Barry Goudreau is a
musicianA musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, best known as one of the original
guitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
s for the rock band
BostonBoston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists...
.
Before Boston
Goudreau had developed a musical interest at an early age and got his first guitar, an
acousticA steel-string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound...
which he borrowed from a friend, at age 11. He began taking lessons and by age 13, joined his first band, the "Tornadoes". At age 15, he joined another band with future Boston drummer
Sib HashianJohn "Sib" Hashian is a drummer who was a member of the rock band Boston during their first and most successful lineup. Hashian currently lives in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Sib is of Armenian descent.-Boston years:...
. They would often play at night clubs, sometimes seven times a week. Later, he met up with
Brad DelpBradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
and Fran Sheehan, both future members of Boston. He auditioned for Delp's band, but didn't make the cut as he explains here:
It was around this time that I met Fran Sheehan and Brad Delp. Fran's house was the place musicians went to and jam. We had some great times there, refining our chops until the wee hours. I'm sure the neighbors didn't appreciate it as much as we did. I met Brad when I auditioned for his band. The guitar player had decided to leave and brought me there as his replacement. Brad sang Led Zeppelin's “Communication Breakdown”. I had never heard anybody sing like that before, I will never forget it. Unfortunately, I did not get the gig.
When he went to college at
Boston UniversityBoston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, he sought to get a degree in
GeologyGeology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
. He tried to put music aside to focus on school, but he soon met up with
Tom ScholzDonald Thomas "Tom" Scholz is an American rock musician, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, inventor, and mechanical engineer, best known as the founder of the hard rock band Boston. He is also the inventor of the Rockman guitar amplifier...
who was right across the river at MIT.
Boston
The group evolved from Goudreau's college band "Mother's Milk" which also included Tom Scholz and Brad Delp. Goudreau worked with Scholz and Delp as early as 1969 on an initial set of demo tapes, where he performed all of the rhythm and lead guitar work. These early attempts to attract record label interest did not succeed.
Eventually we put together a demo tape, and brought it to New York to shop for a record contract. I remember sitting in waiting rooms, not able to get past the receptionist. I think it was these several years of constant rejection that drove Tom to continue to refine the songs and recordings to a point where they could no longer be denied.
Later, Scholz re-worked and re-recorded some of these demo songs and wrote several new songs for a second set of demo tapes, this time with Scholz performing all of the guitar, bass and keyboard parts. This second demo set won a recording contract with Epic Records.
Although Goudreau is not credited with any songwriting on any Boston tracks, his guitar work was an integral part of the Boston trademark sound and style. Goudreau composed and performed the lead work for "
Foreplay/Long Time"Foreplay/Long Time" is a song by the rock band Boston, released on the band's eponymous debut album, and as their second single, on Epic Records in 1976. It combines an instrumental introduction, "Foreplay", to the main song "Long Time", generally played as one on the radio and listed as one track...
",
Don't Look Back, and "Used To Bad News" and provided much creative input to the primary songwriter, Tom Scholz. In late 1979, Scholz became involved in legal and contractual battles with the band's manager, and later on, with CBS. Thereafter, he informed the members of Boston that he would not be working on Boston material for at least a year and that they should feel free to do solo projects.
After Boston
By this time, Goudreau had written many songs in hopes that Scholz would incorporate them into the next Boston LP. Scholz did not express interest in using any of Goudreau's work. In 1980, Goudreau recorded his first solo LP titled
Barry GoudreauBarry Goudreau is the debut self-titled album of original Boston guitar front man, Barry Goudreau. With the use of Boston members Brad Delp , and Sib Hashian , and future Boston singer Fran Cosmo the album displays a sound very similar to that of Boston's first two releases Boston and Don't Look...
, using
Brad DelpBradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
and
Fran CosmoFran Cosmo is an American musician best known as a former lead singer of the band Boston.-Music career:Cosmo was first featured on guitarist Barry Goudreau's self titled solo album in 1980, a prelude to the formation of Orion the Hunter in 1983...
(who would join Boston in 1991) on vocals, and
Sib HashianJohn "Sib" Hashian is a drummer who was a member of the rock band Boston during their first and most successful lineup. Hashian currently lives in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Sib is of Armenian descent.-Boston years:...
(then drummer for Boston) on drums. The record company sought to cash in big time with this "almost Boston" line-up. The LP successfully hit the airwaves with the songs "Dreams" and "Mean Woman Blues". The album was promoted as a kind of "Boston-lite" and when Scholz caught word of this he was furious. Ultimately, it was this album that triggered Scholz to ask Goudreau to leave Boston.
In 1984, Goudreau formed the band "
Orion The HunterOrion the Hunter was a 1980s rock combo and offshoot of the popular band Boston. It featured former Boston members Barry Goudreau on guitars and Brad Delp on backing vocals, as well as future Boston lead vocalist Fran Cosmo....
" and released a debut LP. This time, Fran Cosmo appeared as lead vocalist, while Brad Delp provided backing vocals and co-wrote five of the album's songs. The album included the single "So You Ran". The band then added keyboardist and backing vocalist
Brian MaesBrian Maes is a musician who was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on August 8, 1956. He graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1974 and from Berklee College of Music in 1979.-Early days:...
and toured in support of
AerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
in 1984 but ultimately broke up in 1985.
In 1990 Goudreau formed the band RTZ (Return to Zero). Brad Delp left Boston in order to join the band. RTZ experienced some success with the hit "Until Your Love Comes Back Around", which was written by Brian Maes. Delp and Goudreau felt that the record company was not supporting the band to the best of their abilities and asked to be released from their contract. They later signed with MTM Records; however, Delp departed shortly after to rejoin Boston.
In 1997 Goudreau appeared with the Lisa Guyer Band on the album
Gypsy Girl and in 2000 on the album
Leap of Faith.
In 1998, RTZ regrouped to release their second album
Lost with less success than the debut.
Present
In 2003, Goudreau and Delp teamed up for their independent recording of
Delp And Goudreau. The single "It's What You Leave Behind" received limited radio airplay.
In 2005, Goudreau and the members of RTZ released two CDs of songs that were earmarked for the never-realized third RTZ CD. The albums were released in the USA on Briola Records as
Lost in America and
Found in America. Goudreau continues to perform with Fran Sheehan and Sib Hashian in small, local venues in the greater Boston area, and also continued to perform with Brad Delp until his sudden death in 2007.
In 2006, Goudreau and Scholz got back in touch after 20-some years of silence. Fans hope this renewed friendship will bring great things for Boston, however Goudreau indicated in 2006 that he had not been invited to participate with the band as of yet.
On October 16, 2007, Goudreau released one final song with Delp on vocals titled "Rockin' Away". According to Goudreau, "'Rockin’ Away' was written in the summer of 2006 for the 30th Anniversary of the release of the first "Boston" record. It was the last song that Brad and I wrote together. In it, Brad reflects on how he became involved in music, and thanks his many fans for their years of loyalty. It was my hope that the song might lead to a rekindling of my relationship with the band. Unfortunately it did not." The song was a minor hit in early 2008, charting up to #18 on the America's Music ranking of rock radio airplay.
Goudreau occasionally sits in with James Montgomery and is currently a member of
Ernie and the AutomaticsErnie and the Automatics are a blues rock based in Boston, Massachusetts. Guitarist Barry Goudreau and drummer Sib Hashian are both former members of the multi-platinum selling band Boston....
with Sib Hashian, Tim Archibald, Brian Maes, Michael Antunes and “car guy” Ernie Boch, Jr.
After Brad Delp's passing, the remaining RTZ members reunited to record "Set The Songbird Free", which was written by Brian Maes. "We wanted this to be a tribute to the love and respect that we all share for our bandmate and friend Brad," recalls Maes.
In 2007, Goudreau appeared with presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee at campaign stops in Iowa, and the Boston song "More Than a Feeling" was played at these appearances. This caused Scholz to complain that the song was played without permission, and because of Scholz being opposed to Huckabee's positions, he didn't want any implication that Huckabee was endorsed by Boston.
Barry currently resides in Swampscott, Massachusetts with his wife Connie, son Sean, and daughter Michele. Connie's sister Micki was married to and bore two children by bandmate Brad Delp, but they separated in 1991 and divorced in 1996.
Goudreau is currently a member of Ernie and the Automatics along with former Boston drummer Sib Hashian.
Their debut album
Low Expectations was released on February 17, 2009.
With Boston
- Boston
The album soared, with three singles becoming Top 40 hits. All eight of the songs on the album still receive regular airplay on classic rock radio to this day, across the country...
(1976)
- Don't Look Back (1978)
With RTZ
- Return to Zero (1991)
- Lost
Lost is the second album by American rock band RTZ. It was released in 1999 by Renaissance Records and Avalon Japan. It was reissued in 2000 with a bonus track.-Track listing:All songs written by Delp and Goudreau, except where noted....
(1998)
- Lost and Found (2004)