Boston Fan Tommy DeCarlo, Who Became Band's Lead Singer, Dies at 60

DeCarlo spent nearly 20 years touring with the classic rock group after being discovered as a tribute singer.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Tommy DeCarlo, a longtime Boston fan who took over as the band's lead singer in the late 2000s after the death of original vocalist Brad Delp, has died at the age of 60 following a battle with brain cancer. DeCarlo, a self-taught musician who worked at Home Depot, was discovered by Boston founder Tom Scholz after posting tribute covers online and went on to perform with the group for nearly two decades.

Why it matters

DeCarlo's story represents the dream of many devoted music fans to one day join their favorite band, and his tenure with Boston during a difficult transition period for the group highlights the power of fandom and the band's enduring appeal.

The details

DeCarlo was diagnosed with brain cancer in September 2025 and passed away on March 9, 2026. He first connected with Boston after posting tribute covers of the band's songs online following the 2007 death of original vocalist Brad Delp. Impressed by DeCarlo's vocal similarities to Delp, Boston founder Tom Scholz invited him to perform at a tribute show and then brought him on as a permanent member of the group, where he spent nearly 20 years touring and contributing to their 2013 album 'Life, Love & Hope'.

  • DeCarlo was diagnosed with brain cancer in September 2025.
  • DeCarlo passed away on March 9, 2026.

The players

Tommy DeCarlo

A longtime Boston fan who took over as the band's lead singer in the late 2000s after the death of original vocalist Brad Delp, and performed with the group for nearly two decades until his death.

Tom Scholz

The guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader of Boston who discovered DeCarlo's talent and invited him to join the group after being impressed by his vocal similarities to original singer Brad Delp.

Brad Delp

The original lead vocalist of Boston who passed away in 2007, and whose vocal style and performance inspired DeCarlo as a young fan.

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What they’re saying

“When I first began to listen to Boston as a young teenager, I absolutely loved Brad's voice and how he would sing those classic hits whenever there was a Boston song on the radio. It wasn't like I was trying to sing like Brad, it was just that I loved to sing along with him.”

— Tommy DeCarlo (Boston website)

“We love to listen to it. But to actually perform it live, that's almost indescribable. It's an amazing feeling and it's something that the fans and band members share together in that moment of music. It's just amazing.”

— Tommy DeCarlo (2015 interview)

The takeaway

DeCarlo's story is a testament to the power of fandom and the dream of many devoted music fans to one day join their favorite band. His nearly 20-year tenure as Boston's lead singer during a difficult transition period for the group highlights the enduring appeal of the band's music and the special connection between artists and their most passionate supporters.