The shocking suicide of Danvers rocker Brad Delp, leading man for multi-platinum Boston, resonated throughout the North Shore community and beyond, leaving loved ones, neighbors and devoted fans to mourn a crushing loss for rock ‘n roll.
The upcoming tribute concert for Delp, “Come Together,” to be held this Sunday, Aug. 19, at the Bank of America Pavilion, will allow a tent full of Boston fans and fellow musicians to truly “come together” and celebrate the life and accomplishments of one of the best voices in rock.
The event, organized by Delp’s ex-wife of 16 years, Micki, and their children, Jenna and John (with help from one of Delp’s closest musical partners, Barry Goudreau), will feature performances by fellow rockers who have played a part in Delp’s musical journey. The idea was for this unique group to lead a rock memorial service for the public; the kind of service Delp would have wanted.
“Our hope is that it will be an overwhelmingly positive and happy experience, a celebration of his life,” says Jenna. “I’m sure there will be tears, but I want it to be a positive time because that’s what he would want…We wanted to put together the kind of show that he would sit in the audience and watch.”
“We’re mourning for a friend here, but we should celebrate his talent,” says Charlie Farren, lead singer for Farrenheit, a band that toured with Boston in ‘87. “How do we do that? He was the singer, the quarterback. Beatlejuice was a celebration of Brad’s love for Beatle music. I think it’s fitting that we would have something similar for his great success with Boston.”
The event will celebrate Delp’s life through song, as well as charitable giving — benefiting two organizations that best represent the causes Delp supported. Referred to frequently “as the nicest guy in rock ‘n roll,” Delp was a humanitarian, as well as an animal rights advocate and music education defender. Delp contributed frequently to the DTS Charitable Foundation, founded by Boston guitarist, Tom Scholz. According to the Boston Web site, the foundation’s mission is to protect “all life from needless suffering.”
After his death, Jenna, John and Micki created The Brad Delp Foundation, which provides funding for musical grants, scholarships and school music programs.
“We established the foundation…to carry on my father’s spirit of giving,” says Jenna. “He gave regularly to local charities, he played benefits for local high schools, he donated to music programs and that’s what we hope to continue — to give back to these organizations that he supported.”
The tribute concert will benefit the newly established Delp foundation, in addition to DTS. This spirit of giving and the gathering of old friends will help create the positive atmosphere Jenna and her family had hoped for.
Delp’s commitment to giving and protecting all forms of life was in his nature. Known universally for his unparalleled vocal skills, Delp was also recognized by those who knew him (and even those who passed through his life for a brief moment) as a kind and particularly generous man.
“Brad never once took advantage of anyone,” says John “Muzz” Muzzy, drummer for Beatlejuice and one of Delp’s closest friends. “ For over 25 years, I first hand saw him treat every single person he came in contact with (whether it was a fan, someone working at a grocery store, whomever) with respect. I know he believed that if everyone treated eachother as they would want to be treated, life in general would be a whole lot better. I know it’s pretty rare, but I would say that’s the reason he affected, and continues to affect, everyone so strongly.”
It’s this lasing effect that inspired the tribute show, according to Goudreau: “His relationship with everyone in the show…these were all the people who were closest to Brad, who worked with him and cared for him the most. He was a lovely guy. And after Brad died I probably had a 100 e-mails on my Web site and they were all the same. They said, ‘You treated me like you knew me your whole life’ and that was the essence of Brad and that’s why we’re pulling together to do this for him.”
The event will feature performances by past and present members of Boston, RTZ (Goudreau and Delp’s band from the 90s), Orion the Hunter (Goudreau and Delp’s band from the 80s, featuring Fran Cosmo), Godsmack, Extreme (featuring former drummer, Paul Geary, one of the main organizers of the event and Godsmack’s manager), Farrenheit, Beatlejuice, Ernie and The Automatics and other special guests, like vocalist Michael Sweet (Sammy Hagar had to cancel for business reasons).
Each band will play their own set, with Boston performing the finale. For the first time in over 20 years, former members, Goudreau, Fran Sheehan and Sib Hashian will join Boston on stage for the last song of the night, “Don’t Look Back.”
Earlier in the evening, Jenna, a graduate of the University of Southern California film school, will present a 15-minute film she created about her father, which will be shown on the JumboTrons at the pavilion. For the piece, she interviewed many of the musicians performing. “They all had the same thing to say,” says Jenna. “He made everyone part of his family.”
Goudreau’s band, RTZ, will premiere a song written especially for Delp by pianist, Brian Maes, called “Set the Song Bird Free.” “It’s a really emotional tune and I guarantee there won’t be a dry eye in the house,” says Goudreau.
Losing Delp has not been easy for many, especially loved ones and those he leaves on stage.
“It ebony porn was a pretty significant body blow when we heard about Mr. Delp,” says Farren. “I knew him as a good and generous guy, not just a rock singer. Although…he was a really good rock singer, one of the best.”
Muzz adds, “He was incredibly generous, as was Micki Delp, to me and my future wife, Karen...they were wonderful times, and like any close friends you make, you go through changes and as life happens around you, you come to value those you share it with. I still can’t come to grips with the fact that this wonderful, generous and unique friend is no longer a phone call away…As far as Brad not being on stage with Beatlejuice... that is a void that we try to fill up with our love for one another and of the music.”
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