Tom Scholz speaks out on Boston bandmate Tommy DeCarlo's death

Boston founder Tom Scholz credits the late Tommy DeCarlo as the reason the band was \

Boston founder Tom Scholz is remembering his late bandmate Tommy DeCarlo as the reason for the band's resurgence after the 2007 death of lead singer Brad Delp.

In a statement shared with USA TODAY on March 9, Scholz mourned a musical talent who "did not deserve to be cut down at such a young age."

"This morning Tommy lost his fight with cancer. Everyone who has heard Tommy sing on stage, or on BOSTON albums, knows what a gifted artist he was, but few know how hard he worked to fill that role of BOSTON's lead vocalist, and to turn himself into a top-tier live performer – or more importantly, what a dedicated father he was to his children," Scholz wrote in the statement, which was later posted to social media.

"Tommy was a competitive athlete and yet a gentle soul who his son and many others remember as a sweet man who did not deserve to be cut down at such a young age," he continued. "It's not surprising that one of his favorite BOSTON songs to sing was 'To Be a Man.'"

The songwriter concluded: "While many people will remember Tommy giving his audience amazing live performances, I will remember him as the incredible singer who appeared out of nowhere to rescue BOSTON in 2007, and gave all of us with the band 10 additional years of performing our most memorable live shows. Rest in peace Tommy, you did know what it took to be a man."