Aerosmith News

The Grand Rapids Press - MLive.com, MI
September 30, 2007


Some rock bands have a tough time staying together for more than two rehearsals and their first bar gig, let alone years of near-wedded, equipment-hauling bliss.

So, how does an outfit such as Aerosmith stick it out for a mind-numbing 37 years? Boundless patience? Countless cases of beer? Senility?

Aerosmith's Joe Perry insists members have always made the rock group their top priority, whether young and wild or old and mild.

"It's one thing to be around guys when you're 20 years old. And then you grow up to be men and your tastes diverge," he told me a few years ago. "But I have to say we've always been fans of the music first, and we just have this unique feeling about keeping the band together."

Fair enough. But over the years I've heard other intriguing explanations for the longevity of established groups.......


(Article continued here)

RedWingMotorcycles.com
September 30, 2007


Steven's Blog


At Loudon

"Are you kidding me? Did you see the photos from Loudon? It was so great to finally let the world see these bikes and great to hear the good words from all the people around there. I am so proud of the hard work that Mark, Stephen and all those cats at AC put in. They deserve a lot of the credit for these motorcycles. We had a good time at Loudon, dinner with Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer the night before the race. Yeah, I told Tony that Clint was gonna win. Damn if I didn’t get that right. Okay, we’re off to do a handful of shows, including a couple in Hawaii, where I’ll also get in a little parasailing. What’s the insurance rate for bands these days?!?! Ha."


Rides

"Around the globe. Around the GLOBE! Seeing the world. I can’t get over that. The world. Imagine standing on a stage in the middle of Dubai looking over and seeing Joe, Brad and Tom, turning around and seeing Joey. We grooved so ridiculously so… What a year. Then the Red Wing launch. Shit, it just can’t get any better. Okay, like I said, we’re heading off … Back in the saddle, again … when I’m back home we’re all – Mark, Stephen and a couple of the fellas – going for a ride. New England on a bike. Come on, the colors? Are you kidding? Just the best. It’s a gift."

KPUA, HI


HONOLULU (AP) _ The University of Hawaii is getting $500,000 to turn over part of its campus to auto dealers this weekend, including a private concert by Aerosmith.

The school is renting its 10,000-seat indoor Stan Sheriff Center and its stadium and football practice field for part of Toyota USA's 50th anniversary convention. The event also will include food tents and private displays of Toyota's 2008 models.

School officials say the rental income will go to the University Athletic Department.

The university is taking steps to keep students from entering the lower campus area to catch the sound of the private Aerosmith concert. The band canceled a tour-ending concert on Maui this week because it couldn't get its equipment to Hawaii in time from a rescheduled Chicago concert.

Toyota says its convention is bringing more than 6,000 auto dealers and other Toyota employees from around the country.

Aero Force One
September 27, 2007


Toby Keith And Steven Tyler Added To The Performance Line-Up For CMT Giants: Hank Williams, Jr


Taping October 25th in Los Angeles; Tickets On Sale Now

NASHVILLE – Toby Keith and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler have been added to the all-star lineup for CMT Giants: Hank Williams, Jr which honors the extraordinary life and music of the legendary Hank Williams Jr. The two-hour special, CMT Giants: Hank Williams, Jr, will be taped before a live audience on Thursday, October 25th at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and tickets are on sale now. The previously announced line-up includes performances by superstars Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Buddy Guy, with more soon to be announced. Jimmy Kimmel and Terry Bradshaw are slated to present. CMT Giants: Hank Williams, Jr will premiere on CMT on Saturday, November 17th at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT.

The CMT Giants franchise began last year when Reba McEntire was honored for her stellar career by such stars as Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, LeAnn Rimes, Megan Mullally, Wynonna and Dolly Parton, each of whom paid tribute to Reba by lending their voices to her biggest hits.

CMT Giants is produced by Tom Forrest and Tailight TV. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT.

Visit CMT's press-only web site www.cmtpress.com for more information and downloadable photos on all of CMT's programming.

Excalibur Online, Canada
September 26, 2007


Though he has toured since the ‘70s, Steven Tyler still has the ‘it’ factor


There is one question that has plagued mankind for decades. It has been asked to thousands at once. It has been asked by some of the greatest thinkers of our time: “Are you ready to rock?”

If you were at the Aerosmith concert on Sept. 18 at the Molson Amphitheatre, the answer was a resounding “Yes” and more importantly, “…still.”

After almost 40 years, Aerosmith clearly has what it takes to blow the doors off a stadium, and from the time they exploded onstage with ‘Love in an Elevator’ to their incredible finale, ‘Walk this Way,’ Steven Tyler and the boys had the packed venue on their feet like it was 1976 all over again.

Speaking of Tyler, the man can move. At the age of 59, he had stage presence and then some. There is a reason why the name Steven Tyler is synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll: when he addresses the audience, the audience listens. He is the quintessential front man and an incredible singer. Just listening to Aerosmith’s albums does not give an accurate portrayal of Tyler’s vocal ability. He was hitting notes that I had not dreamed possible, and after a 30-year career of well-publicized drug use and excessive living, that is quite a feat.

On the other hand, lead guitarist Joe Perry was pretty stagnant for the duration of the show. I don’t even think he took a step the whole time, but the movement of his fingers more than made up for it. Perry provided some of the most insane guitar playing I had seen in a long time, from bluesy riffs to jazzy solos and some crazy combinations of the two. Perennial Aerosmith favourite ‘Sweet Emotion’ was played with such passion that it was as if every member of the audience was being played to individually.

The rest of the band, filled out by Tom Hamilton (bass), Brad Whitford (guitar) and Joey Kramer (drums), helped Tyler and Perry play nearly three hours of high voltage, straight-up rock the likes of which, being so young, I never thought I would get to see.

With the recent surge of classic bands like Van Halen and The Police touring again, the question of whether they can still play like they used to arises. However, after last week’s show, I can safely say that as long as Aerosmith puts on a show that good, whenever Tyler asks that oh-so familiar question, “Are you ready to rock?,” my answer will be, “Of course.”

Chicago Daily Southtown, IL
September 25, 2007



Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler hit the highest of high notes and worked every inch of the stage as he led the bad boys from Boston through a two-hour set steeped in blues and heavy on ’70s cuts at the Allstate Arena.
(AP file photo)



Aerosmith is back in the saddle again.

After postponing its Chicago-area concert, the iconic quintet rocked for a ready crowd Monday night at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, two weeks after canceling its appearance just hours before showtime "due to illness." Days later, the Boston Globe reported Steven Tyler was "a bit hoarse" in concert. Here, though, Tyler hit the highest of high notes and worked every inch of the stage as he led the bad boys from Boston through a two-hour set steeped in blues and heavy on '70s cuts.

For its final concert in the continental United States this year, Aerosmith used the same layout and similar set list as last October at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. A promenade stage stretched deep into the main floor and a video screen spanned the entire main stage. But this time bass player Tom Hamilton was back after being treated for throat cancer last year.

Fans in the good seats seemed so orderly as Tyler strutted along the catwalk in skin-tight pants, a shiny purple jacket and white cowboy hat as he sung the opener of "Love in an Elevator."

Nor did they rush the stage or paw at guitarist Joe Perry, who later stripped down to jeans and boots and beat his axe with a silk shirt full of silver confetti at the end of the promenade.

Perry and Tyler slowed it down with a sit-down jam featuring "Seasons of Wither" without the awesome fake snowstorm provided in Tinley Park in '06.

Mostly, though, Perry stuck close to guitarist Brad Whitford and Hamilton, all huddled by Joey Kramer's drums, and let Tyler rule the roost as he does so well.

Tyler, 59, has the energy of a punk kid pumped up on Red Bull. Perry, 57, is the epitome of cool. Kramer, 57, is one solid-built dude. Whitford and Hamilton, though, look older than 55.

Tyler smugly pulled a harmonica out of the front of his pants during "Cryin'," alternated between harp and primal screams during "Baby Please Don't Go," and only relied on the teleprompter for straddling purposes.

The crowd seemed bored during "Pink," and who could blame them when there are dozens of better songs? But Tyler rebuilt the momentum with an a cappella intro to "What It Takes."

Aerosmith, who plan to start recording in November, thankfully played plenty of material from its early days, including "Last Child," "S.O.S. (Too Bad)," "Walkin' the Dog," "Rats in the Cellar" and "Draw the Line," and closing with the usual "Walk This Way."

Seeing Aerosmith perform "Dream On" and "Sweet Emotion" should be on everyone's list of things to do.

Metal Underground, MD
September 25, 2007


The Pulse of Radio (formerly Launch Radio Networks) reports: Aerosmith has just wrapped up a brief set of North American dates and will be taking a short break before entering the studio in November. After over 30 years together, the members of the Boston-based rock band have survived injury, addiction and cancer, but now that they're well into their fifties, the still-youthful quintet is beginning to feel their age.

Guitarist Joe Perry said that touring and performance is no longer something the band can take for granted. "You realize you're not an immortal, and you don't have this 22-year-old feeling of 'this thing can go on forever,' and you know, 'I can do whatever I want, I can go for three nights without sleep and everything will be fine,'" he said. "You start to realize that it's a very delicate thing, life is a delicate thing, and being able to perform at the top of your game is a delicate thing. And it's one of those changes, you know, that comes over. I'm still amazed that we can put on the kind of show that we put on. Every night could be our last."

Perry recently told Billboard.com that when they return to the studio in November, they'll create their music from leftover material from earlier projects and use bits and pieces that organically come together. "I'd like to have songs that the band can play live and have them sound great and not need to have a bunch of overdubs and all that, even though we will do that after the fact," he said. "But that's the icing on the cake. The cake is good songs, and that's what we're gonna be shooting for."

Aero Force One
September 25, 2007





For most of us, keys are simple pieces of metal that unlock the doors in our life, but the word “key” has come to mean something more figurative as well. This profound connection is the touchstone of award-winning photojournalist Linda Solomon’s powerful new book, The Key - Celebrated People Unlock Their Secrets to Life, which offers a truly unique collection of 56 celebrities’ words of inspiration. Included in the book are words of wisdom from many survivors of breast cancer, including Melissa Etheridge, Olivia Newton-John, and others. Advice on many of life’s biggest questions can be found here, from The Key to an Everlasting Love from Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, to The Key to Obtaining the Brass Ring from Steve Forbes. Solomon beautifully presents a rare glimpse into the hearts and minds of today’s most celebrated people. The words are honest and often surprising, both serious and fun, and always enlightening. Life’s secrets are ultimately best when shared. So come turn the key and open the door to discover the wisdom within. A portion of proceeds from the sale of The Key supports EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund and the fight against breast cancer.

The Key - Celebrated People Unlock Their Secrets to Life is available in book stores on Oct. 1st.

More on the author and the book.

Aero Force One
September 25, 2007


Aerosmith - Chicago, Illinois
September 24, 2007

(Photos by: Amanda Ayre - AF1)








See more.... (here).

Aero Force One
September 24, 2007


Set List:   Aerosmith  -  Allstate Arena  -  September 24, 2007


Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Walkin' The Dog
Dream On
Rats In The Cellar
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

Walk This Way


Thanks to:  Aero Force One.

Just Jared.com
September 24, 2007





Liv Tyler takes son Milo, 2 1/2, on stage with her to watch granddad Steven Tyler (lead singer of Aerosmith) rock out during a concert at the Molson Amphitheater on Tuesday in Toronto, Canada....

Milo wore protective noise-canceling headphones just like baby Wyatt, Sheryl Crow’s son. Royston Langdon, Liv’s hubby and Milo’s father, is a musician and the lead singer and bass player of the Rock band Arckid.


More photos.... (here)

Aero Force One
September 23, 2007





Jimmy has been working steady for the band since 1993, except for a brief 3 month sabbatical last year. He spent the time at Simi Valley Community College studying Japanese culture. He also took a class as a sushi chef and was under the tutelage of master sushi chef Junkahowa “Woo Woo” Wu. Jimmy plans to use his upcoming time off from Aerosmith working in Japan with famed Japanese promoter Mr. Udo. Jimmy just might be the most honest and caring tour manager in the business. That’s why he is my Employee of the Tour. Plus he is my boss and it never hurts to brown nose a little.

John B.

Aero Force One
September 23, 2007


Aerosmith - Atlantic City, New Jersey
September 22, 2007

(Photos by: Amanda Ayre - AF1)











See more.... (here).

The Press of Atlantic City, NJ


Aerosmith is that rock 'n' roll rarity: a veteran band that has managed to survive - make that thrive - with its original lineup intact. Except for a five-year blip in the early 1980s, Aerosmith has been fronted since the early '70s by Steven Tyler, with Joe Perry on lead guitar, Tom Hamilton on bass, Brad Whitford on guitar and Joey Kramer on drums.

Overcoming well-documented substance abuse problems, the hard rock outfit has managed to gain iconic status but still seem current, in large part due to its raft of radio-friendly hits like "Sweet Emotion," "Janie's Got a Gun" and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

Bassist Tom Hamilton, who sat out last year's tour due to a battle with throat cancer - he's healthy now - spoke to At The Shore about Aerosmith's past challenges, present state and future plans.


Q: You're just wrapping your first world tour in nearly 10 years. What's it been like?
A: Some of the countries that have been traditionally poor have growing economies - places like India, Russia, Estonia and Latvia. All of a sudden, they're on the map for places you go to tour. That's an exciting thing for me, to be caught up in the global economy, to have people in the middle class in countries where they've been impoverished before.

Q: Did performing in Dubai seem much different from a typical tour stop?
A: I just couldn't stop thinking about what it was going to be like: all men in Arab dress or jeans and T-shirts. Will it be women? The thing about Dubai is that most of the people in that city at any given time are from somewhere else. The audience ended up being not that different from a lot of gigs we do.

Q: Given your catalog, your setlist must be a challenge. What are you playing these days?
A: We get a certain skeleton we work from and certain structure that has spaces in it, where we can plug songs in and take them out and change them. We have to have "Sweet Emotion," "Walk This Way" and "Dream On," and some of the ballads, and then we can interchange different album cuts. You have to figure out which era to draw from. Right now, we're drawing more heavily on the '70s stuff.

Q: Are you playing anything from your upcoming album (No. 15), which is in the works for a 2008 release?
A: We've got the framework for a bunch of stuff we really like, but none of it is ready to be played live. It's rock songs - fast and crunchy. We're really psyched because the fields are so fertile for loud guitar-based music.

Q: The band has (mostly) been together for almost 40 years. What's your secret to not driving each other crazy?
A: We went through some bitterness for sure - bitterness turbocharged by being hung over and burned out. Luckily, it worked out. A lot of bands try to work it out and all it does is reconfirm that they think the other guy is an a--hole.

Aero Force One
September 22, 2007


Set List:   Aerosmith  -   Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa  -  September 22, 2007


Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Toys in the Attic
Dream On
Rats In The Cellar
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

Walk This Way


Thanks to:  Aero Force One.

The Hartford Courant, CT
September 22, 2007



Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry performs -
Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.
(Khoi Ton/AP/September 19, 2007)


Aerosmith has seen its share of ups and downs since the band was established in Boston in 1970, but nowadays, the band is remarkably healthy, both in the condition of its members and its standing as a business enterprise. The best-selling American hard-rock act of all time still sports all of its original members and is careful to protect its franchise, an attitude that showed Thursday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in a performance that smartly balanced solid professionalism and engaging rock bombast.

No sooner did the lights come up than singer Steven Tyler loosened up his first screech of the evening, and he continued yelling to the point of strain as the act's six-piece live lineup (the five principals plus a keyboard player) pounded its way through the opening "Love in an Elevator." Bass player Tom Hamilton applied a plump underbelly to the throbbing "Same Old Song and Dance" as the band's two guitarists filled the tune with a stout spectrum of sonic grit.

Joe Perry was the showier of those two guitars, whether he was filling the blustery tail of "Cryin'" with pyrotechnics or ladling slow sizzle onto the hearty pulse of "Pink" while Tyler blew some harmonica for texture.

Fare such as the 1990 number "What It Takes" was very familiar to the enthusiastic full house, but the band also dug up material such as the 1976 cut "Rats in the Cellar," which extended into a punchy workout.

Guitarist Brad Whitford made chunky contributions to tunes like "Last Child" but also did a lot of detail work such as his bit on "Stop Messin' Around," which featured Perry's lead vocal amid its bounding blues groove. Whitford kicked out a crisp solo in a full-bore rendition of "Walkin' the Dog," while Perry's was the more decorative presence amid the robust escalation of "Dream On."

The band had few rough edges as it executed tunes smoothly and with polish. Tyler was typical of the band's approach, at 59 a genial host who strutted constantly while still hitting his cues, even if his voice is a touch wild. For all its raw energy, the troupe was rehearsed - and restrained - every step of the way.

An insistent roll through "Sweet Emotion" saw Perry provide texture by complementing his guitar-playing with some spacey sounds, and the set closed with a propulsive trip through "Draw the Line" that was gilded by two guitar roars. An encore of "Walk This Way" was a prime example of how the band has extended its longevity, an invitation to a party that never got out of hand.

Aero Force One





Watch video.... (here).

Chicago Daily Herald, IL
September 21, 2007


Chicago is now the final destination of Aerosmith's 37-city international tour.

Publicists for the rock band say the group had to cancel its sold-out, tour-ending concert in Hawaii because of a conflict with a bigger concert in Chicago.

The Mitch Schneider Organization says rescheduling the Chicago event from last Monday to next Monday made it difficult to get the tour equipment to Maui, Hawaii two days later.

A release says the band would like to apologize to its fans in Hawaii.

The band has won four Grammys including one for its 1990 hit song "Janie's Got a Gun."

Aero Force One
September 21, 2007

Aerosmith - Uncasville, CT
September 20, 2007

(Photos by: Amanda Ayre - AF1)











See more.... (here).

Aero Force One
September 20, 2007


Set List:   Aerosmith  -  Mohegan Sun   -  September 20, 2007


Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Walkin' The Dog
Dream On
Rats In The Cellar
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

Walk This Way


Thanks to:  Aero Force One.

Aero Force One
September 20, 2007


What I Did on My Summer Vacation


Sorry that it took so long to write but I was either really busy or really lazy or both. The guys took most of August off except for one quick trip to Las Vegas but we can’t talk about that. Joe did tape his segment with Toby Keith on the 24th right outside of Buffalo. It was weird being at that venue. Aerosmith has probably played there 7 or 8 times in the past 10 years and this time there were no cases with the wings painted on the side in sight. I felt like I was visiting a house I use to live in but the current residents made us feel right at home. At least we had old Jim Survis and his bald dome there to make sure the Billie fiddle was in tune and sounding great. Joe and I got to the venue at about 4 in the afternoon and he ran through the song a few times with Toby and his band. After the soundcheck the guys did some interviews and chilled together on Toby’s bus before the show. They traded old Elvis stories. Joe and Toby both have good friends who were in the Memphis mafia so the tales came right from the sources. Joe’s buddy as you may know is Joe Esposito (Elvis’s Tour Manager and friend) who was also on the Elvis special quite a bit. Right after the show it was back to the airport and back to Vermont.


Toby Keith and Joe - photo by Kirby Middleton


Joe, Me, Joe Espo and Steven in Vegas - photo by Ross Halfin

September has just been all out! The band all got together in NYC for a rehearsal at Radio City for the Fashion Rocks show. The guys as you know did “Walk this Way” with Fergie and “Dude.” WTW was always a lock but “Pink,” “Train” and “Ragdoll” were also in the running for the second song but “Dude” won out. Fergie was awesome! Every bit as pretty and nice in person. Steven and her just jelled and she was amazing. Joe collaborated with Emmy winner Jennifer Hudson on the Beatles song “Come Together.” This wasn’t the first time Joe has performed that song on that stage. In 1991 the guys played it at the Grammys in a tribute to John Lennon. Jennifer was very shy so if you can believe it, Joe was the chatty Kathy of the two. Boy can she sing! They rehearsed in Joe’s dressing room before hitting the big stage and she practically broke glass with her high notes. After the show most of the guys flew back to Boston leaving the party animal Mr. Tyler behind to attend the after show soirées.


Fergie with Steven


Joe and Jennifer Hudson hang backstage - photo by John B.

The band hired old friend Mark Weiss to shoot the behind the scenes moments. With Old Ross Halfin being wished into the cornfields for the 11th time and Blonde Bombshell Melissa Mahoney (who did the European Tour) at home with a bun in the oven, the guys brought in old Mark who looks like he was just defrosted from a cryogenic cylinder. He basically looks the same as he did when he was on the Rock Scene in 1977. He also shot a few of the shows too.


Joe and Tony on Red Carpet with Mark Weiss - photo by John B.


Brad, Tom and Joey on CCN

Next up was Detroit Rock City. It was a bummer that we didn’t stay over because it has always been one of my favorite cities to hang in. The show in my mind was one of the better ones of the tour. As you know Chicago was postponed and has been rescheduled for Sept. 24th. I’m glad because the place is going to be packed and is now going to be one of the last shows of the tour. What a way to go out. It’s too bad too because it was originally going to be on Joe’s birthday.

Jones Beach was good too because you get to see a lot of old friends. Even some of the Sony brass took the trek from the city to say hi to the guys. Of course a NY show wouldn’t be the same without an appearance from Ray Tabano. Ray as you know was the band’s first rhythm guitarist and then T-Shirt peddler so he is permanently enshrined in Aero folk lore. His snappy attire never disappoints.

Joan Jett has been opening the shows this tour and must have been in a cylinder next to Weiss. She looks exactly the same as she did in 1982. It was a pleasure having her and her friend Carmen Electra watching the show behind me at Jones Beach. Unfortunately a prior commitment forced her to skip the Mansfield show but taking her place was James Montgomery. James and the band have been friends since cane was able and brought his Boston baked blues to another level that night. David Hull is his bass player and looked quite happy back on the big stage even though his bass rig has shrunk quite a bit since filling in for Tom Hamilton last year. James was invited out to blow some harp on “Stop Messin’.” It was fun seeing him and Steven kind of recreating a sort of Crossroads type duel. James is the master of the harmonica no question but Steven went toe to toe with him. It just proves how versatile the Demon is whether it’s on Harp, Piano or drums. Oh Yeah he’s not a bad singer too.

Speaking of Harps - Steven has just come out with his own Hohner signature Harmonica. Folks, these harps are a thing of beauty. If you get a chance you should pick one up. It’s a real collector’s item that would look great on the mantel.


The Steven Tyler Signature Series Harmonica

The band’s video director, Casey Thibeault, and creative director, Keith Garde, have come up with a new opening for the show. Unless you live under a rock you know the guys have just preformed in countless country’s this summer and the video is a kind of “what Aerosmith did on their Summer vacation.” I am sure they will put it up on the web site right after the tour. They would do it now but we don’t want to spoil it for the last few shows.

I promise to be back next week after all the gear is back in the warehouse and recap the final week of this awesome run of shows.

See You on The Road!

John B.


Joey right before going onstage in Toronto - photo by John B.

Aero Force One
September 20, 2007


The Aerosmith concert in Maui, HI on September 26th has been cancelled. AF1 will start processing refunds immediately.

Aero Force One
September 19, 2007


Aerosmith - Toronto, Ontario
September 18, 2007

(Photos by: Amanda Ayre - AF1)











See more.... (here).

Aero Force One
September 19, 2007


Set List:   Aerosmith  -  Molson Amphitheatre  -  September 18, 2007


Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Walkin' The Dog
Dream On
Rats In The Cellar
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

Walk This Way


Thanks to:  Aero Force One.

Blabbermouth.net, NY
September 18, 2007


Joe Perry and Steven Tyler recently shared with Gibson their exclusive insights and the back stories to several Aerosmith classics.

"Draw the Line" ("Draw the Line", 1977)

Perry: "That was a case of trying to use an open tuning in a way that wasn't typical, that wasn't simply going to the sus4. That's kind of how I approach open tunings. A lot of times your fingers just naturally want to go in that direction, and that just calls attention to that open tuning, kind of the way Keith Richards plays it. As a guitar player, Richards grabbed that early on and made it his signature. There's something very distinctive and fun about playing with an open tuning, because you get all those open notes, and it just sounds great coming out of a guitar amp. But you don't want it to sound like the other guy who's using that same tuning. So I've always approached that with the attitude of, ‘Well, I'm going to make this sound distinctive.' The Black Crowes used that tuning to great effect, but I could always tell what it was. I just shifted the tuning around a bit, and made it talk a little more, for my own tastes.”

"Back in the Saddle" ("Rocks", 1976)

Perry: "I had heard [original Fleetwood Mac guitarist] Peter Green playing a 6-string bass, although he never really played it as part of a song. He would sort of jam with it. But that's how I knew they existed. I figured it would be a cool instrument to play live. It sounded great, and I didn't know anyone else who was doing it. I wrote that song so that I would have excuse to play it on stage."

"Same Old Song and Dance" ("Get Your Wings", 1974)

Perry: "The original version [a different song with the same title, written by Sammy Cahn and made famous by Frank Sinatra] had more of a swing thing going. We just straightened it out and made it more of a twelve-bar progression. I haven't heard the original in a lot of years, but I seem to remember that it was a little looser. If you go back really far, you don't find a whole lot of straight 12-bar blues. There's always a variation on it, and a change, and I think that's kind of what we did to that song. We brought in the same instrumentation, and played it the way we heard it going down. Listening back to it, I think, ‘Wow, we were playing swing back in 1974. How about that?' It was just another experiment. I'm not sure we really knew what we were doing."


Read the entire article:  (here).

Aero Force One
September 18, 2007





"Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry joined Toby Keith on stage Friday (Aug. 24) in Buffalo, N.Y., to tape a performance for the upcoming ABC News program commemorating the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. Their performance will be included in the Sept. 18 broadcast of the ABC news special, Elvis, Viva Las Vegas. The special also includes performances of Presley's hits by Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert and Willie Nelson, as well as Beyonce, Brandi Carlile, Daughtry, Celine Dion, 50 Cent, Chris Isaak, Paul McCartney, Patty Scialfa and Three 6 Mafia."

Read more on this story from CMT.com

Publishers Weekly


Joey Kramer, drummer for Aerosmith since the band's founding in 1970, has sold a memoir, Little Boy Burning, to Roger Freet at HarperOne via Jill Kneerim at Kneerim & Williams. Kramer's account will cover years of wild excess, getting off drugs and his subsequent struggle with depression. Bill Patrick, coauthor of memoirs by Sidney Poitier and Magic Johnson, will collaborate, and likely pub date is early 2009. HarperOne holds North American rights.

Rock 101-WGIR FM/100.3 WHEB, NH
September 17, 2007




Aerosmith's Steven Tyler sits in with the Buzz to unveil the new line of Red Wing Motorcycles...


Photo Gallery:  (here).

Listen to Interview:  (here).

Aero Force One
September 17, 2007


Aerosmith - Bristow, VA
September 16, 2007

(Photos by: Amanda Ayre - AF1)










See more.... (here).

Aero Force One
September 16, 2007


Set List:   Aerosmith  -  Nissan Pavilion  -  September 16, 2007


Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Walkin' The Dog
Dream On
Rats In The Cellar
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

Walk This Way


Thanks to:  Aero Force One.

Boston Herald, MA
September 16, 2007


Are you ready to rock?

Premier Guitar Festivals kicked off its weekend guitar bash yesterday with guitar exhibits, perfomances and workshops for all ages and abilities, and the guitars will keep on strumming today at Boston’s Bayside Expo Center.

Organizer Peter Sprague, co-owner of TrueFire Studios, said he chose to debut the event in the Hub because “Boston has more guitar players per capita than any city in the country.” The event is expected to draw about 7,500 guitar enthusiasts throughout the weekend.

Players ranging from young novices to famous rockers were jamming at the exhibits and workshops yesterday. Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton took a break from his busy tour schedule and visited the festival knowing “there’s something here (he) needs to buy.”

“I’m like everybody else here. It’s like a dream about Christmas,” said Hamilton, after putting his talent to work trying out some of the merchandise. “I kind of wish I didn’t bring my credit card. We might need to extend the tour.”

Johnny A, who toured with Aerosmith in the ’70s, said he was looking forward to performing at last night’s All-Star Guitar Night, featuring international stars and local favorites including J. Geils and Ernie and the Automatics.

At the Taylor Guitars exhibit, Brian Swerdfeger showed off the company’s new first-ever solid body electric guitar. “This is the most professional festival I’ve been to, and we do 16 festivals a year,” Swerdfeger said.

Concord Monitor, NH
September 16, 2007


Aerosmith's Steven Tyler was in the NHIS infield to debut the new line of motorcycles of which he's "artistic designer."

The ProStreet models, made with parts from Harley Davidson and engineered by the Red Wing Motorcycle Company, are said to have a 35 percent increase in horsepower compared with a typical Harley, and no two paint schemes on the custom bikes will be identical. Exclusive viewings are available at New Hampshire Harley Davidson dealerships in Nashua and Manchester before being available across the East Coast starting later this fall.

As far as the Chase, Tyler went with the underdog. "I've got a funny feeling about Clint," he said of Bowyer....




Singer Steven Tyler rides up to the media center at New Hampshire International Speedway on September 15, 2007 in Loudon, New Hampshire.
(Photos by Robert Meggers/Getty Images for NASCAR)




More Photos:  (GettyImages.com)

NHIS.com
September 15, 2007


(LOUDON, N.H.) – Steven Tyler, in collaboration with Mark Dirico and AC Custom Motorcycles, today launched Red Wing Motorcycle Company. Red Wing Motorcycles are the fusion of rock and roll artistry and superior engineering. Imbued with Tyler’s sense of style, each motorcycle is as comfortable to ride as it is sexy.

Tyler’s artistic vision drove the outrageous design of the custom motorcycles, each hand crafted and hand signed by the legendary rock star.

“You get on one of these bikes and you can ride for days,” Tyler said. “These bikes are slick, rugged, and just damn cool. And they’re amazing to look at.”

These motorcycles were made to ride. With a 35% increase in horsepower to the rear wheel compared to a stock Harley-Davidson, and every inch handcrafted and tailor engineered, they are as hot to drive as they are to look at. The ProStreet model focuses on the beauty and finesse of Tyler’s unique design while never losing sight of critical comfort and performance. The Retro model has the look and feel of a classic Harley-Davidson with new components that ensure the best riding experience possible.

Red Wing Motorcycles are backed not only by Tyler’s brilliance and style but by decades of engineering and motorcycle experience. Engineered by internationally renowned master engineer, Mark Dirico, each facet of the bike was purposefully crafted for a smooth, beautiful ride. Each bike is hand built by the team at AC Custom Motorcycles, with more than 300 years of combined experience building and perfecting motorcycles.

Red Wing Motorcycles are debuting at New Hampshire International Speedway during the SYLVANIA 300 weekend and are now available to the public. Exclusive viewing of the bikes can be found at Manchester and Nashua, N.H. Harley-Davidson dealerships. Each bike is backed by an extensive warranty and can be fully serviced by local Harley dealers. Bikes will be available in partnership with select dealerships across the East Coast through 2008 with a national roll out planned for later that year.

Steven Tyler and the Red Wing Motorcycle Team will be visiting New Hampshire International Speedway on Saturday, September 15 to unveil these incredible motorcycles to the thousands of race fans attending the NASCAR and USAC events at “The Magic Mile”. Tyler will also be speaking with the national motorsports media about his vision and passion for this new project.

Any media inquiries can be directed to Kristin Beltramini, 603-625-5713, kbeltramini@griffinyorkkrause.com. More information and digital images are available at http://www.redwingmotorcycles.com/

The Red Wing Motorcycle Team
Steven Tyler, Artistic Director, provided the design and inspiration for Red Wing Motorcycles. At once a rock and roll icon, artist, designer and personality, Tyler’s passion for motorcycles, artistic flair, and hard rocking experience has made him the ideal designer for these custom bikes. A rock legend like no other, Steven has ensured that every component is of the highest quality and that these rolling works of art are equally comfortable on a cross country journey as in a showroom. A native of New Hampshire, where Aerosmith was originally formed, Tyler is excited to introduce these bikes for the first time at the New Hampshire International Speedway.

Mark Dirico, VP of Engineering, is the internationally renowned master engineer responsible for making sure these bikes are expertly engineered to Steven’s exacting standards. With numerous patents in the machinery industry, Mark is a motorcycle and car enthusiast completely committed to engineering these motorcycles to be seamless, practical, functional, and balanced machines. Mark is an inventor and innovator, his love for all things mechanical and his phenomenal engineering skills give him the foundation for a seamless, functional and balanced design.

Stephen Talarico, President, AC Customs and Red Wing Motorcycle Company. An avid Motocross and Enduro rider since the age of 12, Stephen owns two Harley-Davidson dealerships in Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire. His dealerships, consistently ranked among the top ten in the country, offer a huge variety of Harley-Davidson merchandise and are the idea location to showcase Red Wing Motorcycles. A motorcycle enthusiast for most of his life, Stephen is excited to offer these new extremely rideable, extremely cool motorcycles.

AC Customs has been building custom motorcycles since 1997. Located in Manchester NH, the build team is an affiliate of Manchester Harley-Davidson – one of the top 10 Harley-Davidson dealerships in the country. With over 300 years collective experience, the team at AC Customs is passionate about building these motorcycles with an exacting degree of quality to match the design and engineering. They build some of the most exclusive and sought after motorcycles on the East Coast.

About Red Wing Motorcycle Company
Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul

A rockin’ motorcycle needs to be more than a pretty face. Red Wing Motorcycle Company was founded on the belief that a beautiful bike should be a smooth ride. It’s about uncompromising style, one-of-a-kind artistic design elements, and top of the line components creating a fine tuned machine that is unlike any other motorcycle on the road. These custom motorcycles are not just works of art, they are comfortable, performance-oriented, and crafted to be the only ride you’ll need for years to come.

Steven Tyler’s been on the rock scene since the late 1960’s and has created some of the most memorable songs in the popular music lexicon. He’s taken that creativity and style and put every bit of it into Red Wing Motorcycles. It’s Tyler who picked the motorcycles color scheme, created the small design elements that makes each bike stand alone and has insisted on making sure the motorcycles are as comfortable as they are unique. And he hand-signs every bike before it goes out on the road.

Anyone can build a beautiful motorcycle. But it took the team of Steven Tyler, Mark Dirico and the team at AC Custom Motorcycles to conceive the outrageous design and world-class engineering at the core of Red Wing Motorcycle Company. From inspiration to engineering to build, Red Wing Motorcycles are the sum of an astonishing range of talents, built to ride for days at a time, and to look hot doing it.

After the grand unveiling at Loudon, Red Wing Motorcycle admirers can get an up close and personal look exclusively at Manchester Harley Davidson and Nashua Harley-Davidson, both in NH, and select Aerosmith shows. A network of dealers will be established through the fall of 2007 on the East Coast, and then nationwide through 2008.

The Free Lance-Star, VA


Think Aerosmith Will Retire Soon? Dream On!


For rock bands, the prevailing wisdom used to be that you would tour when you had a new album to promote, but that doesn't necessarily hold true anymore.

These days, veteran groups can hit the road every summer or two, secure in the knowledge that they will still draw a huge crowd based on reputation alone.

For a band like Aerosmith, which plays Nissan Pavilion on Sunday, touring has changed a lot since members Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford started playing together more than 35 years ago. But one thing that's stayed the same is the feeling the members get before they go onstage each night.

"Before you go on, you know, your body is in a different state of concentration and energy," Hamilton, Aerosmith's bass player, said in a recent phone interview. "There's something that says, 'This is a brand new audience and it's time to prove yourself again.'"

Highlights of the current tour have included Aerosmith's first-ever shows in India and the United Arab Emirates. The band also played a series of dates in Europe--their first in several years--before coming to North America, where they will play through the end of this month.

Other notable shows included performances in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, which were "incredible experiences," Hamilton said.

"When we started this band, we never thought that we would ever play in Russia," he added. "We thought there would be a nuclear war before that ever happened."

It seems even after playing together for so long and selling millions of albums, Aerosmith is still reaching out to new fans--not only to those in other countries, but also to those of a younger generation who are showing up in greater numbers because of an interest in vintage guitar music that's recently taken hold, Hamilton said.

He remembers how important music was to him when he was a teenager, so seeing younger people in the audience "is probably more of a thrill than anything for me," he said.

That Aerosmith's already strong following is growing is a testament to the band's remarkable longevity and widespread appeal.

It's one thing for a band that's been around as long as Aerosmith to be able to attract a live audience--many such bands still do that. But Aerosmith is one of the few that consistently releases successful albums, as well, which is a point of pride for the band.

"It really means a lot to me," Hamilton said. "And I don't mean that in a gloating kind of way; I mean that having experienced the ebb and flow of these things.

"I love the irony of how we've outlived so many things that have come and gone. And the fact that, you know, people think of a rock band as a very unstable, very impulsive, compulsive thing; but we've outlived a lot of suit-and-tie corporations that are supposed to be the picture of stability."

Not that Aerosmith hasn't had its share of trials. Problems with Tyler caused Perry to leave the band in 1979, and Whitford departed soon after. But the original lineup, which now is more like a group of brothers than band mates, re-formed in 1984 and has been performing together ever since, surviving everything from drug and alcohol problems to Hamilton's being treated for throat cancer in 2006.

As other music trends have come and gone, Aerosmith has managed to remain one of the biggest bands there is. And the members plan to stay around as long as there's new gear to try out, new shows to be staged or new songs to be recorded.

Once the band finishes touring, the members plan to start working on a new studio album to be released before next summer. While he couldn't speak for the rest of the band, Hamilton said he wants to make a hard, energetic album with that classic Aerosmith sound, and the time seems right to do that.

Of course, once the album is finished, there's only one thing left to do--another tour.

"If there's one thing that always seems to be there," Hamilton said, "it's that we're always going to be on the road soon."


What: Aerosmith will perform with openers Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Where: Nissan Pavilion, Bristow When: Sunday, gates open at 6:30 p.m.; music starts at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $125, $85, $49.50, $29.50, $25 Info: 703/754-6400 Web: nissanpavilion.com, aerosmith.com Tickets: 800/551-SEAT, ticketmaster.com

Hohner, Inc., VA





Hohner Inc announces the shipment of a truly unique instrument, the Steven Tyler Signature Series Harmonica. Steven Tyler has worked with Hohner Inc. to design a Harmonica to his exact specifications featuring a custom combination of a premium reed plate, custom tuning, a special wood comb, and black & silver styling. The Signature Series Harmonica is shipped in a specially stylized gift box featuring the harmonica in the key of “A”, a carrying case, and a signed photo of Steven Tyler.

The harmonica retails for $99.99 and has a MAP price of $79.99. A limited number of units will be manufactured and they should be available next week at Hohner dealers across the US.

“It was a great pleasure to work with an artist of Steven Tyler’s caliber on this project. His enthusiasm and creativity helped us bring this unique instrument to market” said Scott Emmerman, Hohner’s Director of Marketing and Sales. “We expect strong demand for this product from serious players as well as from Steven’s loyal fans” Scott added.

Clay Edwards, Hohner Inc’s President commented, “In the year of our 150th Anniversary, this product uniquely celebrates our heritage and our future. We are very honored to be associated with a great contemporary icon of rock and roll and look forward to working with Steven.”

Hohner has manufactured and distributed musical instruments since 1857 and is one of the world’s oldest musical instrument companies. Its US brands include: Hohner Harmonicas, Accordions, Melodicas, Recorders & Fretted Instruments; Sonor Drums & Orff; Airwave Technologies, Korg Tuners, Remo Drum heads; Rockwood by Hohner Drum & Guitar packs; Laney Amps; Musical Toys; accessory bags & cases; and Lanikai Ukuleles. Hohner, Inc. has offices in Glen Allen and Corona, CA. For Hohner’s US dealer listings, please visit www.hohnerusa.com.

Aero Force One


Aerosmith's official fan club, Aeroforce One, has posted a new webisode featuring the group's bassist Tom Hamilton offering a recap of the 2007 Aerosmith world tour...


Watch Episode V:  (here).

Chicago Sun Times, IL


Fans left in limbo in recent weeks when two veteran rock bands canceled their Allstate Arena concerts now can re-mark their calendars.

The shows have been rescheduled: Aerosmith will perform at the Rosemont venue Sept. 24, and the Cure will be there May 17.

On Monday, Aerosmith backed out of a planned show that night, blaming illness. As before, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will open the new date.

The Cure last month called off a fall tour that included a Sept. 29 Allstate stop, claiming to need more time to finish a double album scheduled to come out in the spring. The new tour starts May 9 in Fairfax, Va.

Previously purchased tickets will be honored, and seats remain available for the Aerosmith gig.

Boston Globe, MA
September 15, 2007



Guitarist Joe Perry and lead singer Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.
(Robert E. Klein for The Boston Globe)


No matter how hard a Boston rock critic tries to get through an Aerosmith concert review without using the words "hometown lovefest," the effort is futile. Our local rock heroes returned to the roost last night and fell into the motherland's ecstatic embrace. And while the crowd's affection preceded the performance, Aerosmith earned every shriek during an electrifying two-hour set.

The stage was sleek and uncluttered, a clean palette for Steven Tyler's star power. He was a little hoarse, but completely on. Tyler strutted the catwalk, a model rock god, scarves flowing from his hat and his neck and his mike stand, gripping fans by the wrists, dipping his fingers into a woman's drink and rubbing it behind his ear. And that was just the first song, "Love in an Elevator."

Nearly four decades after forming, Aerosmith is still funneling heavy, swaggering blues through a lean, mean rock machine with energy that defies the passing of years and a catalog that bridges the band's deep musical roots and mainstream hits. They played plenty of both, blues jams and blockbusters, but it was the band's signature tunes that supplied the night's transcendent moments.

"Walk This Way" has one of the most excellent guitar riffs in rock, and Boston is part owner. "Dream On" is Aerosmith's epic, and Aerosmith is ours. Maybe it's provincial, but that sense of iconography-by-association turned a great concert into a galvanizing experience.

The band has only gotten tighter, playing with the sort of synchronicity available only to those who beat the odds and survive long enough to reap time's rewards. Brad Whitford's guitar solos were phenomenally clean and searing, while Joe Perry did the dirty work.

Bassist Tom Hamilton's occasional forays into the flow of the fan were his version of a star turn, but his bottom end was perpetually turned on, as were Joey Kramer's clockwork rhythms.

Tyler spewed enough charisma to make up for his bandmates sedate ways - nearly falling into the crowd over and over again as he reached for open hands and the occasional lips, thrusting and shimmying in every corner of the stage, sharing the microphone with countless fans, and kissing Perry's mother - a hometown lovefest, indeed.

Boston staple James Montgomery was an ideal warm-up act, opening with a set of blustery, hard-rocking blues that represented Aerosmith's roots.

Aero Force One
September 15, 2007


Aerosmith - Mansfield, MA
September 14, 2007

(Photos by: Amanda Ayre - AF1)

















See more.... (here).

Boston Herald, MA
September 15, 2007



Rockin’ the joint: Aerosmith rockers Steven Tyler, left, and Joe Perry give it their all at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield last night.


A healthy Aerosmith is a happy Aerosmith. But a healthy, happy Aerosmith at home is oh so much better.

After a 2006 plagued by illness - vocalist Steven Tyler underwent hepatitis C treatment and throat surgery, bassist Tom Hamilton conquered cancer and drummer Joey Kramer struggled with shoulder problems - this year’s band didn’t act its age at last night’s sold-out Tweeter Center.

The Boston boys could have picked a cooler opening tune than “Love in an Elevator” for a crowd of fanatical locals. But after dispensing with the obvious, they got right down to the dirty, gritty blues rock that makes them America’s greatest rock ’n’ roll band.

With Aerosmith, the cliched moments hit the hardest. The compulsory-but-always-epic “Dream On” still slays ’em, Hamilton’s deft high bass line on “Sweet Emotion” is the best natural high there is and Joe Perry’s epic riff on “Walk this Way” is a perfect encore. All expected, all still brilliant.

And the rest of the two-hour set was far from filler.

Digging deep into their back catalog (hey, they know what we crave), the guys served up ’70s jams that made their ’80s comeback possible. Sure, it wasn’t much different than the set they played a few nights back in New York, but “Same Old Song and Dance,” “Draw the Line,” “Rats in the Cellar” and “Walkin’ the Dog” just sound better in the commonwealth. It’s as if there’s something in the air, or dirty water, that kicks the band in the can.

Even the post-Toxic Twins tunes improved the set list. The sober-days standards “Cryin’ ” and “What It Takes” didn’t slow these kids down at all.

While “Livin’ on the Edge” could have been left out, the band smartly skipped “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and the rest of their late-period bombs.

There will come a day when Aerosmith will be as bloated and bad as their peers, a day when Steven Tyler looks more like Joan Rivers than Mick Jagger. But if last night was any indication, that day is, thankfully, a while off.

Aero Force One
September 14, 2007


Set List:   Aerosmith  -  Tweeter Center  -  September 14, 2007


Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please Don't Go
Movin' Out
Walkin' The Dog
Dream On
Rats In The Cellar
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

Walk This Way


Thanks to:  Aero Force One.

Aero Force One
September 13, 2007


Aerosmith - Wantagh, NY
September 12, 2007

(Photos by: Amanda Ayre - AF1)











See more.... (here).

RedWingMotorcycles.com
September 13, 2007


"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."




"Steven Tyler is a walking, talking exclamation point, living out loud with a style that’s uncompromised. He owns the room, the stage and now, with the launch of Red Wing Motorcycles, Steven owns the road.

Welcome to Red Wing Motorcycles — a new collection of custom built motorcycles that have been inspired by Steven’s artistic vision, designed by master engineer and inventor Mark Dirico and brought to life by the builders at AC Custom Motorcycles.

Red Wing Motorcycles feature one-of-a-kind artistic design elements and top-of-the-line components, providing a balanced, tuned machine unlike any other on the road today.

Today is the day when you can catch some of Steven’s vibe. Seize the opportunity to own one of these exclusive Red Wing Motorcycles. To inquire about purchasing, click (here)"

Richmond Times Dispatch, VA
September 13, 2007


Aerosmith's Joe Perry is pumped up for the challenge of staying relevant in a fickle world



Steven Tyler maintains a reputation as the mouthpiece of Aerosmith, but Joe Perry is no silent wallflower.

The blues-rockin' guitarist of Boston's most famous musical export has experienced the lows of irrelevance and the highs of sold-out arenas and multiplatinum albums.

He's been around long enough to understand that in an increasingly fickle music market, irrelevance could overtake the sellouts as fast as you can whisper "High School Musical."

So, unlike many of his lesser-esteemed industry peers, Perry is happy to talk, not for an instant giving the impression that he's a we're-not-worthy guitar god with better things to do than answer questions about "American Idol."

Though Aerosmith embarked on a world tour earlier this year -- its first in nearly a decade and last fall rattled some rafters on a joint run in the U.S. with Motley Crue, the band has grappled with some health issues.

In early 2006, Tyler underwent throat surgery. That August, bassist Tom Hamilton was diagnosed with throat cancer. Last fall, Tyler also announced that he had been receiving treatment for hepatitis C for the previous 11 months.

All are fine now, says Perry, who turned 57 on Monday, but the physical setbacks temporarily shelved plans for a new album.

No more.

After a handful of East Coast dates this month -- including Sunday at Nissan Pavilion Aerosmith (which also includes drummer Joey Kramer and guitarist Brad Whitford) will return to the studio to construct a raw, bluesy rock'n' roll album, which the band hopes to have wrapped and ready by early 2008.

Calling from his home in Boston last week, Perry discussed plans for the album, as well as his water-cooler stint on this season's "Idol" finale and why he loves Elvis and Jack White.

Q. So you just finished a world tour, where you returned to Europe for the first time in many years. How did it go and why go there now?

A. The energy that we brought there -- it was almost like we had to rewin Europe. We were always just at the point where we were going to make it and be a household name there, and every time we'd get the momentum going something would happen.

I think the last time we played there was Wembley Stadium to 80,000 people in the late'90s. Then three years later, there wasn't a lot of interest in booking the band in some places there, so we waited it out.

Finally, the promoters stepped up to the plate and alternative music changed and we found that younger fans were more interested in hearing us and a band like ours -- the real deal from years gone by -- and for whatever reason it turned into a great tour.

We went over with this attitude that we had to prove ourselves, which is when we operate at our best. It's all about energy. It's not about adding more lights or the color of the drum riser. It's about a live event and getting people to forget about their day-to-day problems, not get them involved in some movement or another. We're just entertainers. We love to rock.

So you're not a fan of musicians with an agenda?

When I'm a fan and I'm sitting in the crowd at CSN&Y and they're speaking about their social concerns, I know what I'm getting and they put on a great show. I saw them on this last tour, and I knew I was going to get a heavily political show and it doesn't bother me that much. Some of it I agree with; some of it I don't.

Since you're playing only a few dates this month, I take it you'll spend the rest of the year working on the new album? Is anything written yet?

There's stuff in the can that we worked on. We were supposed to put out a studio album last year, but between Steven and Tom's medical problems, it never got going. We may use some of that or not. The band grows, and music that sounds good now might not sound as exciting in six months.

Coming off the "Honkin' on Bobo" album, do you think you'll stick with the bluesier side of things?

The bluesy side is how we're built, but the more important thing is the energy that we have when the band plays live. The blues is a perfect vehicle for that.

I can't speak for everyone in the band, but I want to have a record that sounds like it was played live in the studio . . . Steven has a great ear for pop that's why we make such a good team.

Have you discussed producers? Do you think you'll work with Rick Rubin again?

We've talked to a bunch but aren't sure who we're going to use yet. Now that Rick is kind of in the driver's seat at Sony [the band's label], we'll see. He's got a great sense of music and knows what rock'n' roll is and what the feeling is. It's about energy. But he also knows how to let a band breathe and be what it is.

You mentioned the health issues that Steven and Tom endured. How is Tom doing now that he's back [Hamilton rejoined the group in December]?

He's great. He's loving it all the more. I can't imagine where I would be in my head if I went through that. He loves music. He lives it. He breathes it.

You recently taped an Elvis Presley special with Toby Keith ["Elvis: Viva Las Vegas," to air Tuesday on ABC]. How did that go?

Being an Elvis fan, I knew there would be something coming down the pike [for the anniversary year], so I put my name in the hat. Toby -- I met him a few times, went to a couple of his shows and really loved his kind of country and western and rock, so for any reason I would have gotten up and played with him. It was really a dream.

We did "Mystery Train," because it has roots in the blues. It's almost a song you can't rehearse. It takes a real pro band and a loose rock'n' roll attitude to play a song like that.

Are there any new bands out there that you're digging? Do your sons turn you on to a lot of stuff?

The bands that have the most influence on my guys right now are The Who and the White Stripes.

There's something about [the Stripes], aside from their obvious talent. There's something about their freedom. Jack [White] has really done his blues homework. He's captured the essence of how he feels.

When I saw them live, I couldn't stop thinking, Here's the ultimate garage band. They're the real deal. I've met Jack once and said hello, but I really don't know him well as a person.

All I know is what I hear and see, and I see someone who is really natural and at ease and articulate at expressing himself.

Let's talk about "American Idol." You appeared on the season finale. How was that experience?

That was fun. It was another case of if you told me I was going to do that 20 years ago, I would have said, Ah, probably not. It's just the way the industry has changed.

TV and the Internet have become such integral parts of the music industry. In the'80s and'90s, it was MTV and VH1. It just changes. It's not like what's cool or what isn't.

It's obvious that people are totally entertained by this show just look at the ratings -- so if I have a chance to go on there and show what I do, why not? It's good for the band, it's good for me and the fans get to see me do something a little different.

I think a lot of people were surprised to see you on there. What do you think about what the show promotes?

There have always been talent shows like that. "The Ed Sullivan Show" was almost like that, just not as competitive. But, more than ever, I hear some of the heaviest guitar sounds coming from car commercials rather than so-called rock radio stations, so this was really just another avenue for me to get out and play.

You can't keep your head in the sand and say, "It used to be like this." If that's what gets you off, fine. But I'd rather get out there and embrace this stuff.

Express from The Washington Post, DC
September 13, 2007


AEROSMITH'S MUSIC IS FAMILIAR. Ubiquitous, even. An eardrum-rattling aural experience shared by '70s stoners, '80s ravers, '90s flannel-heads and the Facebook generation. It's gritty like a revving engine but as comfy as a well-worn easy chair.

Finding the right rock recipe for this hard-rock juggernaut wasn't easy. And guitarist Joe Perry said the band has no plans to cruise on its reputation, built brick by brick over the course of more than three decades.

"This band has always felt like the underdog," said Perry. "We come from a time when you earned your bones by playing better than the other guy. It's always been a 'competing with ourselves' kind of thing. We're always saying, 'What did we do last time we were here? We gotta kick some ass over here.'"

Fans can rest assured that Aerosmith's performance this Sunday at the Nissan Pavilion won't be a repeat of the show that hit the venue last fall. The band's signature songs will remain front and center, but part of the fun for Perry is playing back catalog roulette.

"We know that we are going to play 'Walk This Way' and you know, we've played something like 'Dream On' at almost every gig. … Then we'll pull these odd songs out of the barrel," Perry said. "Guys will go, 'No, I can't play that, we need to rehearse it,' but if we mess it up we'll have a laugh, and people will know we're human."

Aerosmith will get to put its music mojo to the test once again for a new studio album with a rumored 2008 release date. How do they continue to evolve their signature sound? With that most unhip of rock 'n' roll staples, Perry says — measured deliberation.

"When I go into a record, it's like trying to figure out the shape of the table at the Paris peace talks," he chuckled. "I mean, you've got five dynamic personalities, some are more verbal than others, but we all have an idea of what Aerosmith is and what makes people feel the way we did when we listen to bands."

When Perry isn't stirring the pot onstage or in the studio, he's finding new ways to whack taste buds with his aptly named Joe Perry's Rock Your World Hot Sauces — an idea that grew out of an effort to spice up bland food on tour. Now, his Boneyard Brew and Mango Peach Tango sell for $4.99 online.

"I was carrying all these hot sauces and mixing the stuff together trying to get it right," he said. "Eventually, I decided to figure out how to mix up a batch and get the stuff together."
Just like good music. With extra kick.

» Nissan Pavilion, 7800 Cellar Door Drive, Bristow, Va.; with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Sun., 7:30 p.m., $31-$131; 800-551-7328, 703-754-6400.

BostonNOW, MA
September 13, 2007





Aerosmith's Kramer fuels the band


For close to 40 years he's had the best seat in the house for some of the best rock shows ever.

"I know it's my job, and there are nights when it feels like going to work," said Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer. "But then there are those nights when I look at those four guys out there and everything is clicking along perfectly. That's when I know I'm part of something truly special."

The guys out front - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford and Tom Hamilton - may get more attention from the fans, but Kramer said he knows his role in the show is more than just providing a steady beat. "A reviewer once described me as a gas station," he said. "I'm the guy the others some to when they're feeling drained and need to refuel."

Kramer said the key to making his 'job' enjoyable after close to four decades can be found in his work ethic, or what he likes to call seat time. "I used to hate going into the studio because it's such a strange environment to make music. You can fuss around with things for a long, long time trying to get them perfect when perfect isn't what your; after in the first place. I'll take passion over perfection any day," he said. "But being on the road and spending time in the chair making music, give me the confidence to find that passion wherever I play."

Aerosmith will play the Tweeter Center Friday, Sept. 14, and the Mohegan Sun Casino on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Aero Force One
September 12, 2007


Set List:   Aerosmith  -  Jones Beach Theatre  -  September 12, 2007


Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
Rats In The Cellar
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please Don't Go
Movin' Out
Walkin' The Dog
Dream On
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

Walk This Way


Thanks to:  Aero Force One.

Boston Herald, MA
September 11, 2007


After decades in the saddle with Aerosmith, guitarist Joe Perry still isn’t content with the same old song and dance. America’s Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band - which plays the Tweeter Center on Friday - has thumped through thousands of shows, scored a score of hits and mainstreamed rap with the Run-D.M.C duet “Walk This Way.”

But even with all that history, Perry has rung up a string of firsts in 2007.

There were the guest spots: joining Sanjaya for “You Really Got Me” on “American Idol,” backing up Tom Jones at the Concert for Diana, accompanying Jennifer Hudson on “Come Together” during VH1’s Fashion Rocks concert, taping a performance with Toby Keith for an upcoming Elvis TV special.

Not to mention the world tour with Aerosmith, which took the Boston boys to countries they’d managed to miss in their near 40-year history: Latvia, Estonia, India, United Arab Emirates.

“We had a feeling that we had to prove ourselves to crowds that were predominantly made up of 15- to 25-year-olds,” he said. “We were able to play places that have been traditionally known to be cold to American bands. I was talking to the guitarist from the Scorpions, who has a lot of experience playing in Eastern Europe, and he told me to be prepared to see fans sitting on their hands. But they went nuts and knew every song.”

But it was June’s Hyde Park Calling Festival, where Aerosmith headlined and Perry’s sons’ band, TAB, headlined a side stage, that was the guitarist’s favorite new experience.

“It was such an amazing moment for me and (wife) Billie,” said the proud papa. “To see those guys playing in front of 10,000 and see the audience rocking out. Then getting to walk over to our stage and play the same day. I don’t know if anything will ever top that.”

Perry will end the year with something familiar. The band is booked to begin recording its new album on Nov. 1 - Perry hopes to record live in the studio and deliver a more raw record than 2001’s “Press to Play” sometime in March.

Beyond that, the guitarist is looking forward to continuing to tour with his finally healthy band.

“Not counting the last European tour, we’ve had to postpone the end of the last three tours,” he said. “Steven (Tyler) had throat problems, (drummer) Joey (Kramer) had shoulder issues and Steven also had the hepatitis C treatments. But I think things are finally lining up.”

Tom Hamilton is back with the band, too, after missing much of last year’s tour while undergoing radiation treatment for throat cancer. “Tom loves it more than ever,” Perry said. “He’s what keeps the band 18 years old. I’m really inspired by him.”


Aerosmith, with James Montgomery Blues Band, the Tweeter Center, Mansfield, Friday. Tickets: $49.50-$125; 508-339-2333.

Aero Force One
September 10, 2007


Aerosmith's official fan club, Aeroforce One, has posted a new webisode featuring the group's bassist Tom Hamilton offering a recap of the 2007 Aerosmith world tour...


Watch Episode IV:  (here).

Aero Force One


Aerosmith - Clarkston, MI
September 8, 2007

(Photos by: Amanda Ayre - AF1)











See more.... (here).

Monsters and Critics.com, UK
September 10, 2007




Joe Perry of Aerosmith performs in concert at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise Florida, on January 19, 2006.
(UPI Photo/Michael Bush)



Joe Perry, lead guitarist of Aerosmith, joined Toby Keith's concert August 24 in Buffalo, NY to perform a rendition of Elvis Presley's “Mystery Train.”

The performance will be part of the upcoming ABC News special “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas,” airing Tuesday, September 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

For the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, ABC is examining how the King re-invented Sin City and how it re-invented him.

Aero Force One
September 10, 2007


Allstate Arena, Chicago 9/10/2007 Postponed - "Due to illness the show has been postponed." Hold onto your tickets and as soon as AF1 receive further information we will update the web site.

Worcester Telegram, MA
September 10, 2007


Today’s Birthdays:

Golfer Arnold Palmer is 78. Actor Philip Baker Hall is 76. Country singer Tommy Overstreet is 70.

Actor Greg Mullavey is 68. Jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers is 67. Singer Danny Hutton (Three Dog Night) is 65. Singer José Feliciano is 62. Actor Tom Ligon is 62. Actress Judy Geeson is 59. Rock musician Joe Perry (Aerosmith) is 57. Actress Amy Irving is 54. Country singer Rosie Flores is 51. Actress Kate Burton is 50. Movie director Chris Columbus is 49.

Actor Colin Firth is 47. Rock singer-musician David Lowery (Cracker) is 47. Rock musician Robin Goodridge (Bush) is 41. Rock singer-musician Miles Zuniga (Fastball) is 41. Rapper Big Daddy Kane is 39. Movie director Guy Ritchie is 39. Actor Ryan Phillippe is 33.

Aero Force One
September 8, 2007


Set List:   Aerosmith  -  DTE Energy Music Theater  -  September 8, 2007


Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
Rats In The Cellar
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please Don't Go
Movin' Out
Walkin' The Dog
Dream On
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

Walk This Way


Thanks to:  Aero Force One.

Detroit News, MI
September 8, 2007


Today p.m.



DTE Energy Music Theatre will rock tonight when legendary rock band Aerosmith performs along with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Aerosmith has won numerous awards, including four Grammy awards, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Awards. The show will start at 7:30. Tickets, priced at $125 and $89.50 pavilion and $42.50 lawn, are available at Palacenet.com or by calling (248) 645-6666.


Detroit News - Play time

Detroit News, MI
September 8, 2007



Aerosmith with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7:30 tonight. $39.50-$122. 7774 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston. (248) 377-0100.

New York Daily News, NY
September 8, 2007


All Snug As Bugs - Tom Hamilton


Speaking of packages, the boys of Aerosmith are still eager to flaunt theirs. "We still have our license to wear tight pants," said legendary bassist Tom Hamilton on the red carpet for Fashion Rocks. "When you make your first record, you get a tight-pants permit and you get a wearing-sunglasses-inside permit."

When asked if they'd ever give up the trademark skintight trou, Hamilton told us, "I hope not. If I do, it will only be because I've got a basketball here." He made a circular hand gesture above his groin. But he assured us, "That ain't never gonna happen." Um, we hope not! That would be really gross....

GettyImages.com
September 7, 2007




Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith, at the Just Cavalli New York Flagship store opening during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2008 on September 7, 2007, in New York City.
(Photo by Larry Busacca/WireImage)


See more....(here).

EOnline.com
September 7, 2007


It's considered one of the biggest events of Fashion Week: Hundreds of fans line Sixth Avenue outside Radio City Music Hall, screaming and craning their necks to catch a glimpse of their favorite fashionistas, actors and musicians—all arriving to throw down a frenzy of threads, tunes and ‘tudes. Welcome to Fashion Rocks. Condé Nast's annual star-studded concert brings fashion and music together with performances by some of the hottest and most stylish pop stars around.

As I take my seat, host Jeremy Piven screams, "Aerosmith!" and the show is underway. The center stage rises, and there's massive-lipped Steven Tyler strutting his stuff in a cheetah-print jacket. But it's not just a guy band tonight—Fergie joins him onstage in Chanel sequined hot pants. While she looks supersexy, I gotta say, she can't hold a candle to the dude who looks like a lady.

The concert continues with Jessica Alba introducing country singer Martina McBride, Denis Leary introducing Avril Lavigne, and then Tyra Banks and LL Cool J introducing an amazing duo: Mary J. Blige and Usher....


Read More:  (here).

Tom Hamilton, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford attend the Conde Nast Media Group's Fourth Annual Fashion Rocks Concert at Radio City Music Hall, September 6, 2007, in New York City.
(Getty Images/Peter Kramer - here)




Singer Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs with Joe Perry (C) and singer Fergie (R) during the 2007 Fashion Rocks Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York, September 6, 2007
(Reuters via Yahoo! News/Lucas Jackson - here)




Singers Fergie and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith perform on stage at the Conde Nast Media Group's Fourth Annual Fashion Rocks Concert at Radio City Music Hall, September 6, 2007, in New York City.
(Getty Images/Bryan Bedder - here)




Aerosmith and Fergie perform at Conde Nast Media Group's 4th Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City on September 6, 2007, in New York City.
(Getty Images - Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage - here)




Guitarist Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith attend the Conde Nast Media Group's 4th Annual Fashion Rocks on September 6, 2007, in New York City.
(Getty Images - Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic - here)




Musician Steven Tyler and Musician Fergie arrive at Conde Nast Media Group's 4th Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City on September 6, 2007, in New York City.
(Getty Images - Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage - here)

The Flint Journal, MI
September 6, 2007


No longer worried about making hits, Aerosmith works to hone its live act


It's hard to believe, but Aerosmith has been making records for nearly 40 years.

Wikipedia estimates the band's total record sales at 150 million worldwide since its 1970 debut. Aerosmith has gone from preening, ferocious hard rockers to drugged-out has-beens to cleaned-up survivors whose '80s career resurgence has lasted well into the new millennium.

But the landscape has changed. Aerosmith can't really compete with the likes of Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige (though it did perform with them at the Super Bowl six years ago). Nor does the band seem fixated anymore on bringing in song doctors and hit writers to come up with radio anthems like "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing," the "Armageddon" love theme that brought its career to a commercial peak in 1998.

These days, guitarist Joe Perry says, Aerosmith is more interested in doing things the way it used to - honing the live act and using that to feed the creative process in the studio.

"We're playing with all this fire, and by doing that, it kind of like seals up all that energy when we do go in the studio," Perry explained in a recent interview. "Back in the old days when we were writing songs, it was always about what's going to go down good live, what's going to knock 'em out when we go out and play up there with amps and drums and guitars like a band."

It's an approach the band re-embraced when making 2004's "Honkin' on Bobo," billed as a blues album that really was just a rootsier return to form for the aging boys from Beantown, whose members are in their mid to late 50s. (Perry turns 57 on Sept. 10, two days after Aerosmith's show at DTE Energy Music Theatre.)

"Bobo" shifted them away from the pop radio consciousness that had been so good to them in the '80s and '90s. Such a move seemed imminent after their last big commercial effort, 2001's "Just Push Play," failed to ignite fans the way its closest predecessors had.

That's where the importance of performing comes in. Like their heroes the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton (who recovered from throat cancer last year), drummer Joey Kramer and guitarists Brad Whitford and Perry believe that it all starts with how well a band plays live on stage. Everything else flows from that.

A recent European tour, Aerosmith's first in nearly 10 years, brought home that point as the band tried to sell itself again after such a long absence. The shows went over so well, and reached a newer, younger generation of fans, that the band wanted to carry the momentum over to North America, where it's performing a handful of shows in cities where it has always enjoyed large, enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowds.

"That's partly why we're doing this little mini-tour of the States," Perry said. "From the European thing, the band is really, really smoking. It's interesting. You do a tour. It builds. Gets better. You build each thing, each live thing. You wring everything you can out of a song and get more out of it."

In Europe, the guys found themselves playing not only to fans who are their age, but much younger, obviously newer enthusiasts. He said the band, which played mostly its greatest hits, used that as motivational fuel.

"We're a live band. We've had a number of tours where we've gotten better and better and better, so when we went over there, we were full of fire, ready to kick some a-- and show them that we haven't been sitting around," Perry said. "They were ready for us. For a lot of fans, it was the first time they ever saw us and we wanted to leave them with that feeling of, 'Holy s---! This is the band my older brothers and sisters were talking about. They play this way and I'd never thought I'd seem them do this.'"

The tour included the band's first stop in Russia, something Perry still marveled about weeks later.

"Coming from that Cold War era to play Russia, oh my God, I remember thinking, 'I can't believe I'm standing here in Red Square. This is over the top,'" he said, recalling his childhood when "everyone was talking about who's finger was closer to the button, now 30 years later we're playing rock 'n' roll there."

Aerosmith will return to the studio by Nov. 1 to start work on its first album in more than three years, which should be done in January or February, Perry said. He predicted the new music will probably fall somewhere between high-gloss sheen of "Just Push Play" and the earthier approach to "Honkin' on Bobo."

"The problem with (studio) technology is knowing when not to use it. I think by virtue of having gone through 'Just Push Play' and 'Honkin' on Bobo' is we've stuck our feet on both sides of the pond," Perry said. "Coming up in the middle, we're gonna get the best of both."


Aerosmith, with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Where: DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Tickets: $42.50 lawn, $89.50 and $125 pavilion, at the box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and (248) 645-6666

Details: (248) 377-0100, www.palacenet.com

Pioneer Press Online, IL
September 5, 2007


Nearly 37 years after Aerosmith played it's first chord in Boston, the mega-star band is still going strong with Steven Tyler on lead vocals, Joe Perry on lead guitar, Brad Whitford on rhythm guitar, Tom Hamilton on bass and Joey Kramer on drums.

Inducted into the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame in 2001, the band has sold more than 100 million albums and hit big with songs like "Walk This Way," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "I Don't Want To Miss A Thang."

Aerosmith began it's musical life almost 37 years ago in Boston.

In a recent phone interview Hamilton, 55, admitted he's amazed at the group's longevity.

"I mean, there is a big part of me that doesn't question it because I don't want to think about it too much. I just want it to be what it is. But we are all aware how long we have been doing this," he said. "The excitement of knowing there are still people out there that we have never played for, that really want to hear us play, or when they say come to Moscow, come to India, you have a lot of fans there, it's a fantastic feeling."

Beating cancer
That feeling is a major improvement for Hamilton. Last year he missed the band's tour when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. "A year ago this time I had just finished my seventh week of chemo and radiation and I felt pretty horrible. I was looking forward to coming out of it, I was just not aware that they were still hurdles to get over," he recalled.

Hamilton said that "Sick as A Dog," one of the songs he co-wrote for the 1976 album "Rocks," never came to mind during that challenging experience. "Oh my god, that is really funny. Thanks for pointing that out," he said.

Fans will be glad to hear he's been cancer-free since last December.

Hamilton credits drummer Joey Kramer with coming up with the name for the band back in 1970 in Boston.

"We said, like, isn't that one of those books that make you read in English class? He said, 'No wait, you guys, not A-r-r-o-w-smith, A-e-r-o-smith' and that made a huge difference. It doesn't really mean anything, yet it seems to imply stuff and have a good rhythm to the syllables."

To test out the potential of the name, they decided to do their own market research by giving packages of rolling papers stamped with the band's name on them to random hitchhikers they picked up in Boston. "They would say it was pretty cool. So we landed on that name and it stuck," said Hamilton.

About the same time, after their first few gigs, the band jelled.

"We noticed when the audience went nuts when we played certain songs. People used to dance to rock and we played a lot of gigs that were college mixers and parties when people would be getting drunk and dancing," he said. "It was really rewarding for us to watch that."

Known as "the bad boys of Boston," the group's reputation for partying nearly destroyed Aerosmith in late 1970s. Some original members left, but returned in 1984 with reform in mind.

Party's over
"We had gotten to a point when getting high was an important priority in our lives that it crowded out the priority of really getting our (stuff) together musically," said Hamilton. "And not only musically, but in the way we related to each other and got things done."

Once that was accomplished, the temptation died. "It wasn't like, 'Oh my god, I feel weak and I want to do it,'" said Hamilton of their former drug-taking. "It was more like, 'That's kind of cute,' but we have seen the power of what we can do when we are organized, when we are not burned out and hung over.

"We like communicating the fact that we really feel the spirit of what we are doing. A lot of the reasons we are doing it now are the same reasons we wanted to do it when we were teenagers."

Having learned to appreciate their own talent, the band has become more assured and successful than ever. So with their heads now in the right places, one might ask which was a bigger thrill: Being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or being featured on "The Simpsons?" (They've accomplished both in recent years.)

"Oh boy," said Hamilton, "I would say 'The Simpsons.' We might have known when we started this band that someday there would be something called the 'Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.' But if you had come to us in 1970 and said someday you are going to be on this really cool cartoon show, we would have said, 'No, you're crazy.'"

AEROSMITH

With Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10. $45-$125. (312) 559-1212. www.ticketmaster.com/venue/32958.

Aero Force One
September 5, 2007


It's your favorite rockin' guitarist's birthday again this Monday, September 10th. Wanna wish Joe a happy birthday? Then send your greetings to contests@aeroforceone.com and one entry will be chosen to receive a gift in return, a $25 AeroForceOne online store gift card, which can be used on your next purchase at AF1. That’s right a gift card for you! Now, how great is that? Be sure to include your first and last names, location, email address and your special birthday message. Submissions will be accepted through 5PM Est. on Wednesday, September 12th. Let the celebrating begin.

The Phoenix, MA
September 4, 2007





Aerosmith’s lead guitarist has grill, will travel


Some rock stars travel with personal chefs. Joe Perry brings a grill — a Weber. Yeah, it’s a gas grill, but you don’t always have time to stoke up the hardword charcoal backstage. There are meet-and-greets, soundchecks, gladhanding, and other business matters to be taken care of.

I’m talking to Aerosmith’s lead guitarist and Steven Tyler’s main songwriting partner from his home on the South Shore, where he’s lived raising a family since the band regrouped, detoxed, and got themselves back in shape physically, musically, and financially two decades ago. They’re now at the tail end of a multi-million-dollar deal with Sony that’s seen them through their second life as chartbusting old-school rockers with blooze in the blood and hooks to spare. Like Keith Richards, Perry’s a salt-of-the-earth rocker who’d rather be playing guitar than making celebrity appearances. That doesn’t mean he’s not “psyched” that Aerosmith will be the featured band in mach IV of the popular video game Guitar Hero, or that’s he’s unhappy Aerosmith will be performing this Friday, September 7, on CBS’s Fashion Rocks. It’s a gig. And when Aerosmith were on hiatus a few years ago for medical reasons (Tyler’s bout with hep C), Perry simply went ahead and made his own album, not out of spite but because that’s what he does. So with the band prepping for a 10-date September tour that brings them to the Tweeter Center on the 14th, I checked in with Joe on all things Perry — from guitars to grilling.

People talk about Dylan being on the neverending tour. But Aerosmith seem to be on the same track. When did you last have any real time off?
I’m home now. But we really had a great time in Europe, and that just ended. It was great to play in Russia for the first time, and the band was just really running like a well-oiled machine. So we thought it would be shame not to keep it going with another month of gigs at home. And we’re going to be doing that Fashion Rocks thing, which I don’t even really know that much about. You know, there are just so few bands like us who have been able to stay together with the original line-up intact. And I think we just really enjoy being able to get out there and play live. That’s the essence of making music, of what we do. And I think we feel privileged to be to be able to still do it. But, to get back to your question, the last time we had a break from the band was back when Steven was sick, you know, with all of that.

And you went right back into the studio to make a solo album . . .
Yeah, that was just something where the timing was right and I had a bunch of songs that were kicking around. And I’ve got the studio here at my house, so it was just an easy thing to do, you know, to get a band together and make that album. And then, when the record came out, people really liked it. So we didn’t have any trouble getting booked into clubs . . .

You are Joe Perry from Aerosmith — Joe “Fucking” Perry. That’s gotta count for something. Is that band still an active entity?
No, no. I think those guys are all busy with other things. And, well [drummer] Paul [Caruso] passed away last year. That was really hard. I don’t handle things like that very well. So everything is really about Aerosmith right now. We’re getting ready to make a new album, which is the last album on our contract with Columbia. And we’re just playing so well together that I’m excited to get us all in a room together with some new songs. I will say that one of the best parts of the European tour was being able to get up on stage with Tom Jones in front of like 70,000 people at Wembley Stadium for that Princess Diana concert. He was amazing, and that was a real thrill. I mean, I just practiced with the band, and I didn’t even see Tom until we were on stage. It was just a great experience to play with a legend like that.

Have you decided on a producer for the next album?
I can’t speak for the rest of the band, but we’ve been talking to Rick Rubin, and I think that’s a possibility. We’ve worked well with him before. He’s sort of in charge now at the label, so we’re talking, and we’ll see what happens. We’ve set November 1 as the date to start working on material from the album, and we’ll have to see where things go from there.

Are you testing out any new material live?
No, no, no. We’ve got so many songs that we have to put into the set when we’re playing in front of our fans that it just wouldn’t work. We want to take what we were doing over in Europe and give our fans a chance to see that before we start working on the new album.

I have to ask about your sons and about their band Tab. How involved in that are you?
Well, we’ve got the studio right downstairs, so they usually wake me up about an hour before I’d like to get up. And they’ve come to me for advice sometimes. You know, about the music business and that sort of thing. But they’re into their own thing, their own kind of music. I just made sure that they knew the basics, you know, the roots of it all. Like Chuck Berry, and B.B. King, and Robert Johnson. You have to have that on your iPod because that’s where all of this music comes from. I made sure they had a good foundation to start with.

Okay, let’s get away from music and talk food: how did you get into the hot-sauce business?
When you travel as much as we do, you have a chance to try a lot of different things. And I’ve always liked barbecue and hot sauces and spicy foods. I mean, when we were just in India on this last tour, I had some of the most amazing food. Of course, we were taken to a lot of the fancier places. But even at some of the more regular restaurants, the food was unbelievable. So we came up with the idea of putting together the “Boneyard Brew,” which is more of a barbecue sauce than a hot sauce, and the “Mango Peach Tango,” which has more of a Caribbean thing going on. You can get it right on my Web site. And Newbury Comics was really great about carrying it for while. Now, we’re working on some recipes for mac and cheese, you know, just trying to spice it up a bit. My [step]son Aaron is in charge of all that.

Do you do any of your own cooking on the road?
Oh yeah. I always have a grill with me on the road.

Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, MI
September 4, 2007


An electrifying summer at DTE Energy is about to become even more energized - courtesy of Aerosmith.

Those legendary Bad Boys from Boston return this Saturday to America’s favorite outdoor concert venue for yet another evening of in-your-face party frenzy.

Bandmates Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Brad Whitford (guitar) and Joey Kramer (drums) have made Michigan, and Detroit in particular, an annual stop since those mid 1970s days of their club gigs that roared through such places as The Brewery in Lansing.

“We’re back again, and again, and again," joked Hamilton by phone Friday as the band prepares for the final few legs of a tour that kicked off back in April with a trip to Brazil. “Detroit was the first city outside of Boston we felt we had broken, so it always has a special place in our hearts. When we were growing up, Detroit always had a reputation of producing special types of music and we wanted to be a part of that. Their crowds have always appreciated good rock ‘n roll."

Hamilton said one of his most memorable stops to the Motor City occurred during the band’s early days and infant stages of the stadium rock craze.

“We hadn’t played many, or maybe any, stadiums at that point and we were set to play at this place, I don’t even know if it’s there any more, but I remember it was in the middle of nowhere, and we kind of snuck in and snuck out by motorcade - looking at all the people," Hamilton described of an evening in 1976 at the Pontiac Silverdome. “We were in Detroit and we knew we arrived."

Arrived, maintained, and now recently, ventured to places that were unthinkable of ever staging American rock ‘n roll.

“We’ve played pretty much everywhere, but we just got back from playing in Moscow and St. Petersburgh (Russia) and the crowds there looked like any other place in the world," Hamilton said. “When we were growing up, there was the Cold War and it was forbidden to travel there, so this was our first time and we loved it."

It’s opportunities like those Hamilton believes continues to drive the original bandmates in their quest for excellence.

“You have a different audience every night and a new challenge," he said. “We want to try and amaze people. We don’t want to go out and play our instruments and sing and take them for granted. We want to give them something they will remember for a long time."

This stop at DTE couldn’t come at a better time as Hamilton said the band’s month-long, mini vacation has served as a refueling for the final stops of the tour.

“We haven’t had the time to get rusty and we’re rested and ready to play," Hamilton said. “Come out and get ready to get hosed down. It’s going to be a crazy night again."

New music won’t enter onto the play list this time as Hamilton said, even though the band has launched work on a new studio album - its first since the highly-acclaimed Just Push Play in 2001 - focus will be held until the conclusion of the tour.

“It’s coming and we’re excited," he said.

Opening the show will be punkish hard rocker Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Blabbermouth.net, NY
September 4, 2007


Aerosmith's official fan club, Aeroforce One, is offering its members a chance to view three webisodes featuring the group's bassist Tom Hamilton offering a recap of the 2007 Aerosmith world tour. More information is available at this location.

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry has told Billboard.com that the band plans to hit the studio on Nov. 1 to begin recording its next album.

"I'm not sure who the producer is gonna be or what (studio) we're gonna do it in," Perry said. "We may use a few different producers. I don't know. All I know is that the heart and soul of the thing is us getting in the studio and seeing what comes out."

Perry did say that the band was "excited Rick Rubin is now in the so-called captain's chair at Sony; his heart's in the right place when it comes to rock'n'roll." Rubin, according to Perry, will be involved with the album in some capacity, even if not necessarily as a hands-on producer. "It's not just about the music; it's about the feel, and he's one of the few that really gets it," Perry explains.

Read more at Billboard.com.

Monsters and Critics.com, UK
September 4, 2007





Uber fit and hip talk show host Henry Rollins ends his second season on IFC with a special season finale – episode 21 premieres, Friday September 7 with guest, Steven Tyler.

In this special season finale episode, Tyler joins Rollins in an uncut interview to discuss his history in the music business, the dangers of rock & roll and the future of the band Aerosmith.

The Henry Rollins Show takes a different spin with regards to late night talk. His interviewing style is more conversational, and more revealing in its scope.

With one guest and one musical performance per week, Rollins engages entertainment figures such as William Shatner, Ben Stiller and Marilyn Manson in raw discussions on politics, world affairs, religion and pop culture in IFC’s uncensored environment.

Joining Henry is actress and comedian Janeane Garofalo, who gives a weekly commentary called, ‘The Disquisition.’

Rollins is an ardent film buff, voracious reader, political observer and still a great nemesis of the Ann Coulter's of the world.

The show is never predictable, as the former lead man for Black Flag has a unique platform on IFC to explore current trends, dissect movies, discuss plots and premise, celebrate new music, and feature under the radar and big stars in an intimate setting.

The Henry Rollins Show is created and executive produced by Swift River Productions. The show is also produced by Rollins’ manager, Richard Bishop. Evan Shapiro, Christine Lubrano and Debbie DeMontreux are executive producers for IFC.

Billboard.com
September 4, 2007


Aerosmith plans to hit the studio on Nov. 1 to begin recording its next album -- and that's about the only concrete detail guitarist Joe Perry has about it right now.

"I'm not sure who the producer is gonna be or what (studio) we're gonna do it in," Perry tells Billboard.com. "We may use a few different producers. I don't know. All I know is that the heart and soul of the thing is us getting in the studio and seeing what comes out."

Perry did say that the band was "excited Rick Rubin is now in the so-called captain's chair at Sony; his heart's in the right place when it comes to rock'n'roll." Rubin, according to Perry, will be involved with the album in some capacity, even if not necessarily as a hands-on producer. "It's not just about the music; it's about the feel, and he's one of the few that really gets it," Perry explains.

The guitarist says there's already some material around for the album, including songs that Aerosmith was working on in 2006 but was put aside when it ran out of time to finish an album, opting instead to stick two new songs on the "Devil's Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith" collection.

"I always have bits and pieces. Steven (Tyler) always has bits and pieces. It's just a matter of getting together and rehearsing the stuff," Perry says. "I'd like to have songs that the band can play live and have them sound great and not need to have a bunch of overdubs and all that, even though we will do that after the fact. But that's the icing on the cake. The cake is good songs, and that's what we're gonna be shooting for."

Nothing that "I don't think we've ever delivered a record on time since the first one," Perry says he'd like to see the new Aerosmith project "ready to go in March."

Besides the album, Aerosmith is also working closely with the makers of "Guitar Hero IV," which will be dedicated to the Boston group's music. "I don't know much about the technical part of it," Perry says, "but artistically we're working hand in hand."

Aerosmith will perform at the Fashion Rocks concert Thursday (Sept. 6) in New York before the group kicks off a nine-day tour two days later in Clarkston, Mich. Aerosmith may also play some shows before the end of the year, "depending on how things go in the studio," says Perry.

Q Magazine
September, 2007








Thanks to:   Toonses88.

Detroit Free Press, MI
September 3, 2007


Upcoming big events





Aerosmith with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts visit DTE Energy Music Center on Saturday. Get ready for some hard driving and familiar tunes. Tickets for the
7:30 p.m. show are $42.50-$125, and are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Boston Globe, MA
September 3, 2007



Steven Tyler and girlfriend Erin Brady at the Red Sox game Friday night.


You just never know where Steven Tyler will show up. The Aerosmith frontman will be the guest on the season finale of Henry Rollins's IFC show Friday where he'll talk about the future of the band, his own history in the music biz, and the dangers of the rock world. But Friday, Tyler and his galpal, Erin Brady, took in the Sox game at Fenway Park in owner John Henry 's front-row seats, staying to the bitter, disappointing end. . . .

RossHalfin.co.uk
September 2, 2007














See more.... (here).

Boston Globe, MA
September 2, 2007


At home, celebrities make good neighbors by giving to their communities


The stars of music, movies, and television who live in the suburbs south of Boston tend to move about their private lives quietly. So it's not surprising that the good works these celebrities do are often are under the radar, too.

Yet, despite the lack of Hollywood-like glare, many area celebrities are quietly giving time, talent, and other gifts to make life better in their communities and the world at large. For example....

.... Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry gave two guitars to the Duxbury public schools. He also donated an autographed guitar to a Duxbury Rotary Club auction, where it sold for $12,000 and helped the Fire Department buy thermal imaging equipment. Perry and his wife, Billie, also worked tirelessly to get the new animal shelter built in Duxbury. The Perrys donated $25,000 to cover the construction costs in 1998, and happily threw the first shovel-full of dirt at the ground-breaking ceremony in December 2004....

RossHalfin.co.uk
September 1, 2007


"Spoke to John Bionelli who's looking forward to exposing himself in Hawaii (he's going surfing) - look out girls... We discussed if the 'Smiths will change their set as they start a mini tour of the US. 'I hate to say this, but I hope they drop Jaded and do, say, Pink,' John said. We both thought they should do Lick And A Promise but they'd never rehearse it.

Watched a good Korean film - Woman Is The Future Of Man...

Just put up some Aerosmith from the Moscow gig. See more... "











More photos:  (here).

Northwest Herald, IL
August 31, 2007


Aerosmith returns to hard-rock roots


After more than 30 years of touring, one would think that Aerosmith had played every corner of the world.

Well, not quite. The Boston quintet recently wrapped up a world tour in which the band played 35 dates in 20 countries, including their first-ever performances in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Bangalore, India.

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, one of the founding members of the band, discussed life on and off the stage, including his recent battle with throat cancer.

You guys have had a a pretty busy year, including your first shows in Dubai and India. How was that experience?

They wanted to rock out, especially in India. The response there was amazing. They are excited about music in the way America was when Led Zeppelin came out for the first time, or The Who. We really felt that. It was just a raw spirit and enthusiasm to rock out. We had people from the Indian Parliament that knew all our songs, and in the case of one guy I met, he could play them on guitar.

It is still exciting being on stage?

Yeah. You are up in front of all these people. There’s the audience that are anticipating the show and hoping you play certain songs, and get this idea in their heads about what it is going to be like. And then we are up there and we want to be as good as they are expecting us to be. It’s hard, because sometimes your imagination makes you anticipate more than you are going to get. It’s a new audience every night, and a new chance to prove yourself and a new chance to play “Dream On” better than you’ve ever played it before.

Last year you were off the road for a while because you were going through radiation and chemotherapy for throat cancer.

I missed four months of touring. My cancer treatment ended right about this time last year. At this time last year, I thought I was just going to kind of chill out and go on tour, but I was in denial of some of the consequences of the treatment I had been through.

I understand you are doing well these days.

It was a year ago September that I got the first CAT scan that showed it was gone. As far as my doctors can tell, I’m good to go.

You co-wrote two of the band’s biggest hits, “Sweet Emotion” and “Janie’s Got a Gun.” That must be a thrill to be able to contribute to the band’s success.

It is something that I am actually very hungry for. I’m always thinking about that. I have a whole stack of ideas that are recorded and some of them are full songs. Some of it is in the Aerosmith vein and some of it isn’t so much. I always am hungry to make sure that I am part of the flavor of whatever music we are doing.

Aerosmith is still playing with its original lineup. What makes it work?

There’s a lot of volatility and a lot of personality clashes within the band, but there are other aspects that make it work smoothly. I’m always described as being the voice of reason. I’m the one that’s always trying to make sure that everyone sees both sides of the story. That’s my function. Everybody has a different function. You could never have an Aerosmith of all Tom(s), and you could never have an Aerosmith of all Steven(s).

The tour ends in September. What are you guys going to do after that?

We are going to take a month and regroup, and then we will start on a new record. Doing the “Honkin’ On Bobo” album really got us back in a way of thinking about high-energy guitar music. Now we want to do our own songs and follow in the footsteps of that album. The thing that’s amazing is that it just happens to coincide with the fact that you have a lot of teenagers and others that are seeking out these bands from the ’60s and ’70s and studying that kind of music, and having an enthusiasm for it. Our own sort of coming around the circle back to our hard-rock roots is coinciding with what is going out in the public.

Aero Force One
August 31, 2007


"America's GREATEST Rock 'N Roll Band is back home in the States! Fresh on the heels of an Earth Shaking, Rock Your World, International run. The boys are gonna be playing a few more dates in the states before this tour closes its doors. Wanna have some say in what Aerosmith plays?! Well.....here's your chance! The band wants to know what your ULTIMATE Aerosmith set list would be. Just select the region closest to your hometown (here), and then pick out the setlist - 15 to 20 Aerosmith songs (we know, it's hard to just pick 20!) that you wanna hear Live, LOUD and In-Concert!"


Check for more information:  (Aero Force One).