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SECTION 1: HISTORY OF BOSTON
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1965-1970-- Tom Scholz (born Donald T. Scholz 3/10/47 in Toledo,
Ohio) attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while
occasionally playing keyboards in various Boston-area bands at night.
By his junior year he is also dabbling into guitar. He eventually
meets up with drummer/keyboardist Jim Masdea, and the two begin to
experiment with recording their music.

1970-1973-- After graduating from M.I.T. (with a Masters Degree in
Mechanical Engineering), Tom lands a job with Polaroid. Scholz
soon joins a band led by guitarist Barry Goudreau (b. 11/29/51),
initially on keyboards, but his guitar abilities advance so quickly
the group is soon playing his music. He works at Polaroid during
the day and makes demo recordings in his basement studio at night
(as well as continuing to occasionally play clubs). Barry
introduces Tom to vocalist Bradley Delp (b. 6/12/51), and Brad
begins to sing on Tom's demos. After completing a 6-song demo
tape, Tom and his wife Cindy mail copies to every major record
label. The tape is universally rejected.

1973-Summer 1975-- Tom quits the nightclub scene and concentrates
on recording another batch of demos with Brad Delp and Jim Masdea
(using a newly-purchased 12-track recorder). Again, copies of the
tape are sent to various record labels, but once again it is rejected.
Tom signs a management contract with local promoters Paul Ahern and
Charlie McKenzie (who had signed the J. Geils Band). Ahern and
McKenzie, who have several contacts in the music industry, help get
the still-unnamed group a recording contract with CBS/Epic Records.

Barry Goudreau is brought back into the fold, and Fran Sheehan
(b. 3/26/49), who had played with every member of the band at one
time or another, is added on bass. At the insistence of Ahern and
other powers-that-be, Masdea is removed from the drummer's spot;
John "Sib" Hashian (b. 8/17/49) replaces him.

Winter 1975-- Tom sets out to re-record the demo tapes, and the
band is given a new name: "BOSTON." Most of the material for the
first album is recorded in Tom's basement studio in Watertown,
Massachusetts.

August 8, 1976-- The group's debut album, _Boston_, is released. It
is almost entirely written by Scholz, with Delp writing "Let Me Take
You Home Tonight" and co-writing "Smokin'." The album stays on the
charts for 101 weeks, peaking at #3. By 1995 it had sold over 15
million copies in the U.S. alone, making it the highest selling debut
album of all time, and second-highest selling album of all time
(behind Michael Jackson's _Thriller_ at 24 million). It would later
be eclipsed at #2 by Fleetwood Mac's _Rumours_ and several other albums.

"More Than A Feeling" is BOSTON's debut single, peaking at #5 on the
charts. Scholz finally quits his job at Polaroid.

September 1976-May 1977-- The group launches a tour, with innovative
technology brought along to help the live BOSTON compare to the studio
BOSTON. Initially they open for other acts, but soon they are
headlining (supported by Sammy Hagar, among others). "Long Time"
charts at #22 in March 1977, and the follow-up "Peace Of Mind" hits
#38 in June.

BOSTON is nominated for a Grammy Award ("Best New Artist") and is
voted "Best New Band" by the readers of _Rolling Stone_ magazine.
_Time_ magazine praises the album as one of the Top 5 of 1976.

Fall 1977-- Scholz and the band begin work on a second album. After
six months Epic Records demands the album, but Scholz isn't finished
yet. Eventually Scholz turns the tapes over, but he complains that
only the first side is complete.

August 2, 1978-- After postponing the release date several times,
_Don't Look Back_ is finally released. It tops the pop charts-- it
was shipped double platinum-- but eventually fails to sell half as
many copies as the first album.

Again, most of the material is written by Scholz, with Delp writing
"Used To Bad News" and co-writing "Party." The title single is a
Top-5 hit (#4), and follow up ballad "A Man I'll Never Be" reaches
#31 in early 1979.

The group plans to hit the road for another tour, again with
Sammy Hagar as the opening act.

1978/9-- During a tour break Delp, Goudreau and Hashian step into
the studio with Hagar to contribute to Hagar's next album, _Street
Machine_. The only confirmed song that the three sing on is a cover
of "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay", which is released as a single
only (peaking at #65).

"Feelin' Satisfied", from _Don't Look Back_, is the last BOSTON
single released for 7 years; it peaks at #46 on the Billboard chart.

March 1979-- Touring continues, with the band moving on to Japan
in April. They break from touring for most of the summer before
playing European dates in the fall.

1979/80-- After completing the "Don't Look Back" tour, Scholz agrees
to produce Hagar's next album, _Danger Zone_. However, CBS
intervenes midway and orders Scholz to complete the third BOSTON
album before producing any other artists.

Meanwhile, Scholz becomes involved in a legal battle with now-former
manager Paul Ahern. Scholz vows that production of the third
BOSTON album will not be dictated by CBS or his ex-management.

1980-- Goudreau, itching to record new material in the wake of
Scholz' pledge to take his time, records a solo album. He even
borrows Delp and Hashian for the project, titled _Barry Goudreau_.
The album was produced by Goudreau and John Boylan (who had assisted
with the first two BOSTON albums). Scholz is not happy with CBS
marketing the album essentially as 'Almost BOSTON,' and Goudreau
soon leaves the band.

Scholz forms Scholz Research & Development (SR&D), and begins to
design and market various music-related techno-gadgets. Their first
product is called the Power Soak, and a couple years later SR&D
releases a portable amplifier known as the Rockman. Both products
soon had sales marks in the tens of thousands.

Recording begins on the third BOSTON album, with Scholz playing all
musical instruments (including some drums), and Delp continuing to
sing all vocals. Sib Hashian initially remained on drums, but midway
through the project he was replaced by Jim Masdea. Fran Sheehan also
initially remained with the group, but by 1983 he was out. It has
also been reported that Delp briefly quit the band c. 1981-82.

1982-- CBS/Epic, growing ever-impatient with Scholz, begins to
withhold royalties from the first two BOSTON albums. When Scholz
complains, CBS answers by filing a $20 million breach-of-contract
lawsuit. Scholz answers by counter-suing CBS, and the two parties
will spend much of the 1980s arguing in court. Initially Tom is
ordered not to release any music under the name "BOSTON," but by
1985 his lawyers get the injunction lifted; Scholz moves the band
to MCA Records.

1983-- Goudreau forms the group Orion The Hunter with Fran Cosmo
(lead singer of three songs on _Barry Goudreau_), former Heart
drummer Michael De Rosier, and bassist Bruce Smith. Their 1984
self-titled debut album peaks at #57 on the charts, and "So You Ran"
is a minor hit single (charting at #58). Delp contributes backing
vocals to three songs, including follow-up single "Joanne." Delp
also co-wrote five of the album's nine songs. Orion The Hunter
tours in support of Aerosmith during the spring/summer of 1984.

1986-- The third BOSTON album is finally released September 26.
Appropriately titled _Third Stage_, it tops the charts for 4 weeks
straight, and lead single "Amanda" is also a #1 hit. Again, most of
the material is written by Scholz, with contributions from Delp,
Sheehan and Masdea. "We're Ready" hits #9 in February 1987.

A tour is scheduled (starting in June 1987), and Scholz adds Gary
Pihl (guitar), David Sikes (bass) and Doug Huffman (drums) to the
lineup. Pihl had previously been in Sammy Hagar's band, and had
known Scholz since the two groups had toured together in the '70s.
He had also added some lead guitar to _Third Stage_'s "I Think I
Like It." Sikes had played with Aldo Nova and Giuffria. Masdea
also goes on tour, playing percussion and drums. The band plays
_Third Stage_ in its entirety live on stage.

Meanwhile, _Third Stage_ becomes the first album to achive "Gold"
status (500,000 copies sold) in the compact disc format.

1987-- "Can'tcha Say (You Believe In Me)/Still In Love" hits #20 on
the charts in April. The group's final single for another 7 years
is "Hollyann", which fails to crack the Hot-100. In August, BOSTON
plays 9 sold-out concerts in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Scholz
has the first two shows professionally videotaped. However, Scholz
is unhappy with the quality of the recordings, and they are not
offered for public consumption.

1988-- After a one-year layoff, the group (minus Masdea) gets
together in December for a series of concerts in Canada and Seattle.

Scholz spends much of the late 80's-early 90's in court, fighting
various lawsuits. The CBS lawsuit drags on until 1990 (Scholz wins),
and several members of the band sue for royalties (Sib Hashian, Jim
Masdea, Fran Sheehan). Scholz settles out of court with his former
band mates. Scholz is also still involved in a lawsuit with former
BOSTON manager Paul Ahern.

1990-- Work begins on a fourth BOSTON album in November. The lineup
includes Scholz, Pihl, Sikes and Huffman, but Masdea is out of the
picture (after having sued Scholz) and Delp's status is uncertain.
Scholz, after having moved following a divorce, has been outfitting
his new home's basement, eventually christening it "Hideaway Studio II."

1991-- Delp reunites with Goudreau once again, as they form RTZ with
session musicians Brian Maes (keyboards), Tim Archibald (bass) and
David Stefanelli (drums). Their debut album, _Return To Zero_,
reaches only #169 on the charts, but several songs do well as singles.
"Face The Music" hits #49 on the pop charts in September 1991, and
"There's Another Side" is a rock-radio hit. RTZ goes on tour, playing
versions of BOSTON's "Long Time" and "Let Me Take You Home Tonight"
in concert.

March 1992-- RTZ scores a Top-40 hit with "Until Your Love Comes
Back Around" (#26), and the band's final single, "All You've Got,"
reaches #56 in July.

After Giant Records drops RTZ in late 1992, the band attemps to secure
a new recording contract. A follow-up album was initially scheduled
for 1994, but by late 1994 the group had split up.

1994-- The fourth BOSTON album is finally released June 7-- after
proposed release dates of November 19, December 21, February 15,
March 29, April 26, May 24, etc. have passed by. Titled _Walk On_,
the advance single issued May 18 is "I Need Your Love." Replacing
Brad Delp as lead vocalist is none other than Fran Cosmo, who had
participated in Barry Goudreau's two 1980s projects. A new writing
pattern has emerged, with Scholz collaborating with non-BOSTON
writers on several songs.

"I Need Your Love" peaks at just #56, while follow-up single "What's
Your Name" fails to crack the charts. The album debuts at #7 but
soon fades from the Top-40 chart after peaking at #5.

Scholz loses his lawsuit with Ahern (Ahern had claimed he was owed
royalties for _Third Stage_), and is later ordered to pay $1 million
in damages in addition to the $544,000 already awarded to Ahern.
Scholz immediately appeals the decision.

The long-awaited tour is delayed until the following spring, but
BOSTON schedules two charity concerts at the Harvard Square House Of
Blues on December 12 and 13. It was initially rumored that Brad
Delp would make a guest appearance at the December 12 show, but on
December 4 Scholz announces that Delp has re-joined the group.
Scholz also announces that William "Curly" Smith has replaced Doug
Huffman on drums. Smith had been a member of Jo Jo Gunne (1972-74)
and also did various sessions as a dummer and harmonica player.

May 16, 1995-- BOSTON's "Livin' For You" 1995 Tour kicks off in
Mankato, Minnesota. Scholz also reveals that BOSTON has left
MCA Records, though other sources indicate that the split was
mutual.

June 20, 1995-- _Orion The Hunter_ is re-issued on CD by Razor & Tie
Records. After dozens of BOSTON fans encourage R&T to re-issue
_Barry Goudreau_, the label makes tentative plans to do so.

August 6, 1995-- The BOSTON 1995 "Livin' For You" Tour wraps up in
Detroit, Michigan.

Following the conclusion of the tour, Scholz announces that BOSTON
will next release a Greatest Hits album. It was initially planned
for an August 1996 release (the 20th anniversary of the first album),
but the album's release would eventually be pushed back nearly a
full year. The album is set to be released on BOSTON's original
record label, Epic, which is now owned by Sony.

Scholz also disbands SR&D, after having sold the rights to the Rockman
product line to Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc.

Brad Delp spends much of his post-tour free time performing in
a Beatles tribute band known as BeatleJuice.

Gary Pihl also contributes to a couple of side projects, including
an album recorded with a side group called Alliance (featuring
David Lauser and ex-Night Ranger keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald,
both of whom had played with Pihl in Sammy Hagar's band).

April 23, 1996-- Razor & Tie Records re-issues the _Barry Goudreau_
album on CD.

May 1996-- Brad Delp contributes backing vocals to _Long Line_,
an album by former J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf. Wolf's
backing band includes several former members of RTZ. Delp
also contributes the song "Hold On" to the soundtrack of the
independent film "The Runaways"-- Delp's son John Michael has
a small part in the movie. The song was written by Gary Pihl.

BOSTON schedules a 1996 summer tour, with Cheap Trick as the
opening act.

Scholz wins most of the appeal in the Paul Ahern lawsuit, and
the rest of the case is sent back for re-trial.

June 1996-- Tom Scholz seriously injures his left hand playing
basketball, and the 1996 BOSTON tour is cancelled.

April 1997-- BOSTON announces a 1997 summer tour. Once again, both
Brad Delp and Fran Cosmo will be singing with the band.

June 3, 1997-- BOSTON's _Greatest Hits_ album is finally released.
It contains three new songs: "Tell Me" (sung by David Sikes) and
"Higher Power" (sung by Fran Cosmo and Brad Delp), plus an
instrumental rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" which had
originally been issued as a promotional single in 1994.

July 1, 1997-- BOSTON's 1997 tour kicks off with a "warm-up show"
in Evansville, Indiana.

September 6, 1997-- BOSTON concludes its 1997 tour with a concert
in Puerto Rico.

1997-98-- Tom Scholz reportedly begins work on a fifth studio album,
while the other members of BOSTON work on various solo projects;
Brad Delp continues to play dates with BeatleJuice, David Sikes
and Curly Smith record an album under the name Innocent, and
Smith also works on a solo album.

1998-- Barry Goudreau re-emerges with an album by Boston-area
singer Lisa Guyer. The album, titled _Gypsy Girl_, features
Goudreau on guitars and bass; he also produced and engineered it.

It is announced in April 1998 that a second RTZ album will be
released. Tentatively titled _The Lost_, it will reportedly
feature the material that RTZ had written for a proposed
follow-up to "Return To Zero." The album is slated to be
released in August 1998 on the Swedish-based MTM label.

--- END ---
©1998 Scott Swanson

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