began writing new material

In late 1979, Scholz began writing new material, but Boston’s former co-manager, Paul Ahern, argued that according to an agreement Scholz had signed years earlier with Ahern, Ahern owned a percentage of all songs Scholz wrote from that point on. Delayed further by the dispute, Scholz suggested that in the meantime, the individual members should work on whatever other projects they might be considering. Goudreau then decided to record a solo album that featured Boston members Delp, who contributed vocals and co-wrote songs on the album, and Sib Hashian, and which was recorded with the help of Paul Grupp, an engineer and producer familiar with Scholz’s studio techniques. The album, released in 1980, was titled Barry Goudreau and featured the minor hit single “Dreams”. Tension arose when CBS ‘s marketing connected Goudreau’s solo album to Boston’s signature guitar sound, despite Scholz not having played at all on this album. Scholz objected to the ad copy, but it became irrelevant when Epic dropped promotion on Goudreau’s album, citing lack of interest. After a meeting with Scholz, Goudreau was fired from the band in 1981. Brad Delp, at the same meeting, voiced his disapproval and told Scholz that he was quitting Boston, but that he would record and complete the tour for that album. Goudreau then formed Orion the Hunter . After the tour for “Third Stage” ended in 1988, Delp teamed up with Goudreau and recorded the Return to Zero LP.