Michael Sweet Departs From Boston (the band, not the city)

I didn't know he was still singing with them. Or maybe he wasn't. But he's "officially" left the band Boston to focus on Stryper. No big surprise there I suppose...

Quote :

STRYPER frontman and accomplished solo artist Michael Sweet announced his departure from legendary rock band BOSTON today in order to devote his full attention to his longstanding role as the lead vocalist and lead guitarist for rock outfit STRYPER — a band he co-founded in 1983. Sweet joined BOSTON in 2008, sharing lead vocals and playing guitar on a headlining tour of North America, performing the band's classic hits like "More than a Feeling", "Peace of Mind", "Amanda" and "Don't Look Back".

Following the BOSTON tour, STRYPER released the 2009 studio album, "Murder by Pride" (featuring a cover of BOSTON's "Peace of Mind"), which led to a yearlong world tour with all of the original members. In 2010, STRYPER released "The Covering", and another world tour recently concluded. STRYPER is currently in the studio working on an untitled release for 2011, with tour dates already announced for this fall.

"My focus and my loyalty lies with STRYPER, the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to," says Sweet. "The guys in STRYPER are my brothers and I'm excited about our future together. The music of BOSTON helped shape who I am as an artist, and the opportunity to be a part of their musical legacy is overwhelming. It's been an honor to share the stage with them, and a bigger honor to call them my friends."

In addition to the increasing demands for STRYPER, Sweet has been spending some of his time off the road in Nashville, writing with A-list songwriters such as Blair Daly (RASCAL FLATTS, UNCLE KRACKER, LYNYRD SKYNYRD), Luke Laird (CARRIE UNDERWOOD, BLAKE SHELTON, TIM MCGRAW), Britton Cameron (STEEL MAGNOLIA, LONESTAR, EDEN'S EDGE) and others.

"I've always loved the writing process and to be able to collaborate with some of the greatest writers in Nashville is an absolutely amazing experience for me," explains Sweet. "I'm looking forward to many more successful trips to Music City."

He fit in well with Boston - I have a concert of him singing for them and he was great!

Did he ever record an album with Boston? I was unaware if so. I'd like to hear that.

Anyway ... Stryper is his first priority and since they are 'somewhat' taking off again - he must put first things first.

nope - but he did some touring with them.

Quote :

Did he ever record an album with Boston? I was unaware if so. I'd like to hear that.

No, but it's possible that they could put out a live record from the shows he did with them.

I am not surprised he left, the way Boston work, their next CD should be out by 2025

manny wrote:

I am not surprised he left, the way Boston work, their next CD should be out by 2025

Yeah, me too - I was hoping he would stick around! I guess Stryper figured out how to make money off touring

Troublezone wrote:

Quote :

Did he ever record an album with Boston? I was unaware if so. I'd like to hear that.

No, but it's possible that they could put out a live record from the shows he did with them.

I hope they do. He did such a great job with Peace Of Mind, I'd love to hear him do more.

DallasBlack wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

Quote :

Did he ever record an album with Boston? I was unaware if so. I'd like to hear that.

No, but it's possible that they could put out a live record from the shows he did with them.

I hope they do. He did such a great job with Peace Of Mind, I'd love to hear him do more.

If Boston ever release a live album I am sure it will a classic recording with Brad Delph and not one with Michael Sweet and the Home Depot guy

manny wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

Quote :

Did he ever record an album with Boston? I was unaware if so. I'd like to hear that.

No, but it's possible that they could put out a live record from the shows he did with them.

I hope they do. He did such a great job with Peace Of Mind, I'd love to hear him do more.

If Boston ever release a live album I am sure it will a classic recording with Brad Delph and not one with Michael Sweet and the Home Depot guy

true but Michael did fit in well with their music..

Quote :

"My focus and my loyalty lies with STRYPER, the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to," says Sweet

LIE right there. Stryper were broken up for awhile. I remember when they were selling all their stuff when they broke up too. No way he was concentrating on Stryper when there wasn't one.

He did fit Boston though. Surprised he left.

Lurideath wrote:

Quote :

"My focus and my loyalty lies with STRYPER, the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to," says Sweet

LIE right there. Stryper were broken up for awhile. I remember when they were selling all their stuff when they broke up too. No way he was concentrating on Stryper when there wasn't one.

He did fit Boston though. Surprised he left.

"the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to," says Sweet...except for when I told everyone that God led me away from Stryper and I made my own records for 10 years and they floundered on without me....other than that, I was 100% dedicated.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Lurideath wrote:

Quote :

"My focus and my loyalty lies with STRYPER, the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to," says Sweet

LIE right there. Stryper were broken up for awhile. I remember when they were selling all their stuff when they broke up too. No way he was concentrating on Stryper when there wasn't one.

He did fit Boston though. Surprised he left.

"the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to," says Sweet...except for when I told everyone that God led me away from Stryper and I made my own records for 10 years and they floundered on without me....other than that, I was 100% dedicated.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Lurideath wrote:

Quote :

"My focus and my loyalty lies with STRYPER, the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to," says Sweet

LIE right there. Stryper were broken up for awhile. I remember when they were selling all their stuff when they broke up too. No way he was concentrating on Stryper when there wasn't one.

He did fit Boston though. Surprised he left.

"the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to," says Sweet...except for when I told everyone that God led me away from Stryper and I made my own records for 10 years and they floundered on without me....other than that, I was 100% dedicated.

Now THIS is just weird:

Brad Delp (RIP)


Tommy DeCarlo (now)

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Now THIS is just weird:

Brad Delp (RIP)


Tommy DeCarlo (now)

Yeah...... I see what you mean

So, Tom Sholz of Boston had these images removed from MelodicRock.com's thread on the subject...he also had them removed from a Boston fan-site and a thread deleted. Seems he's a bit touchy...