Brad Delp of the Rock Group Boston died Last Friday

Brad Delp was the lead singer of the rock group Boston. As a young man growing up I found something in the music of Boston that even to this day makes me jump inside and go "Oh Yeah!"

My heart sunk this morning when I read about Brad's death. At age 55 and apparently in good health he was found in his home. There seemed to be no sign of a struggle nor that he was attacked... so we wait until they can figure out what happened.

Boston was one of the groups. Yes, it was a "party" group, with "Smokin'" and "foreplay" that morphed into "Long time". Yet, with only four albums to their name they hit the top of the charts every time and that after many years in between albums... The last one was released in 2002.

With each new release, there seemed this change and direction... from "get down and party" we find ourselves being told "don't look back" and one of my favorites "The Man I'll Never Be". Later they seemed focused on the evils of corporate greed. Maybe out of their struggle with the original recording label who they had spent many years in lawsuits over their music rights.

Brad did a side project with another band mate. Return to Zero. It was not Boston, but they too hit spot on the charts. Unlike bands like REO Speedwagon and Journey who have stopped producing new music and had contented themselves to be oldies bands, I do not see that Boston would ever be that. They were on a journey and though it may not have been "Christian" at times it it was inspirational and "spiritually" moving.

Funny thing is this. In a world of music, there was none like Boston. They pioneered a sound that influence as many guitarists and singers as Led Zeppelin had. Many guitarist today play through effects pedals designed by Tom Sholtz. It is saddest to me I never was able to see Boston in concert. And now I doubt I will even see them tour with a new singer.

Here is the my favorite song from Boston.

A Man I'll Never Be

If I said what's on my mind
You'd turn and walk away
Disappearing way back in your dreams
It's so hard to be unkind
So easy just to say
That everything is just the way it seems
You look up at me
And somewhere in your mind you see
A man I'll never be

If only I could find a way
I'd feel like I'm the man you believe I am
It's getting harder every day for me
To hide behind this dream you see
A man I'll never be

I can't get any stronger
I can't climb any higher
You'll never know just how hard I've tried
Cry a little longer
And hold a little tighter
Emotions can't be satisfied
You look up at me
And somewhere in your mind you see
A man I'll never be

If only I could find a way
I'd feel like I'm the man you believe I am
It's getting harder every day for me
To hide behind this dream you see
A man I'll never be
(Scholz)

This is most probably the song that most know, and the one that got me through most of my young teen days. "More than a feeling".

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away

May God comfort those who mourn,
Blessings,
iggy

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