Donald Thomas "Tom" Scholz (born 10 March 1947) is a US rock musician, songwriter, guitarist, inventor, and mechanical engineer. He is best known as the founder of the hard rock band Boston. He is also the inventor of the Rockman guitar amplifier. As noted by Allmusic, he is 'a notoriously "un-rock n' roll" figure who never enjoyed the limelight of being a performer' but instead concentrated on his music. After achieving commercial success with Boston, Scholz has spent much of his time working with charities.Tom Scholz was born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in the suburb of Ottawa Hills. His father, Don Scholz, was a homebuilder who garnered considerable wealth from his designs of prefabricated luxury houses and founded Scholz Homes Inc.