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The Boston Song That Wasn’t Boston That Got A Band Member Fired

Most know the story of the band Boston and their incredible first 3 albums. But do you know what happened behind the scenes that got a prominent band fired for…

Boston - ‘Boston’ - Released August 25, 1976. used (among others) in an article about Boston 'Peace of Mind' and the story behind the song.

Released August 25, 1976.

WCSX scott randall

Most know the story of the band Boston and their incredible first 3 albums. But do you know what happened behind the scenes that got a prominent band fired for making music? This is one of those stories.

We Were Just Another Band Out Of Boston

A single from the band Boston from their debut smash release debut titled "Rock and Roll."

Boston - Rock And Roll Band Recorded Live: 6/17/1979 - Giants Stadium

Boston's self-titled debut album has been certified for sales of 17 million.

Boston's debut album was quite possibly the greatest by a band that, at the time, didn't exist outside of the studio. The band was formed after the album tracks were finished.

Tom Scholz produced the album himself, and he played every instrument for every song on it. The band was then formed so "Boston" could tour.

Scholz produced the group also. He is a perfectionist who took years to produce albums.

After Boston's 1979 Tour

After the long tour, Tom Scholz told the band to rest up because he would take a year off. Tom asked the band if there was anything they wanted to do with other acts or a solo album. Feel free to do it now.

They went eight years between their second and third albums, "Don't Look Back" and "Third Stage.".

Boston's Other Guitar Player

Barry Goudreau played guitar and backing vocals in the band Boston playing on the group's first two multi-platinum-selling albums which included the hit singles More Than A Feeling and Don't Look Back.

So Barry grabbed other Boston members, including Brad Delp, the main vocals guy for Boston's sound, and started songwriting. Barry and Brad took demos to Epic label heads, and they were very interested.

The demos sounded and felt like Boston songs. The label didn't want to wait for Tom Scholz to make the next Boston record, so it supported Barry and Brad in making a Berry Goudreau solo record.

The Boston Sound On Someone's Solo Album

Listen to what rock radio grabbed onto, thinking it was the band's brand new Boston single.

Released October of 1980

Barry Goudreau Solo Album Release

Barry Goudreau is the only studio album. It features Goudreau's bandmates, Boston Brad Delp on lead vocals, Sib Hashian on drums, and Fran Cosmo (who would later join Boston in 1991). The album displays a sound very similar to that of Boston's first two releases.

The Problems Tom Scholz Had With The Record

Tom didn't mind Barry making a solo record; Tom just wanted to produce it, and that didn't happen. Plus, Epic Records put out full-page ads on the album saying, "The man behind the Boston guitar sound."

This didn't sit well with the boss, Tom Scholz, and he ended up firing Barry Goudreau before Boston's "Third Stage," album

Tom Scholz Fires Berry Goudreau

After Barry was let go, Brad Delp And Sib Hashian returned to work on The Next Boston Album.

Barry Goudreau went on to be with the bands Orion The Hunter and RTZ with mild success, with Brad Delp leaving Boston to join Barry.

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Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin’ Scott has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for 30-plus years. With 40 years of experience in radio. When he’s not out on the streets for WCSX, you can find him devoting time to local charities with his, “Screamin Angels”; and for 16 years with Rock 4 Tots charity. And last 10 years with his local band, "Chit!." Screamin Scott likes to write about nostalgic Detroit area memories, classic rock, and local metro Detroit topics.