Boston singer Brad Delp, 1951-2007
“I looked out 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” Brad Delp, was found dead, yesterday, friday 16th of march 2007 at the age of 55. He sang many more songs than the eight that fill Boston’s first album and what mostly he is remember for “Don’t Look Back,” of course. Some people love “Amanda.” But for most of my age Boston played some anthems of our youth like "More Than a Feeling," "Long Time," and "Peace of Mind."
Regardless, it’s unlikely that everything else he ever recorded combined will be half as remembered and revered as what he did on that first Boston album, one of those totems of classic rock.
It’s an album everyone who has ever listened to rock `n’ roll has heard at least something from, even if they despised it. And, frankly, I never felt it deserved the drubbing it got at the hands of critics and first-generation punks, who hated its polished craftmanship and corporate-rock association. Look again: It was first a homegrown piece of studio rock wizardry. Then it became a household staple. It’s one of those rare stories.
And it remains as pervasive as sunlight. Side 1 is virtually inescapable: “More Than a Feeling” or “Peace of Mind” or “Long Time” of “Rock `n’ Roll Band.” Classics, all of `em. Side 2: “Smokin’,” “Hitch a Ride,” “Something About You,” “Let Me Take You Home Tonight.” I’m just listening to it again - concentrating on it, I mean, not just passing by it on the radio - for the first time in years. Side 1 is colossal to me still. Side 2 is still really nice. And “Hitch a Ride” I just never tire of.
Some people never tire of any of it, I realize, and for them, this is a case of one of the voices of their youth dying. Brad Delp was certainly never a rock god like Robert Plant; he wasn’t even Steve Perry, really, in terms of stature. But he was every bit as popular at a certain time in pop music history. His voice became a major element of the soundtrack to millions of people’s lives - and at a very specific time in their lives.
And what an indelible, tremendous voice it was. Listen to the sweet clarity and mellow crispness with which he nails those inhuman high notes and carries those melodies on “Boston”: It’s unquestionable that the number of people capable of replicating that can probably be counted on a hand, two at most. Keep in mind: Yeah, Tom Scholz, the brainiac behind the band, was a master DIY production whiz. But this was 1976. The Age of Analog, not pitch-perfection computer sorcery.
Even if most were studio albumps they all were a positively staggering performance, when you put down the beer or get out of the car and really stop to think about it.
And here’s reason to regard Delp even more highly: He belted everything with fresh enthusiasm,
Just doing what he has done might help people relive some memories. GOOD ONES... He’ll be missed more than we may hear about, I suspect.
Regardless, it’s unlikely that everything else he ever recorded combined will be half as remembered and revered as what he did on that first Boston album, one of those totems of classic rock.
It’s an album everyone who has ever listened to rock `n’ roll has heard at least something from, even if they despised it. And, frankly, I never felt it deserved the drubbing it got at the hands of critics and first-generation punks, who hated its polished craftmanship and corporate-rock association. Look again: It was first a homegrown piece of studio rock wizardry. Then it became a household staple. It’s one of those rare stories.
And it remains as pervasive as sunlight. Side 1 is virtually inescapable: “More Than a Feeling” or “Peace of Mind” or “Long Time” of “Rock `n’ Roll Band.” Classics, all of `em. Side 2: “Smokin’,” “Hitch a Ride,” “Something About You,” “Let Me Take You Home Tonight.” I’m just listening to it again - concentrating on it, I mean, not just passing by it on the radio - for the first time in years. Side 1 is colossal to me still. Side 2 is still really nice. And “Hitch a Ride” I just never tire of.
Some people never tire of any of it, I realize, and for them, this is a case of one of the voices of their youth dying. Brad Delp was certainly never a rock god like Robert Plant; he wasn’t even Steve Perry, really, in terms of stature. But he was every bit as popular at a certain time in pop music history. His voice became a major element of the soundtrack to millions of people’s lives - and at a very specific time in their lives.
And what an indelible, tremendous voice it was. Listen to the sweet clarity and mellow crispness with which he nails those inhuman high notes and carries those melodies on “Boston”: It’s unquestionable that the number of people capable of replicating that can probably be counted on a hand, two at most. Keep in mind: Yeah, Tom Scholz, the brainiac behind the band, was a master DIY production whiz. But this was 1976. The Age of Analog, not pitch-perfection computer sorcery.
Even if most were studio albumps they all were a positively staggering performance, when you put down the beer or get out of the car and really stop to think about it.
And here’s reason to regard Delp even more highly: He belted everything with fresh enthusiasm,
Just doing what he has done might help people relive some memories. GOOD ONES... He’ll be missed more than we may hear about, I suspect.
Comments