Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Fun] >> Music



Message

Rufas2000 -> Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/24/2008 7:38:47 PM)

Not sure how many know this (maybe I missed it) but I just heard on XM's Boneyard show "Eddie Trunk Live" the classic rock band Boston has a new lead singer: Stryper frontman Michael Sweet. I must say I never expected it.

A couple of issues: from the link you'll see below it appears that Boston will be doing their old tunes on tour. How do you feel about Michael Sweet (being an iconic Christian singer) singing words that advocate drug use and other excess ("Hitch A Ride", "Smokin")? Personally it disappoints me a little. I don't think Sweet is bad, sinful, fallen but I have to admit I wish (hope) he wouldn't sing those lyrics. I know it doesn't make sense because I'll listen to it as a Christian. I'm not saying I'm right but thats honestly how I feel. I do think singing is more of an advocacy than mere listening but neither says you approve of drug use.

Second, Brad Delp, Boston's former lead singer, just committed suicide. I don't think the rest of Boston owes him anything but Delp was such a big part of Boston (the only regular member aside from band founder and creative force Tom Scholtz) I think maybe they should hang it up and Tom Scholtz, Michael Sweet and whoever else should get together under a different moniker. Perhaps the biggest thing I admire about Zeppelin is once Bonham died they were pretty much done as a band (aside from three concerts in over 25 years). Again, I'm not condemning but just expressing the way I would prefer things to be.

Third, if this means Stryper is done or on hiatus how would you feel about that?

Again, no condemnation from me toward Sweet (or Boston) but I feel what I feel. How 'bout the ret of you?

linky

BTW: the new Whitesnake song playing on Trunk now is pretty hot.



themoodyexperience -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/24/2008 7:42:45 PM)

Well, 'More Than A Feeling' will be a little more nasally, that's for sure.



Rufas2000 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/24/2008 7:54:21 PM)

That reminds me: the most important thing: how will Sweet fit into Boston. Will it work musically for the classic stuff? If they make a new album then we'll find out about that then.



stellaluna -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/24/2008 8:41:50 PM)

Boston's still around? [8|]



tafkam -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/24/2008 10:25:10 PM)

From what I understand, Boston no longer performs "Smokin'" because of it's drug references.



gaylel1 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/24/2008 10:29:31 PM)

So Michael Sweet joined Boston, right? This is a joke, correct?

Anyways, I have the same concerns too and that is how is he gonna fit in the group because Sweet has a high pitched voice--well, the jury will be still be out on that one.

I realized the lead singer is gone, but it is a time and place to move on and Boston needed to move on. Remember the Temptations were w/o their lead singer David Ruffin and for a while people though the group will not have anymore success. They changed their sound, got a new lead singer, Dennis Edwards and continued to have hits before versions of the group like the Temptations Review sprong up.

But Sweet will do fine and that he will not ruin his christian witness. Maybe the Lord wanted him there in the first place.




Rufas2000 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/24/2008 10:44:16 PM)

quote:

Boston no longer performs "Smokin'" because of it's drug references.


If that is true (and I have no reason to doubt you other than your not quite sure tone in your post) then great.

quote:

But Sweet will do fine and that he will not ruin his christian witness. Maybe the Lord wanted him there in the first place.


I'm sure you're right. It was just more of a personal thing to me, not a "I think Sweet is bad" sorta deal.

quote:

I realized the lead singer is gone, but it is a time and place to move on and Boston needed to move on.


I know but I'm just a purist in the sense that I think its cool that Zeppelin quit after losing their drummer. Def Leppard deserves mention here for keeping their drummer after he lost an arm in a car wreck. That's loyalty, having only one arm is a huge handicap for a drummer, regardless of the technology that helped him out. It would have been easier just to say "You'll always be a member in our hearts" then get another drummer.

quote:

Remember the Temptations were w/o their lead singer David Ruffin and for a while people though the group will not have anymore success.


Did he die / have a serious health issue that prevented him from continuing or did he quit / move on? That makes a difference. Nevertheless I don't blame Boston for the decision they made (almost all bands have replaced members at some point) but I noticed and thought I'd bring it up.

At least they didn't base a TV show around auditioning for a replacement for their dead lead singer like INXS did.



gaylel1 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/24/2008 11:57:44 PM)

There were some stories floting around that Ruffin was either kicked off the group because of substance abuse issues/and or quit wanting a solo career. His abuse caught up/w him in the late 90's when he passed away.



amybreit -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 8:41:47 AM)

quote:

Unexpected phenomenon Tommy DeCarlo, the fan that posted his BOSTON covers on his myspace.com page and ended up on stage, will also be belting out the classics that skyrocketed the band to worldwide fame.
This quote from the link sounds like DeCarlo will be singing some of the classic songs. So maybe he'll be sharing vocal duties with Sweet.



Biblefreak -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 11:14:29 AM)

This is really odd.



rockitd -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 12:52:07 PM)

It's not true. Michael would have it on his myspace. Besides, he's a solo artist and still doing things with Stryper. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=55128027



mapachito13 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 1:21:49 PM)

I know I may step on some toes but Michael Sweet's voice was the thing I liked least about Stryper. I admired his songwriting and musicianship and he was entertaining as a frontman (saw Stryper three times with our church's youth group) but that voice. It made me cringe at times.

I can't see how he will improve Boston's sound but stranger things have been known to happen.



karlie -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 1:30:42 PM)

Wow...what a shock! Boston is one of my all time favorite classic rock groups. It'll never be the same with Michael Sweet singing for them. My brother was a huge fan, but I couldn't stand Stryper or his voice!

quote:

It's not true. Michael would have it on his myspace.

Actually, he does mention it and has a link to it from his blog (Michael Sweet), so I would think it is true. I can't imagine he would link to it from his myspace if it wasn't true.



tafkam -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 1:38:23 PM)

I saw Micheal perform with Boston on VH-1 Classic the other night, they did "Peace Of Mind", and it was pretty good.

Micheal seems to have lost that "girly" sound he had with Stryper....



karlie -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 1:40:07 PM)

quote:

I saw Micheal perform with Boston on VH-1 Classic the other night, they did "Peace Of Mind", and it was pretty good.

I would be very curious to hear him sing with them. Especially if he's lost some of the girly edge to his voice. I haven't heard him sing in years.



hawkfan428 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 3:04:36 PM)

From the link, it sounds like Michael Sweet will share vocal duties with Tom and the other new guy.

In the 80s, Michael Sweet pointed out that Boston was a huge influence on Stryper, so this is probably a dream come true for him.

I don't think fronting Boston will be any bigger of a detriment to his witness than Nicko McBrain continuing to drum for Iron Maiden.



Rufas2000 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 3:56:33 PM)

quote:

I can't see how he will improve Boston's sound but stranger things have been known to happen.


I think the point isn't improving their sound but to get the rush from being on stage as well as some added income. Sory if that sounds cynical but I'm not too excited about a 30 year old band with one great album (albeit a really great one, especially the first 4 songs)) touring again.

quote:

I would be very curious to hear him sing with them. Especially if he's lost some of the girly edge to his voice. I haven't heard him sing in years.


I agree with all that. If you want to hear his voice now (at least "in studio"), check out the My Space link.

I think the "girly edge" was there to appease the glam metal crowd. I think the way he sings now is his more natural tone.



Rufas2000 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 4:04:12 PM)

quote:

I don't think fronting Boston will be any bigger of a detriment to his witness than Nicko McBrain continuing to drum for Iron Maiden.


You may be right but just to play the other side of it for a second. First, Iron Maiden as far as I know doesn't discuss decadence and drug use in their music. The "Number of the Beast" stuff isn't advocacy but story telling whereas Boston at least image wise was encouraging the "party" lifestyle. Second, true or not and fair or not people associate the lead singer with the words he/she is singing. The drummer has a lower profile and its easier to think that he's just playing the drums, he doesn't necessarily agree with the words.

It is a good point and again I'm not saying Sweet is making a mistake or compromising his witness. For me personally I'd rather not have him sing songs about the glories of Marajuana. That's just me, nothing more. Others don't feel the same way and that's fine.



hawkfan428 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 5:22:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rufas2000

quote:

I don't think fronting Boston will be any bigger of a detriment to his witness than Nicko McBrain continuing to drum for Iron Maiden.


You may be right but just to play the other side of it for a second. First, Iron Maiden as far as I know doesn't discuss decadence and drug use in their music. The "Number of the Beast" stuff isn't advocacy but story telling whereas Boston at least image wise was encouraging the "party" lifestyle. Second, true or not and fair or not people associate the lead singer with the words he/she is singing. The drummer has a lower profile and its easier to think that he's just playing the drums, he doesn't necessarily agree with the words.

It is a good point and again I'm not saying Sweet is making a mistake or compromising his witness. For me personally I'd rather not have him sing songs about the glories of Marajuana. That's just me, nothing more. Others don't feel the same way and that's fine.



I guess that will be answered on their upcoming tour. It's entirely possible that the other guys may sing "Smokin" and that he isn't part of it.



humbleinspirit -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 8:55:39 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna

Boston's still around? [8|]


yes!



humbleinspirit -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 8:57:39 PM)

I heard on the radio last week that someone else was gonna lead for Boston, not Michael Sweet as reported here.



Rufas2000 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 11:12:16 PM)

quote:

I heard on the radio last week that someone else was gonna lead for Boston, not Michael Sweet as reported here.


Well you got the official Boston website, the Michael Sweet MySpace and XM radio host and rock insider Eddie Trunk saying it so I think its the real deal. If not we'll know soon enough. Also I don't think it was going to be Michael Sweet as of last week, I think this just happened.



humbleinspirit -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/25/2008 11:17:21 PM)

Ok, my bad, but I did hear that they had a different lead singer though.



Soxfan -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/26/2008 12:12:34 PM)

I was under the impression that sweet singing with Boston was a "one time" thing. It was for a benefit concert for families of victims of the Rhode Island night club fire a few years ago.

Does anyone have any links to articles claiming he is now a permanent member?



Rufas2000 -> RE: Boston's new lead singer: Michael Sweet (3/26/2008 2:56:31 PM)

quote:

Does anyone have any links to articles claiming he is now a permanent member?


The link going to Boston's homepage is clear that its for at least a whole tour and not just one show. He and someone else are introduced as new additions. So I'm led to believe its more than a one shot but it may not be permanent.



Page: [1] 2   next >   >>



Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5 ANSI