Dreams

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious track "Dreams" from Barry Goudreau's 1980 self-titled solo album, a song that’s got the Zoo Freaks grooving with its Boston-esque hooks and soaring vocals. This powerhouse rocker, which nearly cracked the Billboard Hot 100 at #103, was praised by Cash Box as "as melodic and hook-filled as anything by Boston," while Record World called it a "frenetic guitar-led" banger. One juicy bit of trivia: "Dreams" was born out of Goudreau’s stockpile of songs originally written for Boston’s third album, but when Tom Scholz showed no interest, Goudreau channeled them into his solo debut. The album’s "almost Boston" lineup, featuring Brad Delp’s iconic vocals, Sib Hashian’s driving drums, and Fran Cosmo’s shared lead, caused a stir—especially when the record sleeve touted the "Boston Sound," reportedly irking Scholz enough to contribute to Goudreau’s eventual exit from the band. Fans on Steve Hoffman Music Forums have raved about rediscovering the track, with one Australian fan lamenting how it stayed under the radar Down Under due to limited distribution in 1980.

Barry Goudreau’s journey to "Dreams" started in Boston, Massachusetts, where he was born on November 29, 1951, and fell in love with the guitar as a kid. Standing in the backseat of his mom’s ’59 Plymouth, pre-seatbelt era, he’d bounce to Elvis and Roy Orbison on WMEX, Boston’s rock station. By age 11, he convinced his skeptical parents to borrow an acoustic guitar from a friend, and after playing until his fingers bled, they caved and bought him a 1962 Fender Stratocaster—sadly, one he no longer owns. At 13, Goudreau joined his first band, the Tornadoes, and by 15, he was gigging nightclubs with future Boston drummer Sib Hashian, sometimes playing seven nights a week. His early years were marked by a chance meeting with Brad Delp, whose Robert Plant-like vocals blew him away during an audition for Delp’s band (which Goudreau didn’t make). While studying geology at Boston University, Goudreau tried to shelve music but couldn’t resist the pull, eventually linking up with Tom Scholz across the river at MIT, laying the groundwork for Boston’s meteoric rise.

Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into Goudreau’s world through his official website, where he shares updates on projects like Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room and the reissued RTZ album. Connect with him on Facebook for posts about gigs and throwback photos, or follow his Instagram for behind-the-scenes snaps. On X, he occasionally drops insights about his music and career. Fans gather at sites like The Band Boston Fan Site to swap stories and celebrate his contributions, while Facebook groups like Boston Rock Band Fans buzz with love for Goudreau’s work. Whether you’re a longtime freak or new to the zoo, "Dreams" and Goudreau’s legacy are a wild ride worth taking.