It's More Than a Feeling...

Brad Delp - 55 - lead singer for Boston died this Friday. Can you believe it?

I can't get over Brad being gone - and I am actually shocked at how this is sticking with me. But then, "Boston" was the first real record I owned that I chose (along with B.O.C.'s Agents of Fortune - another classic gem). I would steal...er...borrow my older uncle's albums before then, or get K-Tel specials for gifts (which weren't bad back then).

The Boston album! Reading the liner notes, seeing those cool guitar space ships - realizing that the earth was blowing up - and the major cities of the world were escaping on space ship guitars!! Slipping those Koss Headphones on late at night when I couldn't get to sleep because the world was closing in on my pre-teen mind. Becoming entrapped in the layers of guitars and organ of Tom and Barry with the solid rhythm of Fran and Sib (what great names!) - but it was Brad Delp that sold me.

Those vocals took me away to a better place - a place where my insecurities and unimportance would be obliterated because I was listening to cool music. Even my uncles (from whom I "borrowed" Pink Floyd, Hendrix, Kraftwerk, Rundgren, T-Rex, ELP, etc) thought I was cool! I became important because of my musical knowledge and taste at school. It's amazing the power that music has, which of course, you already espouse. "...I looked out this morning and the sun was gone, Turned on some music to start my day, I lost myself in a familiar song, I closed my eyes and I slipped away...

Even now - most songs on the first Boston record I play every month (along with Don't fear the Reaper) - because of what it represents and what it does for me. It motivates me because Boston (and B.O.C.) represent exactly what music is for me, and what continues to motivate me in owning Fundamental Records, now 24 years old. The thrill of knowing that Fundamental has been a part of bands like the Butthole Surfers, Henry Rollins, Grant Lee Phillips first band, Savage Republic, Camper Van Chadbourne (look that one up), Vigilantes of Love (who's "Real Downtown" song you wrote about and that got me started on your list a few years ago), Love Tractor, and many great artists - THAT is the SAME FEELING and motivation that I had in 1976!!

Now that Brad is gone at such a young age - 55 - it completes my self-awareness of my own human frailty and short stay here - that awareness happens daily and I am shocked at the level of how deep and intense it is. If you were to tell me that I would be like this even 5 years ago, I would have laughed at you.

"So many people have come and gone, Their faces fade as the years go by, Yet I still recall as I wander on, as clear as the sun in the summer sky..."

You see, it was my grandmother - long since gone at the age of 63 - who took me into the store and let me choose my own Christmas presents that day. What a cool beloved lady. I hope she meets Brad Delp when he gets to heaven.