Peace Of Mind / Foreplay / Long Time (Live 1977)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with the Zoo Crew as they spin the epic "Peace of Mind / Foreplay / Long Time (Live 1977)" by Boston. This track, a staple of classic rock, comes from their 1976 self-titled debut album, and the live 1977 version captures the band’s raw energy. One juicy tidbit: "Foreplay," the instrumental intro to "Long Time," was the first song Tom Scholz, Boston’s mastermind, ever wrote—way back in 1969 while he was a student at MIT. He recorded it in 1971 on a two-track machine in a basement, showing his DIY genius. Scholz himself said in an interview for the Best of Boston CD that "Foreplay" was his first recording, laying the foundation for the band’s sound. Fans on Reddit rave about the song’s intense build-up, with one user describing the high they felt hearing it after years, likening it to a burst of color after deprivation.

Another cool story comes from the song’s creation process. "Peace of Mind" was written by Scholz in 1974, inspired by his frustrations with his day job bosses at Polaroid. The demo, finished that year, was so polished that the album version barely changed, just amping up the guitars and production, according to Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci. The drums, originally crafted by Jim Masdea, were played by Sib Hashian on the final cut, adding that punchy live feel. On Rate Your Music, fans gush over "Foreplay," with one saying it’s what made them fall in love with Boston, calling it a “feel-good fabulous song” that makes them dance and sing along. The live 1977 performance, often heard on classic rock radio, blends the anthemic "Peace of Mind" with the explosive "Foreplay/Long Time," creating a nearly eight-minute journey that’s pure rock ecstasy.

Now, let’s rewind to how Boston got started. Tom Scholz, a mechanical engineering grad from MIT, was no typical rock star. In the late 1960s, while studying at MIT, he began writing music, starting with "Foreplay." After graduating, he worked at Polaroid, using his salary to build a basement recording studio. Scholz joined a band called Freehold, where he met guitarist Barry Goudreau and drummer Jim Masdea, and later vocalist Brad Delp in 1970. Their early demos, recorded with Scholz playing most instruments, got rejected by every major label—Epic even sent a brutal letter calling their sound “nothing new.” Undeterred, Scholz formed Mother’s Milk with Delp, Goudreau, and Masdea, and by 1974, they had a six-song demo including "Peace of Mind" and "More Than a Feeling." Epic finally signed them in 1975, but Scholz tricked the label into thinking they were recording in LA while he meticulously crafted the album at home. The result? A debut album that sold 17 million copies in the US alone, making Boston one of rock’s biggest success stories.

For more Boston goodness, check out their official website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can connect on the Boston Band Fan Group on Facebook, a lively spot for Zoo Freaks to share their love for the band. There’s also a fan-run site, boston.org, packed with band history and updates. So, crank up that volume and let Boston’s cosmic riffs take you to the stars!