Aerosmith fires up healthy dose of epic rock
Boston Herald, MA
September 27, 2006
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith rock the
Tweeter Center, September 26, 2006 in Mansfield.
(Staff photo by Douglas McFadd)
Apparently there’s a big difference between the walking wounded and the rockin’ wounded. The juxtaposition of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Motley Crue’s Vince Neil made that all too apparent at last night’s Tweeter Center show. Even with a litany of ailments - and a decade more of hard living than Neil - Tyler made the Crue frontman look over the hill.
Both Aerosmith and Motley Crue have had their fair share of health problems. Drug and alcohol addictions aside, the two bands could still fill an appendix in the physician’s desk reference. Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars has struggled with a degenerative bone condition called ankylosing spondylitis since the ’80s and needed a hip replacement because of complications from the illness.
Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton is recovering from radiation treatment for throat cancer. And Tyler recently disclosed he’s been battling hepatitis C and, earlier this year, he underwent experimental surgery to repair a popped blood vessel in his throat. But where Motley Crue sounded ill, Aerosmith sounded better than ever.
From the opening song, “Toys in the Attic,” to the closer, “Walk this Way,” Aerosmith rocked like men half their age. They came out with Gibson guitars a-blazin’ and, for the first hour of their set, played only their best ’70s material, along with a few classic blues standards.
The night’s highlight came when Tyler stopped the show to ask the fans if they knew how Hamilton was doing. Before the crowd could respond, Hamilton walked out on stage with his bass to a euphoric cheer.
“I got a message from Steven today,” he said. “He told me, ‘Why don’t you get yourself out of bed and play.’ ”
The band then launched into a very emotional version of “Sweet Emotion” before Hamilton left the stage.
The whole night, Aerosmith’s members seemed to flaunt their improving health. During “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” Tyler played a blaring harmonica and sang with amazing power. His voice had never sounded better as he shouted and shrieked (hopefully Tyler gave Neil his doctor’s card because the Motley Crue frontman desperately needs some vocal help).
Even Joe Perry’s voice was strong - of course not as strong as his fierce guitar playing. To clear up any rumors that Perry had moved to Vermont, he sang lead vocals on a dirty blues version of “Dirty Water” that had the crowd crooning along.
Yup, the Boston boys still got it. “Love in an Elevator” worked perfectly. “Mama Kin” had what it takes. And “Dream On” was right on.
With a dozen hits to choose from and a bunch of platinum records, Motley Crue couldn’t compete. Neil’s voice is shot, their sound man should be shot, and they’re over the hill - as Neil bounced around the stage, he got increasing blotchy and out of breath. At one point he even apologized for his voice.
It’s a shame, because the band’s visual show was amazing, with huge explosions, intense video screens and women dancing in iron cages 30 feet above the stage. But it was all looks and no substance. Hopefully, next time around, Aerosmith will find a co-headliner they won’t embarrass so badly.
September 27, 2006
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith rock the
Tweeter Center, September 26, 2006 in Mansfield.
(Staff photo by Douglas McFadd)
Apparently there’s a big difference between the walking wounded and the rockin’ wounded. The juxtaposition of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Motley Crue’s Vince Neil made that all too apparent at last night’s Tweeter Center show. Even with a litany of ailments - and a decade more of hard living than Neil - Tyler made the Crue frontman look over the hill.
Both Aerosmith and Motley Crue have had their fair share of health problems. Drug and alcohol addictions aside, the two bands could still fill an appendix in the physician’s desk reference. Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars has struggled with a degenerative bone condition called ankylosing spondylitis since the ’80s and needed a hip replacement because of complications from the illness.
Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton is recovering from radiation treatment for throat cancer. And Tyler recently disclosed he’s been battling hepatitis C and, earlier this year, he underwent experimental surgery to repair a popped blood vessel in his throat. But where Motley Crue sounded ill, Aerosmith sounded better than ever.
From the opening song, “Toys in the Attic,” to the closer, “Walk this Way,” Aerosmith rocked like men half their age. They came out with Gibson guitars a-blazin’ and, for the first hour of their set, played only their best ’70s material, along with a few classic blues standards.
The night’s highlight came when Tyler stopped the show to ask the fans if they knew how Hamilton was doing. Before the crowd could respond, Hamilton walked out on stage with his bass to a euphoric cheer.
“I got a message from Steven today,” he said. “He told me, ‘Why don’t you get yourself out of bed and play.’ ”
The band then launched into a very emotional version of “Sweet Emotion” before Hamilton left the stage.
The whole night, Aerosmith’s members seemed to flaunt their improving health. During “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” Tyler played a blaring harmonica and sang with amazing power. His voice had never sounded better as he shouted and shrieked (hopefully Tyler gave Neil his doctor’s card because the Motley Crue frontman desperately needs some vocal help).
Even Joe Perry’s voice was strong - of course not as strong as his fierce guitar playing. To clear up any rumors that Perry had moved to Vermont, he sang lead vocals on a dirty blues version of “Dirty Water” that had the crowd crooning along.
Yup, the Boston boys still got it. “Love in an Elevator” worked perfectly. “Mama Kin” had what it takes. And “Dream On” was right on.
With a dozen hits to choose from and a bunch of platinum records, Motley Crue couldn’t compete. Neil’s voice is shot, their sound man should be shot, and they’re over the hill - as Neil bounced around the stage, he got increasing blotchy and out of breath. At one point he even apologized for his voice.
It’s a shame, because the band’s visual show was amazing, with huge explosions, intense video screens and women dancing in iron cages 30 feet above the stage. But it was all looks and no substance. Hopefully, next time around, Aerosmith will find a co-headliner they won’t embarrass so badly.
| Permalink | E-mail this post 
