The two years between "Boston" and "Don't Look Back" proved the exception rather than the rule. Since 1978, new Boston albums have emerged at the rate of one every eight years.

In the '80s, legal issues prompted some delays, including a suit Goudreau filed alleging Scholz had damaged his solo career. Delp tried to remain neutral in his bandmates' case, which was settled out of court.

"Tom and I generally don't socialize together because we have different social agendas," Delp said. "When we're off tour, we do not see each other for six months.

"Then I'll get a call from him because we live less than an hour apart. What we have is a handshake relationship for me to never get involved in his relationship with any other members."

Scholz also won a seven-year battle against Epic, which claimed Boston had reneged on its contract by taking so long between releases. The action further delayed the release of "Third Stage" (1986), but the album nonetheless topped the charts and spawned hit singles in "Amanda" and "We're Ready." Total sales: 4 million.

"There was a lot of time spent in court fighting a battle with CBS over who should determine when a record should be released," Delp said. "Tom contended, rightly so, that it should be the artist's decision. An exclusivity contract is one thing, but putting a timetable on creativity is a matter he felt strongly opposed to.

"The legal battle was decided in his favor after a great deal of time and expense. If I was more ambitious, I would have been more uncomfortable, but I took advantage of being able to watch my kids grow up."

Still, even Delp quit Boston in the early '90s, joining Goodreau in the band RTZ.

"Barry and I have been friends for years and we'd go and record these demos," Delp said. "Before we knew it, there was an album's worth of material and it turned into a project."

Delp was on tour with RTZ when Scholz was ready to record Boston's next effort, "Walk On" (1994). Scholz proceed without him, bringing Cosmo in to handle vocals. The disc, however, was a relative flop at only a million copies sold.

"As I got back, Tom asked me to join Franny on vocals because he was a little trepidatious about singing the original songs because people want the guy who sings on the record," Delp said. "So he and I traded off on older songs, and to this day it's worked out pretty well for all concerned."

Another eight years would pass before the release of "Corporate America" (2002), ebony porn which attacked the system Scholz had once been a part of. The success of the ensuing tour has inspired the band to head back into the studio -- just don't expect to hear new music any time soon.

"We're hesitant to put a time limit on it because Tom is notorious for being meticulous," Delp said. "But now we have new writing input, so hopefully it won't be too long between projects. Tom is pleased with this lineup and he'd like to keep us together, so he keeps the band active and playing."

To keep himself busy between albums, the singer spends much of his time playing in a Beatles cover band, Beatlejuice.

"Ten years ago, I got together with friends and thought to put together a band that is 'all Beatles all night,' like our poster says," Delp said. "We try to stay true to the original records and arrangements. It makes me feel like a kid again when I sing 'All My Lovin.'"

As a result, Delp has developed a greater appreciation for role music plays in his audience's life.

"It helps me understand those fans who say, 'I was in high school when I bought your first record, wore it out and bought another one.' Thank goodness for classic rock because it's made Boston timeless." blog comments powered by Disqus