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'More Than a Feeling': The making of a rock classic

Boston guitarist-songwriter Tom Scholz recalls the creation of his band's enduring debut single

by Clark Collis • @clarkcollis

Forty years ago, the band Boston released its debut single, “More Than a Feeling.” The song was a big hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard chart — but that was just the start of the story. “More Than a Feeling” became an enduring radio staple, one which established Boston among the biggest rock acts in the country and which helped turn the band’s eponymous debut album into a huge seller. This bittersweet tale about the power of music also helped define an entire genre of immaculately-produced, and performed, pop-rock.

Over the years, “More Than a Feeling” has been covered by an absurdly diverse collection of acts, from *NSYNC to Nirvana, whose own classic track “Smells Like Teen Spirit” bore a striking, and much-noted, similarity to the Boston tune. The song has also appeared on a host of films and TV shows, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Sopranos, and, most recently The Walking Dead.

If the idea of an unknown — and deliberately anonymous — band having such an impact with its first ever release is incredible, then the way the song was crafted is no less so. In a rare interview, Boston founder, guitarist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz recalls the crazy creation of “More Than a Feeling” in his own words below.

It really started when I was four or five years old. My parents turned me loose with a monophonic hi-fi system and their classical record collection. There was no stereo. In fact, there was no stereo for about another 15 years. It’s unbelievable. So, I heard all this classical music. I would sit there, for hours and hours, sometimes day after day, just listening to classical music. I listened to classical albums and I mean actual albums, the ones that came in an album.


Image Credit: Courtesy of viscottimages.com

I didn’t actually pick up the guitar until I was about 21. It was my junior year at MIT. I was playing music in really bad bands but having a good time. I got the bug and wanted to do it a little more seriously. Then I went to work for Polaroid in Cambridge, Mass. I was a product design engineer and I learned a lot about audio-electronics and tape-recording, which enabled me to start building studio equipment and start understanding how to make recordings. It was a very long process of learning a lot of technical things and a lot of musical skills. All Boston records have all been recorded in my basement studio. Now, we have changed basements three times since that initial one, but they’re all basement recordings! My initial studio was horribly under-equipped. When I started, I had very little cash, so I actually built the first four-track recorder that I used and I built a very crude mixer.

The drummer for all of my demo work was a guy named Jim Masdea, who was a very creative guy. He played on a couple of songs on the first album and then came back and played on about half of the third album. Other than the drums, I played all the instruments on the demos. I would create the recording, except for the vocals, and as far as anybody could tell it was a full band playing. I spent six years learning how to create the music all by myself. It was the only way that music ever could have seen the light of day. I tried doing it using other musicians. I could never get what I was looking for. I had to get other people completely away from me. That enabled me to come up with the arrangements, and the sounds, and then once I got the actual “band” recorded, Brad Delp (Boston singer) would come in, and he would lay down a quick melody, and then start laying on harmonies.

I spent six years submitting dozens of recordings to dozens of record companies and I got nothing but rejections. By this point I was 29 and I decided it was time to get responsible. I was married. We weren’t rolling in cash. This was going to be my last demo — and “More Than a Feeling” was the last one that I completed. Epic Records got that song and a couple of weeks later, Brad Delp and I had an offer to become recording artists.

The song was not written about an actual event. It was written about a fantasy event. But it’s one that almost everybody can identify with, of somebody losing somebody that was important to them, and music taking them back there. There actually was a real Marianne. She was my older first cousin, who I had a crush on when I was 10. I ran into her many many years later and she was very annoyed at me for mentioning that she was my older cousin.

It’s a piece of music that really takes me to someplace else when I listen to it. Which is my criteria for whether a recording I come up with is worthy of going on a Boston album. I shut my eyes and I play it at the end of a long day in the studio. If I still enjoy it, and it takes me some place else, and I forget about all that I had to go through that day, then it’s a winner. “More than a Feeling” did that for me.

Epic [Records] insisted that the album be rerecorded in a “professional studio” by a “professional producer.” They chose a very nice guy named John Boylan. He came to look at my studio and he said, “Well, obviously, we can’t do it here. We’re going to have to go to New York or LA to a real studio and do it.” And I said, “Well, that’s not gonna happen. Because if you take me out of my element, to a studio where I can’t do what I’ve done here, then I won’t get the same thing.” He threatened to leave and I said, “Well, if you have to quit, I understand, but if this record does get recorded, the only way it’s going to happen, is here in my basement.” So, at the last minute, he said, “Tell you what, you record here in your basement, with your crazy equipment, and bring that tape to L.A., and we’ll mix it together.” I was just about to say, “That’s awesome!” Before I could get the words out, he said, “And we’ll split the producer’s royalty.” I said, “Now you’re talking!”



Image Credit: Epic Records

“Boston” was the working title of the project. It didn’t become the official name until the album was getting mixed and somebody at the studio said, “Well, why don’t you call it Boston?” It was an obvious choice for me because I grew up in Toledo and at night in you could receive WBZ from Boston, which at that time, back in the ’60s, was playing the new English rock. I was amazed at what I was hearing and that was what got me interested in rock’n’roll. So, the name fit.

The band that was signed was simply Brad Delp and myself. It was a “faceless” band — and I personally think it should have remained faceless. I was a little shocked to see the picture of what was to be the touring band on the back cover. If Brad and I had wanted to do our ego trip we could have called it Scholz-Delp, or something like that. The whole idea for me was that the music was an escape for people, something which takes them to a different place. I didn’t want them thinking about personalities. I wanted them thinking about something totally unrelated. So, the guitar-spaceship flying off into the unknown [on the front cover], that was the perfect sort of metaphor for that.

Once I finished mixing the album, and delivered it, I went back to work at Polaroid. I had been rejected by everyone with everything I tried to do, and so I didn’t expect anything. What I was hoping for was that I might have one song off of this album that a local station would pick up and play. So, I could go out with a band in the local area, as a hobby, and play music that some people would recognize. That’s what I was hoping for.

My office at Polaroid was in this section of the building that I adopted as my own sort of secret laboratory. One week, people kept running into my office-lab yelling “Your song’s on the radio in the drafting room!”, “Hey, ‘More Than a Feeling’ is playing in the model shop!” I would go running out. I would always just hear the fade-out. I didn’t hear that song all he way through on the radio for months after it was in the top ten. But once that started happening, I thought, Wow, well, I may have got lucky here.

We were offered an opening stint on an arena tour with Black Sabbath, of all bands. Black Sabbath! I decided, Well, I had to do that, because I thought I wouldn’t get another chance. So, I took a leave of absence, did the shows, and then I went back to work at Polaroid again. Well, I was only back there for a few weeks and I got the message that they wanted us to go on a headline tour. That’s when I left Polaroid. I said, “Well, alright, if we can headline arenas, and I’ve got a song in the top ten, and I’ve sold over a million albums, I can probably safely stop being an engineer for this year.

We started on the headline tour and one of our stops was Madison Square Garden. It was our first time playing New York City. A lot of people were upset at that. They didn’t think that it was right that a band should play Madison Square Gardens on their first trip into New York City. I always wished I could have said to all of them, “How would you like to work in your basement for six years and then go play Madison Square Garden? Maybe then it would be right!”

In the 40 years since the release of “More Than a Feeling,” Boston’s debut album has sold a remarkable 17 million copies while its follow-up, 1978’s Don’t Look Back, has shifted 7 million more. Singer Delp died by his own hand in 2007 but Scholz continues to record and tour under the Boston banner. The band’s sixth album, Life, Love & Hope, was released in 2013 and Boston begin their 40th anniversary tour at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fl., on April 29. The shows will conclude with a date at Boston’s Wang Theatre, on Aug. 14, the band’s first proper show in the city since 1994. Fans expecting to hear “More Than a Feeling” will not be disappointed. Scholz continues below.

I’m not one of those artists that refuses to play their top 40 hits. I love “More Than a Feeling” and the arrangement that we play live: we have a cool start for it, that people haven’t heard before, and we have a huge long extended jam at the end that a lot of people come back to see us just to hear that.

I was very surprised forty years ago that so many people liked it. The fact that it is still popular? I don’t know what to say. Except: “Thank you!”

BOSTON 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR SECOND SHOW ADDED BY POPULAR DEMAND

MSG Entertainment and Citi Performing Arts Center Present
BOSTON 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
SECOND SHOW ADDED BY POPULAR DEMAND

CITI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WANG THEATRE
JUST ADDED: MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2016 AT 8:00PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 AT 8:00PM – SOLD OUT!

Wang Theatre Shows Will Mark First BOSTON Concerts

In Their Hometown City In Decades

**TICKETS ON SALE NOW**

Boston, MA (April 2, 2016) – Citi Performing Arts Center and MSG Entertainment announced today that due to overwhelming demand, legendary American rock band, BOSTON, has added a second show at the Wang Theatre on Monday, August 15. The previously announced show on Sunday, August 14 is sold out. These will be the first BOSTON concerts in decades in their namesake city. Tickets for the newly added August 15 show are on sale now.

BOSTON founder, chief songwriter and producer Tom Scholz said, “We are thrilled to be adding a second show for the finale of our 40th Anniversary Tour here in the city of Boston!  We're working to make these the most exciting BOSTON shows our fans here have ever seen.  What a great way to end our 2016 tour,”

The 40th anniversary BOSTON tour promises to be a celebration honoring the group’s loyal fans, where they can expect to hear all the classic songs they have grown to love. Many of them have supported BOSTON since 1976 when their debut album, Boston, first hit the airwaves and took rock radio by storm, so it’s not surprising to see concert audiences that span generations. Always a huge crowd pleaser with their high-energy stage shows, out-of-this-world sound, and remarkable musicianship and singing, BOSTON prides itself on performing a totally live show without the use of pre-recorded music or technical enhancements, delivering the extraordinary sound that is faithful to their studio recordings.  Tom Scholz also promises some amazing new electrifying visuals that will surprise and delight BOSTON's fans.

"I’m very excited to bring BOSTON back to Boston,” said Tom Scholz.  “Music broadcast from Boston got me interested in rock when I was in high school living in Toledo, Ohio.  Later, studying and working in this city taught me everything I needed to know to create BOSTON's sound in my studio.  Our home town fans have always been great, and I could think of no better way to end our 40th Anniversary Tour than back here in Boston where it all started."



With over 17 million copies sold, Boston generated hits such as "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," and "Smokin'," rock radio staples that are still in heavy rotation today. Their second album, Don't Look Back, was another chart-topper that cemented their place in rock history, followed by Third Stage, which hit #1 on the charts fueled by the top single of 1986, "Amanda." With over 31 million albums sold to date, BOSTON has stood the test of time.  

WHAT:  Boston
WHEN: Just added: Monday, August 15, 2016 @ 8:00PM
Sunday, August 14, 2016 @ 8:00PM – SOLD OUT!
WHERE: Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre
TICKETS ON SALE:Tickets on sale NOW
TICKETS:$45.00-$125.00
*Ticket prices inclusive of $3.75 facility fee

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

Enter the Boston art contest to have your artwork on BOSTON’s merchandise this summer!

It’s been 4 decades since BOSTON’s debut album Boston hit the airwaves, and we’re celebrating with a tour. We are looking for a 70s-inspired graphic that will honor the iconic spaceship artwork, BOSTON logo, or 4 Decades theme.

The winner will receive $1,000 plus a pair of tickets and backstage passes to a show of their choice on this summer’s tour, plus their artwork will appear on some of BOSTON’s merchandise this summer. Two other artists will each receive a pair of tickets and backstage passes to a show of their choice.

Deadline for submissions is March 23, 2016.

Please send your artwork to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please click here for official rules

We look forward to seeing all of your creativity! Winning artwork will be announced on bandboston.com and Boston Facebook

Ticket are on sale now for dates on BOSTON's 40th Anniversary Tour!

Ticket are on sale now for dates on BOSTON's 40th Anniversary Tour! Get yours here: http://bandboston.com/?page_id=257

Posted by Boston on Friday, February 26, 2016

BOSTON ROCKS THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A 2016 TOUR

As Tom Scholz wrote in the rock anthem on the BOSTON album Don’t Look Back, "It’s a Party, Party, Party!"  Indeed, the 40th anniversary BOSTON tour promises to be a celebration honoring the group’s loyal fans. Many of them have supported BOSTON since 1976 when the debut album, Boston first hit the airwaves and took rock radio by storm, so it’s not surprising to see concert audiences that span generations.  


The concerts kick off on Friday, April 29th in Hollywood, FL at the Hard Rock Live.  The tour finale will feature a return to their first-ever headline venue in the city of Boston on Sunday, August 14th at the Boston Music Hall, now known as the Wang Theater.

Always a huge crowd pleaser with their high-energy stage show, out-of-this-world sound, and remarkable musicianship and singing, BOSTON prides itself on performing a totally live show without the use of prerecorded music or technical enhancements, delivering the extraordinary sound that is faithful to their studio recordings.

BOSTON became an iconic classic rock fixture when they joined the music scene with their self-titled album in 1976.  With over 17 million copies sold, Boston generated hits such as "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," and "Smokin'," rock staples that are still in heavy rotation today. Their second album, Don't Look Back was another chart-topper that confirmed their place in rock history, followed by Third Stage, which hit #1 on the charts, with the top single of 1986, "Amanda." With over 31 million albums sold to date, BOSTON has stood the test of time. 

Fans can expect to hear all the classic songs they have grown to love, and will be treated to wild Hammond organ work, soaring harmony guitars, and exceptional vocal arrangements, as well as BOSTON’s unique visual stage presentation and plenty of extra-terrestrial sounds heard nowhere else on earth.
 
For the latest confirmed tour dates, visit the official website: www.bandboston.com


To receive updated tour information and interact with BOSTON fans, please join our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BandBOSTON

For Official Tour Dates visit the On Tour section of Gonnahitcharide.com. For FAN Presale visit the Community Forums.

Classic Rock from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin

Announced today: Tom Scholz is coming home to join the Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart at Symphony Hall for two nights only - May 10 and 11 - for "Classic Rock from Beatles to Led Zeppelin." Tom will sing some of BOSTON's biggest hits, including "More Than a Feeling," and the Pops will perform famous rock and roll classics of the past 50 years, including songs by Chuck Berry, Queen, and U2! Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday. For more info: Boston Pops