There’s a special edition of Boston’s 1976 debut album that looks very intersting

On August 25, 1976, an album appeared on Epic Records from a no-name group out of the US Northeast that would not only become the biggest-selling debut record of all time, but one that changed FM radio forever. You cannot turn on classic rock/adult hits radio without hearing a track from Boston.

The record forged a sound that became known as “corporate rock,” ushering in an era featuring bands like Kansas, Styx, Foreigner, and Journey: melodic arena-rock anthems that sounded great on the radio.

The story of how Boston was made is now famous. Tom Scholz, an MIT graduate and engineer at Polaroid, cobbled together a home studio in his basement and spent untold hours writing and recording. When he felt things were ready, he assembled a band, got the deal with Epic, and the album was released. It’s sold at least 20 million copies. Songs from the album have been on the radio eleventy billion times.

Now, fifty years later, a special anniversary edition is coming out. And to everyone’s shock, Tom is allowing all kinds of demos to be released.

From the press release:

2-LP black vinyl edition featuring the original LP (33-RPM), LP mastered and lacquer cutting
by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood PLUS

• A bonus 12” EP with the legendary “lost demos,” mastered from one of last remaining Tom Scholz demo reels
• A stylish 12 x 12 booklet, integrated into the gate-fold jacket and featuring an in-depth essay about the making of the album by noted reissue producer and music historian Charles L. “Chuck” Granata from first-hand interviews with Tom Scholz, plus historic photos by Ron Pawnall and others

2-LP limited-edition metallic PEARL GOLD VINYL (33-RPM) featuring all the value-added material from the black vinyl edition PLUS:

• Exclusive Poster
• Tom Scholz signature guitar pick
• Individually numbered to 2,500 copies

SACD Hybrid

• Modified notes with a deluxe digital download booklet
• All the Lost Demos from the LPs
• Hybrid layer plays on all CD players

When’s it coming out? Unclear. All we’re being told is to expect something in the second quarter of 2027.