Family man and credit manager at the local hardware store by day, lead vocalist in America’s most beloved guitar rock band at night

No it's not the bio and plot synopsis to Marvel™ comics latest super hero , it the real life story of Tommy Decarlo.

Tommy DeCarlo - Photo ©2008 Jon Viscott - All Rights Reserved.

In the wake of Boston lead singer Brad Delp’s death in March 2007, Tommy, a long time Boston fan, was deeply moved by the passing of his most beloved rock icon. He recorded several covers of some of Boston’s classic tunes as a tribute, and his two teenage children, helped him post the tracks to the popular myspace.com music web site. With the encouragement of friends and family Tommy sent off a note to Boston’s management camp, never expecting the cover tunes to actually be heard or anyone would even listen.

However, someone was listening, Kim Scholz, the wife of Boston founder Tom Scholz was spinning the tunes on MySpace™ at home, while Tom was listening in the adjacent room. At first Tom was convinced it was Boston with Brad Delp he was hearing, perhaps some obscure live or bootleg track that had found it’s way to the internet. Yet on closer inspection Tom noticed the backing music wasn’t quite right– the karaoke backing track Tommy wound up using, having recently parted with his keyboard for extra Christmas gift money for his family. While the backing music wasn’t quite right, what Tom Scholz heard in Tommy’s voice was ever so right. There was something in Tommy’s voice that reflected many of the subtle nuances and tone of Brad Delp’s voice. Most likely the similarities are a result of Tommy singing along with Boston albums ever since he was a teenager. In hindsight Tommy notes, “I have said that I never took any singing lessons, but that's not exactly true... it was Brad who taught me how to sing, even though he never knew it."

Tom Scholz had Tommy flown up to Boston to sing with the band at their tribute to Brad Delp at the Bank of America Pavilion. Over 5,000 people attended the show. Prior to that the largest crowd Tommy had played to was performing karaoke in a bowling alley, with most of the 30 to 40 people on hand more interested in the bowling than Tommy’s singing.

Boston fans at that show also instantly heard what Tom Scholz recognized in Tommy’s voice, there was something familiar to the way Tommy sang. All in attendance also marvelled a bit at the wonder of a fan and the band he loved being able to connect in this way and pay tribute to Brad Delp.

Despite the whirlwind of over-nite success and changes, being adopted into Boston’s line up has brought into Tommy’s life, he hasn’t lost an ounce of his humility and awe for Boston’s music and all that Brad Delp accomplished. Taking the stage for the first time with the band, he says he felt as if he was instantly among friends, knowing the audience and he share a love for Boston and Brad’s vocals. Tommy simply sees himself as the luckiest Boston fan on Earth, having the rare opportunity to live the rock and roll dream and the privilege to represent Boston fans everywhere, in a living tribute to Brad Delp.