statement relayed by police. "He gave as long as he could, as best he could, and he was very tired. We take comfort in knowing that he is now, at last, at peace."
Delp, 55, died Friday at his Atkinson home. Police have said his fiancee, Pamela Sullivan, found him.
Toxicology tests by the state medical examiner's office showed that Delp committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning, said Lt. William Baldwin. Delp also left two notes taped to a door and letters to his family and Sullivan.
Baldwin said police do not know the contents of the letters because they were sealed.
The family's statement said Sullivan, Delp's children and their mother, his ex-wife Micki Delp, were grateful for the sympathy they had received and asked that their privacy be respected.
Brad Delp joined Boston in the mid-1970s and sang two of its biggest hits, "More than a Feeling" and "Long Time."
Delp had planned to marry Sullivan this summer during a break in a tour with Boston. A lifelong Beatles fan, Delp also played with a tribute band, Beatle Juice.
Beatle Juice performed a benefit last year to help build a new public library in Atkinson, a small town of about 6,000 residents on the Massachusetts border.
The family said last week it planned a private funeral followed by a public memorial to be scheduled later. Family and friends directed donations to the American Heart Association in Framingham, Mass.
Source: Boston Globe
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A family statement on behalf of Brad Delp was issued Saturday night by Peggy Rose, a family spokeswoman:
“On behalf of the Delp family and Brad’s fiancé, Pamela Sullivan, it is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Bradley Delp, the legendary vocalist of the rock band ‘BOSTON.’ Brad was admired and loved by many, known as the ‘man with the golden voice’ and recognized throughout the music community as ‘the nicest man in rock and roll.’ Brad will be deeply missed by (all) of his family, friends, fans and the entire music community.”
Bradley passed away on Friday, March 9th, 2007 at his home in New Hampshire.
The family would like to publicly acknowledge all of those who have expressed their condolences and support during this difficult time.
“We ask that you please respect the privacy of Brad and his family during this time of grieving. The family will be conducting a private funeral service for Brad and a public memorial service will be announced at a later date,” stated Peggy Rose, Delp family spokesperson.
Donations can be made in Brad’s memory to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01710.
Source: boston.com
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The following was posted on bandboston.com Sunday afternoon:
As you all know by now, BOSTON'S lead singer, Brad Delp, was found dead in his home on Friday, March 9th 2007. Plans for live BOSTON performances this summer have, of course, been cancelled.
My heart goes out to his wonderful fiance Pamela, his two children and other family members, his close friends and band mates, and to the millions of people whose lives were made a little brighter by the sound of his voice. He will be dearly missed.
Tom Scholz
Source: bandboston.com
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It is with great sadness to report that Boston vocalist Brad Delp has passed away.
From the Associated Press:
ATKINSON, N.H. -- Brad Delp, the lead singer for Boston, a huge rock sensation in the 1970s, was found dead Friday in his home, police said. He was 55.
Atkinson police responded to a call for help at 1:20 p.m. and found Delp dead. Police Lt. William Baldwin said in a statement the death was "untimely" and that there was no indication of foul play.
Delp apparently was alone at the time of his death, Baldwin said.
The cause of his death remained under investigation by the Atkinson police and the New Hampshire Medical Examiner's office. Police said an incident report would not be available until Monday.
Delp fronted the rock band, who rose to fame in the late 1970s and had several hits, including "More than A Feeling." The group sold millions of records.
Boston has been in the works in preparing for a summer tour. I would like to express my condolences to Brad's family, including his fiancee Pamela Sullivan.
You will be missed, Brad.
Source: Associated Press