Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Brad Delp was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1951. From a young age, he was surrounded by music in his household. His father was an avid fan of big band music and artists like Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman, exposing Delp to jazz and swing at an early age. In high school, Delp began singing in various bands, covering popular rock songs of the era like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. It was during this time that Delp’s raw vocal talent started to shine through.
Though shy off stage, Delp came alive when performing. His powerful voice stood out from an early age, showcasing his impressive vocal range and ability to smoothly transition between high notes. Delp was drawn to artists with signature vocal styles like Steve Perry of Journey and Lou Gramm of Foreigner. As a teenager, he tirelessly worked to develop his own voice by singing along to the rock and soul records he admired. Delp’s dedication to honing his craft foreshadowed the iconic vocals he would later become known for as the frontman of Boston.
Meeting Tom Scholz and Forming Boston
Brad Delp and Tom Scholz first crossed paths in 1969, when Delp’s band at the time opened for Scholz’s group Mother’s Milk at a gig in Boston. Delp was blown away by Scholz’s talent on the guitar. The two struck up a friendship and shared their dreams of starting a new band.
After college, Scholz began recording demo tapes in his basement studio. He invited Delp to sing vocals on the tracks, which would later become hits like "More Than a Feeling." The demo tapes led to major record labels showing interest in the duo. Epic Records signed them in 1976, agreeing to let Scholz finish the album his way.
With Scholz and Delp at the core, they brought drummer Sib Hashian and guitarist Barry Goudreau into the mix and officially formed the band Boston. Delp’s powerful, melodic vocals paired perfectly with Scholz’s intricate guitar work. The name "Boston" was chosen as a nod to the city where their friendship and musical collaboration began.
After years of grinding it out in local Boston music scene, Delp and Scholz finally had their big break. Their self-titled debut album would soon take the rock world by storm.
Boston’s Rise to Fame
Boston’s self-titled debut album in 1976 was an immediate success, due in large part to Brad Delp’s powerful vocals. The album sold over 17 million copies worldwide and featured hits like "More Than a Feeling" and "Peace of Mind" that showcased Delp’s incredible vocal range and ability to blend melody with Tom Scholz’s guitar work.
Delp was instrumental in shaping Boston’s signature sound, working closely with Scholz to layer vocal harmonies and create a polished studio production. His soaring vocals on tracks like "Foreplay/Long Time" demonstrated his technical skills and stage presence. Even amongst the complex instrumentation, Delp’s voice cut through and connected with listeners.
The album propelled Boston to fame and cemented Delp’s status as one of the most iconic rock vocalists of the 1970s. For many, his voice would become synonymous with classic hits like "More Than a Feeling," which encapsulated the band’s melodic rock style. Delp’s outstanding contributions were key to making Boston’s debut record one of the best-selling in history.
Delp’s Vocal Talents and Stage Presence
Brad Delp was renowned for his powerful vocals and incredible vocal range, which came to define Boston’s signature sound. His soaring tenor vocals were capable of hitting impressively high notes while still maintaining control and pitch. As a singer, Delp had an uncanny ability to blend strong melodic hooks and vocal harmonies with the intricate guitar work of Tom Scholz.
Delp’s vocals were consistently praised by critics and fans alike. Reviewers often highlighted his "golden throat" and described his voice as "captivating" and "pitch-perfect." On stage, Delp had an energetic and engaging presence that allowed him to connect deeply with live audiences. He would run, jump and dance across the stage while flawlessly delivering Boston’s hits. Fans were amazed by his vocal stamina and ability to reproduce the band’s complex vocal arrangements in a live setting.
Beyond his technical abilities, Delp had an emotional expressiveness in his voice that could convey a wide range of feelings and moods. He could soar to euphoric highs during arena rockers like "More Than a Feeling," then transition smoothly into softer, melancholy vocals for ballads. This versatility and vocal control enabled Delp to leave an indelible mark on all of Boston’s classic tracks. Even decades later, critics acknowledge that Boston’s records would have lacked their unique energy without Delp’s trademark vocals. His outstanding talents cemented his reputation as one of the most iconic voices in rock history.
Delp’s Musical Pursuits Outside Boston
Delp explored various musical projects outside of Boston during periods when the band was inactive. In the mid-1980s, tensions arose between Delp and Boston founder Tom Scholz that resulted in Delp leaving the band for several years. During this time, Delp pursued solo work and formed the band RTZ with fellow Boston member Barry Goudreau.
Delp’s first solo album was Brad Delp in 1989, showcasing his talents as both a vocalist and songwriter. While it did not achieve great commercial success, the album demonstrated Delp’s abilities beyond Boston. He continued solo work with another album, Late for the Sky, in 1996.
RTZ, which also featured Boston’s Fran Sheehan, sought to capture the melodic rock sound Delp was known for. The band released two albums, Return to Zero in 1991 and Lost in 1997. While RTZ attained some moderate success, Delp remained committed to making it work during his hiatus from Boston.
Delp also collaborated with many musicians outside of his main projects. He performed with the Beatles tribute band Beatlejuice and worked with artists like guitarist Laurence Juber. After reuniting with Boston in the 1990s, Delp continued exploring creative pursuits like Beatlejuice alongside his main gig.
While Delp’s other musical endeavors never reached the popularity of Boston, they demonstrate his passion as an artist. Even when tensions boiled over in Boston, Delp tirelessly created music that played to his strengths as a vocalist and songwriter. His outside projects reveal his dedication to his craft outside the limelight of his most famous band.
Interpersonal Conflicts in Boston
Delp’s time in Boston was marked by interpersonal tensions, especially with guitarist and band founder Tom Scholz. The band went through long hiatuses between albums, leading to frustrations for Delp.
Scholz was notoriously perfectionistic about the band’s recordings, sometimes taking years to release new music. Delp grew impatient with the lack of touring and promotion for Boston’s albums. He wanted to be more actively performing and recording.
There were also creative differences between Delp and Scholz that may have caused rifts. Delp preferred a more raw, hard rock sound while Scholz aimed for precise, multi-layered production. Delp likely felt limited by Scholz’s tight control over Boston’s musical direction.
By the early 1980s, these factors led Delp to leave Boston and pursue projects like RTZ and solo work. However, he later returned for Boston’s Third Stage album in 1986. While this collaboration reignited success for Boston, underlying tensions with Scholz remained.
The hiatuses and lack of creative fulfillment from Boston may have contributed to a sense of frustration and depression for Delp in his later years. His suicide note alluded to feeling musically stifled, which points to the conflicts with Scholz. Their strained relationship was an unfortunate backdrop to Delp’s time in Boston.
Delp’s Mental Health Struggles
Those close to Brad Delp reported that he struggled with depression and loneliness throughout his life, despite his incredible musical talents and fame. Delp was known to have mood swings where he could be fun-loving and energetic one moment, and then retreat inward and become quiet and moody.
Many believe Delp’s bouts of depression were exacerbated by the long hiatuses that Boston took in between albums and tours. With the band together infrequently, Delp may have felt unfulfilled and restless during his time away from music. There were also frustrations over conflicts with Tom Scholz and lack of creative control in the band.
Delp turned to alcohol and drugs at certain points as a form of self-medication. Friends noted his increased drinking and marijuana use in the years leading up to his death. While Delp was able to function at a high level musically, those close to him worried about his coping mechanisms. In retrospect, there were signs of Delp’s growing despair and discontentment. However, his loved ones never imagined he was contemplating taking his own life.
Details of Delp’s Tragic Suicide
On March 9th, 2007, Brad Delp’s fiancée Pamela Sullivan found him dead in the downstairs bathroom of his home in Atkinson, New Hampshire. He was 55 years old. Delp had committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning after rigging a dryer vent hose to funnel the exhaust fumes into the bathroom.
Next to Delp’s body was a suicide note he had taped to the door. The letter gave instructions on who to contact after his death and expressed despair over personal issues Delp had been struggling with. He wrote about feeling "a deep inner sadness" and being unable to cope with personal problems that were "too deep and profound" to share.
Close friends reported Delp had been depressed for some time but kept the depth of his troubles private. His ex-wife Micki Delp said she knew something was wrong but did not realize how severe it was. Bandmates and those in Delp’s inner circle were shocked and in disbelief over his suicide.
Boston guitarist Tom Scholz released a statement saying "I’ve lost my best friend," praising Delp’s beautiful voice and describing him as "a man who gave so much to so many." Delp’s death sent waves of grief through Boston’s fanbase and the music world.
Outpouring of Grief and Tributes
The news of Brad Delp’s tragic death sent shockwaves through the music community. Many of his fellow musicians who knew Delp personally were deeply saddened and paid tribute to the legendary singer.
Tom Scholz, Delp’s longtime bandmate in Boston, expressed his grief in a heartfelt statement after the suicide. "I’ve lost my best friend, and the world has lost one of the most beautiful voices," Scholz said. He talked about how they had planned future tours together and that he would deeply miss Delp’s passion and talent.
Barry Goudreau, Boston’s original guitarist who remained friends with Delp after leaving the band, shared his disbelief over the news. "I’m at a loss for words," Goudreau said. "The only consolation is that he’s now in a better place."
Other musicians like Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent, and members of bands Styx and Journey all mourned the loss of Delp. They spoke about how his incredible voice helped inspire their own musical journeys. Delp had performed and collaborated with many of these artists over his long career.
Beyond his fellow musicians, Delp’s tragic death also struck a chord with Boston fans around the world. Many took to online forums and social media to share memories of Delp’s unforgettable live performances over the decades. Fans praised not just his musical gifts, but also his friendly and approachable nature.
In Boston, radio stations paid tribute by playing Boston classics featuring Delp’s soaring vocals. Fans gathered at memorial vigils in Delp’s hometown to grieve and celebrate his life. Many called for Delp to be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, acknowledging his immense impact on rock music.
Though the manner of Delp’s death was tragic, the immense outpouring of grief showed just how beloved he was as both an artist and a person. His musical legacy and indelible mark on rock history would live on through his recordings and those he inspired.
Raising Suicide Awareness
While the exact reasons behind Brad Delp’s decision to end his life remain unclear, examining the potential factors can help shed light on this tragic outcome. Many close to Delp pointed to signs of depression and loneliness, exacerbated by the sporadic nature of Boston’s music career. The long gaps between albums and tours likely left Delp feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from his passion for performing. Some also indicated Delp may have struggled with alcohol abuse at times. The frustrations over his frayed relationship with Tom Scholz combined with these issues perhaps proved overwhelming.
Delp’s story highlights the need to destigmatize conversations about mental health, especially within the high-pressure music industry. Resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provide free and confidential support for those contemplating suicide or experiencing emotional distress. Organizations like MusiCares and Backline aim to help musicians specifically by providing mental health and addiction resources tailored to their unique needs. Fans, friends, and family must learn to recognize warning signs like social withdrawal, expressions of hopelessness, or preoccupation with death. By reaching out and offering support, lives can potentially be saved.
The best way to honor Brad Delp’s legacy is to cultivate more awareness, compassion, and openness surrounding suicide prevention. His indelible musical impact with Boston should be celebrated, but his death can also teach important lessons. Through honest discussions and reduced stigma, musicians and others can feel empowered to seek help when struggling with suicidal thoughts. Delp’s memory can inspire vital progress in supporting those experiencing mental health crises, so similar tragedies are prevented. His extraordinary life – and even his untimely death – will not be in vain if it drives more people to speak up and make a difference.