Donald Thomas "Tom" Scholz (born March 10, 1947) is an American
rock musician, inventor, engineer, and philanthropist, best known as the founder of the band
Boston. He is also the inventor of the
Rockman portable guitar
amplifier. He has been described by
Allmusic as "a notoriously 'un-rock n' roll' figure who never enjoyed the limelight of being a performer," preferring to concentrate almost exclusively on his music, and in more recent years, spending much of his time working with charities.