Friday, August 12, 2011

Boston singer returns to Stryper

Singer Michael Sweet has left Boston and announced his full-time return to Stryper.

Michael co-founded Christian rockers Stryper in 1983, leading them to sales of more than 8 million albums worldwide.

Sweet’s first performance with Boston was as one of several singers who played with the band at a tribute concert to former vocalist Brad Delp in the summer of 2007, following Delp’s suicide in the spring of that year.

Sweet joined Boston in 2008, playing guitar and sharing lead vocals with Tommy DeCarlo on a headlining tour of North America, after which Stryper released the 2009 studio album “Murder By Pride” (featuring a cover of Boston’s "Peace of Mind"). After another lengthy tour, Stryper recorded and released “The Covering” last year, toured again and are now in the studio working on an untitled release for 2011, with tour dates already announced for this fall.

“My focus and my loyalty lies with Stryper, the band that I've committed almost thirty years of my life to,” says Sweet. “The guys in Stryper are my brothers and I’m excited about our future together. The music of Boston helped shape who I am as an artist, and the opportunity to be a part of their musical legacy is overwhelming. It’s been an honor to share the stage with them, and a bigger honor to call them my friends.”

Boston are reportedly working on a new album, but given their history, there’s no way of knowing how many years may pass before it sees the light of day.

BostonBoston

Boston – More Than A Feeling
U.S. Cellular Pavilion Gilford NH – June 22, 2008