Rock-N-Roll Band / Tell Me / More Than A Feeling (Live 1977)

The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic tonight with Boston's "Rock-N-Roll Band / Tell Me / More Than A Feeling (Live 1977)" from the King Biscuit Flower Hour album, a recording that captures the band’s raw energy at Long Beach Arena on March 19, 1977. This performance, broadcast by the iconic King Biscuit Flower Hour syndicated radio show, is a fan favorite among Zoo Freaks. One intriguing piece of trivia comes from a fan named James, who attended the concert and later shared on BigO that the set included unreleased tracks like "Shattered Images" and "Television Politician," which the band hoped to release but were vetoed by a single member, hinted to be Tom Scholz. Another fan, dshreff65, noted on Internet Archive that they taped this show off the radio in 1986 when it was rebroadcast, calling it a "pretty rockin’ show" and mentioning the rarity of "Shattered Images," which may have only surfaced in later box sets.

The live rendition of "More Than A Feeling" from this show is particularly notable for its extended guitar suite, as highlighted by Philip Cohen on BigO, making it a standout compared to the studio version. This track, a staple of classic rock radio, was inspired by Scholz’s love for the James Gang, with its chorus riff possibly paying homage to "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen, as noted in Wikipedia. Interestingly, Nirvana famously incorporated parts of "More Than A Feeling" into their 1992 Reading Festival performance of "Smells Like Teen Spirit," a nod to the similarities in their guitar riffs, as documented in the Live at Reading DVD. The song’s emotional depth, rooted in the theme of losing someone close and music evoking memories, resonates universally, as Scholz himself explained in a 2023 X post by @carlquintanilla, describing it as a fantasy about loss that “everybody can identify with.”

Boston’s journey began in the late 1960s when Tom Scholz, a mechanical engineering graduate from MIT, started tinkering with music in his basement. Working at Polaroid by day, Scholz used his salary to fund a home recording studio, creating demo tapes with early bandmates like vocalist Brad Delp, guitarist Barry Goudreau, and drummer Jim Masdea. These demos, including early versions of "More Than A Feeling" and "Rock-N-Roll Band," were initially rejected by record labels, as detailed on Wikipedia. By 1973, Scholz formed Mother’s Milk, which evolved into Boston after Masdea’s departure and the addition of drummer Sib Hashian and bassist Fran Sheehan. Their persistence paid off when Epic Records signed them, leading to the 1976 self-titled debut album that sold over 17 million copies, making it the second biggest-selling debut in U.S. history, as noted on Last.fm.

Scholz’s innovative approach defined Boston’s sound, blending classical influences with 1960s pop and multi-tracked guitar harmonies, achieved through his custom-built Rockman amplifier, later used by artists like Journey and ZZ Top. Brad Delp’s soaring vocals, influenced by The Beatles, were crucial to hits like "More Than A Feeling," which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976, as shared in a 2023 X post by @ThatEricAlper. The band’s meteoric rise saw them headline tours and make history as the first band to debut at Madison Square Garden in New York, as mentioned in Wikipedia. Despite internal conflicts and a sparse recording output—only six studio albums over 50 years—Boston remains a classic rock titan, with over 75 million records sold worldwide.

Zoo Freaks can connect with Boston through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates on tours and new music. Fans can also join vibrant communities like the Boston (Band) Fan Group on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories and rare recordings, or visit fan sites like Gonna Hitch a Ride for detailed discographies and concert archives. These platforms keep the spirit of Boston’s music alive for both longtime fans and new listeners tuning in to THE ZOO.