Boston: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Facts
Eligible Since: 2002
Finalist: Never
Grammy Awards/Nominations: 0/1
Career Top 40 Hits: 8
Essential Tracks: More Than a Feeling (1976), Foreplay / Long Time (1976), Smokin’ (1976), Peace of Mind (1976), Don’t Look Back (1978), Amanda (1986)
Essential Albums: Boston (1976), Don’t Look Back (1978), Third Stage (1986)
The rock band Boston started off its career with a bang, with a self-titled 1976 album that stayed on the charts for nearly three years and went an astounding 17x Platinum, thanks to hits like the iconic “More Than a Feeling.”
Formed by guitarist and songwriter Tom Scholz, Boston blended elements of hard rock, progressive rock, and pop into an appealing mainstream sound.
Will Boston ever be considered by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Let’s look at their credentials and see if they have a case.
Boston’s Rock Hall Credentials
As noted, Boston’s debut album has to be the starting point for any discussion of their achievements. “More Than a Feeling” remains a classic, thanks to its infectious riffs and the soaring vocals of Brad Delp. It’s in the conversation for the greatest classic rock songs ever recorded.
That song reached #5 on the singles chart and was followed by hits “Long Time” and “Peace of Mind.” After opening for a number of superstar bands, Boston quickly shot to headliner status, selling out arenas and playing Madison Square Garden within months.
The debut album showcased their signature harmonized guitar riffs, layered vocals, and clean production. While “More Than a Feeling” and “Peace of Mind” have stood the test of time, Boston would go on to release only two more albums in the next 17 years, and fell out of the spotlight.
The second album Don’t Look Back produced three more hits, including the #4 title track. Their songs blended hard rock and pop influences in a manner that served as a model for other rock bands of the era.
Unfortunately, after the second album, the band got bogged down in legal matters. The group’s former manager claimed he should be entitled to songwriting royalties on future recordings, which cause the band to take a break from recording, which caused them to get sued by their label, CBS, for not recording new music.
They finally regrouped in 1986 and enjoyed one last chart run, capped by the biggest pop hit of their careers. The power ballad “Amanda” shot to #1, a full decade after “More Than a Feeling.” They followed that up with two more hits, “We’re Ready” and “Can’tcha Say,” which reached #9 and #20, respectively, although both have been mostly forgotten by now.
Boston notched four Platinum albums in their careers, including three that earned at least 4x Platinum. Delp had one of the great voices in rock music, and Scholz was a talented writer.
The group’s main argument for Rock Hall induction, then, is a solid level of commercial success, a decade-long span of charting hits, and one of the great rock songs of all-time in “More Than a Feeling.”
The Case Against Boston
Boston’s peak was short-lived, and while their sound certainly influenced other rock bands, only a couple of Boston’s songs still earn significant airplay today.
It’s possible to get inducted into the Rock Hall with a limited discography, as bands like the Velvet Underground and the Sex Pistols prove. But those acts were visionary and groundbreaking, and influenced entire generations of bands who came later. It’s hard to argue that Boston changed the course of rock history to the same degree as those acts.
They never scored as many hits as bands like Foreigner, Styx, and Toto, so those arguing for Boston’s induction have to make a case based more on the artistic merits of their music.
Some critics agree that the signature sound created by Scholz and Delp should be recognized, but others question whether the group did enough to break away from the sound that we now consider generic classic rock.
After 1986’s Third Stage, the group again waited eight years to release another album, but by that time, their commercial relevance was over. Boston have had no cultural impact since their Walk On album in 1994. I’m willing to bet that a large number of music fans under age 30 have never even heard of a band called Boston.
The Verdict: Will Boston Ever Get Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
It’s going to be very difficult for Boston to get into the Rock Hall. The Hall has been moving on to ’90s artists lately, and giving less attention to ’70s classic rock acts. The window for them to be considered may have closed.
In recent years, a number of artists who were ahead of Boston in the pecking order of ’70s rock artists have been inducted, including Foreigner, Jimmy Buffett, Bad Company, and Warren Zevon. That leaves Boston closer to getting in, but they’re still fighting for a spot on the ballot with bands like Styx, Jethro Tull, Kansas, REO Speedwagon, and Meat Loaf.
So while Boston’s induction odds have improved, they are still under 50%.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Boston
Odds of Getting Inducted Next Year: 5%
Odds of Getting Inducted in the Next Five Years: 12%
Odds of Getting Inducted Eventually: 40%
Do you think Boston will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame someday? Leave a comment and let us know!
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Last Updated on October 8, 2025
Boston’s not being in the RR Hall of Fame is a slap in all of us rock n roll, indeed great music, fans faces and hearts. I lost a lot of respect for this institution as I learned both Boston and Iron Maiden are not included! Their groundbreaking creativity and genuine musical creations speak for themselves. Period.
there first album is the greatest ever, how can they not be in the rock and roll hall of fame?
Boston is an iconic band that had a new sound and historic vocals ! ( P S ….. Grand Funk redefined the whole ‘rock concert scene) !
Boston was a core band in my musical journey, was the first band I remember, have not heard a purer ROCK N ROLL sound since, they must be inducted add me to any petition
The Ramones have the credentials for rent HOF. Boston does not , they’re not groundbreaking or inspirational . Tom scholtz did not contribute to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll. He might himself, Boston was a 7th science project.
Foreplay/Longtime one of the best 8 minute long rock songs of all time
I like the Ramones, they’re the kings of the short attention span, 2 minute song. They’re repetitive punk rock royalty.
When Boston came out with their first album every kid in my class had the album, or tape, on their stereo. Radio stations had the album on heavy rotation. There wasn’t a throwaway track on the album.Brad Delp’s vocals stand out against any rock vocalist to this day. It’s a crime that they aren’t in the HoF while so many non rockers have been included.
Ever hear of the Rockman? Invented by Scholz (no t)? Changed the sound of rock n roll forever. Many of the sounds you hear from bands today are because of him. Saying Scholz did not contribute to rock n roll is just flay out wrong.
I grew up with alot of great bands of the 70’s. The 1st time I saw Boston in concert, I was astonished by the songs played the instrumentals and of course the great voice of Brad Delp. I left the concert in amazement. This band played for the love of rocking music not the $$ like most bands today. When I feel like listening to a true rock n roll song, I tune into SMOKIN.
Boston was better than 1/2 the people that got in this year. Some of them not even rock. The only ones that deserved it were Ozzy, Foreigner, Peter Framton and Cher.
But rock hall will continue to induct people who don’t even belong there. The first Boston album is historic. Even young people today are discovering that album and loving every minute of it. Every song on that album is still being played on radio stations around the country. Induct them!
All over the world, you
mention the band Boston’ and the immediate response …. “More Than A Feeling”, followed by the responder automatically singing the chorus. That’s just how strong an impact that song has on so many of us as well as their other hits It seems unfair that they have not been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Boston’s first album won music awards and inspired many people to want to play music instruments.
I wanted to play the drums and Boston’s music gave me the inspiration to do so.
The Rock and Roll HOF is extremely “clique-ish” and only bands which are personal favorites of those that vote, get in. BOSTON was — and still is — an amazing rock band. Their omission from the HOF is simply criminal. Do these “voters” even know how big the first BOSTON album was? It was earth shaking. What Tom and Brad accomplished is phenomenal. Get some voters who know what real rock-n-roll music is. Not those who want Dolly Parton. Panderers. Again, a huge travesty that BOSTON is not in the HOF. Did I mention a travesty?
Been a fan of BOSTON for 49 years now and counting. Yes. the Self – Titled debut was groundbreaking, the number one selling debut album of an American band, until Guns ‘n Roses came along, and the fact that younger generations know the music, meaning it is truly classic and has stood the test of time. That is the definition of classic. Also, members of other bands have publicly stated how BOSTON influenced them and their music. Yes, they should be in the HOF, but since the HOF are a bunch of political hacks, I will never venture into the HOF. Lastly, in my lifetime, I have seen them in their various lineups 28 times and I do hope they come around one more time for a 50th anniversary of the self-titled album. I will go and see them.
I just came up with 16 awesome Boston songs off the top of my head without any reference. Boston, the debut album, sold 20 million copies worldwide. I was a teenager when they hit the airwaves. They ushered in a new sound. After years of listening to them, it’s easy to forget how revolutionary the Scholz guitar was at the time. And Brad Delp’s vocals…unmatched. It totally baffles me why they are not in the Hall of Fame. Come on, inductors, it’s been such a long time. . .
If Percy Sledge can get in, how in the hell, can Boston not be in? One of the greatest classic rock bands of all time.
This article alone is an insult to Tom Scholz, the band Boston and Brad Delp’s memory. Tom Scholz alone, with over 50+ patents on musical equipment inventions, still being used today in the music industry, is enough. Their 1976 debut ‘Boston’ album with all 8 songs being hits, sat at the #1 top spot of the RIAA list of sales of debut albums for over 30 years until the rash of ‘comeback tours’ in the early 2000’s had the Guns & Roses ‘Appetitie for Destruction’ pass them in 2008. Boston’s debut is still #2 on that list, now coming up on it’s 50th annivesary. #2 album ‘Dont Look Back’ not as popular but still churning out 3-4 hits, and just because of theor legal battles from 78-86 didnt allow them to produce another album, their 1986 release ‘Third Stage’ was a popular album not only with ‘Amanda’ but songs like ‘Cool The Engines’, Holly Ann’ and ‘We’re Ready’ ‘Cancha Say’ and ‘The Launch’ were great as well. With some of the rediculous ‘crap’ i’ve seen go in over the last 10+ years, and hearing that Boston was not even considered, causes most music lovers to write off any credibility of the HOF. GET BOSTON INTO THE HOF WHERE THEY HAVE LONG BEEN DESERVING TO BE !
Of course Boston deserves induction. That first album exploded like no album before it, and sounds just as fresh and powerful today. Their sound has influenced countless bands, from Nirvana to Godsmack. Brad Delp’s vocals remain unmatched, and Tom Scholz is a musical mastermind. And yes, people under 30 are still discovering the band. Just watch those YouTube videos of listeners hearing the band for the first time and being blown away.