The Long Conflict Between Boston's Tom Scholz & Jim Masdea

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John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 38 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a newsman so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first Elton John album as a teen. In the '80s Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show ‚”The Cross Canada Report‚” which had two versions (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the evening show at Move 103.5 (formerly QM-FM) in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.
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[@braddsn]

IF you guys want to get a clearer picture of what truly went on in Boston, all of the depositions and court papers for when Tom sued Micki Delp in the defamation lawsuit shortly after Brad's suicide tell quite the tale. It took me a long time to read the entire court case, but it's all online, public knowledge. Depositions from close friends of Brad's, from Barry, etc. It's worth the read, it really opened my eyes. Essentially, there are 2 things you need to know about Boston. 1. Boston always has, and always will belong to Scholz. The band is his baby.. he put in the work, he recorded and mixed basically ALL of Boston's material, not to mention that the Rockman (the trademark Boston guitar sound) was literally invented by him. Without Tom, Boston would have never existed. 2. Tom is a perfectionist, and extremely controlling. He protects his creation (Boston) by any means necessary, including firing off lawsuits almost constantly. Unfortunately, all of the other people involved with Boston (Delp, Goudreau, Hashian, Masdea, Cosmo(s), Sheehan, Pihl, Dahme, Sweet, I am sure I left some out) all were just hired guns as far as Tom is concerned. He ran the band in a very businesslike way, and ran over anybody or anything that stood in his way.. even friends. Again, check out the court documents from the lawsuit, it will open your eyes.

[@in2livinit]

Sounds legit. But one must remember, even a sworn deposition or pleading, is one person's "Side & Truth". What TS forgets, is that all those other people completed Boston. They didn't want a Gorillaz. They wanted a real band. Specifically Brad made Boston. Pick ANY another vocalist. Not the same. And the poor man was so torn and so strained, he gave up & took his own life. Rest in Peace, Bradley Delp. TS has his puppet band now, and has been milking it for decades. But they will never be the band that brought it alive, live. A puppet band is not Boston. RIP Sib Hashian.

[@candelise]

@@in2livinit Who wrote the words and music?

[@stefp1006]

Is a fact you are supposed to be business-like in the music industry?

[@georgebarry8640]

@@stefp1006 I have been kicking around this "industry" for a while. You NEED to be business-like.

[@TheBamayaker]

I think any true songwriter feels the same. Not just Tom . If you wrote all the Lyrics,music, guitar solos and riffs, then arranged the songs, you can get any talented musician to play the parts live. He spent 6 long years and tons of money on that first demo that started it all. Brad even gave Tom the bulk of the credit. But without Brad hard to imagine the music ever getting off the ground. Tom and Brad were the magic behind the song’s appeal. It seems like Tom’s goal was to get his music out there unaltered. Not sure he ever wanted to be blood brothers with the guys in the band. The band was just necessary to comply with his record deal and to perform live. According to Tom, Brad never knew for years he was singing to tracks built by Tom and not a full band. It seems the musicians in the band were paid fairly for playing live.

[@timlamb6196]

Another reason I love Rush so much is that for better or worse they all managed to work things out with one another. A rarity in the entertainment industry.

[@grabasandwich]

It was incredible what they had. I hope Geddy and Alex are enjoying their retirement. RIP Neil.

[@cameronfowler7361]

U2 is another rare band who still has the same members

[@mcdaddydrewpounders]

Rush was the perfect band Neil went thru hell and back Geddy and Alex supported him as a brother big difference Barry and Brad were brothers in law but Sib (RIP) and Fran backed Brad's family post sucide . Tom seemed cold but i know Brads passing tore him up And from Toms point of view when the Boston Hearld basically called him killer it enraged him but because he alienated the original band. It really portrayed him as a villain but reality was not that dramatic just bad blood and a man lived by so many because not only could Brad sing but he was loved by many fans due to his kindness . Ian with JT ran a tight ship similar to Boston he would have the band members change instruments during sound check really cool except the flute lol but he still had a good relationship eith his bandmates Tom had to be in complete control yes he made the debut album but dabg he built a great bad they preformed great why kill that. Honestly i cant watch modern Boston Berry on his SG was vintage on stage Sib like an anmial on the drums and Fran was always moving head swayijg full of energy Then Tom sets up an entite Pipe Organ in Giants organ and dies smokin like-no other. Was the chemistry an illusion or did it just build up? I would like to seeTom, Barry Jim and Fran talk this out . Anyway nuff said! Neil Peart, Sib Hashin and Brad Delp RIP BROTHERS!!!

[@mplsmark222]

I’ve always appreciated Rush for their writing and musicianship, but I can’t take Geddy Lee’s weird voice. I think they would have been more successful had that not been the case.

[@rephaimog4186]

I get Tom's controlling nature to a certain extent but honestly without Brad's vocals none of this is happening. He had the golden voice....no doubt about it. If there was some other vocalist it would not have been the same. It may not have even sold at all.

[@TheBamayaker]

Tom always introduced Brad as the most important guy on the stage at concerts. I believe he knew how important Brad was, and Brad always said without Tom there would be no Boston. Seemed to be some mutual respect. Brad was one of the premier voices of all time, and Tom wrote some monster Hits. Together they were bigger than the rest of the band.

[@harper1007]

Mentions Bruce Arnold of Orpheus at 2:50. If you don't know who that is, you're missing a vital piece of the history of Boston.

[@barryw5384]

Great band. Fathers of Boston rock.

[@cuttingthechord1419]

One of Brad's musical heroes. He sang on Bruce's remake of 'Can't Find The Time.'

[@jefferylane7976]

Saw them at the Carousel in Framingham with Led Zeppelin.

[@newavatar2947]

If Jim put down alot of the ideas on possibly the greatest debut of all time what else has he been doing the last 45 years? If I had that talent I would have been helping out other bands songwriting/ arranging and getting paid most of the cut.

[@MrOctober44]

Yup. Obviously we'll never know for sure, but I'd love to hear some examples or proof of his contributions other then him saying "I wrote the music".

[@flyonwall360]

Back in the Cosmo days of Boston, my brother had a chance to play bass for Boston. I now see why my brother turned down the gig. I was always a Tom Scholtz fan and wore the vinyl off the first LP. I also owned a Rockman, and the full blown rack mount Rockman unit. Tom is genius. However, time and time again I hear interviews from other band members and they are all the same. Tom doesn't realize that without those band members there would never have been tours. Without those tours Boston would never have been as big as it was. Boston suffers from the same problem as the Eagles and Journey. The album may have been a solo project but a band is a team effort. The team deserves credit.

[@Donny-does-it]

The story of Boston...how they burst on the scene from an album made in a basement of all places... should be made into a movie.

[@tonysams7261]

Heavy is the crown Tom Shultz wears!🎸🤘

[@vazz22]

It seems like Tom has alot of problems with Everyone

[@mcdude0192]

True

[@jamesgeorge65]

Not a good man.

[@newavatar2947]

He seems to have problems with people who make considerably less $$$ than him it seems ...

[@tsad5611]

@@jamesgeorge65 that’s a bit of a ridiculous generalization. What do you know ffs!

[@journeyquest1]

Not me. I think he is great and these other guys would be jack without him.

[@rodsmolter5046]

I know Masdea played on the original Boston demo but co-wrote the songs? Hmmmm, not sure if playing drums has ever been considered as a song writing credit. For instance Ringo played drums on most Beatle songs but the songwriting credit went to Lennon/McCartney.

[@musicmann1967]

I've noticed that with an act where there's one obvious "mastermind", the band always gets jealous, and there are lawsuits and accusations. There are even fans who go along with these aggrieved band members, and attack the mastermind as being egocentric and unfair etc. Jim Masdea may think he wrote songs with Tom Scholz, but that's what they all say. Boston could never exist without Tom Scholz. You just wouldn't have the melodies and harmonies, chord changes and that production. It's his project. Did Masdea contribute? Of course he did. But the song is the thing, and Scholz was always the big idea guy. Jeff Lynne from ELO gets this same type of treatment. I find it interesting. I was in a band years ago that wasn't even successful, but these same undercurrents (on a much smaller level) started bubbling underneath the surface. Like I said, it's interesting. Human behavior.

[@TheBamayaker]

Same experience I’ve had with egos. It’s easy to think one instrument is more important than the other.

[@SuperStrik9]

Agreed. John Fogerty from CCR is another example. John even relented at one point and let the other guys in the band contribute songs for the Mardi Gras album. Sure enough the only hit songs on the album were John's and the songs the other guys wrote were mediocre and did nothing.

[@StuHub]

Funnily enough, I actually met Jim Masdea randomly in 2018 when my family was staying in an Air BnB when visiting the states. He was a really cool dude

[@bobpeterson4930]

I was at the Texxas Jam which Jim played with Boston Third Stage Tour - Great show! I remember an interview with Tom saying that Jim wanted to be a ship captain.

[@georgebarry8640]

I think Tom may have been using a metaphor,there.

[@scootterpootter]

That show was filmed for an HBO live concert release, but Tom put a halt to it. Once again, WTF Tom?!!

[@CaseyLyde]

Thanks. Been looking forward to this follow up for a while.

[@bluejayfan5584]

He would best serve his interests by writing a book cement his legacy and make some coin.

[@Supermodelyum]

I can't imagine reading more than 10 pages of the kvetching before tossing it in the garbage.

[@skaz777]

This is actually the funniest series of videos i’ve seen all year so far. i thought at times i’d had bad bandmates, but nothing like this guy. He’s hysterical! ‘Can’t wait for part 3!

[@Earthshaker1965]

I'd hire and KEEP Jim in a minute!!!😎👍 Fantastic interview!!!

[@jlcougilljr]

i truly wish Tom Scholz would respond, as much as i love Boston and have a been a big fan since the first album folks tend to forget the "business" part of the term "music business". Tom is a genius-that's for sure. BUT i think he's probably a control freak which to some degree is totally understandable and expected being the creative force that he is, but he didn't give birth to all of that exceptional music-he needed the others help, talents and creative input as well, especially Barry and Brad as well as the others and Jim. i can see Tom playing all sides to get the final results he wants and then possibly brushing off the others when the chance presents itself. i really feel that Tom wasn't as fair as he should have been with the other members contributions to the band as a whole-especially to Brad Delp who's vocal genius, harmonic talents were and always will be JUST AS MUCH half of the magic that is the Boston sound. you can get all the karaoke wanna bees and posers you want but there will NEVER be another Brad Delp and the true natural talent and magic that Brad had that is forever pressed into those sacred grooves of those first 3 albums- it's totally undeniable!!!!!! and as well for Barry and Jim... i can't blame Tom for being so protective of his baby-but only to a certain degree, after that it's all about control, power and money and it's just a damn shame that the world will never have the honor and experience of having that Boston magic that once was.

[@Supermodelyum]

That sort of thing happens a lot in bands when one person is writing most of the material or has a particular "sound" in their head that they are trying to achieve. Sometimes it gets in the way and people fight. Other times (in a lot of bands) , people just deal with it until they get too annoyed. (Just look at the Eagles & Felder).

[@kevinlewis1017]

Wait don't tell me, The next video reveals how Jim Masdea painted the first two album covers and came up with the spaceship design

[@musicatto1]

now THATS funny! Big LOL

[@PatrickLongworth]

I'm not naive enough to believe Tom is so perfect, in fact the fact that Tom fought the studios for control shows him to be just the control freak that would dismiss someone else's efforts in creativity. A guitarist can create music on their own but as soon as they involve another person in their creative process they must cede partial ownership in that creativity even if they deceive themselves into believing they're fully controlling the process.

[@georgebarry8640]

@@PatrickLongworth Tbh: the music aspect of the music business is the smallest part. The biz part is a major PIA ..for all we know Tom did the bulk of that heavy lift. He certainly prevalied against CBS in court (and gave the money away). I WISH it was all about the music...but none of Us hear a note unless the other stuff happens.

[@scootterpootter]

@@georgebarry8640 Tom absolutely did the bulk of the heavy lifting, but he didn't do it by himself, which is why he didn't prevail in the lawsuits from some of the other members of the band. They story, as I remember it was partly about the money that he was giving away to charity, was not his to give away. He shafted the members of the band and gave away their royalty checks, which he had to eventually pay them back. The one song that Tom claimed to have written and performed all by himself, other than the drums, was Longtime/Foreplay. It was proven otherwise, which is why Barry is now credited as co-writer or whatever they call it. Some of the guitar work is pure Barry, no Tom even in sight. To be honest, at least from my perspective, Tom is an amazing keyboard player, writer, producer, lyricist, recording engineer, etc., but he is mediocre guitar player. Just listen to any live recordings where he is noodling around doing a his guitar stuff with his Hyperspace Pedal, he sounds like some kid at the local guitar center playing with an effects processor. This is why he always has had great guitarists in the band, to replicate the studio sound. Other bands play way more intricate music on the albums and can easily replicate the songs during a live performance. Dream Theater is one, just off the top of my head.

[@zippymufo9765]

@@PatrickLongworth Except that Scholz has continued to put out albums since that first record. If this Jim Masdea guy helped write all the songs, why hasn't he written any new music since?

[@PatrickLongworth]

Enlightening

[@ohger1]

OK, but why haven't any of the former members written and recorded anything noteworthy?

[@in2livinit]

Barry and Brad were Prolific. Sib was also involved as well as Jim. What did TS write that stands up to the 1st or even 2nd ? Nothing. The 1st 3, then 3 forgettable. Period. 6 studio, that's it.

[@kelleyfamily2636]

Masdea is not credited as a writer on any Boston or Barry Goodreau song except "A New World" on Third Stage, which is 36 seconds of a few big chords, cymbal crashes, and a little melody. It seems like a nice gesture on Tom's part to give Masdea a writing credit on the album, which will return royalties to him for the rest of his life. Both Tom and Barry credited other writers on songs, so why would both of them exclude Masdea if he actually contributed? I wasn't there, but I'm dubious of Masdea's claims of "writing" songs, either with Tom or Barry. Perhaps coming up the drum part, but that's not generally considered part of the composing process. And I'm not saying Tom is perfect either. He wrote some great songs and developed a unique sound. I'm guessing he had a lot of people and organizations wanting to take a piece of the credit and the money, and that can mess with you. It seems like there were times he was generous with his success (like probably with Masdea and "A New World"), but from what I've read however, it sounds like there might have been some other times he didn't handle that well. But again, I don't know. I wasn't there.

[@gordoh7634]

And oh by the way, Tom fired Doug for some type of copyright infringement something or other. Honestly if anybody could ever figure out a shred of truth to this saga, it would be a great mini-series.

[@cuttingthechord1419]

I believe the story is Tom fired Doug for playing an advance copy of the 'Walk On' album to friends.

[@ohger1]

"mini"?... There's enough drama there to keep the Kardashians thrilled..

[@kevinlewis1017]

Tom needs to write a book I'm sure he has some stories

[@jamesgeorge65]

He’d rather sue and make people’s lives miserable.

[@davidstewart4310]

​@@jamesgeorge65He sues people that tell very nasty lies about him.

[@tribalflute3895]

See this is why I invested in a couple of drum machines years ago. Great dependable beats and the cymbals crash with the kick drum.

[@lewiscrow]

Okay, let's see if I've got this...Tom is 1) a musical genius 2) egotistical and 3) hard to work with. That describes a healthy percentage of legendary rock & rollers. Sorry Jim M. ended up on the short end.

[@georgebarry8640]

See my note, if you like. Maybe its a case of short end for a guy who didnt contribute all that much.

[@scootterpootter]

@@georgebarry8640 He did contribute though, which is why he (I think it was Jim) and Barry are now listed as writers on the albums. They had to sue for back royalties and credit on any future sales, and they won.

[@rollinscossingtonjr.1025]

tom scholz is the mastermind behind boston........interjecting this barry gudreau played tom scholz music well.......he still does to this day...............but tom scholz is boston

[@tompantaleo2544]

OMG Toms lawyers must me sharpening their pencils!

[@miket485]

They're probably going oh christ, here we go again.

[@in2livinit]

He may have been a control freak troll in his basement, but TS is not a master guitarist or a genius. The well ran dry and he's spent decades milking an old cow. But he wanted to be EVERYTHING. Instead maybe if he had learned to play nice & Appreciate others, the Boston story wouldn't be a tragedy.

[@scootterpootter]

Tom wrote most of the words and music, but not ALL of it, as he claims, which was part of the grounds for the multiple lawsuits that Tom has been involved in. This is why Barry was not credited with anything basically, until after he filed suit against Tom. The early albums show Tom as the writer of all of the music and lyrics, but on the post-lawsuit albums, Barry and I think maybe Sib or Fran, are also credited and Tom had to pay them royalties. Also, the song Let Me Take Ya Home Tonight is not Tom playing, that is the rest of the guys in a studio in California. Tom was back at his home studio when that track was recorded. Fun trivia fact about this: When the guys from Boston were out there cutting LMTYHT, they also all sang on Sammy Hagar's cover of Otis Redding's "Sittin on the dock of the bay". I'm not sure if that was on an album, but it's on one of Sammy's Greatest Hits releases. As much as I love Boston, and give props to Tom for giving us such incredible music throughout the decades, I just feel like he could have been a bit more diplomatic with his band/hired guns, and still gotten what he wanted, but without all of the drama. Case in point, I've been a member of the Boston email group for going on 28 years now, since it was a little tiny twinkle in the eyes of us fans. David Sykes (Bass player for Boston for many years) was also a member of our group, and we used to have long talks back and forth with him. One day, David commented that he had some live recordings of a bunch of shows that he would gladly offer up to anyone on the list so that we could make a vine/tree, which where one person gets the recordings, makes a copy for themselves, and creates 2 copies that they send to other members, and so on until everybody has a copy. Well, the next day, Tom gets wind of this, writes a blistering email to the group and to David (who is one of the kindest people that you'd ever meet), saying that sharing of live material is absolutely forbidden and essentially telling us that he'd sic his lawyers up our asses if we didn't comply. Then, the next thing you know, David is fired from the band. WTF!! David was just trying to be nice to the rabid fans that the band has, and he got screwed because of it. All Tom had to do was to take it private with David, explain to him in a reasonably adult manner, that he couldn't do that, and things would have probably smoothed over quickly, but Tom went the nuclear option right out of the gate... LAWYERS!!

[@tommccann9269]

Tom is definitely on LMTYHT - playing organ at a minimum. But it was Brad's song and not Tom's. Barry played lead.

[@davidstewart4310]

Goudreau and Hashian never wrote anything for Boston. Sheehan co-wrote COOL THE ENGINES.

[@iang1]

Love listening to Jim, intriguing stuff

[@DC-ih8bv]

Drummers seem to me have the worst experiences in bands maybe because the leader doesn’t realize the importance. Jimmy Page did. Chicago, Billy Joel, Boston, Aerosmith , Guns and Roses , Foreigner and Kiss are some examples where the drummer complained quite often from just a plain old lack of respect. You realize by listening to these bands just how important that particular drummer was.

[@jasfan8247]

Drummers are like goalkeepers. The ass. You need one but can be replaced. A voice cannot. And big asses will get noticed🥕

[@georgebarry8640]

fwiw: Most drummers I have met certainly arent shy about getting heard (in all matters). But writing lyrics,creating melodies, working arrangements....very few drummers involve themselves in that. And it IS those actual components that get copywritten,published and make the majority of earnings. It isnt enough to play an instrument. I play an instrument, Guitar. . So does the bassist. So what distinguishes who gets a a greater percentage in their pay? Its the person who contributed the most. Neal Pert wrote the lyrics (good on him!), Phil Collins wrote many songs,in addition to playing drums on his material. Good on him,too! And that's why they made more. If Masdea,or anyone, just played drums...they aren't entitled to part of the earnings for writing, arranging etc Just explaining. If Masdea had written the material...he should have copyrighten it...then the Federal Gov Office of Copyrights would have a record of his contributions. Its easy to do and not very expensive. If he didnt make that effort..and thought someone else would do it for him..AGAIN..it is NOT enough to just play your instrument.

[@journeyquest1]

Many drummers can be replaced including the Boson drummers. Only a handful are outstanding. Stewart Copeland comes to mind.

[@bobh28630]

@@georgebarry8640 -- 'Dummmer' who was/is business first: Dave Clark

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

I believe him

[@RudeDog412]

Narcissists... don't let their crazy drive you crazy.

[@skaboosh]

I scratched my nose at a hendrix session, the air from that changed the treble on his guitar, in fact I'm responsible for all of hendrix hits from when I scratched my nose...... my nose changed history

[@Esperia-ef9xh]

good going jim☆

[@rushmore3927]

All more "recent" Boston albums ironically don't even use real drums, but fake heartlee drum sound from a computer. Saw "Boston" live several years ago, and real drums made the music sound way better with more depth. Tom had a tight group with him.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

Doesn't all this boil down to this: From the beginning "Boston" was essentially the project of one phenomenal, perfectionist, controlling individual? It was never a 'team' thing, even after all the basement recording. It just wasn't the typical band experience and arc. I'm all for fairness, but I guess I don't have a huge problem with this. "Boston" really was Tom's intellectual property. Not only that, there is no question in my mind that if it had been a more collaborative effort it wouldn't have been one-third as good. I'm not taking Tom's side on 'everything', but I think that is the essence of all the controversy.

[@TheBamayaker]

Well said. Also anyone that’s ever played in bands know how ego’s of each musician play out.

[@sf98]

He also came to the meet and greet with Tom @ the Hard rock before the Brad Delp tribute.

[@bradlee2594]

This is very interesting. Jim states what happened, but there's no statement, opinion or even a guess as to why it happened. Isn't why an obvious question?

[@mcdude0192]

Would it be possible to get one with some other members (current or past) such as Gary Pihl or Doug Huffman?

[@TrailToughTrailers]

At best the music business is ruthless!!!

[@doughstarstar4032]

Jon you should look into the Bob Daisley story on the first Ozzy Osbourne solo album.. Blizzard of Oz....if you want to hear about a real rock'n'roll stitch up.

[@chrisgabb7364]

All the comments from people who were not there speaking in definitive terms about what was and what should have been is just ridiculous. Any reading of the documented facts combined with common sense brings you to the inevitable conclusion that Tom Scholz IS Boston. He wrote it, he created the sound, he invented the hardware, he played practically every instrument, he took the chances, he put in thousands of hours, he did it all. How outrageous that someone who banged on skins and pans would lay claim to Tom's body of work. MUSIC IS BUSINESS. There can't be more than just a few thousand stories floating around (many on youtube) about artists who did not pay attention to the business aspects of their craft and as a result everyone but THEM is rich off of their work and efforts. Hats off to Tom not only for the unfathomable effort he put it to creating Boston which has brought so much pleasure to the masses, but a military salute to him for being so savy as to simultaneously protect his work. Brad Delp? One of the best singers who ever lived. It was to both his and Tom's benefit that they came together to collaborate.

[@michaelp5518]

Artists are very passionate about what they do. Big difference artistry to the business world.

[@Rob-dp3vr]

I believe him. I think there is a common maneuver some artists engage in to capture complete power. And that is to diminish the other role players, then get them out of the band. They then bring in musicians who are relegated to "employee" status. David Coverdale did that. Billy Joel did. Read about or watch some videos on how poorly Billy Joel treated his co-writers. Friends. Basically he created his early hits with friends. They were absolute equal contributors. But he conned them in to agreeing to publicly let him take the lead, saying the image of the loan Piano Man would be more successful, but they would still be the band. Once they did that, he slowly pushed them out, and then had all of their music. He even cut them off. Not because of a fight or disagreement, but merely to avoid facing them. Weddings, birthdays, health scares....not a peep from him. And he never thanked any of them. I think Tom, in Boston did this too. The way he treated Brad Delp always disgusted me. It played a role in his suicide, many believe. Making everyone employees gave him absolute control, and didn't have to share the wealth. He just had to pay them like roadies. But to me, Brad Delp was Boston. Brad and Tom, but that voice was first to me.

[@larrypower8659]

“Full of sound and fury signifying nothing” ~ Shakespeare.

[@larrypower8659]

I’ve heard the Boston demos, previous to Boston getting a record deal. Sib was better.

[@michaelreardon7667]

Well, Jim, you should have sued Tom, if you did actually write music for the first BOSTON album. But the fact that you came back for the Third Stage album, after being snubbed by Tom on the first album 10 years earlier is a little suspect. That being said, I enjoyed the interview. I have been a lifelong fan of BOSTON , including the former members. By the way , I saw you ( Jim) in 1987 drumming for Boston, at the Norfolk Scope Arena here in Virginia. It was a GREAT show, and you are a great drummer.

[@wildflowrecordsandmedia6355]

after 2ND album came out? what? hard to believe you would wait...t

[@grabasandwich]

Kinda sounds like Tom is a lot like Don Henley. Hugely talented, successful (ie. rich) guys, but major control freaks. Me, me, me. Being rich and famous must be great, but you can't take it with you. Not that anything I say matters.

[@danm9460]

Offering to have tom scholz talk is interesting but have you tried to reach out to him? Or just blindly inviting him?

[@1970sRacing]

Tom is the only one not throwing dirt in the media on the former bandmates. face it, they need him to exist

[@staceycarras3815]

He didn't have to, when he got everything for himself

[@kinochdotcom]

No, he just sues em

[@cameramanzoomit]

I was in a band once. And we won a local band award one time. They called our name and this guy who used to hang around the band came running up on stage with us, acting like he was in the band. Douche move! That's this guy. What a fascinating train wreck he is. Did he write all the later shitty Boston songs too or only the classics?! Unbelievable!

[@gregflorko8402]

Well, if he played with Boston only up through the Third Stage album, there may be some credibility to what he's saying. In my opinion, nothing they did was shitty until after Third Stage. He complained that in the song Rock and Roll Band, the story is told from Tom's perspective when it's actually told from Jim's perspective. However, I recall reading in a guitar mag interview way back in the '80's, that Tom did acknowledge that the song was a tribute to Jim and chronicled Jim's experiences playing in cover bands. So, Tom redeemed himself on that one. In summary, this guy seems to be very high intensity and kind of annoying. The kind of guy where just spending five minutes in the same room with him seems to drain your energy. I can see why Tom replaced him. It's too bad Tom won't do interviews anymore. He used to and they were always quite informative. I think he's backed away from doing interviews because of the mud slinging in the interviews with former band mates.

[@skaboosh]

where there's a hit, there's a writ

[@Rob-dp3vr]

that sounded stupid. You described your unknown shitty band, and "some guy" who wasn't in the band. Jim helped create Boston music with Tom, and was IN the band. A real band. Award winning, mega-selling famous band. Not some high school collection of failures.

[@jgold2813]

@@gregflorko8402 i dont know walk on is a strong album but then when you make a 17.5 first album and then a 14.5 then a 11 i guess a 10 out of 10 just not that good for some fyi theres 15 more hits after walk on but none will ever match more then likely the best ever see thats why its the best ever

[@scottchoate6987]

After forty years, my conclusion is - tom sholtz on everybody.

[@zippymufo9765]

I don't believe for a second that this guy helped write the original BOSTON songs.

[@nothingfree3524]

WELL MY TAKE IS TOM CREATED A GREAT BAND AND CREATED THE SOUND AND PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND CREATED A MASTERPIECE ! , MISTAKE WAS DIDN'T LEAVE IT ALONE ! IT WAS THERE ! MORE THAN HE ENVISIONED ! THEN HE FIXED WHAT WASN'T BROKEN ! WHICH ENDED IN IT'S DEMISE ! LIKE IT IS SAID THE FIRST WAS THE BEST ! YES HAVE TO RUN A BAND LIKE A BUSINESS BUT IF THAT BUSINESS IS A SUCCESS WITH A PRODUCT THAT SELLS WELL YOU DON'T CHANGE IT WHEN GETTING SOLD OUT ! WHY ? BOSTON WENT TO THE TOP AND FLYING HIGH WITH WHAT IT WAS CREATED WITH THEN START CHANGING THE ELEMENTS THAT KEEPS IT FLYING WHICH DIDN'T HAVE TO DO LOOK WHERE IT WENT ! A DIVE INTO NOWHERE ! HAD THE RIGHT MUSIC THE RIGHT PEOPLE PUT IT TOGETHER AND IT WAS A SUCCESS ! TOM A PERFECTIONIST BUT MAYBE DIDN'T REQUNIZE PERFECTION WHEN HE HAD IT.

[@lastdaysguitar]

This is very sad to see, Jim got dissed almost as bad as Peter Banks in YES. I don't suppose Tom Scholz ever replied, did he?

[@charlesgrotticelli2946]

I feel so bad for this guy. He did all the drum tracks on one of the most successful debut riock albums. And he got no monetary compensation for it. That's just wrong. You'd think thst Tom would've given him say a million dollars out of his own pocket to compensate him for his work.If i was this guy, I'd be angry.

[@MrBoston63]

I’ve been a Boston fan since 1976 and have always known Jim was the original drummer and that amazing first album is his drumming! He should get what he deserves. Tom needs to speak the truth

[@bagcpa]

he drummed on the demos that went to CBS but only drummed on one song on the actual album

[@Venus_Isle]

Numerous comments questioning the character of this chap. In fairness he does stick up for Sib, so from that point of view seems like an upstanding person. Difficult to know what to believe, really.

[@MikeCable-hl4gx]

Not buying it, it doesn’t add up. Jim’s interviews are to precise and never waiver! One guy didn’t do this in a year as claimed and Tom was not a drummer. Jim is one bad ass drummer with great timing and is well spoken. Did Tom ever come out and confront Jim on air face to face, no because it would only hurt his case. By the way those drum sections are a huge part of the Boston sound.

[@stevenosborne5117]

If Masdea was responsible for the foundation’s of Boston as he has stated then where are his hit albums and music 🎼 🎶 🎵 at after all this boisterous bravado!

[@jeffperry7971]

In the far gone past, I’ve heard of some of these stories. It pretty much surrounded Tom’s conflict with Barry and/or Brad. It just seems ironic that now I’m hearing a side of it from Jim that is never really heard before. I’m not saying that Tom isn’t a remarkable guitar player and musician. But I am saying where there’s smoke there’s fire. Also, Jim is crediting Sib’s contribution. He’s not trying to undermine or discredit it. Jim could’ve taken a whole different attitude in this. 1. Boston songs created through a series of jams between Tom & Jim. 2. Barry’s solo project squashed by Tom through his meddling. Tom should pay the man! Something! In my opinion he owes Jim and Barry. BIG! Brad too for that matter. RIP Brad Delp. No wonder you felt like you were going crazy sometimes.

[@JamesDavis-sh9gh]

Don't forget Sib Hashian R.I.P. Another of Tom's victims. He deserved respect too but Tom kept belittling him.

[@albertdenardo2777]

Jeff, i have read a shit ton of interviews about Tom and there is only one way to really label him and that is " A Total Asshole". Excuse the language but that seems to be the opinion in all the interviews.

[@davidstewart4310]

​@@JamesDavis-sh9ghNot True

[@a.andrewhussey6403]

Sounds like sour grapes? It was all Tom. Sorry. He needed players but really it was all business and he was the business

[@journeyquest1]

All these guys short of Brad, would be jack shit without Tom. Jim was such a big part of Boston and should get most of the credit. lol So i added some drum beats to some already existing music.

[@mariaday712]

Sad the only thing available to him was to sue the band. You can't go back if you do that. It is HIS music if he wrote it or had a hand in writing it. This all seems very sad.

[@jeffcusworth1130]

I enjoyed hearing Jim’s side of his time in Boston. I wish Tom would stand up and give his side of the story. I don’t think he will because he knows there’s something truth to what Jim’s saying.

[@jamesgeorge65]

He’d sue before he dies an interview on this.

[@randaloopy]

Everyone knows Tom is TREMENDOUSLY talented, but ever since Brad died in 07, I've never read or heard anything but stories about what a self-centered sob Tom is. And that's just from the former members. Which I believe.

[@Journxy27]

That’s the thing, you say you started hearing stories after Brads death. Brads suicide had nothing to do with Tom, Brad was caught spying on his fiancé’s sister in the middle of a bad battle with depression. Therefore most of what you heard was probably misinformation. Most of the negative stuff I’ve heard is misinformation and I came to that conclusion after doing a LOT of research.

[@cuttingthechord1419]

@@Journxy27 Well, according to Gary Pihl, Brad's suicide may have been in part because of a concussion he suffered after a motorcycle accident.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

So why hasn't Masdea written anything since?

[@kkwok9]

Enjoy Jim's side of the story.

[@Forrest4rest]

What a mess. Never a dull moment.

[@kevinlewis1017]

Scholtz/Masdea was bigger thank Lennon/McCartney who knew? Oh my.

[@thesundog8833]

It's funny how he can't say much about the second album, which was great. Basically he was friends with somebody and if he didn't secure his services, its basically like giving somebody a gift, then realizing it's worth a lot of money a couple years later and wanting the money it's worth. Also I've been playing for 20 years now, and I can most definitely write a song without a drummer. And get this, no matter who plays the drums, the rhythm will be the same.

[@CiscoDuck]

This guy sounds like an ex-wife who sues the ex-husband who wrote songs while they were together because she wants a cut of what he wrote claiming that the songs he wrote during their marriage and the eventual breakdown of their relationship that led to their divorce were in part fueled by her presence and throughout the drama of their marital failure and she is trying to sue for composers credit for her contribution for every positive song he wrote based on the good times they had and for every negative message in the lyrics she believes are based on the bad times they had and she is due a 50-50 split. Every songwriter has an internal rhythm track that is part of the songwriting process. Just because he and Tom jammed in a basement for years off and on doesn't mean he co-wrote anything. How many other drummers was Tom jamming with over the years he was writing the songs that became Boston's 1st and 2nd album? I think this guy is stretching the point way out of proportion.

[@jupitermadcat]

I agree 💯

[@TheBamayaker]

We’ll said 💯

[@repentnow1720]

Tom Scholz is the smiling vegan version of Richie Blackmore - a control freak / musical genius who has single-handedly alienated ALL of his former friends / bandmates. Are the first 3 albums amazing? Yes, but remove Brad Delp from Boston, and you end up with Deep Purple without Ian Gilan - good (maybe?), but not great.

[@jamesgeorge65]

Since Tom is absolutely a narcissist, I guarantee you he knows of this interview. Wouldn’t surprise if he sues both this KZbin channel and Jim.

[@Journxy27]

Have you ever seen a narcissist? If Tom was a narcissist there wouldn’t be a single other name on any of those albums.

[@Taylor-kd6lr]

Boston is Tom Sholz. He is the mastermind behind the sound and song creation. This guy is overstating his role in the band.

[@staceycarras3815]

I love Boston and I think Tom is a genius, but I'm not impressed with how he treated people

[@davidstewart4310]

Delp, Goudreau, Sheehan, Pihl, Hashian, Cosmo etc have ALL said Scholz wrote all the songs yet this guy says otherwise.....Hmmmmmm

[@bradlee2594]

None of those guys worked with Masdea, so all those others guys wouldn't know anything more than what Tom told them.

[@davidstewart4310]

@@bradlee2594 Delp did work with Masdea.

[@Spoone99]

Sounds like classic disgruntled former bandmate stuff. Rank amateur.

[@stankakol5195]

I'm beginning to think that Tom Scholz is a real jerk.

[@mcdude0192]

Yeah he seems like such a nice dude in documentaries but that’s not him irl

[@davidstewart4310]

​@@mcdude0192He is a nice guy actually

[@Rock-vd1xp]

Listen to the real story told by Tom Scholz & Brad Delp themselves: www.inthestudio.net/online-on-demand/in-the-studio-bostons-tom-scholz/

[@maelinjoli]

thanks for this link! now I have access to all that great Red Beard stuff!

[@PatrickLongworth]

No video found.

[@jjstudiosjj2408]

This story is not far fetched at all.... this is a common problem in bands. One guy or two. Hoarding any so called writing credits for themselves I tend to believe his story honestly I’ve heard nearly the same story over and over with bands

[@ohger1]

I wonder if we'll ever know. An odd thing is that only Brad and Tom were on the Boston contract, yet Barry, Sib, and Fran received equal money. Strange saga for sure.

[@jjstudiosjj2408]

@@ohger1 long term notoriety possibly

[@Vboost7000rpm]

No wonder Brad gave up , Tom must be greedy ass

[@ttony777cpespective3]

Tom don’t talk cos what Jim says is true.

[@miket485]

There's an old musician's joke about drummers: What do you do when you see a drummer bleeding in your back yard? Shoot him again. Drummers get no respect.

[@patrickmoreau7592]

I saw the third stage tour Either he is lying or Tom is One or the other. It’s sad

[@mcdude0192]

Did they both play drums like Jim said?

[@charlie50201]

I'm sorry but not once here have i heard that he plays anything but drums..

[@imagine9265]

Fact ; Boston was never a band Tom Scholz created the music Hired musicians and was extremely controlling and has a habit of suing any one or and company he a egotistical perfectionist... Great music from a Bad person

[@robc1961]

I need aspirin after listening to allyhis whining. Good grief man get over yourself. It was decades ago.

[@kevinkaatz883]

What is wrong with Tom? Not a good souled human

[@rodrossi9749]

Typicall drummer.....

[@richardzraick9296]

The drum performances (live and recorded) speak for themselves. Everything else is just spin on both sides. I am a drummer. Are there any drummers out there that really believe that Jim’s demo drumming was adequate enough to make it onto a major label record release? I don’t. Neither did anyone else, apparently. Ditto for the live performances. Give credit where credit is due (not where its not). I am not defending Scholz at all - he treated Sib very badly. I got to know Sib over a 20-year period. He was the real deal, and deserved the recognition. I’m sorry for Jim that he had a bad experience with Tom - he may have been the first in that line, but isn’t the last….

[@Supermodelyum]

Getting ear fatigue from listening to all the whinging. It's like an old lady. (Who wants that ego in the room). I imagine that's what the rest of the band felt too.

[@ipman4715]

No doubt jim was done wrong.

[@MagnumD-bt6yb]

Jim Masdea nailed it when he revealed that Tom is a 'Narcissist'. Only a narcissist could ruin one of the greatest bands in history and rob its fans and original members of decades of enjoyment and success. Manipulation, control, selfishness, paranoia, lack of empathy, greed, using people and tumultuous lawsuits are right out of the narcissist playbook. Tom Scholz destroyed Boston.