Boston frontman Tommy DeCarlo has died aged 60 after being diagnosed with cancer.
The musician’s death was announced by his family on social media, which came after they’d revealed he had been battling brain cancer since last September.
‘It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our Dad, Tommy DeCarlo, on Monday, March 9th, 2026,’ a statement shared by DeCarlo’s wife, Annie, and their two children, Talia and Tommy Jr, read.
‘After being diagnosed with brain cancer last September, he fought with incredible strength and courage right up until the very end. During this difficult time, we kindly ask that friends and fans respect our family’s privacy as we grieve and support one another.”
DeCarlo joined Boston, who were known for hits including More Than A Feeling and Amanda, in 2007 after the group’s original lead singer Brad Delp died by suicide.
He then went on to feature on the band’s sixth album Love, Life and Hope, which was released in 2013. He also toured with the band for nearly 20 years.
In 2012 he also formed his own band, DeCarlo, which went on to release two albums – Lightning Strikes Twice and Dancing in the Moonlight in 2020 and 2022.
The musician’s health issues were first revealed six months ago after he suffered a brain bleed and doctors discovered his cancer while performing an emergency craniotomy.
A GoFundMe page set up by his family at the time explained: ‘During surgery, doctors discovered two melanoma masses on his brain and another spot on his lungs. He amazed us by recovering from the surgery and beginning treatment, but before he could complete it, he had another brain bleed and was hospitalised from November 27th to December 27th. Since then, he has completed acute inpatient therapy and is currently back on track with treatments from his oncology team.’
It went on to share: ‘We’ve created a GoFundMe to help support his needs and the challenges ahead. He is deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support he’s already received from friends, family, and fans all over the world. It has lifted him up during the hardest moments and reminded him he’s not fighting alone.’
In January his family revealed that DeCarlo had been able to return home from hospital the day after Christmas. They also called him ‘strong, determined and a true fighter’.
To date the fundraiser had raised than $56,000 (£41,820) of its $50,000 (£37,340) goal.
Although Boston have not yet shared an official statement about DeCarlo’s death, the band’s website has been updated with a photo commemorating him performing onstage.. His birth and death dates were also written beside the photo.
After discovering and becoming a fan of Boston aged 12, DeCarlo began writing his own music years later and then began recording covers of the band’s songs in the 1990s.
Following Delp’s death, DeCarlo wrote and recorded an original song about the vocalist, as well as recording several Boston covers.
After posting them to MySpace and sending them to the band’s management, founding member Tom Scholtz got in touch and invited him to join the band.
At the time DeCarlo had been working as a credit manager in a Home Depot in Charlotte, North Caroline.
From 2007 until his death in 2026, he was the lead vocalist (or co-lead vocalist) for every subsequent touring lineup of Boston. He also featured on their 2013 album Life, Love & Hope.
In 2021, DeCarlo released the audiobook Unlikely Rockstar – The Tommy DeCarlo Story.
Boston’s 1976 self-titled debut is one of the best-selling albums by an American rock band, being certified 17× Platinum by the RIAA as of 2025.
The band has also sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Altogether, they’ve released six studio albums in a career spanning over 51 years.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
