The lifelong Beatles fan also played with the tribute band Beatle Juice

Tests showed the 55-year-old committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in at his home in the New Hampshire town of Atkinson on Friday.

A family statement issued by police said: "We take comfort in knowing that he is now, at last, at peace."

Delp sang the vocals on a string of hits in the 1970s, including More Than a Feeling and Long Time.

"He was a man who gave all he had to give to everyone around him, whether family, friends, fans or strangers," said the family statement.

"He gave as long as he could, as best he could, and he was very tired. We take comfort in knowing that he is now, at last, at peace."

The band's website was replaced with the simple message: "We just lost the nicest guy in rock and roll."

Torn apart

Delp joined Boston in the early 1970s after meeting guitarist, songwriter and producer Tom Scholz. The group later signing to the Epic label.

Their first album, simply titled Boston, was a huge success and the band picked up a loyal fanbase as they toured extensively.

But Scholz had a reputation for meticulous production of albums and the slow progress made on successive releases effectively tore the band apart.

Delp quietly left the group in 1991 to work with former member Barry Goudreau, and was replaced on lead vocals by Fran Cosmo on the album Walk On.

The musician rejoined the group for the album's tour, sharing the vocal duties with Cosmo.