Brad Delp, lead singer with US band Boston, has been found dead at his home in New Hampshire. Police confirmed that on Friday afternoon they responded to a call for help, and found Delp's body at his house some time later. No cause of death has been officially confirmed but a police spokesman called the death 'untimely', and indicated that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.
Delp joined Boston back in the early 70s when he met the band's driving force - guitarist, songwriter and producer Tom Scholz. Later signed to Epic, the group met with huge success with their eponymous debut, but Scholz's attention to detail and disputes with the label meant that subsequent albums were slow in coming, and over the years the band's line up changed constantly. Delp himself left the band in 1991, although rejoined for a subsequent tour, and is said to have been involved in a new Boston album variously rumoured to be in the pipeline.
A statement from the singer's family read: "On behalf of the Delp family and Brad's fiancee, Pamela Sullivan, it is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Bradley Delp, the legendary vocalist of the rock band 'Boston'. Brad was admired and loved by many, known as the 'man with the golden voice' and recognized throughout the music community as 'the nicest man in rock and roll'. Brad will be deeply missed by his family, friends, fans and the entire music community".
A statement from Tom Scholz on the band's website reads: "As you all know by now, Boston's lead singer, Brad Delp, was found dead in his home on Friday, March 9th 2007. Plans for live Boston performances this summer have, of course, been cancelled. My heart goes out to his wonderful fiancee Pamela, his two children and other family members, his close friends and band mates, and to the millions of people whose lives were made a little brighter by the sound of his voice. He will be dearly missed".
Delp's family are planning a private funeral but there are plans for a public memorial service at a later date. Donations can be made in the singer's memory to The American Heart Association.