Tommy DeCarlo, Voice of Boston, Dead at 62
Boston’s longtime frontman Tommy DeCarlo has died at the age of 60 after being diagnosed with brain cancer in September. His family confirmed that he passed away on Monday, March 9. In a statement shared on social media, they said he fought the illness with remarkable strength and courage until the very end.
DeCarlo joined the band Boston in 2008 after the tragic death of original singer Brad Delp, who died by suicide. Coincidentally, both singers passed away on the same date, March 9. Before joining the legendary rock group, DeCarlo worked as a credit manager at Home Depot. Despite his day job, he possessed a powerful voice that allowed him to continue Delp’s vocal legacy during Boston’s live performances.
How Tommy DeCarlo Was Discovered
After joining Boston, DeCarlo took part in several successful tours and contributed to the band’s most recent studio project. Band leader Tom Scholz praised his work, even saying that the lineup featuring DeCarlo delivered some of the best performances the band had ever given.
Although he had been a lifelong fan of Boston, DeCarlo had never performed in a band before. He later recalled that the opportunity came to him when he was already 42 years old.
His discovery happened online after Scholz’s wife found a video of DeCarlo singing a cover of the title track from Boston’s 1978 album Don’t Look Back. When Scholz heard it, he initially believed it was a recording from one of Boston’s live shows. When his wife told him it wasn’t the band, he was shocked. Scholz later said DeCarlo’s voice sounded so much like Brad Delp’s that he could hardly tell the difference.
Becoming Boston’s Frontman
At the time he was discovered, DeCarlo was singing along to pre-recorded tracks and had never toured before. Despite this, Scholz quickly recognized his natural talent. During his first tour with Boston, DeCarlo performed about half of the band’s setlist as they played more than 50 summer shows across North America alongside Styx. Other vocalists also shared duties during that period, including Michael Sweet, followed later by David Victor.
By the time Boston returned for its next tour, Scholz said DeCarlo had transformed into the “ultimate rock and roll frontman,” praising his development into a confident and engaging performer. He also began contributing vocals to the band’s studio recordings.
Boston toured from June to September 2012 ahead of the release of its sixth album, Life, Love & Hope. On the album, DeCarlo sang the title track and “The Way You Look Tonight,” and shared vocals on “Someday” and “You Gave Up on Love (2.0).” He later joined the band on the Heaven on Earth tour, which brought Boston across the United States and to Japan.
DeCarlo toured with Boston every year from 2014 to 2017. One of the highlights came in 2016 when the band celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special show in its hometown of Boston. Outside of the group, he also formed his own band called DeCarlo with his son, Tommy DeCarlo Jr. In recent years, there had been discussions about new Boston music and a possible 50th anniversary tour, but DeCarlo’s declining health eventually halted those plans.
Cause of Death
According to his son, DeCarlo suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage in late September and required emergency surgery. During the operation, doctors discovered two melanoma tumors in his brain as well as another cancerous spot on his lung. Although he initially recovered from the surgery, he later experienced another brain bleed that required further hospitalization.
DeCarlo returned home shortly after Christmas. A benefit concert titled “Voices of Change: A Benefit Concert for Tommy DeCarlo” had already been scheduled for March 29 near his home in Cornelius, North Carolina, to help cover his medical expenses.
