Brad Delp dead at 55
Rest in Peace, Friend
I worked for Brad Delp in the spring of 1992, as the lighting director for the Band RTZ which featured Brad Delp on lead vocals and Barry Goudreau on guitar.
Brad was one of the nicest people you ever could meet. He cared about you as a person, and, even though he was the lead singer of the very successful band Boston, he was totaly grounded and down to earth, no rockstar pretensions. He lived a very healthy lifestyle, watching what he ate, faithfully, did not smoke or drink much (as far as i know) and was a very healthy guy. News of his untimely death has hit me very hard.
The following is quoted from Boston.com
Boston lead singer Brad Delp dies at 55
March 9, 2007
ATKINSON, N.H. --Brad Delp, the lead singer for the band Boston, was found dead Friday in his home in southern New Hampshire. He was 55. Atkinson police responded to a call for help at 1:20 p.m. and found Delp dead. Police Lt. William Baldwin said in a statement the death was "untimely" and that there was no indication of foul play.
The cause of his death remained under investigation by the Atkinson police and the New Hampshire Medical Examiner's office. Police said an incident report would not be available until Monday.
Delp sang vocals on Boston's 1976 hits "More than a Feeling" and "Longtime." He also sang on Boston's most recent album, "Corporate America," released in 2002.
He joined the band in the early 1970s after meeting Tom Scholz, an MIT student interested in experimental methods of recording music, according to the group's official Web site. The band enjoyed its greatest success and influence during its first decade.
The band's last appearance was in November 2006 at Boston's Symphony Hall.
On Friday night, the Web site was taken down and replaced with the statement: "We just lost the nicest guy in rock and roll."
A call to the Swampscott, Mass., home of Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau was not immediately returned Friday night.
Lifted from Boston.com:
J. Geils Band jams for bassist's 60th
By Carol Beggy & Mark Shanahan, Globe Staff | May 24, 2006
Whatever bad blood may have caused the J. Geils Band to break up in the '80s wasn't in evidence at Scullers the other night. At a surprise 60th birthday bash for bassist Danny Klein, the six original members jumped onstage and jammed -- the first time in more than 20 years, we're told, that Klein, singer Peter Wolf, keyboardist Seth Justman, guitarist Jay Geils, harpist Magic Dick, and drummer Stephen Jo Bladd have played together in public. (Bladd skipped the reunion in '99 and the '05 concert for Cam Neely's charity.) ``People tell me I've done what record companies couldn't do," said Valerie Schechter-Klein, the bassist's bride and organizer of Monday's invite-only affair. ``They're like brothers -- they fight and they get along." They also rock. Augmented by the Uptown Horns, the band played a short but spirited set that included ``Homework," ``Lookin for a Love," and ``Give it to Me." A few old friends, including legendary producer Bill Szymczyk, flew in for the party. ``I worked with the Who, the Eagles, B.B. King, and the James Gang," said Szymczyk, whose credits include ``Hotel California." ``And these guys were the most fun I ever had -- they're six comics disguised as a rock band." Others on hand to congratulate Klein included former 'BCN jock Oedipus, jazz impresario Fred Taylor, guitarist Johnny A, blues man James Montgomery, former manager of Boston the band Paul Ahern, Rockin' George Leh, Phoenix exec David Bieber, DJ Carter Alan, former Geils manager and sometime-actor John Doumanian -- he played the coke fiend in Woody Allen's ``Annie Hall" -- and Marshall Simpkins, owner of the late, great Inn Square Men's Bar. Also there were former Tea Party MC Charlie ``Master Blaster" Daniels, and Doug Flutie, who joined the house band for a few tunes on drums. (Former 'BCN jock Charles Laquidara and classic rocker Jon Butcher couldn't make it, but both called Klein during the party.) Asked if the reconstituted Boston rockers might hit the road to play more shows, Klein sounded hopeful. "Man, you're preaching to the converted," he said. ``My bags are packed!"
I'm sure that almost everyone agrees that the Movie, "This is Spinal Tap" was the best Rock parody movie ever.
Tonight, I finally got a chance to watch "Rock Star" on VH-1.
The movie stars Boston's own Mark Wahlberg and also features my friend from the Dokken days, Jeff Pilson,
and a bottle of Johney Walker.
As long as you don't take this flick too seriously, it's great fun
as a parody a-la "This is Spinal Tap". The lighting and sets were "over the top" as, well they should be. I only wish I had gotten a chance to work on something like that!
The Rhode Island Nightclub Tragedy
Our Heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of those lost or injured in this horrible tragedy.
My question is, Where was the club's stage crew?
When I worked at the Channel Club, in Boston, and in fact every club I worked in, there were always several large fire extinguishers near the stage. How come somebody didn't grab one of these and attemp to control the flames. A couple quick blasts from a CO2 fire extinguisher could have easily put out the flames when they first started. while people in the crowd may have thought this was all part of the show, the stage crew should have known better.
Another question, How come, if the club had just passed a fire safety inspection, flammable insulation was on the walls or ceiling?
Any Drapes or decorations or anything like that, to be used in public performance spaces, has to be fireproof and have a fireproof certificate to proove it. If the fire safety inspectors had done a thorough job, they should have demanded to see these certificates. If no certificates existed, they should have tested a sample of all potentially flammable materials to deem that they were safe. I have seen this done several times when I was present in clubs during inspections. They cut off a small hidden piece of whatever material and hold a lighter to it. If it sustains flames after the lighter is pulled away, then it is not allowed to be used.
These are just my observations and personal opinions, since I was not there. I think if better safety proceedures and inspections were followed, this tragedy did not have to happen, regardless of any actions, however irresponsible by the band, Great White.
(02-28-03)
Lots of Rhode Island Station Club fire news and links at Roadie.net.
Roadie.net
has links to a whole slew of sites of interest to Roadies, Sound men and Lighting techs.
From finding gigs or crews, to venue information, from the latest gadgets to the oldest road stories, it's all here. A must visit for anyone who is on the road, who has retired from the road, (like me) or would like to find out about getting a gig on the road!
Pictures from the 1999 Channel Reunion Party.
The Last Day of the Rat
The Rathskeller Club, (The Rat) in Kenmore Square in Boston was, for many years, one of the premier clubs in town. It's dark, dingy, funky basement room was the scene of shows from many bands on the cutting edge, from mainstream rock to punk and ska and everything in between. The Police and U2 were just a couple of the bands to play their first U. S. shows there. Sadly the club closed a while back to make room for a new Hotel. In December of 2000, the building and half the block were torn down. These photos were taken one day before the demolition was completed. As this is written, you can still see the graffiti covered back wall of the basement dressing room. Soon, the new hotel will be open for business, and another important part of the history of Boston Rock and Roll is gone forever.
The Stone Church
When I was in college, a million years ago, I lived in Newmarket, N.H. Just up the hill from where I lived in downtown, a new club opened called the Stone Church. I bought one of the first beers they served. It was a cool club, very relaxed and comfortable. And a great place to while away a rainy Sunday afternoon. I just ran accross a link to the club and was very happy to see that it's still there, and from what I see on their website, it hasn't changed much.
If you're ever in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, check out the Stone Church!
I've known Paul for 15 years at least. He was always one of the most energetic drummers I've seen. I just found him after all these years, and I'm proud to provide this link.
 The Official Spinal Tap Homepage.
 Dinky
Dawson's Homepage
Dinky Dawson is a legend in the Sound
Business.
He
has worked with many of the top groups
from
Fleetwood Mac to the
Who to the Byrds. His new book,
written with WZLX's
Carter Allen
chronicles his early
days on the road in all the
juicy details.
I just got it for Christmas, I've read the first two chapters, and so far I'm lovin' it! I'm in the Book
In the Chapter about the J. Geils Band, I'm mentioned several times on pages 306 and 307. Something about a PCP laced joint...A show I'll never forget...or remember...or whatever!
The New England Music Scrapbook
This site, written mostly by Alan Lewis, has many articles about the early days of the New England Rock and Roll music scene. It's all text, no photographs, (unfortunately), and brings back lots of memories. Remember the Lines, the Drive, Robin Lane and the Chartbusters or Oak?
Read all about them and more at the New England Music Scrapbook!
   The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The place that put Cleveland
back on the map!
The Boston Phoenix, Clubs by
Night Boston's most complete club and band
listings.
See who's playing at your favorite club or see where
your
favorite band is playing next.
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