Third Stage
Encyclopedia
Third Stage is the third album by American
rock
band Boston
released September 23, 1986 on MCA Records
. The album was recorded at Tom Scholz
's Hideaway Studio over a six-year period "between floods and power failures". This is the final album to feature Brad Delp
before his return after the release of their fourth album Walk On.
After winning a legal battle with Epic Records
, Scholz switched his band's recording label to MCA. The first track on Third Stage, "Amanda", was actually written in 1980 (when Boston began work on the album) and became the band's only #1 single. The track reached and stayed at #1 for two weeks in November 1986. It was followed by the second Top 10 single from the album, "We're Ready," which reached #9 in 1987.
Third Stage went to #1 on the Billboard 200
where it stayed for four weeks. The album was the first CD-formatted album to be certified gold (500,000 copies) by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA). It was also certified gold in the LP format, making what is believed to be the first album certified in both of these formats.
The album was a first in many respects: the first Boston LP to feature electronic drum samples, the first to feature songs not written by either Scholz or Delp, the first Boston LP without original members Barry Goudreau, Sib Hashian and Fran Sheehan (though Hashian and Sheehan were included in the early recording sessions and Sheehan received a writing credit), and the first (and only) Boston LP without the iconic guitar UFO
dominating the cover art, though a small image of it is present. Original drummer Jim Masdea (who played on the demos that made a bulk of the first Boston album) plays drums on most of the album. This LP was also the first Boston recording to use the Scholz-invented Rockman guitar processor. No orchestral sounds or synthesizers were used on the album.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Boston
Boston (band)
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists...
released September 23, 1986 on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. The album was recorded at Tom Scholz
Tom Scholz
Donald Thomas "Tom" Scholz is an American rock musician, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, inventor, and mechanical engineer, best known as the founder of the hard rock band Boston. He is also the inventor of the Rockman guitar amplifier...
's Hideaway Studio over a six-year period "between floods and power failures". This is the final album to feature Brad Delp
Brad Delp
Bradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
before his return after the release of their fourth album Walk On.
After winning a legal battle with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, Scholz switched his band's recording label to MCA. The first track on Third Stage, "Amanda", was actually written in 1980 (when Boston began work on the album) and became the band's only #1 single. The track reached and stayed at #1 for two weeks in November 1986. It was followed by the second Top 10 single from the album, "We're Ready," which reached #9 in 1987.
Third Stage went to #1 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
where it stayed for four weeks. The album was the first CD-formatted album to be certified gold (500,000 copies) by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA). It was also certified gold in the LP format, making what is believed to be the first album certified in both of these formats.
The album was a first in many respects: the first Boston LP to feature electronic drum samples, the first to feature songs not written by either Scholz or Delp, the first Boston LP without original members Barry Goudreau, Sib Hashian and Fran Sheehan (though Hashian and Sheehan were included in the early recording sessions and Sheehan received a writing credit), and the first (and only) Boston LP without the iconic guitar UFO
Unidentified flying object
A term originally coined by the military, an unidentified flying object is an unusual apparent anomaly in the sky that is not readily identifiable to the observer as any known object...
dominating the cover art, though a small image of it is present. Original drummer Jim Masdea (who played on the demos that made a bulk of the first Boston album) plays drums on most of the album. This LP was also the first Boston recording to use the Scholz-invented Rockman guitar processor. No orchestral sounds or synthesizers were used on the album.
Track listing
Personnel
- Brad DelpBrad DelpBradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
- lead vocals, harmony vocals - Tom ScholzTom ScholzDonald Thomas "Tom" Scholz is an American rock musician, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, inventor, and mechanical engineer, best known as the founder of the hard rock band Boston. He is also the inventor of the Rockman guitar amplifier...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, organs, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion - Jim Masdea - drums, percussion
- Sib HashianSib HashianJohn "Sib" Hashian is a drummer who was a member of the rock band Boston during their first and most successful lineup. Hashian currently lives in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Sib is of Armenian descent.-Boston years:...
- drums, percussion - Fran SheehanFran SheehanFran Sheehan is an American rock musician best known for being the bass player in the early incarnation of the rock band Boston.Fran was perhaps the most experienced musician in the original lineup of Boston. He had been gigging with his dad since he was 5 years old, & majored in vocals at the New...
– bass - Gary PihlGary PihlGary Pihl is a guitarist most famous for playing for Sammy Hagar and the band Boston.At his home recording studio, Pihl worked with the founding members of a band that would eventually be called "Night Ranger." They recorded demos for their first and second albums at his home studio...
- guitar on "I Think I Like It"
Album
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Top Albums | 1 |
| German Albums | 25 |
| Netherlands Top 100 Albums | 15 |
| Swedish Top 60 Albums | 23 |
| Swiss Top 100 Albums | 13 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
37 |
| US Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Amanda" | Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| 1987 | "We're Ready" | Billboard Hot 100 | 9 |
| 1987 | "Can'tcha Say (You Believe In Me)/Still In Love" | Billboard Hot 100 | 20 |
Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – United States | Gold | November 25, 1986 |
| Platinum | November 25, 1986 | |
| 3x Platinum | November 25, 1986 | |
| 4X Platinum | February 26, 1987 | |
| CRIA – Canada | Gold | Dec 18, 1986 |
| Platinum | Dec 18, 1986 | |
| 2x Platinum | Dec 18, 1986 | |
| 3X Platinum | Dec 20, 1986 | |