Boston Lead Singer dead at 55

[Brooklinite]

Boston made some of the best, purest rock ever. There's nothing quite like winding the vette out to 'More Than a Feeling'.

I love these guys.

Brad Delp - June 12, 1951 to March 9, 2007

[Mac]

I read about this but no news what actually happened other than police felt it was not suspicious.

-Mac

[Rob]

Readers recall Brad Delp as 'down-to-earth' and 'nicest' guy

By FROM STAFF REPORTS
10 hours, 54 minutes ago
http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?...b-10cfbd3b75ff

Brad Delp, whose vocals for the 1970s-era rock band Boston wowed a generation of rock fans, was remembered by readers of the New Hampshire Union Leader this weekend as a friendly, down-to-earth performer who touched the lives of his listeners.

Delp, 55, died on Friday at his Atkinson home. In remembering Delp, readers recalled not only his immense musical talents, but also his generosity and consideration. Readers also said Delp and his band had a big influence on their lives. One reader, Bruce Holmes, recalled how he named his daughter after the Boston song "Amanda" - and Delp's response.

"Myself and Amanda got to meet Brad at the Portsmouth Music Hall in February and she cried all the way home," Holmes wrote. "Mr. Delp had been kind enough to sign her baby picture 18 years ago. When we met him recently, he remembered doing this. The world truly has lost the nicest guy in rock and roll."

Late Saturday night, Delp's family issued a statement, which The Boston Globe first printed, thanking those who offered their support.
"The family would like to publicly acknowledge all of those who have expressed their condolences and support during this difficult time. We ask that you please respect the privacy of Brad and his family during this time of grieving. The family will be conducting a private funeral service for Brad and a public memorial service will be announced at a later date," the statement read.

Memorial donations may be made in Delp's memory to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA, 01710, the statement said.

The impact Boston had on its listeners was clear in readers' comments.

James Hemeon, a former New Hampshire resident now living in San Jose, Calif., recalled when he first heard "More Than a Feelin'." He was driving with friends in the early morning, after leaving a triple feature at a Hooksett drive-in theatre.

"The sun was coming up and the song came on - it was the most amazing song we had ever heard. Later that day, I rode my bike from Merrimack to J.M. Fields in Bedford to buy the album. That's a long way to ride home with one hand. From that morning on, they were my favorite band," Hemeon wrote.

"I met Brad several times and had the benefit of a front-row concert several times. He was always friendly and full of life. More importantly, he didn't subscribe to the notoriously raunchy rock and roll lifestyle despite his mega success," wrote Melissa Majors, of Pensacola, Fla. "I am firmly ensconced in the belief that today marked the end of the greatest voice in rock and roll."

Even those who never knew Delp admired him for his conscientious ways, and mourned his passing as they mourned that of other icons who died too soon.

"From all accounts so far, Brad was as down-to-earth as any average down-to-earth person. He was kind, considerate and so far removed from the stereotypical rock star,'" wrote Manchester resident Rick Lavallee. "He had fame and likely fortune and he decided to make Atkinson home ... Go Brad and be with the others who died too soon, including Janis, Jim, Jimi, Brian, Billie and Charlie, among so many others. Rest in peace."

[Patrick]

Back in the early 80's, right after my dad was assigned to Colorado, I was learning to ski for the first time. We took weekly ski classes up at Winter Park/Mary Jane Ski Resort, and one day in February, 1982, we were stopping for lunch at one of the restaurants. I remember a video was playing the screen showing all these expert skiers doing these incredible jumps: helicopters, back scratchers, flips, etc. And this video was scored to "More Than A Feeling."

That was where I came to love that song, and I've never been able to dis-associate it with skiing.

Rob, you live in New Hampshire- are you hearing any rumors about the circumstances surrounding Brad Delp's death?

-Patrick

[JJS]

From what I read the police received an emergency call from his home, and when they got there he was already dead - and alone. There was nobody else at the house.

They are asking that donations be made to the American Heart Assoc, so I'd say he probably had a heart attack. Police said his death did not appear to be a homiced - they were not investigating his death as if a crime had been committed.

[Brooklinite]

Just a smokin' band....CLICK ME

[paulie]

I remember when my dad used to have his 1980 brown f-150 and we put a cd player in it. Only cd we had lying around was Boston and the first time I heard more than a feeling I started listening to them more. That was when I was all of like 8 years old lol, but I am still only 19 and listen to them. Smoking was always a good one and Foreplay/Longtime off the first album. We actually got to see them in concert on 4th of July one year and it was cool to see them play live. Of course they did not have all the original people, but Delp was still singing. Man, could he hit those high notes or what? haha. Well, he sure could sing and will be missed.

[BobbyG]

Both Boston and AeroSmith are two of my most favorite bands. I remember buying their first album back in the mid 70's and couldn't find one bad song on it. I copied it to a cassette tape and played it in my 1970 AAR Cuda, some great memories.

About 3 years ago I was at a New England Patriots playoff night game and Boston opened the festivities that night, they were fantastic!!

May you rest in peace Brad Delp

[XLR8]

Their music is played regularly on a local Classic Rock station I listen to... May he rest in peace.

Jane Ann

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Back in the early 80's, right after my dad was assigned to Colorado, I was learning to ski for the first time. We took weekly ski classes up at Winter Park/Mary Jane Ski Resort, and one day in February, 1982, we were stopping for lunch at one of the restaurants. I remember a video was playing the screen showing all these expert skiers doing these incredible jumps: helicopters, back scratchers, flips, etc. And this video was scored to "More Than A Feeling."

That was where I came to love that song, and I've never been able to dis-associate it with skiing.

Rob, you live in New Hampshire- are you hearing any rumors about the circumstances surrounding Brad Delp's death?

-Patrick

Family says rocker Brad Delp’s death was suicide

By KATHARINE WEBSTER
The Associated Press
1 hour, 36 minutes ago

Concord – The family of Brad Delp, the lead singer for the band Boston, said today his death was a suicide.

“He was a man who gave all he had to give to everyone around him, whether family, friends, fans or strangers,” the family said in a statement relayed by police. “He gave as long as he could, as best he could, and he was very tired. We take comfort in knowing that he is now, at last, at peace.”

Delp, 55, died Friday at his Atkinson home. Police have said his fiancee, Pamela Sullivan, found him.

Toxicology tests by the state medical examiner’s office showed that Delp committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning, said Lt. William Baldwin. Delp also left two notes taped to a door and letters to his family and Sullivan.

Baldwin said police do not know the contents of the letters because they were sealed.

The family’s statement said Sullivan, Delp’s children and their mother, his ex-wife Micki Delp, were grateful for the sympathy they had received and asked that their privacy be respected.

Brad Delp joined Boston in the mid-1970s and sang two of its biggest hits, “More than a Feeling” and “Long Time.”

Delp had planned to marry Sullivan this summer during a break in a tour with Boston. A lifelong Beatles fan, Delp also played with a tribute band, Beatle Juice.

Beatle Juice performed a benefit last year to help build a new public library in Atkinson, a small town of about 6,000 residents on the Massachusetts border.

The family said last week it planned a private funeral followed by a public memorial to be scheduled later. Family and friends directed donations to the American Heart Association in Framingham, Mass.

[JJS]

Geez, what a shame.