This CLASSIC 70s Record was REJECTED by EVERY Single Label...It SOLD 17 MILLION! | Professor of Rock
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- Опубліковано 11 кві 2023
- It was the blockbuster record that put rock back on the front burner in the middle of disco…and it came out of nowhere… Tom Scholz and his upstart band Boston saved rock and roll with it’s power chords thought 70s classics like More Than a Feeling, Peace of Mind, Foreplay/Long Time and Rock & Roll Band to name a few of the powerful song that ignited radio. It sent shockwaves through the industry when it sold out virtually everywhere. Yet it’d been rejected by every major label in the industry. one even wrote a rude letter saying it offered nothing new. Tom Scholz the genius behind it had been tinkering in his basement for nearly 6 years perfecting it’s sound… He was rejected, laughed at and on the verge of financial ruin… It helped that had had one of the greatest singers ever in Brad Delp...Up next an original band member who was there during that stint tells rock and roll’s Cinderella story of the record that saved rock and roll.
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Hey music junkies Professor of Rock alway here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time . if it’s only rock and roll but you like it You’ll want to subscribe below so you never miss an episode of our daily features. Make sure to check us out on Patreon to become an insider with us.
It’s time for another edition of our show breakthrough where we break down that singular sensation that helped kick open the door to an artists career and give the long term success. It was one of the greatest debut albums of all time by a monster rock band that by my account is the most under-appreciated bands of the rock and roll era who should’ve been in the rock and Roll hall of fame long ago. I know we talk about the big rock hall of fame snubs quite a bit on here…
Well this might be the mother of all snubs. because they really helped save rock and roll when it was floundering in the mid 70s buried beneath an industry built on disco, mellow pop and singer songwriter fare. Not saying anytime bad about those genres just saying that rock was on the back burner. Well this band and their 17 million selling debut album blew up radio. You know who I’m talking about… Boston and their expansive debut album with rock standards like More Than A Feeling, peace of Mind, long time, Hitch a Ride and Smokin to name but a few…
Released in August 1976, the debut Boston album sent was a rock and roll miracle. The band came out nowhere and shook the world off it’s axis injecting a primal energy into radio Tom Scholz the author of the Boston sound had been tinkering in his basement for nearly 6 years tweaking the record overdubbing and perfecting the sound he heard in his head. Many though he was going insane. That he had been in doors to long. but Scholz had a vision. and eye single to the sound he was trying to communicate to the world. His dream seemed to be slipping away as he was ridiculed, humiliated and dirt poor. Tom Scholz would later say “Everybody thought that it was impossible, because disco ruled the airwaves at the time,”But we stumbled onto a sound that worked, and soon everybody was imitating it.” The record of powerful riffs, multilayered vocals extravaganzas and harmonize guitar leads would over come the popularity of disco. - Розваги
Poll: What is your pick for the greatest debut album of all time? Where every song was good?
This one without question. Boston.
The Cars debut album.
The Cars - The Cars
The G.O.A.T.: Boston.
Honorable mentions:
Foreigner
The Cars
The Doors
Led Zeppelin
@@catherine6653 You beat me to it!
The fact that Madonna is in and these guys aren't tells you everything you need to know about the 'so-called' Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Right?
I pay no attention to those shills except for the occasional good speech (Dave Grohl for Rush, for example). But to illustrate, I had NO IDEA they put Madonna in there. It must be for her groundbreaker Stairway to Heaven, or maybe her unique and layered Comfortably Numb. Anyway, no Boston, no ELO, or at least Jeff Lynne alone? I'll get as much out of a Cleveland convenience store as I will out of that corporate entity. No disrespect to Cleveland..like the Browns, it's not Cleveland's fault.
And all those rappers. Hall of Shame.
Right. Boston members don't blow anything but speakers.
Total B S!
The nuts thing about Boston’s debut was the fact that EVERY SONG got airplay. I still can’t fathom that.
EVERY single one!
Yep, Back In Black as well.
I agree, it was a perfect album. No wonder it sold so many albums.
1976 was the Golden Age of Classic Rock (Heart, Queen, Aerosmith, Frampton. Steve Miller, Bob Seger, BÖC, Thin Lizzy, Petty's debut, etc.) but Boston's debut stands above them all!
It was a greatest hits album and they didn’t know it yet.
Boston’s debut album is unmatched and magical.
Thank you Tom Scholz for not giving up!
Brad Delp’s voice was one of a kind. Nobody sounded like him. RIP sir.
The best debut album ever. I saw them in '78. The band was so good they named a city after them.
Ha! I hope you don't mind if I use that!
LOL! 😂
@@ProfessorofRock It's for all to use ! Great interview, thank you.
The city might have come first. Hahahah
🤣
It is NOT an overstatement to say that Brad Delp was one of the greatest singers in rock & roll! Truly fantastic.
Don't overlook James Dewar
Steve Walsh from Kansas and Mike Reno from Loverboy are also a couple of the greatest rock vocalists as well as Brad Delp.
Yup...and by "ONE" of the greatest singers, you mean THE greatest.
That last she walked away Brad Delp goes higher, and higher, into the stratosphere without stopping to catch his breath for 1 second. One of the most icononic vocalists of the past 120 years.
@@rogerkeime2862 agreed! An amazing performance from an amazing singer!
Being a Prince fan for over 40 years, I’ve used the term “musical genius” to describe him many, many times.
However, if we’re going to be totally honest here, one would have to admit that the pinnacle, the mountaintop, THE musical genius, is Boston’s Tom Scholz.
That guy revolutionized the rock & roll sound from the electrical outlet outwards.
I swear, if he dies before Boston gets elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, then they might as well just burn the place down to embers. The institution means nothing at that point.
If your upset with madonna in the ror hall of fame, how do you feel about dolly Parton? I'd say it's done now, with hip hop personalities inducted too.
The Rock and Roll hall of fame is trash. Ronnie James Dio never got inducted. That should say everything.
Dio was the best vocalist in rock and roll and could have sang just about anything and brought three bands relevance
@@johnjohnon8767Even Dolly herself didn't think she belonged in it.
Prince was a huge fan of hard rock music. He talked about sitting in his upstairs bedroom in South Minneapolis at night as a teenager so he could tune in the rock radio station from Chicago. He said most of what he listened to was rock. I suspect Long Time might have had an influence on him, and probably the rest of the album too.
I was born in 1962. This is the heartbeat/ soundtrack of my youth. Thank you for setting the tone of my musical journey thru life.
Also, RIP Brad Delp, 6/12/51-3/9/07. You were a voice sorely needed and enormously missed. Just wish someone could have known your pain and known how to help.
Too young. What a tragic loss.
So well said. A voice like no other. He is legend.
This is one of the best albums ever made - every element, whether it's vocals, guitar or drums, is so "clean", it's damn nearly perfect.
I think it is perfect.
This, Fleetwood Mac Rumours and The Cars debut are my three favorite albums.
Agreed. This might be my #2- ua-cam.com/video/uRIlOrNbdGI/v-deo.html
It takes me on a musical Six Flags.
100% fact.
Tom Sholtz was a musical genius. He even created his own equipment to get the sound he wanted, not to mention he wrote the songs, played every instrument and didn't even have a band to play it. Rock and roll band was just amazing he hadn't even toured or formed a band but he nails life on the road for a rockstar.
This band needs to be in the rock and roll hall of fame. One of the best bands.
It’s almost a badge to deserve the Hall but not get in. It’s means nothing to actually get in.
I'm not a passionate Boston fan, but how can they not be in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame? Every time I hear a track from that first album, I'm stunned by how sonically impressive it sounds. From the guitar tone to the vocals, they're fantastic!
You mean the "R&B, Rap, Hip-Hop, Dance Pop, and... oh yeah, rock and roll" Hall Of Fame? 🙄
Never a dull moment with them.
@@glennhecker4422 You left out country, over Dolly Parton's objection!
The RRHOF is a joke anyway.
How?? They were never cool, never influential, never appealing to critics or hipsters, never appealing to global audiences just MAiNSTREAM US radio & fans (yes that's a knock against them) plus they came out the same time as the first Ramones album which really did change rock & roll, inspired the UK punk scene & led to the formation of bands like the Clash & Sex Pistols...not Boston, if anyone heard the Boston debut, they did not get inspired to form their own bands...the Ramones did just that...plus the Ramones were catchy & FUN...not Boston, no Boston were a bore, sure they may have SOUNDED impressive, but you did not think "hey I can do that too", like the Ramones did...
I'm a 58 yr old man that's been listening to rock/pop music since I was around 7, and I think this is thest album, front to back, of all time...truly an artistic masterpiece
It’s up there for me.
You would have been 11
@@jeffreyball2089He stated that he's been listening to rock/ pop music since he was 7, not when the album came out. I guess you missed that in English reading comprehension class.
It was a perfect album for sure, and it revolutionized rock. There were other perfect albums though, like Led Zep 4, Who's Next, Dark Side of the Moon, Back in Black, Moving Pictures, and others. I think at that level it's unfair to say anything is the best, only what we like the best. (For me it's The Wall.)
I just don’t understand how they’re not in and than a group like A Tribe called Quest gets the vote? That’s a mind bender for me!!
I was riding in the car with my friend Bob, listening to the radio. We were talking about my wedding coming up… then… More Than A Feeling came on… we pulled over to listen to it and find out who this band was… Boston? We turned into a parking lot to call the radio station to get the info and where we could buy the self-titled album. We bought it and wore the grooves out of it!!! But it was amazing how great this album was. I still listen to it and think of that day. Thanks for posting this interview. Great stuff!
I love James' enthusiasm. He is not only a great drummer, but a great story teller. God bless him. What a great interview.
Boston's self-titled debut album WAS the only one that I have ever played from front to back. Never skipped a song. Perfection!! They absolutely deserve to be in the Rock Hall of Fame. Thanks!!
Wait, what? You must have a lot of shitty albums. I don't own a single one (outside of Revolution#9 off The Beatles "white album" ) that I ever pick up the needle before the side ends.
The 70’s was full of albums that the needle never left the album till the end ,
Aerosmith , Toys in the attic , Elton John YBR , Styx , Black Sabbath , too meant to mention !
Man when I was in high school I'd buy a cassette and learn every lyric of every song by heart. For me there were no throw away tracks.
Incredible band. Couldn’t imagine growing up without their music.
Not really a "band" at all.
Awesome. Thanks Evo.
@@markallen2984 Agreed. With so many sounds masterfully layered, (and despite previously knowing this), its easy to forget that this incredible album exists as the result of the musical genius perfected over many years, from just one man.
They hit with all the force!
@@evolv.e Tom Schultz was a musical genius,but brad Delps vocals on this album,was a huge contribution to the success of the album,with a different lead singer,may not have been as huge as it was.
I graduated high school in '76. I bought this album when it came out in August. Then, I saw them in November as the opening act for Foghat, in Nashville. They literally equalled (if not bested) Foghat, who were a great "live" show themselves. I was shocked and ecstatic at how great their performance was.
Boston a warm up band for Foghat.
Foghat had to be back stage saying, "Oh crap, we have to follow that"? Lol
I saw both bands as well.
There will never ever be another band like Boston. They cannot be replicated. Growing into my teen years I remember listening to my record of boston over and over again . I still remember almost every last word of every song on their debut album . Please, please ,if anyone from the rock and roll hall of fame ,if you read this, honor this band and put them in the hall of fame . They more than deserve this honor. 😔
I remember being blown away by Boston's first album. It was unlike anything out at the time and even today when I listen to songs from that album, they have a distinct sound that has never been duplicated. An absolutely incredible record by an incredible band. It's absolutely ridiculous that they aren't in the Rock n Roll HOF
I think that is the only album where I remember hearing it for the first time and remembering years later exactly where I was when I heard It and still blown away every time I hear It!
Boston's debut a perfect album in every way and still continues to move and rock 47 years later
Boston does not need the RRHOF. The RRHOF needs Boston. The fact they are not included just shows what a joke the RRHOF is.
Amen!
It took me 20 years plus of having the album before I realized those spaceships on the cover were actually upside down guitars
Holy shit, today I learned. Lol, thanks peace
Ha! Cute!
Boston was my very first concert ever. It was 1979, LA sports arena and Sammy Hagar opened for them. It was a magical night. On the way home my brother put in this 8-Track tape of a fairly new band called Van Halen…my musical DNA changed that night. Boston definitely saved music
Wow. Great memory. Thanks for sharing Keith.
Wow, that's amazing, a great LA Story! If you listen to Sammy on Sat. nights, he still has good things to say about the band Boston.
Wow! What an introduction to rock and roll. Sometimes we're just wearing the lucky hat LoL
Sounds like a blast. The Red Rocker!
Same for me, but in SD.
Boston & ELO had some of the most EPIC album covers :) RoH is run by fools !! Thank for another great story Professor
Thanks Randy!
I always said my first tattoo would be the Boston logo (or the Swan Song label)..... LOL. still don't have either one!
The cover lives up to its name.
Wow. Those were my first two albums!
They absolutely belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are one of the greatest bands of all time.
I clearly remember when that album came out; I was 14 and I RAN (literally) to the store to buy it! To hear that they were told there's 'nothing new there' is insane! EVERYTHING about that sound was new! There was nothing like it before and there has been nothing like it since. Absolutely an amazing album and every single song on it is great! It is my all-time favorite.
Wow! Boston was my first rock album and still my favorite. I stuttered and wasn't well received as a teenager. Out of frustration I would turn to Boston and crank it up before my father would get home. This album was my best friend that I never had. It took a while before I came out of my shell. Currently I have speaking engagements all over my state an ordained deacon, and currently the lead trustee in my church. Things have dramatically changed for the better for me ,however, I can't resist the occasional Boston jam session to refocus me and remind myself just how far I have come.
What I love about Boston is how tight their records are with only 8 songs. They knew they didn't need to add fluff songs to make it longer. It's like a movie, why add an extra 15 mins, when you have already told your story in an amazing way.
I saw them open for Led Zeppelin on their first tour. They had the cleanest sound that was really true to the studio. That was unexpected because live always has the variations. That was an epic concert.
Studio sound live. They were amazing. You couldn't even play the album through the speakers and get the studio sound because of bad acoustics but they did. I should say Tom did. lol
Wow imagine opening for the mighty zep at that time when they were a great live act. I hope jimmy page took notes
I first started listening to Boston around 1980 when I was twelve. I was completely blown away and this album has been my favorite of all time. It combines all of the best elements of Rock with melody and harmony. The layers of each song just give it a timeless sound. It is a true work of art.
"Timeless sound." No better way to describe Boston than this!
If Mozart was alive when this album was released he would have been blown away. You can hear every drop of blood sweat and tears of the years of putting this album together in it. If there is a better rock album I haven't heard it. Fantastic episode and interview professor, one of the absolute best episodes
You nailed it. Thanks My Name!
Personally I don't think Mozart would have been too thrilled about rock and roll but I would like to think he would have admired the structure of their music
Even Robert Frost would have been jamming to this all the time.
Funny, I was just thinking how the intro to Foreplay/Long Time would sound solely in classic piano format...
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee lol, perhaps I made an unfair comparison
Thank you for giving Masdea time to tell his story. He deserves credit for his contributions to this great band. The impact of Boston on rock music cannot be overstated. Kids riding around in cars in the mid-70’s had limited space in their 8-track cases. Choices were made. Dark Side of the Moon, Zep IV, Boston, Foreigner, Kansas all had dirty labels from how often they were pulled out for play! LOL! By 1980, Back in Black would join them. I was there. They were, in fact, Epic.
Those bands I would have had all of their albums back then.
Add Deep Purple Machine Head,Sweet Desolation Boulevard and you have a near perfect list. 8 tracks!
That sure takes my memories back to those days!
@@stingylizard 👍👍👍
More than a decade after this album came out i was stationed in Germany where my buddy had a Z28 Camaro and we'd fly down the autobahnen doing over 100 mph with the T-tops removed listening to this album blaring through the stereo "cranked up to 11". I still have and listen to this album on a regular basis
I was introduced to Boston in the summer of '78 and it changed my life. Rocker to this day. I was 13 and hearing this sound put me off Shaun Cassidy and the Bee Gees forever. I had found the musical place where I belonged. It was almost like a spiritual experience. I bought "Don't Look Back" when it was released with money I was saving for a 10 speed bike. It was worth working into September for $1/hour and waiting a little longer for my bike. They should have been in the hall of fame 30 years ago.
My FIRST concert experience at 8 years old was Boston opening for Nazareth on support of their first album. I will never forget they opened with The Star Spangled Banner then segued right into Rock and Roll Band!! At that very moment MY LIFE CHANGED FOREVER!!! I mean i knew what music was and already knew the album, however i was not prepared for the MAGNATUDE of the masses of people there for the same thing!!! I found my home on that day, thank you Tom and company for your amazing achivements, I don't need the RRHOF to tell me who the rockinist band in the land is, iv'e known since that fateful day way back in the summer of '76, just a little band out of BOSTON!!!!
Wow, how amazing is that? Love musical segues!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 YES!! seen EVERY Boston tour since (7 in all) and they still open every show that way!!!
I can’t hear the story enough about the time, effort, and genious of Tom Schultz creating and recording Boston I in his basement. As much an inspiring American success story as the building of any business.
Thanks for watching ED!
Tom put in his 10,000 hours and it shows.
yeh ed agree many interviews over the years tom countless hours in his basement putting together one of 70s rock great records reminded me of another similar story my.late dad went to his old roomate wall of fame induction at m.s.u. brought back photos old players coaches etc who the guys one much younger reunion thats my former student at meridian h.s. larry peavey i was his pe teacher several.months later staying with him ill m.s.u. alumni mag came feature article was larry giving back to hs and msu for music programs talked about peavey electronics began in his parents basement tinkering with radios and amps while in hs college and afterwards 30 years later major electonics company pretty remarkable what both guys did tom.the musician and larry the gear guy for musicians they had dinner at the reunion dad said ohh hes a big donor to schools then later saw article like tom started from humble beginnings
Yes, very inspirational the genius Tom has been! His last name is spelled Scholz.
@@shiroibasketshoes Tom? Is that you?
Think about how much of a genius you have to be to be an incredible engineer, an incredible keyboardist, and an incredible guitarist, all in a short life span! That is phenomenal!
Boston is amazing ! I remember the disco days , trying to take the lead . I was a kid saying disco is dead , but Rock is Rolling ! Boston came out with a Hugh Bang ! ❤
Dude! The sound, engineering and production of the first Boston album is second to none! It definitely still holds up today. It doesn't sound like any other produced album back then! It still sounds like it was put out last week.
It’s a masterpiece from start to finish!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Hey Lilly, how ya been!? Indeed it is!
@@Krullmatic Busy, but content.
The special blend of Tom's songs, arrangements and technical innovations was really something. But the magic is due to Delp's soaring vocals. He could sing anything--great leads and harmonies. Everybody knows about the goosebump inducing vocals on the high part of More Than a Feeling, but just as good for me is the high notes Brad hits on "Hollyann" from '86. Insane and inspiring.
Brad is one of THE most underrated singers. He had more pipes than anyone else.
Hammered that album during High School! Still rocking it as it’s timeless,and sounds fresh every time played. Come on R&R they way belong!!
You never know what bands/singers/songwriters went through to just get something out there. Thanks Professor for putting the past of these bands and the stories behind them out there for us to learn.
Boston is an absolute success story. One that is so inspiring and compelling to write music. Cheers!
Absolutely!
@@ProfessorofRock Thank you so much!
Cheers to Bawstin 🍻
I was all into punk and southern rock when this album came out. It was actually a breath of fresh air . You couldn't go anywhere without hearing Peace of Mind blasting on jukeboxes or car stereos. How many record labels wanted do-overs?
Right? This album was a monster.
"Piece Of Mind" was an Iron Maiden album; you meant "Peace Of Mind." Have a nice day.
@@bobdavis4848 hey I'm old, give me a break 😁 thanks didn't even realize what I wrote
@@Lam_3-22-23 Hi Marcus, It wasn't meant as criticism, but to show I care enough about your expression wishes to clarify. I did not know of any mellower way of wording it. There is nothing wrong with being old, and it's relative anyway. :-)
@@TracyLeaOgden Yes, that is a good attitude! Peace to you, too! :-)
Boston most definitely need to be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame!! No doubt it. It’s crazy that they are not!! This album is genius! Not a bad or even eh song on it. Fantastic band! And a fantastic interview Professor!! Loved this one.
❤️💜💚
My mother worked with Brad Delp before his fame. She always said he was a 😊nice kid and left the job to go do some music thing, this always cracks me up; she NO idea what that music ‘thing’ was😂!
This debut album was what I used while teaching middle school. It was a difficult time in my life and a difficult job. I played it each day to jump start my day! It got my blood pumping, and helped me get into a better frame of mind.
You mean, it made you have a peace of mind? 😜
So glad I was 16 when this came out. Awesome music and awesome friends to share it with!
Rock on!
Me too 16 in 76
1976 might as well be one of the greatest years ever in music.
I was 17 and had graduated from HS in June.. This was like a "theme" song for my friends/our new college lives..
I was in the East Brunswick (NJ) High School Orchestra in 1977 when I became aware of Boston,. I played violin and fellow violinist Michael Grossman tried to tell me about this band but I didn’t get it then. Fast forward 15 years and I suddenly got it - I heard what Michael heard and he was right - pure genius + particular refinement. I was hooked. I only regret it took me that long to recognize them, and I’m forever grateful for Michael for introducing me to Boston before I was ready to hear it. TY, Michael - if it weren’t for you I could have missed out entirely on this transformative music.
I am from Worcester, MA, when they played at The Worcester Centrum in 1987, they sold out 7 shows !!! It was CRAZY !!!!
Every few years a record comes out that completely breaks the mold and this certainly was one of them!
I still hear their music on the radio today and it still sounds just as fresh.
It sounds like it just came out yesterday!
It's as close to a perfect album as has ever existed.
So true.
💯
Phenomenal Interview!....
->The whole band was a mix of Genius.
Wow...what an Era to live in and through!...
*"BOSTON"*
*"Thank You!¡"*
I agree: Brad Delp has one of the most beautiful voices in all of rock. RIP, dear man.
Every song on this Boston album takes me back to all the summers of my youth! What a time to grow up, miss the 70's and 80's!!
Fun all the time!
The Boston album when it was released was essentially the submitted demo. Tom Scholtz would spend plenty of money on the follow up Don't Look Back but initially , CBS / Epic got a steal. Classic debut.
So true. Especially since they were one of the labels that rejected them.
Wow.
Tom said the record company pressured him to release Don't Look Back before he was finished with it. It still sold 7 million copies! Lead to his lawsuit against the label which he won.
No, it wasn't. The demo was just Tom and Brad. The released album had all band members on it and Jim Masdea on drums on "Rock & Roll Band".
Our hometown heroes!! Boston rocked! Tom Scholz is brilliant. Rest in power Mr Delp. We used to accost Fran Sheehan at the local pizza place all the time. Awesome! The 1st album is timeless and they deserve a spot in the Hall.
I saw Boston in ‘76 in Lincoln, Nebraska when they opened for Black Sabbath. I already had Boston’s debut album and loved the music. The crowd was crazy for the Boston sound. After Black Sabbath had started their set, in between songs on multiple occasions, members of the audience chanted, “Bring back Boston! Bring back Boston!” I was one of them. Fantastic album. So glad I got to see them live when I did. Thanks for another great interview.
So Epic. I was in HS. Pretty much every song on this album was fantastic.
Agreed!
It’s a perfect album.
It offered nothing new? You got to be kidding... I'd never heard that kind of layering of guitar sounds before... Completely new! Never knew MIT had frat houses either!
I know. What a stupid comment.
This sounded UNLIKE anything on the charts in December 1976.
I still remember when that album first broke. I was a 4 year old kid in 1976 living in Boston at the time. I was at my aunt’s house listening to the radio and “More Than a Feeling” first came on the radio. I thought it was the greatest thing ever.
The very singular fact that Boston is not in the so called Rock and Roll hall of fame shows just how illegitimate that the “hall” is. Boston’s first two albums are amongst the best rock albums EVER made bar none. An integral part of the soundtrack of my youth for sure. One of the best bands in the history of music. Their music never gets old for me. It’s upbeat and gets your motor running. Ya can’t play good rock and roll guitar music loud enough and that is certainly the case with Boston. Great video. Thank you.
I was in a band when the album came out, we were all properly and completely amazed and blown away. I remember listening to it with our lead singer for the first time, I must have had a completely dumbfounded look on my face. I agree, that album did save rock at the time, and I think it will always be one of the most awesome achievements of all time, seemingly came outta nowhere, and was technically very innovative.
From the depths of disco, yes it did!
Takes me back to the fall of '77 in Lakewood, CO, sitting with my school buddy, Jim, a computer nerd, sitting in his 1975 Volvo, sun roof open to the night sky, sipping our Michelobs, with the 8-track version of their debut cranked up all the way! Thanks, Professor, for that excellent interview with Masdea...
I had no idea they weren’t in the HoF. Brad and Tom are both geniuses. Unbelievable.
The ABSOLUTE BEST debut album from a legendary band. Tom Scholz is a genius! Brad Delp sings like an angel. I can't stand when they are called Corporate Rock, they have their own sound that NOBODY has ever duplicated, they are instantaneously recognizable! They will always be one of my favorites. The soundtrack of my early teens, BMX, pizza parlor arcade games and my first girlfriend. My Boston fiver......5. More Than A Feeling 4. Rock and Roll Band 3. Feelin' Satisfied 2. Hitch a Ride 1. Don't Be Afraid..... that's for today....tomorrow it will be different because they have so many GREAT songs!!!
Delp definitely amazing vocalist. I would say that he made the band, but I can't. They were a great sum of all parts. Haven't seen you on in a bit, unless I just flat missed. At my age that's entirely possible.
I love your post and agree 1000%
@@Lam_3-22-23 Hey Marcus, my father in law suffered a stroke last week, we went down to help my mother in law and for support....... he is recovering now. Back at home and this is a welcome back video I can really appreciate!
@@TheSlowoldman sorry to hear about the father in law, prayers for you guys. This video does bring back memories.
Jann Wenner lumped Foreigner in the “corporate rock” category too. 🙄
“More Than A Feeling” is the song that defines my childhood, from when I first heard it at age 7 and all through high school; and why I learned to play guitar. I still have the original 8 track cassette, original photo LP, and the original 45 single.
It’s one of my favorite songs ever.
Ahhhhh, a flashback to the bicentennial year when disco was in full swing. Boston was a welcome sound, and who would have guessed that an MIT grad (Tom Sholz) was behind it. The string of hits highlighted a great band with a talented lead singer named Brad Delp. Those were the days. It saddens me to see how it all ended with Delp's suicide and the lawsuit brought by Sholz in the aftermath. I can only hope that some day, Boston will find themselves in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Great video Professor.
This album has MIT slathered all over it.
What a great interview - it's so insightful to hear how these amazing songs came together. There are other great songs that came later, but this first album is really magical - you can tell these songs were perfected over a long period of time. One of the few albums where the quality of the songs, the quality of the performances and the quality of the recording production were just off the chart... And props to drumming on this record - it's just amazing too!
I was a grade schooler home sick with the flu and my sister brought this album into my room and set up a little record player. I listened to it over and over. It was amazing and like nothing I had ever heard before. I almost forgot I had the flu.
This album is one of the rare LPs that I would spin in entirety on both sides. It's a freshman masterpiece and one of the top 5 greatest debut albums ever released, along with The Clash, G n' R, and the Beatles. I feel terrible for how Brad left us and think about him a lot, and I'm sincerely grateful that I grew up in a time when these songs were all over the AM radio dial. Thanks for keeping the music alive, Professor!
"More Than a Feeling" is arguably the most gorgeous pieces of music EVER written.
The Professor can be a bit over the top at times...but the Boston debut cannot be overstated. Not only loaded with instant hits but music that holds up a half century later.
Boston is one of the few bands that I can say have impacted me as a musician the same way that the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton or Chicago have impacted me. They did not put out as many records as any of the others, but the records they did make have definitely had their way with my inspiration. Aside from helping me get into progressive rock, a field that terrified me as a kid, I was also in search of (a slice of) Tom's saturated guitar sound. It's great to hear Jim reminiscing about his time in the Boston precursor and observing the way Tom assembled both the music from that first album and the equipment he devised in the process. I appreciate that you uploaded this one, Adam.
Everyone latches on to "more than a feeling". That song is okay, but my gym has always been "Peace of mind". I don't blame Tom for being up to here with the former. Whenever I've heard him and videos improvising, I wish he were more prolific. He should be trying to put out new music that should leave "More Than A Feeling" in the lurch.
Peace of Mind and Foreplay/Long Time are my favorites.
One of the best rock albums. Brad's voice is incredible and yes they should be in the RRHOF.
Great interview ! I remember hearing their 1st album, I thought this had to be years in the making, something this amazing doesn't happen overnight. Great songs, "Gonna Hitch A Ride" has always been my all time fav. Every aspect of the music, Guitar (electric & acoustic parts & tones), Bass, Hammond, & Drums parts tailor made to fit each song. If that's not enough then comes Brad with a voice without comparison. Amazing range & breath control, but with a feeling for the song that is beyond what has been done before or after. (all without autotune)
The ENTIRE album is fire! Every. Single. Song. Not a bad one on the album. I used to marvel at Delp’s vocals as I tried to sing along with my amateur soprano voice. Loved it as a teen in the 80’s and love it just as much today.
I have said many times record labels used to be tone deaf in more ways than one. That Boston couldn't get a sniff of a record deal is insane!
Boston was just what the doctor ordered in the 70s. Thank goodness they got through.
Thanks for this Professor. I didn't get a notification today, so I have to fix my settings I guess. 😮
Well said!
Screw those sappy record men.
Hitch a ride is one of my favorite songs then and now. Just heard the "San Fransisco day" version a few years ago and loved it!
I need to check out that version.
Thank you Boston for being a part of my life's soundtrack
Just a silly little story here. I was a custodian at a university, I was in the science building. One professor had a budgie/parakeet in his office. I would be making my round vacuuming/sweeping, pulling trash. I had this cart that had everything i needed on it, including a Bose Bluetooth speaker and I would play music all night long as i made my rounds, a year had gone by when I came to the room with the Budgie, He never liked me interrupting his sleep at 2am. He usually was as far away from me as he could get all fluffed up and looking grumpy. but then it happened that I was listening to Boston when Foreplay/Longtime came on, the budgie came to the front of the cage turned his head and was was looking at my cart through the bars, when that song started thumping away, that budgie started bopping his head and dancing on his perch. He had never done that before. Yeah buddy, that's a good song huh?
Boston was epic. I saw them live in 1987 and the show floored me. And it wasn't just the concert, it was everything they released. Every album was quality and every song was memorable. I miss this act terribly.
Boston, what can I say. They were rock n roll, that gave the escape from disco. In their time I liked both, but as years have turned to decades, I still love Boston. I laugh at my disco days and platform shoes. Great interview.
Thanks Andy!
Especially when Disco Duck was popular, Boston was a big respite.
Having grown up in Boston (66-85), I obviously had hometown pride in the band's name. When I moved to California, I met my husband, and the first concert we saw together was Boston at the LA Forum in August 1987 on the day we bought our wedding rings. He told me years later that he kicks himself for not going backstage to have the band announce our engagement from the stage like he had planned. I told him it didn't matter, that it was still one of the most memorable days of my life. ❤
1. This interview was great!
I was truly disappointed when it ended.
2. I love when band members are so complementary to others.
3. Boston not being in the Hall of Fame does not discount the band.
It discounts the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Such an amazing album!! Plus Brad Delp!! Incredible! Love this band!🤘🤘
top 5 rock singer ever.
Brad’s voice is heaven.
Definitely one of the best debut albums ever!
💯
Oh man. I play Boston over and over and over again. All these years I find myself thinking about just how did they do it. Tom the player, producer, engineer, inventor is a miracle in itself. Then to get all the guys that played and sang is another miracle. It's literally miracle on top of miracle on top of miracle that any of this happened. Brad was beyond great. This record is a masterpiece you pull out to play more than all of the masterpieces there are on the shelf. I can't believe that they haven't been added to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but I got to say they should have made a pop rock of fame as some that are in there don't need to be there. I know it hurts a bit not being in there. I mean what the heck did Boston do not to have been added 20 years ago. Doesn't matter as far as I am concerned. Boston is simply amazing and incredible and like I said, I keep finding things where I'll hear it and imagine how that must have worked and it still blows my mind. I'm not a musician. Just have fine listening skills haha! But thank goodness I grew up listening in the era I grew up in. I keep wearing those songs out and Boston's first album is at the very top of my list. I love them. "Don't Look Back" and "Feelin' Satisfied" have got a hold on me right now more than the other songs on that first album. But I still love the other songs it just this is the Boston flavor I'm really enjoying right now. Strange that tunes I've played thousand of times still does that to me. Still captures me to listen closely for the little things. I do think the that for all the things that they tried to make perfect, it's the little imperfect things that put a bigger smile on my face. Man I love Boston. So yes, get them in, way way overdue.
I know people who grew up in the 60s and 70s who couldn't stand Boston. Comments like " too manufactured" and " they must have used computers to make that sound" were heard. From day one I was in. loved the sound and tried to emulate it with different amps and effect pedals. The closest I came was with a Fender Champion 20 watt practice amp with built in effects. It took only 2 years to burn that out playing with near max distortion all the time. I did a road trip in 2016 from Salt Lake to Sacramento and had only one CD along for ride: You guessed it. B-1. Played it all the way there and about half way back. Kudos Mr. Reader.
My first car had an 8 track player, and I had a copy of this album that I listened to ALL the time because it rocked so much and was great to drive to. Every song was awesome and still is.
Thanks for sharing James! Great memory!
It’s a precious treasure.
Oh man, you got me today, Professor! My top 3 favorite bands: Boston, Journey and Queen represented behind you. My first thought was that Boston is perfection, but I liked Jim's quote, "Greatness comes from flaws, not perfection." I've been to the Rock and Roll HOF, and wasn't impressed. It seemed like the most represented bands were the ones that gave them the most 'stuff.' Boston definitely deserves a premiere spot. My best memory of playing this tape was coming home on spring break from college and blasting it in my car with the windows open. That's when I first realized that every song on the album was amazing. I think I played it over and over on that trip.
That's right.
And Jim is right. Sometimes imperfections make a song perfection.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 And some imperfections make people perfect too! :)
@@hugome778 Exactly.
The best debut album of all time .. the sales alone can attest to that ! Took the country by storm 1976 was a great year !! Thank you BOSTON 😉
The first and second albums are simply brilliant! ALWAYS my go to feel good music! Thank you Tom!🤘
The interesting thing is that Jim didn't even play on the first album, except for one track. But he did play on the demo and he was certainly a key member. This album was definitely one of the greatest debut albums of all time. I remember the DJ's played every single track!
Oh yes.
The record labels have never changed. They picked and chose what THEY wanted to put out in stores and radio back then. And are still doing that 💩 today.
They've hindered a lot of bands and artists. But the good ones have done so much. Depends on who it is.
@@ProfessorofRock I get that
Great to hear the memories ❤.
They only care about themselves and the moola.
Total art that was a commercial smash was Boston. Everyone went nuts when they debuted. It took me decades to appreciate 70s rock but I loved the sound of Boston immediately.
I can remember playing this record in my older sister's room when she wasn't home. Most albums have songs that you could easily do without but EVERY track on this album is a banger.