Nothin’ to Lose

The song "Nothin’ to Lose" from Barry Goudreau’s 1980 self-titled solo album is a high-energy track featuring the distinctive vocals of Fran Cosmo, who later joined Boston in 1991. In an interview with thirdstage.ca, Goudreau shared that the album, including "Nothin’ to Lose," was recorded in just nine months during a hiatus from Boston, as bandleader Tom Scholz was entangled in legal battles with their record label. This gave Goudreau, along with Boston bandmates Brad Delp and Sib Hashian, a chance to flex their creative muscles outside Scholz’s meticulous production style. The song’s upbeat, gambling-themed lyrics, like “I’m in the mood for a gambling chance / With some help from lady luck,” reflect a sense of freedom and risk-taking, mirroring Goudreau’s own leap into a solo project. Fans on the Steve Hoffman Music Forums have praised "Nothin’ to Lose" for its catchy blend of Boston’s melodic rock with a slightly rawer edge, with one fan noting Cosmo’s performance shines, especially in the song’s climactic outro where Delp’s backing vocals add a soaring counter-melody.

Another tidbit about "Nothin’ to Lose" comes from its reception at the time of release. According to Wikipedia, while the album didn’t achieve the commercial heights of Boston’s debut, it reached the Billboard Top 100, and "Nothin’ to Lose" was one of the tracks that captured the “almost Boston” sound, as record labels marketed it to capitalize on the band’s fame. This marketing strategy, however, caused friction with Scholz, who felt the album’s promotion, including labeling it as having the “Boston Sound,” misrepresented his role and led to Goudreau’s eventual departure from Boston in 1983. In a 2003 interview with thirdstage.ca, Goudreau reflected on this, saying the record company and fans didn’t see it as him taking credit for Boston’s success, but Scholz’s perception of the promotion created a rift. The song remains a fan favorite, often celebrated in Facebook groups like Boston Rock Band Fans for its infectious energy and Cosmo’s dynamic delivery.

Barry Goudreau’s journey in music began in Boston, Massachusetts, where he was born on November 29, 1951. As detailed on his official website, barrygoudreau.com, his passion for music sparked early, inspired by listening to Elvis and Roy Orbison on the radio while bouncing in the back of his mother’s car. By age 11, he convinced his skeptical parents to borrow an acoustic guitar from a friend for lessons, eventually earning his first guitar, a 1962 Fender Stratocaster, after proving his dedication by playing until his fingers bled. At 13, he joined his first band, the Tornadoes, and by 15, he was gigging seven nights a week in nightclubs with future Boston drummer Sib Hashian, as noted in a 01907 The Magazine article. These early gigs in Boston’s gritty Combat Zone honed his skills and set the stage for his later success.

Goudreau’s big break came through connections made in the Boston music scene. While studying geology at Boston University, he played in a cover band called Random Sample and placed an ad in The Boston Phoenix for a keyboardist, which led to meeting Tom Scholz, then a recent MIT graduate. As recounted on The Music Museum of New England, Goudreau, Scholz, and Brad Delp worked on demo tapes in 1969, with Goudreau handling all rhythm and lead guitar parts. Though these demos initially flopped, Scholz reworked them, leading to Boston’s 1976 debut album, the fastest-selling debut of its time. Goudreau’s guitar work, including the iconic solo in “Long Time,” was integral to Boston’s sound, as he shared in a Boston Herald interview. After leaving Boston, he continued with projects like Orion the Hunter, RTZ, and his current band, Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room.

You can follow Barry Goudreau’s latest updates on his official Facebook page, where he posts about performances and new music, or on Instagram, where he shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his gigs. His X account is less active but occasionally features fan interactions and tour announcements. Fans also connect on Boston Rock Band Fans, a vibrant Facebook group where Zoo Freaks might find kindred spirits discussing Goudreau’s solo work and Boston’s legacy. For more on his current band, check out Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room, a fan-friendly site with tour dates and music clips. While no dedicated fan websites were found, the thirdstage.ca site offers detailed resources on Goudreau’s career for those digging deeper into his discography.