At some point in life you go from listening to children’s music to grown up music. The change is drastic and immediate. You put away the old, never to be listened to again and the new takes over. For me, that happened when in the early 70’s listening to AM radio, I first heard the band Boston. It was different from anything else I had heard. Incredible dual guitar riffs split by an octave. Great lyrics with incredibly tight harmonies.
In those days you could by a “45” at the record store for $1 including tax. You’d get two songs; one a hit and one more obscure. My first “45” was of Boston’s song Don’t Look Back the “B side” was the song Party. I brought it home and put it on my record player, closed the door to my room and played it over and over until it was worn out. I would sing along with the great Brad Delp and played air guitar with the genius behind Boston, Tom Scholz. Later, I would even learn to play drums and would always play along.
As I got older 45’s would turn to into albums, albums to eight-tracks, eight-tracks to cassettes, and cassettes to CD’s. Finally, the CD’s have been imported to iTunes and then synced with my iPod and iPhone. Boston is one of the few bands of which I bothered to convert my old stuff into each new music format. I have every “album”. By the very nature of the digital music age, Boston is with me everywhere I go.
As I got older and had the means to go to concerts, I went to see Boston every time they were in Southern California. Places like The Forum, The Greek Theater, The Universal Amphitheater, The Pond and The Pacific Amphitheater were always sold out when Boston came to town. Tom would casually walk onto the stage in his shorts, tank top and knee brace looking like a roadie, pick up a guitar (a Gibson, Les Paul, Gold Top) and start playing the Star Spangled Banner. The show had begun. With everyone already on their feet they would remain there for the next two-plus hours. A confession, on one tour, the band played 3 nights in a row, sold out in three different venues in So Cal, I was at each of three nights. It was awesome. I even got to start taking my kids to see them passing my love of the music on to Megan and Courtney. They rocked along with me. Megan’s favorite song is Peace of Mind; Courtney’s is More Than a Feeling.
Last year when Brad Delp passed away, Boston lost their lead singer. I thought the band was over. Certainly over the years the albums have been sparse. They’ve only put out six albums since 1975. Brads death seemed a final curtain call. Then news that Tom had chosen two new singers and the band would be on the road in the summer of 2008. Of course I would be there. Then a friend of mine, Brian Mayes called. Brian is a PR guy in Nashville. He remembered my love of Boston and said hey, I represent the new lead singer (Michael Sweet) so when they come on tour, you’ve got tickets and I’ll get you in to meet the band. What? I thought they were done, now I had an opportunity to see my favorite band again and meet them backstage. Incredible!
Last night was the night. July 3, 2008, location Del Mar, California. Megan and I were there in row eleven (great seats). Free tickets provided by the lead singer of Boston and backstage passes. We even sat with the Scholz family and we stood for the band and sang along with every song. Thanks to Brian and Michael for making this happen. The concert was great. As a matter of fact, it was better than ever. There is new energy in the band. They played all the favorites as they always do. Kimberly Dahme sand lead on Hitch a Ride, which I have never heard in concert before. When the last bow was taken, we headed backstage for drinks and photos.
The pictures tell the rest of the story. We got to meet each band member and get photos with most. The band was as gracious and friendly as I could hope which endears them even more. We’ll be there next time.
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