2016 Tour

We are all looking forward to hitting the road this summer and playing all the classic hits, with a few new additions to the setlist for you! Joining Tom Scholz on stage will be 30-year veteran and right-hand-man Gary Pihl on guitar, keyboards and vocals, Tommy DeCarlo on lead vocals, keys and percussion, Tracy Ferry on bass and vocals, Beth Cohen on keys, vocals and guitar. Keeping the beat on drums will be Curly Smith who will kick off the tour on April 29th through June 12, and Jeff Neal will play for the second half of the tour beginning June 23.

Calling All Artists

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

firstalbumEnter our contest to have your artwork on BOSTON’s merchandise this summer!
 
It’s been 4 decades since BOSTON’s debut album Boston hit the airwaves, and we’re celebrating with a tour.  We are looking for a 70s-inspired graphic that will honor the iconic spaceship artwork, BOSTON logo, or 4 Decades theme.  
 
The winner will receive $1,000 plus a pair of tickets and backstage passes to a show of their choice on this summer’s tour, plus their artwork will appear on some of BOSTON’s merchandise this summer.  Two other artists will each receive a pair of tickets and backstage passes to a show of their choice.  
 
Deadline for submissions is March 23, 2016.
 Please send your artwork to:  BOSTON40thAnniversary@gmail.com
 Please click here for official rules:  OFFICIAL RULES
 
We look forward to seeing all of your creativity!  Winning artwork will be announced on bandboston.com and https://www.facebook.com/bandboston/?fref=ts

OFFICIAL RULES OF THE BOSTON 40th ANNIVERSARY TOUR ART CONTEST

OFFICIAL RULES OF THE BOSTON 40th ANNIVERSARY TOUR ART CONTEST
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. 
Eligibility: The BOSTON: 40th Anniversary Tour Art Contest (“Promotion”) is open only to natural persons who are legal residents of the United States of America or Canada (excluding Quebec), at least eighteen (18) years of age and have a valid email account at time of entry. Promotion may only be entered from and in eligible jurisdictions. Promotion Entities, prize providers, and their parent, subsidiary and affiliate companies, employees, agents and suppliers, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible to participate. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an entrant, the authorized account holder of the account will be deemed to be the entrant. Administrator may request any potential winner to provide proof that such person is the winner. All potential winners are subject to verification before any prize will be awarded. Subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Administrator’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Promotion is Walk On Tours, Inc.
Administrator: The administrator of the Promotion is Walk On Tours, Inc.
Sponsor and Administrator are collectively referred to herein as “Promotion Entities.”
Timing:  Administrator’s clock is the official time keeping device of the Promotion.
The Submission Period begins at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on February 27, 2016 and ends at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on March 19, 2016.
The Judging Period begins at 5:01 PM Eastern Time on March 19, 2016 and ends at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on March 23, 2016.
Submission Period and Judging Period are collectively referred to herein as “Promotion Period.”
How to enter:   Create an original artwork (“Art”) by following instructions (as set forth below), and submit Art via email to: BOSTON40thAnniversary@gmail.com. Entries must be time-stamped no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on March 19, 2016.
Entries must be submitted by the original creator of the Art. Submissions that do not adhere to guidelines will be disqualified.
Art Design should include a 70s-inspired graphic that will honor the iconic BOSTON spaceship artwork, logo, or 4 Decades theme, and should be no larger than 14” x 20”.  Winning design will be broken down to 10 or 12 color t-shirt design. Please keep in mind when creating your art to ensure maximum quality.
Digital Submission Guidelines for Art:
File must be submitted in high resolution layered psd or vector file format. Acceptable file types: PSD, TIF, EPS.
Digital submissions must be designed and/or scanned at 300dpi.
Please, original artwork only.
For all entries: Each participant is eligible to submit up to two (2) Promotion entries during the Submission Period, regardless of method or combination of methods of entry or number of entries submitted. Any attempt by any entrant to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, or any other methods will void that entrant’s entries and that entrant may be disqualified. Use of any automated technology or system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Any automated receipt (such as one confirming delivery of e-mail) does not constitute proof of actual receipt by Administrator of an entry. Promotion Entities are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible or misdirected registrations, which will be disqualified. All entries become the property of Administrator and none will be acknowledged or returned.
As conditions of entry into this Promotion, and submitting a Submission, each entrant:
1. Warrants and represents that the entrant has the written consent, release, and/or permission of each and every identifiable individual person (if applicable) in the Submission to use his/her respective name or likeness to enable inclusion and use of the Submission in the manner contemplated by the Promotion Entities and these Official Rules, and can make written copies of such permissions available to the Promotion Entities upon request;
2. Acknowledges and agrees that the Promotion Entities may exploit, edit, modify, display, sell, and distribute the Submission and all elements of such Submission, including, without limitation, the names and likenesses of any persons or locations embodied therein, in any and all media now known or not currently known, throughout the world in perpetuity without compensation, permission or notification to entrant or any third party.  Promotion Entities have the right to sublicense Art to third parties, including without limitation, to Live Nation Merchandising, Inc., throughout the world in perpetuity without compensation, permission or notification to entrant or any third party
3. Warrants and represents that entrant’s Submission is original to the entrant and has been legally obtained and created, does not infringe the intellectual property, privacy or publicity rights or any other legal or moral rights of any third party, or violate applicable laws or regulations;
4. Entrants who are not yet at the age of majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside will be required to obtain parental or legal guardian consent to be eligible to be declared a grand prize winner (as hereinafter defined);
5. Warrants and represents that entrant’s Submission does not contain any unlicensed images;
6.  Agrees to conduct him/herself with due regard to public conventions and morals, and shall not do or commit any act that would tend to prejudice the Promotion Entities during the Promotion Entry Period and for up to one (1) year following acceptance of the prize; and
In the event an entrant cannot provide all required releases, Promotion Entities reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to disqualify the applicable Submission, or seek to secure the releases and clearances for Promotion Entities’ benefit, or allow the applicable Submission to remain.
Entrants agree that Submissions shall not contain, include or involve any of the following:
Obscenity
Crude, vulgar or offensive pictures, depictions, images, language and/or symbols
Gang signs or symbols
Violence
Explicit sexual activity
Nudity
Illegal drug or alcohol use
Commercial products (e.g., clothing, toys, food) and/or their trademarks, brands, logos or endorsements
License plates, phone numbers, personal addresses (physical or email or otherwise)
Website or web page links
Derogatory characterizations of any ethnic, racial, sexual or religious groups, humiliation of other people (publicly or otherwise), any assault or threatening of others
Trespass or the violation of other people’s rights or property
Illegal (e.g., discriminatory, harassing) or inappropriate activity, behavior or conduct (e.g., inflicting emotional distress)
Conduct or activities in violation of these Official Rules
Any other content, display, materials and/or images that is or could be considered inappropriate, unsuitable or offensive, as determined by Promotion Entities, in their sole discretion
Administrator is not obligated to use, publish, display or broadcast any Submission materials submitted with an entry; provided however that each entrant acknowledges that Administrator will rely on such entrant’s agreement and compliance with these Official Rules when entrant submits or attempts to submit the entry.
Prizes: One (1) Grand Prize consisting of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00); two tickets and backstage passes to winner’s choice of any BOSTON date on this summer’s tour schedule; Art may be featured (at Promotion Entities’ sole discretion) on BOSTON’s merchandise; and two (2) BOSTON merchandise items (“Items”). Item type, style, size and color to be determined at sole discretion of Promotion Entities. Resale of tickets is prohibited.  Approximate Retail Value of the Grand Prize is: One Thousand One Hundred Thirty Dollars and One Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Dollars ($50.00 – $150.00), depending on concert selected and ticket location.
Two (2) Runners-up prizes, each prize consisting of One Hundred Dollars ($100); two tickets and backstage passes to winner’s choice of any BOSTON date on this summer’s tour schedule.  Resale of tickets is prohibited.  Approximate Retail Value of each prize is: One Hundred Fifty Dollars to Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00 – $250.00), depending on concert selected and ticket location
For all prizes: Concert date must be selected within seven (7) days of prize acceptance or prize may be forfeited.  Once tickets have been confirmed for a date, date cannot be changed. Ticket type (general admission or reserved) and seat location to be determined at sole discretion of Promotion Entities.  Winner and guest must abide by all venue policies. Promotion Entities reserve the right to not award any prize to, or to revoke full or partial prize from, any winner or winner’s guest who Promotion Entities and/or venue personnel deem may, in their sole discretion, be intoxicated, be a safety risk, have violated any venue policy or law, and/or may bring Promotion Entities into disrepute.
Odds of winning a prize depend on the number of eligible entries received. There will be only one prize per person. Lost or stolen prizes will not be replaced. Prize does not include any other item or expense not specifically described in these Official Rules, and any such additional expenses are the sole responsibility of winner. Prizes may not be transferred or assigned.  Only listed prizes will be awarded and no other prizing or substitutions will be made except at the sole discretion of Administrator.  Winners agree to accept the prize “as is”, and entrants hereby acknowledge that Promotion Entities have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the prize, including express warranties (if any) provided exclusively by a prize supplier that are sent along with the prize. Any valuation of the prizing stated above is based on available information provided to Administrator and the value of any prize awarded to a winner may be reported for tax purposes as required by law. Each winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable taxes. Each winner must provide Administrator with a valid taxpayer identification number or social security number before any prize will be awarded. A Form 1099 will be issued to the winner for value of prize $600 or more.
 
Selection and Verification of Potential Winners:   Winners will be selected on or about March 23, 2016 from among all eligible entries received. The one (1) Grand Prize winner shall be determined by the judges.  Once the Grand Prize winner has been confirmed, the two (2) Runners-up winners shall be determined. Administrator’s decisions as to the administration and operation of the Promotion and the selection of potential winners are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Administrator reserves the right to disqualify any participant or winner and may refuse to award any prize to a person who is ineligible or has violated any rule, gained unfair advantage in participating in the Promotion, or obtained winner status using fraudulent means.
 
Potential winners are restricted from any communication (announcing, telling any other person, posting online via website, blog or any social media profiles, pages or accounts) stating that they have been contacted or are a potential winner until Administrator has fully verified eligibility and Administrator has notified all potential winners that they have been approved to communicate his/her winner status.  Anyone who violates this condition may be disqualified. All potential winners are subject to verification by Administrator. Administrator will not accept screen shots or other evidence of winning in lieu of its validation process.  Potential winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. Each potential winner will be notified by mail, email or phone. Each potential prize winner may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release (“Affidavit”) (except where prohibited), which must be received by Administrator within seventy-two (72) hours of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, in order to claim a prize (if applicable). If a winner is a minor, the Affidavit must also be executed by the winner’s parents or legal guardians. If a potential winner of any prize cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the Affidavit within the required time period (if applicable), declines the prize or prize is returned as undeliverable, such potential winner forfeits the prize. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Administrator will award the corresponding prize to an alternate winner who will be the entrant with the next highest score from among all remaining eligible entries. All alternate potential winners are subject to all requirements set forth in these Official Rules. Only three (3) alternate winners will be selected, after which the prize will remain un-awarded.
Publicity: Except where prohibited, participation in the Promotion constitutes winner’s consent to Promotion Entities’ use of winner’s name, social media identity, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions, hometown and state for promotional purposes in connection with this Promotion in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration.
Privacy: Information submitted by entrants will be collected by Administrator’s systems based in the United States and such collection will be subject to applicable United States laws.  Entrants may withdraw personal data upon request; however, entrant will be disqualified if personal data is withdrawn prior to the determination of the winners and fulfillment of the prizes. Information submitted by entrants is subject to Administrator’s privacy policy: http://concerts.livenation.com/h/privacy.htm. Entrant’s participation in this Promotion constitutes consent for Promotion Entities to use entrant’s personal information solely for the purpose of administering the Promotion and awarding the prizes, unless entrant has opted to receive e-mail communications from Promotion Entities.
Errors and Unauthorized Activity: Promotion Entities are not responsible: (1) for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion; (2) for technical and/or communications malfunctions, errors or failures of any kind; (3) for unauthorized human intervention in any part of the Promotion; (4) for technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries; (5) for any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Promotion or receipt or use or misuse of any prize; or (6) if the Promotion cannot take place or if any prize cannot be awarded due to acts of war, natural disasters, weather or acts of terrorism. If for any reason an entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Promotion, provided that if it is not possible to award another entry due to discontinuance of the Promotion, or any part of it, for any reason, Administrator, at its discretion, may elect to hold a random drawing from among all eligible entries received up to the date of discontinuance for any or all of the prizes offered herein. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In the event that production, technical, seeding, programming or any other reasons cause more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available and/or claimed, Administrator reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims. Administrator reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Promotion, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Promotion Entities’ reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Promotion, as determined by Administrator in its sole discretion. In such event, Administrator reserves the right to award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. Administrator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it suspects or finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Promotion or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Promotion may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Promotion Entities reserve the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Promotion Entities’ failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
Release: By participating in the Promotion, entrant (a) releases Promotion Entities, Live Nation Merchandise, Inc., Live Nation Worldwide, Inc. (Live Nation entities to be referred to herein collectively as “Live Nation”), prize providers, promotional agencies, franchisees, and each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, assigns, agents, representatives, officers, directors, shareholders, and employees, from any and all liability for any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising in connection with the Promotion, including the unauthorized or illegal access to personally identifiable or sensitive information or acceptance, possession, use, misuse, or nonuse of the prize that may be awarded, and use of the Art by Promotion Entities and any sublicensee in accordance with these Official Rules; and (b) acknowledges that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relative to a prize including, without limitation, the prize quality or availability.
Disputes: As a condition of participating in the Promotion, entrant agrees that: a) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, consequential, or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses; b) all causes of action arising out of or connected with this Promotion or the prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively by arbitration pursuant to the Rules of the American Arbitration Association, then effective; and c) any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred and in no event shall entrant be entitled to receive attorneys’ fees or other legal costs. Promotion Entities reserve the right to modify prize award procedures. The Promotion and these Official Rules, and the validity, construction, performance, and enforcement thereof, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of California or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of California.
Winner’s List: To obtain a list of the names of winners, mail your request and a self-addressed, stamped envelope, up to sixty (60) days after the close of the Promotion, to BOSTON: 40th Anniversary Tour Art Contest WINNERS LIST, c/o and Walk On Tours, Inc., 1484 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451.
Live Nation is not a sponsor of this Promotion and is in no way responsible for the administration of this Promotion, the verification of winners, or the fulfillment of prizing. All inquiries regarding this Promotion must be directed to Promotion Entities and not Live Nation.

40TH ANNIVERSARY 2016 TOUR

BOSTON ROCKS THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A 2016 TOUR

As Tom Scholz wrote in the rock anthem on the BOSTON album Don’t Look Back, “It’s a Party, Party, Party!”  Indeed, the 40th anniversary BOSTON tour promises to be a celebration honoring the group’s loyal fans. Many of them have supported BOSTON since 1976 when the debut album, Boston first hit the airwaves and took rock radio by storm, so it’s not surprising to see concert audiences that span generations.
Always a huge crowd pleaser with their high-energy stage show, out-of-this-world sound, and remarkable musicianship and singing, BOSTON prides itself on performing a totally live show without the use of prerecorded music or technical enhancements, delivering the extraordinary sound that is faithful to their studio recordings.

BOSTON became an iconic classic rock fixture when they joined the music scene with their self-titled album in 1976.  With over 17 million copies sold, Boston generated hits such as “More Than a Feeling,” “Peace of Mind,” and “Smokin’,” rock staples that are still in heavy radio rotation today. Their second album, Don’t Look Back was another chart-topper that confirmed their place in rock history, followed by Third Stage, which hit #1 on the charts, with the top single of 1986, “Amanda.” With over 31 million albums sold to date, BOSTON has stood the test of time.

Fans can expect to hear all the classic songs they have grown to love, and will be treated to wild Hammond organ work, soaring harmony guitars, and exceptional vocal arrangements, as well as BOSTON’s unique visual stage presentation and plenty of extra-terrestrial sounds heard nowhere else on earth.

Tom and The Pops

Tom_KeithAnnounced today: Tom Scholz is coming home to join the Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart at Symphony Hall for two nights only – May 10 and 11 – for “Classic Rock from Beatles to Led Zeppelin.” Tom will play some of BOSTON’s biggest hits, including “More Than a Feeling,” and the Pops will perform famous rock and roll classics of the past 50 years, including songs by Chuck Berry, Queen, and U2! Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday. For more info:https://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/79091

Photo credit Dominick Reuter for MIT © 2011

CELEBRATES 4 DECADES

Forty years ago today, February 1st 1976, the amazing story of the iconic band BOSTON officially began when Tom Scholz and Brad Delp signed their recording contract with Epic Records.  Their first album, Boston, would quickly become the best selling debut album in history, and its founder Tom Scholz would become recognized for his charitable work, promotion of higher education, and technical innovation.

BOSTON398byKamalAsar     BOSTON recordings are known for their sonic purity and massive “cathedral of sound” (Cameron Crowe, Rolling Stone), thanks to Scholz’ novel arranging, production, and instrumental performances, and Delp’s artfully layered vocals.

Back in 1976 no one could have guessed that two unknown writer/performers were about to create albums that would eventually sell over 30 million copies.  The phenomenon surprised Scholz as well as the staff of Epic Records, at a time when the industry was caught up in the 70s disco bubble.  However, the popular description of the debut album as an overnight success, a “Cinderella story,” could not have been farther from the truth.

For six long years Scholz worked as a design engineer for Polaroid during the daytime and then went to work at night in his home studio, writing, recording, engineering, performing – even inventing novel musical equipment – that would eventually bring the “BOSTON” sound to life.  But BOSTON almost never saw the light of day.  By the end of 1975, after so many years of exhausting work and spent savings, Scholz had decided it was time to accept defeat, dismantle his studio, and sell his equipment.  He then completed his planned final demo, almost as a formality, and suddenly everything changed.  That demo was “More than a Feeling.”

Scholz’ inspired compositions, musical instinct as a multi-instrumentalist, and technical wizardry, complimented by Delp’s stratospheric vocals, created a new sound that many other groups and their record labels tried to imitate.  Following BOSTON’s success, Scholz felt a new obligation as a role model, and has used BOSTON’s popularity to promote education, empathy, and a healthy lifestyle.  He has donated millions of dollars to organizations that fight animal cruelty, feed the homeless, and help children.   Both Delp and guitarist Gary Pihl, a 30 year veteran of the band, also made substantial donations to these causes.  Under his direction, the band’s tours have raised money and awareness for numerous causes including National Hospice, Sierra Club, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Sea Shepherds, and AIDS relief.

TomScholz_GaryPihl_400_by_BobSummers     Today BOSTON is recognized for the technical excellence of its live productions, the outstanding performance of its talented band members on stage, and their uncanny ability to reproduce all the unique sounds of their studio albums without the use of prerecorded material.  For their 2016 “Four Decades Tour” BOSTON will delight their audiences with a high energy set of their well- known hits plus extended live arrangements, accompanied as always by their own unique visual stage presentation.

Dates to be announced, check bandboston.com or https://www.facebook.com/bandboston for show dates as they are confirmed.

Secret Life

The ‘Secret Life’ of science nerds

By Mark Shanahan GLOBE STAFF OCTOBER 18, 2015

Screen Shot 2015-10-26 at 11.30.19 AM

The PBS Web series “The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers” hosted an event at the Kendall Square Theater the other night as part of the Arlington International Film Festival. Emceed by “Secret Life of Scientists” executive producer Joshua Seftel and producer Tom Miller, the get-together included short films and a talk show-style conversation with some notable science nerds, including guitarist (and MIT grad) Tom Scholz of the band Boston, biologist (and former Miss Massachusetts) Erika Ebbel, experimental psychologist Steven Pinker, celebrated psycholinguist Jean Berko Gleason, roboticist Colin Angle, string theorist Jim Gates, and Alzheimer’s researcher (and occasional Aerosmith keyboardist) Rudy Tanzi.

Names can be reached at names@globe.com. Follow Mark Shanahan on Twitter @MarkAShanahan.

From left: Paula S. Apsell, senior executive producer of “Nova”; Tom Scholz and his wife, Kim; Steven Pinker.