Boston is best known for their multi award-winning debut and self-titled album, “Boston” which was released in, 1976, under the Epic Records label. With over 17 million copies sold, that one album ranks as being the 2nd best selling album in U.S. history. While Boston is noted as being one of the most successful rock bands in history, they have only released six studio albums, albeit the lapse in time (1978 – 1986) and the“Third Stage” was released approximately 8 years after a very successful, “Don’t Look Back”. Their most current album, “Life, Love & Hope” was released in 2013 has yet to reach the certification levels of prior recordings.
Founding member, Tom Scholtz, is now the only remaining member of the original line up. Tom’s, always quintessential keyboard and guitar skills, can be heard on every track, ever produced by the band. He can also be heard as a backup vocalist, bass player, percussionist and as a songwriter. Regardless of Scholtz being the only founder currently playing and on tour, the sound that Boston is so well known for still remains as noted by the immediate fan response when they opened their set with the immensely popular, appropriate and timeless hit, “Rock and Roll Band”. Fans rose to their feet, danced and sang along as Boston performed all of their classic favorites, such as, “Smokin”, “Peace of Mind” and “Take a Chance on Rock and Roll”. Unless you were eight feet tall, you were going to be hard pressed to see the stage so I decided to be content to sit and watch the live feed.
Sitting next to me was a super fan. She and I chatted for a bit during the changeover between Joan Jett and Boston. I asked her what made a super fan…a super fan. Well for starters, this woman had been to over 100 shows, had followed them all over the United States during her youth, moved mountains to collect authentic licensed merchandise and stood in lines for hours on end, for signed CD’s. I thought to myself, “Yea, I guess that would qualify as a super fan”. She went on to explain, that she would see the same people from one show to another as Boston toured around the country and eventually some of them started their own fan club and over the years these super fans have become family to her. The members of Boston, are probably completely oblivious to that fact on some most levels, but it was clear on this night, that there was a commonality. A thread that ran through the crowd and connected all of these people, these fans, that were cheering, singing and dancing around me, together in a kinship that probably had been process for over 35 years. They were a family and Boston was the patriarch…eh, maybe not quite the “patriarch”.
Did I mention, Beth Cohen?
Beth Cohen, is the band’s only female artist. She joined the band, now and again, in 2002 and 2012, and has now been a consistent member since 2015. Ms. Cohen’s biography and resume features a long list of vocal and musical acumen and she has performed with some of our most famous contemporary recording artists, including, Barbra Streisand, Pink, Barry Gibb, Julio Iglesias and Kelly Clarkson. She is a refreshing addition to the band, yet still keeping it true to Boston’s celebrated roots and sound.
As Boston played on through the evening, they ventured forward and backward in time, touching on tracks throughout their discography history, including “Cool the Engines” from their third album, “Third Stage” and one of my favorites, “Heaven and Earth” from their most current record, “Life, Love & Hope”. Whether you are a fan of classic Boston, or present-day, Boston, there is no denying, they are, indeed, a “Rock and Roll Band”, that needs no introduction!
Boston is currently on an American summer tour with the “Godmother of Punk” (Joan Jett). You can find breaking news and their tour schedule on their website: http://bandboston.com, follow them on Facebook and purchase their music, featuring their iconic spacecraft on all of the cover art at reputable retailers and online stores.
You can also keep up with Beth Cohen and purchase her music on her website, http://www.beth-cohen.com, and follow her on most social media sites.
Boston is:
Tom Scholz – lead and rhythm guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (1976–present)
Gary Pihl – rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1985–present)
Curly Smith – drums, percussion, harmonica, backing vocals (1994–1997, 2012–present)
Jeff Neal – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2002–present)
Tommy DeCarlo – lead vocals, keyboards, percussion (2008–present)
Tracy Ferrie – bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)
Beth Cohen – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar (2002, 2012, 2015–present)