Maybe not a household name, but if you are a classic rock fan, you've heard his voice. He was the lead singer for Boston, and hit those impossibly high notes.
Boston had a sound like no one... and made a LOT of money not just off records, but also off equipment that was pioneering in rock music. Tom Scholtz (Boston guitarist) invented the Rockman (a little gizmo that replaced racks and racks of older electronics), and a lot of groups had their "sound" because of Boston's pioneering.
Who were these guys? In short: nerds. Brad Delp made heating elements for Mr. Coffee machines. Tom Scholtz is an MIT graduate who worked at Poloroid. Regular guys who loved to rock.
I think the greatest tribute ever paid to a musician was what was on Boston's website for a few days after Delp's untimely death: "We've just lost the nicest guy in rock and roll."
I've always loved their music, and have every album. How gratifying to know that not only did he have a great voice... he was a nice guy.
R.I.P. Bradley E. Delp (June 12, 1951 – March 9, 2007).
