BOSTON
And so the debate continues. The release of their first album in 1976 (Boston) is one of the best selling debut albums ever made with over 17 million copies sold. At that time disco may have been king but the bands guitar harmonies and solos soon made royalty. Only Guns N’ Roses had out-sold Boston for a debut album. (Appetite For Destruction – 18 million copies) In any serious discussion however, you have to look at how many songs off of that album became iconic hits. Consider this, the Beatles first album, Please Please Me, didn’t sell anywhere close to 17 million copies. But, how’s this for iconic hits, I Saw Her Standing There, Please Please Me, Love Me Do, P.S I Love You, Do You Want To Know a Secret and Twist and Shout. Boston’s hits from that first album include More Than a Feeling, Peace of Mind, Foreplay / Long Time, Rock & Roll Band, Smokin’, Hitch a Ride and Something About You. Let Me Take You Home Tonight rounded out the album but didn’t reach the same individual acclaim. So there is always going to be the argument, best first album ever made.
Tom Sholz has been described by Allmusic as “a notoriously ‘un-rock n’ roll’ figure who never enjoyed the limelight of being a performer,” preferring to concentrate almost exclusively on his music. Having been influenced by The Animals, The Kinks and The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck, Joe Walsh, Jimmy Page, Ray Davies and Todd Rundgrenon, He spent years in the basement of his apartment, constructing a studio and was recording a demo tape that would go down in the history books.
Their show at Humphreys was something that all music purists love. The music was tight, played to the album and was nonstop. No chit, No chat, just more music. The band walked on stage and just played for the next two hours. No conversation filler, no breaks! The bands current lineup includes Tom Shultz, (Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals) Gary Pihl, (Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards) Tommy DeCarlo, (Lead Vocals) Jeff Neal, (Drums) Tracy Ferrie, (Bass Guitar) and Beth Cohen. (Guitar, Vocals, Flute) This is a talented lineup that serves justice to original band and maintains the energy expected for the setlist. All shows at Humphreys also include an iconic setting on the water with a cool ocean breeze at no additional charge. The sound system and lighting were as perfect as the band.
So, best first album ever made?