Brad Delp - Ticketmaster Chat 1997

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hey Brad, This is Johnny in Florida, (The Tattoo)... I'll be seeing you in Tampa, I was wondering if there are any plans for an Orlando date.

Brad Delp Says: There are no plans at this time--I finally found your website and it's terrific. I'll talk to you more about it when we get to Florida!

From coolgirl: What is your favorite song?

Brad Delp Says: I assume you mean Boston song. My favorite Boston song is probably 'Long Time.' My favorite song on the new album, "Greatest Hits" is a song called "Tell Me," which is sung by Dave Sikes, our bass player.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Do you think we will ever see songs such as "Television Politician", "Shattered Images", or "She's a Looker" on a commercial CD?

Brad Delp Says: I think there was some consideration for television politician, but we had trouble locating the co-writer of that song. The other ones are just pleasant memories for me, at this point.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Have you or Tom ever considered having you go over and do the vocals for the "Walk On" CD to see how it might have sounded?

Brad Delp Says: I think Fran did a terrific job on that record. Of course, when we play live, I do get to sing on some of those songs from the "Walk On" album.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : i was wondering why Boston play in Lubbock?

Brad Delp Says: I'd be more than happy to play in Lubbock, but I don't book the shows. As far as I know, Boston has nothing against Lubbock.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : It was rumored that you were working on a solo project and had several songs recorded. If so, do you have plans to release something in the near future?

Brad Delp Says: I've been working on a solo project for about the last 10 years, which doesn't speak very highly of me. But in fact, at the end of this tour, I'm thinking seriously of going back to those songs and seeing if I can get them right...

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad, Will there be any unplugged songs done at the shows this tour? We will be at the San Antonio and Houston shows and can't wait.

Brad Delp Says: Sorry we won't see you at Great Woods...we'll look for you in Texas. We have no unplugged songs at this point, but there's been some discussion about doing it with one or two songs, and we may try to work those up on the road...

From jim: will there be a new cd and a tour?

Brad Delp Says: Well, there is a new cd, which is only a couple of weeks old -- the "Greatest Hits" record. The tour begins July 1st. This is our final night of rehearsal tonight.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : What was the reason for you not singing on the "Walk On" album? IE-prior commitments with RTZ, legal issues, etc?

Brad Delp Says: Prior commitments with RTZ is the answer. I had made a commitment to do the RTZ project, and when I told that to Tom, he was very gracious about it, and I think he did a great job on that record with Fran on vocals.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad, my daughter Amanda loves you. How can she get an autographed picture?

Brad Delp Says: We're flattered that your daughter's name is Amanda, if it had anything to do with us. The easiest way to get a picture is through the Boston website, Boston.org. There's a mail section and we've signed many photos for people from mail that has come in.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Can't wait to see you in Columbus, Deer Creek, and Cincinnati (Sec. 200, Row A, Seat 229. Front row after the pit.) Will you sing any of the songs off of Walk On?

Brad Delp Says: Yes--as a matter of fact, we're performing "I Need Your Love" for the first time live on this tour. A lot of people on the web at the Boston site had mentioned that they'd like to hear that.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : I understand that you enjoy playing acoustic guitar. Do you have a particular brand/make that you like? IE-Ovation, Guild, etc...

Brad Delp Says: I was given an Everly Bros. guitar (Gibson guitar, I guess.) I'm not a great player, but its a beautiful guitar, and I've used it recently with a band called Beatlejuice that I play in for fun/all Beatles songs.....

From Angie: What made you decide to tour and record with the band again?

Brad Delp Says: Tom asked me, and I jumped at the chance. I feel very lucky that after 21 years, we still have a loyal fan base that wants to come out and see us play.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : What's your favorite non-Boston (and non-Beatles :) ) song?

Brad Delp Says: You're leaving out a lot of my favorites!! I'll tell you my favorite album lately, is an album by Richard Paige, the singer for Mister Mister, and it's called "Shelter Me." I'm really hooked on that lately.

From Jonathan: Are you excited to go back on tour again?

Brad Delp Says: I think its gonna be terrific. As I mentioned earlier, the last couple years, I've been having fun playing small clubs with the Beatle band, and its great to be able to go back and perform in large venues now with Boston.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad We met in Vegas at an RTZ show, May 25, 1992. Thanks for the memories.

Brad Delp Says: I hope you enjoyed the show -- I really had a good time on that tour, which was mostly smaller venues, and a nice change of pace at that time.

From Carolyn: Are you married? If so, does the family go on the road with you?

Brad Delp Says: No, and yes. I was married, and I have two kids and they will be coming out for some of the shows on this tour.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad, there has been a tribute webpage made for you, we were wondering if you may have seen it at---http://www.mindspring.com/~mikblake/braddelp.htm

Brad Delp Says: I believe that's Johnny's page, and I finally was able to locate it and was quite flattered.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Tom will be doing a bit of Ice Skating on his off days during the tour. Is there any particular activity you enjoy on your off time?

Brad Delp Says: I like playing golf, but we have very few days off on this tour. So I won't have time for that, but I expect to join Tom on the ice -- at least part of the time. I like skating, too.

From Jenny: What musicians have been a great influence on you?

Brad Delp Says: Aside from the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, from a vocalist's standpoint, and Steely Dan is one of my favorite groups.

From Rich: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Boston is my favorite band and I love you guys, but why does it take so long to get new music from you?

Brad Delp Says: Good things take time -- I think we're like that wine company that will release no wine before its time. I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for that...

From Adriana: Does Boston plan to record an album with all new songs on it? You guys are awesome!

Brad Delp Says: Thanks for the compliment. Right now, all our energy is focused on this tour. During rehearsal, a couple of new song ideas have come up-- so there's always hope for a new record.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hiya Brad! Is it true that some of the members of Boston were only playing their instruments for less than a year, when you recorded the first album???

Brad Delp Says: No! Not at all. When I met Tom, he was playing in a small club with Barry Goudreau and Jim Masdea. I had been playing for 8 years at that time, as had all three of them. The thing we were new to was the recording aspect, and we started with home demos, which were uncommon at that time.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Will Beatlejuice be releasing an album?

Brad Delp Says: Not unless we get the rights from Michael Jackson. Beetlejuice, as I have mentioned, started out strictly for fun, and all the guys in the band love playing those songs--but we have no plans to record anything right now.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Do you like to play outdoors more than indoors and why?

Brad Delp Says: I don't know if I have a preference. I was discussing this with Fran the other night and it seems to be a little more forgiving for a singer playing indoors with the acoustics of the hall as opposed to outdoors, where your voice just goes out into the air -- and sometimes dies there. But they both have their merits.

From Rich: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Are you planning anything new with Barry Goudreau? I loved your work on his solo album in 1980, and in RTZ.

Brad Delp Says: Thank you--you might remember that that first album in 1980 had two vocalists -- the other one being Fran. I had a great time working with Barry on that project, and RTZ, but we have no future plans at this time.

From Tom Collins: Why did BOSTON not schedule a Philadelphia show this time around ? I have plans to see you several times, but have to travel for it!

Brad Delp Says: I have no earthly idea. Again, we leave that to the agents who book the shows.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad, did you guys get really rich from recording only a few albums??

Brad Delp Says: Rich is a relative term, and like many rock bands, there are usually large sums of money that are unaccounted for. But as we really got into music for the love of it in the first place, (and we're not destitute) the money isn't the main focus.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : hi Brad- what singer or singers influenced your vocal style?

Brad Delp Says: The singers that influenced me I don't think show up very much on Boston records because Tom had much to do with arranging the vocal harmonies on those records. But my biggest influences certainly were the Beatles -- and I used to try and sing like all of them.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : What do you think of the 90s music as compared to those great songs of the 70s?

Brad Delp Says: I think every era produces great songs for the people who are contemporary to that era. I like some new bands these days - I like the Wallflowers a lot, I like Smashing Pumpkins, and I'm sure when they're doing their 20th anniversary tours, people will be longing for the '90s.

From Bill @ California: I've seen you perform many times and there's not many bands that can compare to you. What concert was the highlight of your life?

Brad Delp Says: I've always told people that one of our most memorable shows was at the Winterland Theatre in San Francisco in 1977, I believe. It was memorable for a number of reasons. Not the least of which was the response of the crowd. It was also the first time I had met the promoter Bill Graham, who of course is legendary.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hi Brad!! This is Becky in OH! Can't wait to see you. Will you ever come see us on #boston_chat? Do you want to come to my house for dinner? Can't wait to give you a hug!!!

Brad Delp Says: Hi Becky! What did Tom have for dinner at your house? Ha Ha...

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad, I think that any band or musician that can have their songs played on the radio as long as you guys have deserves much respect...Way to go dude!

Brad Delp Says: Thanks, buddy. Long live classic rock!

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hi Brad- Have you or Tom ever talked about doing an album without the trademark "Boston sound"?

Brad Delp Says: I would like to see Tom do that exact thing someday. I think there are many interesting ideas of his that he feels don't really fit the Boston format. But I think it would make quite a good record.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : We have tickets to see U on July 3rd. U gonna be load??

Brad Delp Says: No, it's strictly Evian water for me.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hey Brad, This is Kevin from Montana, (with the personalized license plate "BOSTON" What other rock groups have you gone to their concernts and seen?

Brad Delp Says: The last one I think was KISS, which was a lot of fun. I went to see Steely Dan the last time they were in Boston, which was a great show. I also went to see James Taylor, who always has a terrific band.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hi, My dad has all of your albums on record and CD. Anyway, Will you be coming to the Massachsetts area anytime soon?

Brad Delp Says: We're playing Great Woods on July 15th, and Hartford the next day on the 16th.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hello Brad, I am going to be seeing the show in Evansville, IN, what is the word on an opening act?

Brad Delp Says: Currently, the show is planned as an evening with Boston, much as we did two years ago, on the '95 tour. I have noticed we will be playing some outdoor festivals with other bands, but I'm not really sure who they will be. Evansville is our very first stop on the tour, and it will be 2 1/2 hours + of Boston.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hi Brad, love the music. Are there any plans for a video for any of the new songs?

Brad Delp Says: Video, for whatever reason, was something that never caught Tom's fancy. And I'm sure if he were to do a video, he would really want to take his time and get it right, which will probably prevent us

from doing a video, because the record would have been over by the time we finished doing it. Sorry....

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : I had the opportunity to meet you in Tampa, FL (I had the Japanese Wife with me) and I must say that you, (and Gary inparticular) were some of the kindest people I've ever met!! Thanks for not ignoring your fans!!

Brad Delp Says: Thank you for the compliment. Gary and I have a running battle as to who's gonna be the nicest guy in the band. I think he's ahead at this time--and that answer probably makes me the nicest guy at this time.

From John Stites This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : what is the title of the tour going to be?

Brad Delp Says: To be perfectly honest, I don't know, but there's an in joke with the band, and we had t-shirts made up with the unoffical tour name, which is "Livin' For Dave '97" (Dave being our bass player!)Seriously, last year was to be the 20th anniversary Boston tour, but as most as you know, Tom was injured last year, so this year would have to be the 21st anniversary tour...

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad, do you get on the Home page of BOSTON very much?

Brad Delp Says: I do check it out on occasion. I also have a friend in Atlanta who forwards a lot of the info to me.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Was is better playing in the 80's or is it better playing in the 90's?

Brad Delp Says: I think the difference for me between the '80's and '90's is hopefully that we're now a little older and a little wiser, and pace ourselves a little better. We certainly eat better-- we have a vegetarian chef who has been on the road with us since the third stage show in '87 and will be on the road with us for this tour as well.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Is there any possibility of seeing a LIVE BOSTON album, say after this tour ?

Brad Delp Says: I would like to see one, personally. We recorded many of the shows in 1987 as well as the '95 tour, and I would expect that we would record many of the shows on this upcoming tour as well. It would be nice someday to have a record of those events.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Just wondering how you have managed to keep your voice in shape over the years?

Brad Delp Says: I Try and get at least six years rest between every tour. That's a joke! One thing that's helped me recently has been singing about twice a week every weekend with Beatlejuice. I've never had any vocal lessons, and do not do anything special for my voice.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : In what capacity is Tad serving with the Band as it tours this year?

Brad Delp Says: Tad is our spiritual leader. We look to him for enlightenment in all matters. He's also a pretty decent technician. We think we'll keep him.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Did the band get to approve the cover art for the Greatest Hits CD or was this beyond your(the bands) control? Happy belated Birthday :) See ya in Dallas Aug3rd!

Brad Delp Says: Thank you for the Happy Birthday. From me, happy belated birthday to Paul McCartney, six days after mine. I had not seen the artwork for the new record, but of course, everything was approved by Tom, which is as it should be.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Hi Brad I've been a fan of Boston since the 70's. I've got back stage passes to the Merrieweather post show in Columbia on July 22.Will Boston meet the fans then?

Brad Delp Says: Absolutely! Almost without exception, we have a meet-and-greet session after each show. About the only time that that doesn't happen is if we have to fly out that night in order to get to the next gig.

Hope to see you there.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad are you still in contact with Fran, Barry and Sib? If so what are they doing now?

Brad Delp Says: I don't see Fran that often because he lives in Florida a good deal of the year. I see Barry and Sib on occasion, because my kids are best friends with Sib's kids, for one. I heard that Barry is currently in a small film being made up in Vermont, and he's playing-of all things-a guitar player in a band.

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : do you get to sing a song the way you feel it should be done or is it how tom wrote it and thinks it should be sung. in other words do you have total freedom for your vocals.

Brad Delp Says: When I'm working in the studio with Tom, I have great respect for him as the composer of the song in most cases. And as well as the producer. So I feel my job is to try and get his ideas across as to how the song should sound. If its a song that I've written, he pretty much defers to how I'd like to sing it.

From Kevin @ Lake Havasu: Hi Brad, I think you are so cute, especially when you're onstage. Are there a lot of Boston groupies?

Brad Delp Says: You must be someone who saw the band in 1977! Thank you for your kind thoughts. There are groupies, but my girlfriend usually heads them off at the pass!

From This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : Brad will the concerts first song be, "Rock and Roll Band?"

Brad Delp Says: Traditionally it has been, with the exception of the last tour. Trying not to give away any trade secrets, people who saw the tour in '95 have the answer as to what the first song will be.

Brad Delp Says: Thanks to everyone for coming to this chat--I always have a great time talking to fans, and I'm looking forward to seeing many of you on the road this year.