What's Your Name

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning “What's Your Name” from Boston’s 1994 album Walk On, and we’ve got some groovy trivia to share about this track. Unlike most of Boston’s catalog, this song didn’t feature the iconic lead vocals of Brad Delp, who was working on a side project with former bandmate Barry Goudreau in their band RTZ during the album’s production. Instead, Fran Cosmo stepped up to the mic, delivering a performance that aimed to capture the band’s signature soaring vocal style. Delp still left his mark, co-writing the song “Walk On” with Tom Scholz and David Sikes, which shows his lingering influence even when he wasn’t singing. The song’s origins trace back to an earlier Delp composition called “Rock On” from the late 1970s or early 1980s, which Scholz reworked into the album’s title track. According to a fan-compiled FAQ, the single version of “What's Your Name” was paired with a B-side called “Walk On (Long Walk)” or “Walk On (Longer Walk),” both referring to the same 7:54 edit of the title track, causing some confusion among collectors.

Another tidbit for you vinyl junkies out there: on the vinyl and cassette versions of Walk On, the “Walk On Medley” (which includes “What's Your Name”) was split across both sides of the record. The instrumental “Get Organ-ized” fades out at the end of Side A and picks back up as “Get Reorgan-ized” on Side B, a quirky touch for analog fans. The album itself was a labor of love, taking eight years to produce after 1986’s Third Stage, largely due to Tom Scholz’s perfectionism and studio renovations. Posts on X highlight the album’s chart success, peaking at #7 on the Billboard 200 and earning platinum status, with “What's Your Name” being one of its standout singles alongside “I Need Your Love.” The album’s booklet also took a stand against violence and cruelty, dedicating eight pages to organizations like the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, reflecting Boston’s commitment to social causes.

Now, let’s rewind to how Boston got their start. The band was born in the mid-1970s in Boston, Massachusetts, spearheaded by Tom Scholz, a mechanical engineering master’s graduate from MIT and former Polaroid product designer. Scholz was a tinkerer, not just with gadgets but with sound, building his own home recording studio where he crafted the band’s debut album. Working alone initially, he played nearly every instrument on the demo tapes, layering his intricate guitar harmonies and developing the “Rockman” amplifier that became a hallmark of Boston’s sound. Brad Delp, a local vocalist with a Beatles-inspired range, joined after Scholz heard his voice and recognized its potential to elevate the tracks. The duo, along with bassist Fran Sheehan, guitarist Barry Goudreau, and drummer Sib Hashian, shopped their demos to labels. Epic Records signed them but wanted the songs re-recorded in a professional studio. Scholz, ever the perfectionist, stuck to his basement tapes, which became most of the 1976 self-titled debut album—an instant hit that sold 17 million copies in the U.S. alone, making it the second biggest-selling debut in rock history.

Scholz’s engineering background shaped Boston’s meticulous sound, blending classical influences, 1960s pop, and hard rock with multi-tracked guitar harmonies that sounded “violin-like” without synthesizers. His Rockman tech was later used by artists like Journey’s Neal Schon and ZZ Top, cementing his influence in the industry. Despite their success, Boston’s output was famously slow—only six studio albums over five decades—due to Scholz’s obsessive attention to detail and legal battles with record labels. The band’s early years were marked by lineup changes, with Scholz as the constant, guiding the group through hits like “More Than a Feeling” and “Amanda.”

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with Boston, check out their official website for tour dates and merch. They’re active on Facebook, where they share updates and throwback photos, and you can catch behind-the-scenes shots on their Instagram. Follow them on X for the latest news and fan interactions. Fans have also created spaces like the Boston Fan Club on Facebook, where diehards swap stories and memorabilia. For deep dives into band lore, the fan-run Boston FAQ is a treasure trove of trivia and history. Keep rocking with the Zoo Crew, and let’s keep the Boston vibes alive!