Something About You / A Man I'll Never Be / Smokin’ (Live 1977)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning a killer track for their Zoo Freaks audience: "Something About You / A Man I'll Never Be / Smokin’ (Live 1977)" by Boston, captured on the King Biscuit Flower Hour album. This live recording, from a March 19, 1977, show at Long Beach Arena in California, showcases Boston’s raw energy during their early days. The medley includes tracks from their debut album, with "A Man I’ll Never Be" standing out as a preview of their upcoming second album, Don’t Look Back, which wouldn’t hit shelves until 1978. Fans on Guitars101 forums have raved about this performance, noting its looser, more rocking vibe compared to other shows, with one user recalling taping it off the radio in 1986 and cherishing the cleaner copy now available. Another fan on BigO, who attended the concert, shared that the band wanted to release tracks like "Shattered Images" and "Television Politician" but one member—likely Tom Scholz—vetoed it, keeping them as rare live gems.

The King Biscuit Flower Hour, which broadcast this show, was a legendary syndicated radio program that ran from 1973 to 2005, known for capturing live rock performances. According to Wikipedia, it reached over 300 stations at its peak, and Boston’s 1977 set was aired in two versions on June 12 and November 6, 1977. A commenter on Tapeheads.net reminisced about recording these broadcasts on cassette, a common ritual for fans in the late ’70s. The Long Beach show, as noted on The Band Boston Fan Site, proves Boston’s live prowess, debunking their “corporate rock” studio image with tight musicianship. The extended nine-minute version of "More Than A Feeling," part of the same setlist, blew fans away, as shared in a BigO post, highlighting the band’s ability to stretch their hits live.

Boston’s origin story is as fascinating as their music. Formed in the late 1960s by MIT-educated engineer Tom Scholz, the band began as a basement project. Scholz, working at Polaroid by day, spent nights crafting demos with vocalist Brad Delp, guitarist Barry Goudreau, and drummer Jim Masdea. As detailed on Last.fm, their early years were rocky, with multiple demo rejections. By 1975, the lineup solidified with drummer Sib Hashian and bassist Fran Sheehan, and their self-titled debut album, Boston, released in 1976, became one of the best-selling debuts ever, spawning hits like "More Than A Feeling" and "Smokin’." Scholz’s perfectionism and innovative studio techniques, honed in his home studio, gave the band their polished sound, blending hard rock with melodic hooks.

Fans can connect with Boston through their official website or follow them on social media at Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper fan engagement, check out The Band Boston Fan Site, a hub for news, tour info, and forums. The Boston Fans Facebook Group is another lively spot where Zoo Freaks can join discussions, share memories, and celebrate the band’s enduring legacy.