Hearing someone with immense talent speak so humbly about their abilities is refreshing. He is one of the finest singers in rock music. My respect for Boston grows with every new thing I learn about them. I had the privilege of experiencing their live performance during the 'Don't Look Back Tour.'
The best singer I personally ever heard. This guy changed my life, and I ended up doing some contract work for Boston in the 90s...saw some live shows that were just fantastic. Truly, truly miss this guy and his golden voice and super-humble approach. Godspeed, sir...
There were very few softball or complementary questions from the interviewer, but Brad honestly and humbly responded as the kind & respectful man he was. RIP to this great man.
"Don't Look Back" is my favorite album of all time. I have listened to it at least 100 times since I first heard it be played in its entirety over the radio back in April 1978 several months before the album was released. And for Brad to say his vocals were not very good is surprising to me. His vocals are stellar.
I had always heard that he was a nice guy and this proves it. Soft spoken, down to each and really open with facts and info. Never knew his history before joining Tom. Such a talented guy and superb singer. What a shame that his demons got the better of him. We lost a great one when he left. Thanks for this. Very interesting..
Thanks so much for posting this, and thanks to Marc Allan. Always looking for "new" old stuff dealing with Boston/Brad. He truly was one of a kind, and so humble. Sorely missed.
He's so genuine and humble. And so honest even when it's hard to listen to - and at the same time so incredibly talented. I can't help but think that the world would be a better place if we were all like that. Thanks for sharing this.
Boston's debut album sales to me will always be more impressive than Guns because there was no MTV/music video channel in the 70's to hype/promote albums. Just good old fashioned word of mouth.
I watched an interview with Tom Scholz and this interview was in perfect harmony with that one. I love the fact that these guys just loved music and didn't make it an arrogant pose.
At that time FM radio played not just singles, would play album sides, or even whole albums. That allowed fans, and people unfamiliar with that music, to hear more music, to get to know an artist/band. Bands, even with overdubbing, still had to actually play the music, with no stinking "align to the grid," no God awful auto-tune, no cut/copy and paste. I'm not a curmudgeon saying today's music sucks, because there IS plenty good, and great, music, but there's touch dependence on the technology to create the tracks and to "fix" everything. Cool interview.
I don't know if Brad speaks for the rest of Boston, but there's a real sense of humility with these guys that you didn't find in their competitors at the time like Van Halen, KISS, and Aerosmith. They wanted Rick Derringer to have top billing because he had been around longer and paid his dues, even though he sold fewer records. I seriously doubt Van Halen, KISS, or Aerosmith would have felt the same way. Their egos were so large they probably would have thought Derringer didn't even belong on the same stage with them! Steve Tyler, in particular, was known to do some dastardly things to bands whom he thought were going to upstage Aerosmith. He once tried to cut all the power off to Kansas! David Lee Roth was just as bad. He once said of Elvis Costello--"the reason rock critics like Elvis Costello so much is many of them look like him". Notice Brad didn't come back and Elvis here
00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Where's the album? (Start of interview) 01:31 - The flooding of Tom Scholz’s basement 02:48 - Whether the band has recorded any new songs 04:17 - What happens when Tom gets a song idea 05:11 - How the record company feels about a two-year delay between albums 06:40 - Whether he was surprised by the success of the first album 07:06 - His self-doubt 08:34 - The history of Boston and how he got involved in the band 10:29 - The cover songs they played 10:57 - His love for the Beatles 12:31 - How they got signed to Epic Records 14:48 - What type of record deal they got 16:03 - Their “horrendous” early concerts 17:05 - Playing with Black Sabbath 17:48 - What his thoughts on Elvis Costello saying about Boston, “They may sell 9 million records, but they’re about as exciting as a plate of tripe.” 19:10 - Looking up to Rick Derringer 20:29 - How many overdubs were made on the first album 21:51 - What kind of an audience Boston has 23:19 - How the Beatles got him into music 24:04 - Whether the band Boston is a democracy
This is So Cool RIP Brad Delp A Unbelievable Vocalist 1 of The Best in History The Nicest Kind Person I Always Treasure my chance to Meet Him and Hang Out!
I got to meet Tom in Peabody, MA when he was playing with his Beatles cover band, Beatlejuice. They didn't dress up and all that but they absolutely nailed every song they did. He couldn't have been nicer. RIP Brad.
I can really feel Brad's pain when he says it really hurt what Elvis Costello said about Boston in Newsweek. And, what he said was pretty cruel and surprisingly unintelligent. Music is a universal language but it has MANY many facets. Some of it is spontaneous and sounds raw and live, and some of it is constructed and built upon in layers like a painting or a work of art. Can you say that Patti Smith is more authentic than Steely Dan simply because she is more spontaneous? Why can't we love both? And why can't we admire that she can improvise while at the same time admiring Steely Dan's propensity to polished perfection? You can't say progressive rock is better or worse than bands that play live in the studio or vice versa. Whatever touches you is what is important. If you truly love music, both will touch you. Listen and feel it...who cares how it is made. As long as it has a soul. No one is going to tell me that More Than a Feeling isn't a work of art simply because it's ubiquitous. Or because the debut sold millions upon millions. Or because there are overdubs. I like Elvis Costello but he said a lot of stupid things in his youth that he probably regrets. He criticized the Police as well....as soon as they started selling millions. Like many of his peers, I'm sure he listened to Boston secretly in the closet when no one was watching.
@@NickNicometi I wouldn't go that far. I like his music and he's done some pretty masterful things. But envy....that is something I think he had to overcome over his life.
During that time Steven Tyler and Peter Wolf had both made it big with their bands, both based in Boston, they were both true front men, Brad did not have the same personalty , ego that those two had. In some respects I can understand why maybe Brad didn't think he was on their level when in fact he was their equal and one could argue a better singer..
Some of this is very revealing. We're hearing from a man who had very little confidence in his abilities, regardless of being one of the greatest vocalists of all time!
This was the first band I ever saw I was a kid very young kid when I heard foreplay long time and I was a fan of rock n roll saw them on the third stage tour first concert
How do the rats uh, record company execs feel about how long your 2nd album is taking? OH, as long as their making a killing off the first one, they're ok.
It’s obvious that this man never knew how great he was, but what’s even more of a shame is I get the feeling that Tom Scholz never told him how great he is…I’ve heard interviews were Tom acknowledges Brads greatest but I get that nagging feeling that if he did privately it probably came with a tinge of jealousy. Clearly something like that would have weighed heavily on this dude soul. You can tell he thought the world of Tom’s talents, I’m sure Tom being a perfectionist like he was may have let that get in the way of his admiration for Brads vocals.
His self doubt and self deprecating when you have such an enormous talent and success is odd to hear. Brad obviously battled his demons for a long time that eventually lead to his suicide. Even his docile method of suicide goes along with his personality.
I saw Boston in Worcester, Ma on August 13th, 15th and 21st in 1987. To have a singer continuously perform even with a day or two off put on a spectacular performance was a testament to Brad's desire to be great. The 3rd concert was his best performance of the 3. However, the 8th day he was still hitting some of those extremely difficult notes but you could hear how abused his vocal chords were by that time. His voice is missed.
i didnt like the interviewers questions... i feel a band can take all the time they want to make an album. there are others that can fill in during that time.... it creates a good album. i feel so bad for Brad Delp and his family to have to go through this unnecessary tension. rest in Gods peace Brad.
After the success of the first album, everyone was waiting for the next album. The pressure was definitely on. To not ask about the status of the second album would have been irresponsible. It was something everyone wanted to know.
I hung out with Sib and never asked him when (the 2nd album) was coming out! I'd feel like a real smuck to do something like that but an interviewer yea, that's their gig. @@marcallan4419
Success is creating what you love....and that's music. Those brainless record company bureaucrats don't know shit except looking after their own interests
What is this “hahmony” of which he speaks? Jk of course. The record company weasels really shouldn’t have bitched about the time between albums! It was eight years between Don’t Look Back and Third Stage…
I tried listening to Elvis Costello more than once. It sounded like some hipster who purposely tried to make his music boring- because he thought boring was cool.
Elvis Costello was a jealous hater in every sense of the word. He hated when American acts were successful, and he hated on blak Americans, which would not have had a career without them creating the music. Interesting that he receives respect to this day...
Hearing someone with immense talent speak so humbly about their abilities is refreshing. He is one of the finest singers in rock music. My respect for Boston grows with every new thing I learn about them. I had the privilege of experiencing their live performance during the 'Don't Look Back Tour.'
He's so underrated. You never hear his name mentioned when people talk about all time great singers.
One of the best vocalists in rock and roll, and such a great, down-to-earth guy, you just want to sit down and have a beer with him.
^^ 100%
I used to be just like him, but nice guys finish last. You can remain a good person without being a self-deprecating simp.
Have a beer with me sugar
Tom is like that too. Just the guy next door.
The best singer I personally ever heard. This guy changed my life, and I ended up doing some contract work for Boston in the 90s...saw some live shows that were just fantastic. Truly, truly miss this guy and his golden voice and super-humble approach. Godspeed, sir...
Unreal how humble he was too.
There were very few softball or complementary questions from the interviewer, but Brad honestly and humbly responded as the kind & respectful man he was. RIP to this great man.
What a dignified man and generous interview. This is the best lead singer interview I've ever heard.
"Don't Look Back" is my favorite album of all time. I have listened to it at least 100 times since I first heard it be played in its entirety over the radio back in April 1978 several months before the album was released. And for Brad to say his vocals were not very good is surprising to me. His vocals are stellar.
I had always heard that he was a nice guy and this proves it. Soft spoken, down to each and really open with facts and info. Never knew his history before joining Tom. Such a talented guy and superb singer. What a shame that his demons got the better of him. We lost a great one when he left. Thanks for this. Very interesting..
1000% ^^
What were his 'demons'?
@@NickNicometi he committed suicide .. depression
"I didn't think the vocals were very good". Spoken by one of the finest rock vocalists who ever lived. His vocals on both albums is beyond great.
Humble and Knows What He Can Do! Bless His Soul! 💜🙏💜
Thanks so much for posting this, and thanks to Marc Allan. Always looking for "new" old stuff dealing with Boston/Brad. He truly was one of a kind, and so humble. Sorely missed.
Thanks so much for the kind words, JMC.
@@marcallan4419 No problem. I'm assuming you like Boston. You will probably like my UA-cam channel.
I'm suspicious of overly 'nice', sappy guys.
Thank you. I have been waiting 48 years to hear a Delp interview this good.
He's so genuine and humble. And so honest even when it's hard to listen to - and at the same time so incredibly talented. I can't help but think that the world would be a better place if we were all like that. Thanks for sharing this.
Sensational interview. Some really good insight into the band and their origins. Even back then Brad was pretty genuine and down-to-earth..
Boston's debut album sales to me will always be more impressive than Guns because there was no MTV/music video channel in the 70's to hype/promote albums. Just good old fashioned word of mouth.
Amazing interview thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Reverend Jim for all the good work you do. Too bad what happened to Bobbi.
@@TheTapesArchive Lol - I think I was a baaaad influence
@@reverendjim9891 😂😂
Great interview! I love Brad's perspective about things.
I watched an interview with Tom Scholz and this interview was in perfect harmony with that one. I love the fact that these guys just loved music and didn't make it an arrogant pose.
At that time FM radio played not just singles, would play album sides, or even whole albums. That allowed fans, and people unfamiliar with that music, to hear more music, to get to know an artist/band. Bands, even with overdubbing, still had to actually play the music, with no stinking "align to the grid," no God awful auto-tune, no cut/copy and paste. I'm not a curmudgeon saying today's music sucks, because there IS plenty good, and great, music, but there's touch dependence on the technology to create the tracks and to "fix" everything.
Cool interview.
Thank you so much for this! Brad was THE voice of Boston. Tom would have been a complete failure without him.
Couldn't agree more!
I don't know if Brad speaks for the rest of Boston, but there's a real sense of humility with these guys that you didn't find in their competitors at the time like Van Halen, KISS, and Aerosmith. They wanted Rick Derringer to have top billing because he had been around longer and paid his dues, even though he sold fewer records. I seriously doubt Van Halen, KISS, or Aerosmith would have felt the same way. Their egos were so large they probably would have thought Derringer didn't even belong on the same stage with them! Steve Tyler, in particular, was known to do some dastardly things to bands whom he thought were going to upstage Aerosmith. He once tried to cut all the power off to Kansas! David Lee Roth was just as bad. He once said of Elvis Costello--"the reason rock critics like Elvis Costello so much is many of them look like him". Notice Brad didn't come back and Elvis here
00:00 - Intro
00:54 - Where's the album? (Start of interview)
01:31 - The flooding of Tom Scholz’s basement
02:48 - Whether the band has recorded any new songs
04:17 - What happens when Tom gets a song idea
05:11 - How the record company feels about a two-year delay between albums
06:40 - Whether he was surprised by the success of the first album
07:06 - His self-doubt
08:34 - The history of Boston and how he got involved in the band
10:29 - The cover songs they played
10:57 - His love for the Beatles
12:31 - How they got signed to Epic Records
14:48 - What type of record deal they got
16:03 - Their “horrendous” early concerts
17:05 - Playing with Black Sabbath
17:48 - What his thoughts on Elvis Costello saying about Boston, “They may sell 9 million records, but they’re about as exciting as a plate of tripe.”
19:10 - Looking up to Rick Derringer
20:29 - How many overdubs were made on the first album
21:51 - What kind of an audience Boston has
23:19 - How the Beatles got him into music
24:04 - Whether the band Boston is a democracy
Great, thank you !!
20:20
Thanks, nice to hear Brad's talking about the band in the earlier days.
Calming talking voice ♥️
This is So Cool RIP Brad Delp A Unbelievable Vocalist 1 of The Best in History The Nicest Kind Person I Always Treasure my chance to Meet Him and Hang Out!
I got to meet Tom in Peabody, MA when he was playing with his Beatles cover band, Beatlejuice. They didn't dress up and all that but they absolutely nailed every song they did. He couldn't have been nicer. RIP Brad.
I bet Brad killed the Beatle's songs.
Brad, not Tom!
I can really feel Brad's pain when he says it really hurt what Elvis Costello said about Boston in Newsweek. And, what he said was pretty cruel and surprisingly unintelligent. Music is a universal language but it has MANY many facets. Some of it is spontaneous and sounds raw and live, and some of it is constructed and built upon in layers like a painting or a work of art. Can you say that Patti Smith is more authentic than Steely Dan simply because she is more spontaneous? Why can't we love both? And why can't we admire that she can improvise while at the same time admiring Steely Dan's propensity to polished perfection? You can't say progressive rock is better or worse than bands that play live in the studio or vice versa. Whatever touches you is what is important. If you truly love music, both will touch you. Listen and feel it...who cares how it is made. As long as it has a soul. No one is going to tell me that More Than a Feeling isn't a work of art simply because it's ubiquitous. Or because the debut sold millions upon millions. Or because there are overdubs. I like Elvis Costello but he said a lot of stupid things in his youth that he probably regrets. He criticized the Police as well....as soon as they started selling millions. Like many of his peers, I'm sure he listened to Boston secretly in the closet when no one was watching.
Wow! Very well said. Thank you Jeffery!
Costello was/is a talentless dweeb.
Envy shrouds him.
@@NickNicometi I wouldn't go that far. I like his music and he's done some pretty masterful things. But envy....that is something I think he had to overcome over his life.
I agree about Elvis Costello. He could nit hold a candle to Brad Delp
@@NickNicometi He's definitely talented but like many Irishmen he's high on his own farts.
During that time Steven Tyler and Peter Wolf had both made it big with their bands, both based in Boston, they were both true front men, Brad did not have the same personalty , ego that those two had. In some respects I can understand why maybe Brad didn't think he was on their level when in fact he was their equal and one could argue a better singer..
Some of this is very revealing. We're hearing from a man who had very little confidence in his abilities, regardless of being one of the greatest vocalists of all time!
Loved this interview! Keep up the great work!
This was the first band I ever saw I was a kid very young kid when I heard foreplay long time and I was a fan of rock n roll saw them on the third stage tour first concert
How do the rats uh, record company execs feel about how long your 2nd album is taking? OH, as long as their making a killing off the first one, they're ok.
It’s obvious that this man never knew how great he was, but what’s even more of a shame is I get the feeling that Tom Scholz never told him how great he is…I’ve heard interviews were Tom acknowledges Brads greatest but I get that nagging feeling that if he did privately it probably came with a tinge of jealousy. Clearly something like that would have weighed heavily on this dude soul. You can tell he thought the world of Tom’s talents, I’m sure Tom being a perfectionist like he was may have let that get in the way of his admiration for Brads vocals.
His self doubt and self deprecating when you have such an enormous talent and success is odd to hear. Brad obviously battled his demons for a long time that eventually lead to his suicide. Even his docile method of suicide goes along with his personality.
I saw Boston in Worcester, Ma on August 13th, 15th and 21st in 1987. To have a singer continuously perform even with a day or two off put on a spectacular performance was a testament to Brad's desire to be great. The 3rd concert was his best performance of the 3. However, the 8th day he was still hitting some of those extremely difficult notes but you could hear how abused his vocal chords were by that time. His voice is missed.
He was a very nice man.
i didnt like the interviewers questions... i feel a band can take all the time they want to make an album. there are others that can fill in during that time.... it creates a good album. i feel so bad for Brad Delp and his family to have to go through this unnecessary tension. rest in Gods peace Brad.
After the success of the first album, everyone was waiting for the next album. The pressure was definitely on. To not ask about the status of the second album would have been irresponsible. It was something everyone wanted to know.
What question would you have asked?
I hung out with Sib and never asked him when (the 2nd album) was coming out! I'd feel like a real smuck to do something like that but an interviewer yea, that's their gig.
@@marcallan4419
Funny how they got so much criticism for taking so long with the follow up. Don't look back took two years.
Elvis Costello?? Dork.
Dave Lee Roth had something to say to Elvis lol
Success is creating what you love....and that's music. Those brainless record company bureaucrats don't know shit except looking after their own interests
Poor Brad Delp.
I'm sure he's good 👍
Why didn't Scholz fix his flooding problems?
What is this “hahmony” of which he speaks? Jk of course. The record company weasels really shouldn’t have bitched about the time between albums! It was eight years between Don’t Look Back and Third Stage…
Mostly because they sued Tom for breach of contract and prohibited him from recording.
“The vocals are the best part” Obviously!!
20:20
So sad he took his own life
I tried listening to Elvis Costello more than once. It sounded like some hipster who purposely tried to make his music boring- because he thought boring was cool.
What a waste...and such a nice guy too it sounds like.
He would talk with you as long as you wanted to.
Elvis Costello was a jealous hater in every sense of the word. He hated when American acts were successful, and he hated on blak Americans, which would not have had a career without them creating the music. Interesting that he receives respect to this day...
Debut is pronounced "day beuw". The T is silent. Too many illiterates running around making videos on UA-cam. Its really sad.
haha..What did you expect for free? I'm a functioning idiot.
@@TheTapesArchive nothings "free". they pound us with constant ads.
@@johnnynephrite6147, You sound like a fun guy. We make next to nothing here. We do it to share with others.
@@TheTapesArchive 😀
After the huge success of the first album, Tom didn’t move to a better apartment? 🤔
Elvis who?? I only know of one😅....I've never bothered to turn my ear to a single note of his music, BOSTON however influenced my entire life.