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One highlight of my life was a barbershop concert we did with The Boston Common. It was with their second lead, not the original four. Before, all the quartets gathered at someone's home, and BC warmed up in the living room with us sitting on the couch a few feet away. It was a pure physical experience, a sense of warmth just filling every inch of my body.

Once in a century…

There's a reason everyone learned all of their songs - they touched our hearts more than our ears! That night in 1980, "the legends became champions". And we all the better for that.

The Common were uncommon, not only in 1980, but still today. No artifice, nothing fake; just authentic, believable, heartfelt performance. This is why they could compete at the highest level even in 2024!

Unlike many of the quartets from the 70s and 80s, the Boston Common would still score a solid mid-A. "Forgive Me" was absolutely stunning!

Best Ever Was member of Spebsqsa for over 36 years and heard many of the top Quartets but never heard one that I enjoyed more than the Common

I was lucky enough to grow up down the street from Larry. The block party jams were incredible.

,Regents Barbershop International Quartet Champions

Thanks for posting. I had no idea how big Boston Common was in the Barbershop world. Found this by chance while searching for news on Rich Knapp, who was a friend and colleague of my father when I was a kid. Great to see his face again and to finally realize how talented he and the others were.

So many chills! Such a beautiful song and executed perfectly.

Ive known these guys since 1911 and they are still my favourite.

very nice thank you

SPEBSQSA

At the insistence of Dr. Bob Proctor, a long time barbershopper and mentor, I sang this song in a quartet using the Boston Common version as a learning tape. Dr. Bob just passed away and yet I still can hear him singing each of the four parts with ease. Here’s to you Doc and thanks for your tutelage. Until we meet again….

Absolutely Crushed that set and everyone prior to that set!! I remember my father's quartet was second that year and I asked him if he was disappointed...He said that he was never so relieved in his life to place second !!! They hadn't seen the finals and he asked me how they where and I was speechless when he saw it a few months later, he was blown away. That night following The Boston Common and Chicago News, which was my Dad's Quartet was a front row seat to heaven.

The best quartet ever.

Fh

My dad used to sing with these guys (Lloyd Bickford)

How good are those tenors

Kent Martin (The one on the very left) is the tenor and my grandfather. I just just watching his old stuff.

ty what an original sound!

Chuckling because in previous contests the judges wouldn’t give them the gold because they didn’t dance or move around - so they sing Barbershop Strut as their second song, lol 😉

Damn. No one could ring chords like these guys. Ever. In a total class by themselves. First heard them on my dad’s recordings in the 70’s, saw them win in 1980 and I still get goosebumps today.

Oh jesus their good! Forgive me!!!

When I get to Barbershop Heaven ,. I will be the FIrst. In line to hear my most favorite quartet, The Boston Common

Ask Castellar

"They won in '74 and '75 and '77 and '78 and '79 and finally in '80"

I''m 56 and to this day every time i hear this song especially the tenor i darn near pee my pants it sounds so good. my father was in BSQ and i had the privilege of singing with the 139 th st Quartet and when Smitty's wife passed away. he sang a song he composed and started crying when he got half way through it. my god there was not a dry eye in the auditorium and like a champion he finished with a standing ovation. BC is my all time favorite until the day i am gone and if i am of the lucky one's in heaven that get to listen to eternity it will suit me just fine.

UNGODLY Tenor Lead vibrato. the whole key to this ungodly amazing group is the the most amazing Tenor known to man but the Amazing Lead and Base, Baritone vibrato. the changes that took place in BB shop was in my book a disgusting attempt to eliminate these amazing voice blends. i am at total awe at this level of perfection until the day i die. i salute sheer perfection.

im here from clash-a-rama

Proud Bostonian here. I need to go to Boston Common and listen to a bunch of stuff by the Boston Common quartet just to be super meta.

Fantastic!

1980 - That was my first trip to an International Convention! Then my wife and I got to do a 25 year repeat in 2005, and Boston Common was featured!

Having a bad day? I prescribe you a Boston Common album... thank me later...

It makes me sad that some day we might have to explain to people why this is as great a performance as we will ever be privileged to see and hear. I feel lucky to know why it is, and to appreciate it every time I listen. Thanks, Jamie.

What a beautiful timbre the tenor no screech just pure

Nobody could make a tag ring like these guys!

I was working the Fly Rail for the San Gabriel and Arcadia California SPEBSQSA show Just after they won this competition They were the special guests and sounded amazing from the wings stage right. After the show, they went to our lobby for meet and greet with the audience and I went along as security and crowd control. I can still remember standing just feet in front of them as they sang in our lobby that has plaster walls and glazed brick floor. Absolutely unbelievable rich sound and incredible blending. I will never forget that night!

Thanks, Jamie. Never was and never will be another like BC. I could listen to them all day and never get tired.

Absolutely the BEST tenor i have heard in my life that still brings tears to my eyes. i use to follow the Dapper Dans in Disneyland a round when i was i kid (10) and even lost my parents doing do. it was my Dads that figured out where i was. to this day The Boston Common is and will always be the absolute pinnacle of Barbershop Quartet music. their Tremolo as you say sets them apart which is a very rare thing as the vibrato is in sink with each other that does not happen in life yet it did and i will listen to this group until the day the good Lord says it is time to go.

0:06 “...from Boston and Beverly, Massasschusettstts...” - gets me every time 😂

The best quartet ever. The crooners!

I SENT THIS TO MY SWEETHEART

legendary

So very sorry to hear of Terry's passing. No doubt about it, he was the greatest bass I ever heard in barbershop and I've been a member for 52 years. His quartet had a distinctive sound that never will be copied. I will always remember their visit to our area when they sang as guests on one of our Chapters' shows(I can't remember which chapter!) To the remaining members of the quartet...rest assured Terry is in a better place and singing his heart out for his listeners. God Bless!! Tom Pottie, City of Lakes chorus, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

RIP, Terry, a man, a voice, a legend. We who were fortunate enough to have heard you will always miss you.

Standing "O", i was there and I was standing.

Did they look relaxed or what? Amazing quartet.

I was there at the Salt Palace to see this live.

that got me wicked hard