Tommy DeCarlo, who served as lead singer for the rock band Boston for nearly two decades, has died at the age of 60 following a battle with brain cancer. His family announced his passing on March 9, 2026, after he was diagnosed last September. DeCarlo joined the band in 2007 after the death of original frontman Brad Delp.
Tommy DeCarlo, a longtime fan of Boston who became their lead singer, passed away on March 9, 2026, at age 60. His family shared the news on social media, stating, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our Dad, Tommy DeCarlo, on Monday, March 9th, 2026.” They added that after a brain cancer diagnosis in September 2025, “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 in 2007 following the suicide of original singer Brad Delp. A self-taught pianist and choir vocalist from Charlotte, North Carolina, DeCarlo had grown up idolizing the band. As he recalled in a bio on Boston's website, “When I first began to listen to Boston as a young teenager, I absolutely loved Brad’s voice and how he would sing those classic hits whenever there was a Boston song on the radio. It wasn’t like I was trying to sing like Brad, it was just that I loved to sing along with him.”
At the time, Boston was riding high with their 1976 self-titled debut, featuring hits like “More Than a Feeling” and “Peace of Mind,” which went platinum quickly and later diamond-certified. Their 1978 album Don’t Look Back sold millions, and 1986’s Third Stage included the Number One single “Amanda.” Working a day job at a Home Depot, DeCarlo shared a tribute song and covers on MySpace after Delp's death. Boston founder Tom Scholz, impressed by his voice's similarity to Delp's, invited him to join for a tribute show and later as a permanent member.
DeCarlo toured with Boston for nearly 20 years and contributed vocals to their 2013 album Life, Love & Hope. In a 2015 interview, he described performing the band's music: “We love to listen to it. But to actually perform it live, that’s almost indescribable. It’s an amazing feeling, and it’s something that the fans and band members share together in that moment of music. It’s just amazing.” He also formed his own band, DeCarlo, with his son Tommy Jr., releasing Lightning Strikes Twice in 2020 and Dancing in the Moonlight in 2022.
DeCarlo's health issues surfaced in September 2025 with a brain bleed, leading to an emergency craniotomy that revealed two melanoma masses on his brain and a spot on his lungs. A GoFundMe set up by his family raised over $56,000 toward a $50,000 goal. An update on January 2, 2026, noted he had returned home after Christmas, described as “strong, determined, and a true fighter.” Boston's website updated with a photo of DeCarlo onstage, including his birth and death dates.
