Sept 16th, 2023 celebrates Boston‘s 45th anniversary of “Don’t Look Back” hitting #1 in America on the charts. The music industry has a saying on the band’s second album called, “The Sophomore Jinx.” The follow-up to one of the best self-titled debut albums ever. Selling 20 million albums worldwide making it the best debut album in history. Don’t Look Back, released, on August 15th, 1978. In just 10 days the 2nd album sold 1 million copies of Boston’s Don’t Look Back.
Back To The Hideaway Basement Studio
To follow up their 1st album success Tom Scholz went back to his basement recording studio. Now back in 1978 very few artists had a basement recording studio to call their own. The record company was also pretty reluctant to let Tom Scholz use his again. The second album was also the start of Tom’s legal battle against the record label Epic Records. To capitalize on fame record executives pushed him to release the record early. Tom said the record wasn’t ready
Ever Notice The Band logo?
Tom Scholz, guitarist and songwriter, wanted a guitar on the cover. Paula Scher was the design artist for the 1st album. Paula and Epic Record’s product manager compromised with an upside-down guitar-shaped spaceship. It was such a success that was repeated and a theme for more records in the future for Boston.
The Hits Just Keep On Coming
The Don’t Look Back Original Pressing from 1978
“Don’t Look Back“, “A Man I’ll Never Be” and “Feelin’ Satisfied” were all released as singles, reaching No. 4, 31, and 46 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
- “Don’t Look Back“
Released: August 1978 - “A Man I’ll Never Be“
Released: November 1978 - “Feelin’ Satisfied“
Released: March 1979
Boston Line Up Didn’t Change
The second album had more of the same chemistry as the debut album. Brad Delp still had those incredible lead vocals, and harmony vocals and added acoustic guitar, piano, and tambourine for this album. Tom Scholz took care of a lot of instruments, pianos, organs, lead guitar, electric rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, guitar special effects, bass guitar, hand claps, and more. Tom once again repeated what he said on the first debut album, No synthesizers or computers used. Barry Goudreau, slide guitar, lead guitar. Fran Sheehan on bass guitar. Sib Hashian on drums.
A Little Un-Known Fact About The Album
The album was almost called, Arrival, to keep the spaceship logo theme. But the Swedish group called ABBA already had an album with that title. So the idea was scrapped.
Don’t Look Back Tour 78-79
The tour played a total of 190 concerts around the world. Made a stop in Detroit, Michigan, no foolin’ April 1st, 1979 at Cobo Arena.
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