bon voyage
March 23, 2017 2:37 PM Subscribe
He has played his last set --John Thomas “Sib” Hashian who played the drums on arena-rock group Boston's first two albums, has died at 67.
Sib played on Boston's first two hit records, their self-titled debut album in 1976, featuring the hit song "More Than a Feeling," and the 1978 followup, "Don't Look Back." The original band, made up of Tom Scholz, Brad Delp, Barry Goudreau, Fran Sheehan and Hashian, had one of the most successful debut records in history, selling over 17 million copies, with the singles "Long Time" and "Peace of Mind."
The musician had been booked as part of the Legends of Rock themed cruise when he collapsed without warning partway through his set. Hashian was treated with CPR and a defibrillator onboard, to no avail. The cause of death remains unknown at this time, but Adam tells PEOPLE the family believes it may have been a heart attack.
The voyage began on March 18 in Florida, and was scheduled to make various Caribbean stops including the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. The cruise will continue, with additional musicians performing in tribute to Hashian.
In addition to wife Suzanne, daughter Aja and son Adam, Hashian is survived by his daughter Lauren as well as granddaughter Jasmine, her child with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Sib played on Boston's first two hit records, their self-titled debut album in 1976, featuring the hit song "More Than a Feeling," and the 1978 followup, "Don't Look Back." The original band, made up of Tom Scholz, Brad Delp, Barry Goudreau, Fran Sheehan and Hashian, had one of the most successful debut records in history, selling over 17 million copies, with the singles "Long Time" and "Peace of Mind."
The musician had been booked as part of the Legends of Rock themed cruise when he collapsed without warning partway through his set. Hashian was treated with CPR and a defibrillator onboard, to no avail. The cause of death remains unknown at this time, but Adam tells PEOPLE the family believes it may have been a heart attack.
The voyage began on March 18 in Florida, and was scheduled to make various Caribbean stops including the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. The cruise will continue, with additional musicians performing in tribute to Hashian.
In addition to wife Suzanne, daughter Aja and son Adam, Hashian is survived by his daughter Lauren as well as granddaughter Jasmine, her child with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
I got a toxic dose of Boston in the early nineties on rock radio. Fucking hated them.
Then in the 2000s, I started playing drums and holy crap, Boston songs are fun to play. I had a really good guitarist then who could nail the More Than A Feeling solo and had the effects to play the big crunchy riff, and it was such a joy. The MTAF drums aren't too insane and they're really coupled well to the guitar. Playing that song is a great way to learn what it feels like to be in a band, to make a glorious wall of unified sound.
Condolences to Mr. Hashian's friends and family, and thanks to him for writing drum grooves that helped me fall back in love with rock and roll.
posted by Sauce Trough at 3:28 PM on March 23, 2017 [7 favorites]
Then in the 2000s, I started playing drums and holy crap, Boston songs are fun to play. I had a really good guitarist then who could nail the More Than A Feeling solo and had the effects to play the big crunchy riff, and it was such a joy. The MTAF drums aren't too insane and they're really coupled well to the guitar. Playing that song is a great way to learn what it feels like to be in a band, to make a glorious wall of unified sound.
Condolences to Mr. Hashian's friends and family, and thanks to him for writing drum grooves that helped me fall back in love with rock and roll.
posted by Sauce Trough at 3:28 PM on March 23, 2017 [7 favorites]
Unexpected cameo from The Rock!
I was a drummer in my youth (maybe still, within certain parameters) and Sib Hashian was one of the first I knew by name. I also knew his hair, which made him the arch-enemy of the guy from April Wine. Sib played perfectly for the style with not too much in the way of Quaalude Thunder.
Boston was a central presence in 1979-80, when my brother won an early promo pack on the radio for their third album, which would not emerge for several more years. I forget what he actually received as a substitute, but it was something, and it arrived about two years after he won when it became apparent the album was not yet forthcoming.
.
Boston in their prime at Giants Stadium in 1979
posted by rhizome at 3:41 PM on March 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was a drummer in my youth (maybe still, within certain parameters) and Sib Hashian was one of the first I knew by name. I also knew his hair, which made him the arch-enemy of the guy from April Wine. Sib played perfectly for the style with not too much in the way of Quaalude Thunder.
Boston was a central presence in 1979-80, when my brother won an early promo pack on the radio for their third album, which would not emerge for several more years. I forget what he actually received as a substitute, but it was something, and it arrived about two years after he won when it became apparent the album was not yet forthcoming.
.
Boston in their prime at Giants Stadium in 1979
posted by rhizome at 3:41 PM on March 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
Sib will always be in my mind for his 70s 'fro, and his steadfast refusal to wear terrycloth sportcoats like other members of Boston.
Listen to the record!
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posted by stannate at 3:47 PM on March 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
Listen to the record!
.
posted by stannate at 3:47 PM on March 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
That first album still stands tall as the perfect soundtrack to a seventies' summer night.
RIP Sib.
posted by davebush at 4:14 PM on March 23, 2017 [3 favorites]
RIP Sib.
posted by davebush at 4:14 PM on March 23, 2017 [3 favorites]
Oh man, this sucks. :(
One of the big hits of 9th grade.
I still remember thinking he had guts for continuing to maintain that giant afro during the mid-seventies. There was still plenty of hair on guys, but things had started to get toned down a bit by then.
But not Sib!
Rock on, my friend.
posted by freakazoid at 5:05 PM on March 23, 2017
One of the big hits of 9th grade.
I still remember thinking he had guts for continuing to maintain that giant afro during the mid-seventies. There was still plenty of hair on guys, but things had started to get toned down a bit by then.
But not Sib!
Rock on, my friend.
posted by freakazoid at 5:05 PM on March 23, 2017
Boston's first album is rock perfection. Nothing else came close.
Gonna hitch a ride, head for the other side...
Freedom on my mind; carry me away for the last time
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posted by I_Love_Bananas at 5:41 PM on March 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
Gonna hitch a ride, head for the other side...
Freedom on my mind; carry me away for the last time
.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 5:41 PM on March 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
Boston Vocalist Brad Delp took his own life a few years back, and now this. I offer my condolences to their families and to group founder Tom Scholz as well. Overplay notwithstanding, Boston did what they did extremely well, and some of their records will always hit the sweet spot for me.
RIP, Sib.
posted by jonmc at 6:08 PM on March 23, 2017 [6 favorites]
RIP, Sib.
posted by jonmc at 6:08 PM on March 23, 2017 [6 favorites]
.
posted by MexicanYenta at 6:26 PM on March 23, 2017
posted by MexicanYenta at 6:26 PM on March 23, 2017
The first non-kiddie record I bought was K-Tel's The Rock Album. I played More Than a Feeling at the maximum volume my Emerson LP changer could handle.
Years later, 'Boston' was the first CD I ever purchased.
Lots of memories. Even after hearing their stuff a million times, it holds up well.
Thanks for the music, and RIP.
posted by bitmage at 6:58 PM on March 23, 2017 [3 favorites]
Years later, 'Boston' was the first CD I ever purchased.
Lots of memories. Even after hearing their stuff a million times, it holds up well.
Thanks for the music, and RIP.
posted by bitmage at 6:58 PM on March 23, 2017 [3 favorites]
Sauce Trough: “I started playing drums and holy crap, Boston songs are fun to play. ”I only ever played Rock Band drums, but on Pro mode it comes close to the real thing. “More Than a Feeling” is insanely fun to play. It is, after all, the ultimate song.
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace.
P.S. “rhizome: ‘Boston in their prime at Giants Stadium in 1979 ’” This is outstanding.
posted by ob1quixote at 9:39 PM on March 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
As I get older, I get more and more jealous of those who die in the saddle. Ave atque vale, Sib.
posted by whuppy at 6:18 AM on March 24, 2017
posted by whuppy at 6:18 AM on March 24, 2017
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