AceShowbiz - Tommy DeCarlo, the longtime vocalist of classic rock band Boston, passed away on Monday at the age of 60.

His family announced the news on Facebook, revealing that DeCarlo had been diagnosed with brain cancer in September of the previous year. They praised his resilience during his illness, stating he "fought with incredible strength and courage right up until the very end." The family respectfully requested privacy as they mourn and support one another through this difficult time. A representative for Boston had not yet responded to inquiries from Rolling Stone.

Before joining Boston, Tommy DeCarlo was a dedicated fan of the band. A self-taught pianist and choir singer, he grew up inspired by the band's original frontman, Brad Delp. DeCarlo credited Delp with helping him find his own voice. In a biography featured on the band’s official website, he recalled how he loved singing along to Delp’s unmistakable voice as a teenager, emphasizing it wasn’t about imitation but pure admiration.

During the mid-1970s, Boston was among the world’s most popular rock bands. Their 1976 debut album, Boston, achieved platinum status quickly thanks to hits like "More Than a Feeling" and "Peace of Mind," and was later certified diamond by the RIAA in 1990. Their follow-up, Don’t Look Back (1978), also sold millions. After an extended hiatus, the band returned in 1986 with Third Stage, which featured their only Number One single, "Amanda," alongside the Top 10 hit "We’re Ready."

By adulthood, DeCarlo was performing with local rock bands but worked a day job at a Home Depot in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2007, following the tragic suicide of Brad Delp, DeCarlo composed a tribute song and posted it on MySpace, along with covers of Boston tracks such as "Smokin’" and "Don’t Look Back." Encouraged by his family, he reached out to the band’s representatives with a link to his page and expressed interest in participating in a tribute show for Delp.

Initially, DeCarlo received a polite rejection. However, a few weeks later, Tom Scholz, Boston’s guitarist, songwriter, and leader, contacted him. Impressed by DeCarlo’s vocal resemblance to Brad Delp, Scholz invited him to join the tribute show lineup. Soon after, DeCarlo was asked to join Boston as a full-time member.

Over the next nearly two decades, Tommy DeCarlo toured extensively with Boston and contributed vocals to their 2013 album, Life, Love & Hope. In addition to his work with the band, he formed a group with his son, Tommy DeCarlo Jr., releasing the album Lightning Strikes Twice in 2020, followed by Dancing in the Moonlight in 2022.

In a 2015 interview, DeCarlo described the profound joy of performing with the band he admired since childhood. He said the experience of singing Boston’s songs live created a unique connection between the band members and their fans, describing it as "almost indescribable" and "an amazing feeling."

Tommy DeCarlo leaves behind a legacy not only as a passionate fan turned vocalist but also as a dedicated musician who honored the spirit of Boston and its original frontman throughout his career.