Aerosmith News

GettyImages.com
June 29, 2008




(L-R) NASCAR driver Dario Franchitti, video game creator Charles Huang, NASCAR driver Reed Sorenson, Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford, and NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya pose for a photo the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith demonstration at the Target Chip Ganassi Racing hospitality tent at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 28, 2008 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images for NASCAR)


More photos:  (here).

Aero Force One
June 28, 2008



Aerosmith at the launch party for "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith," which goes on sale
June 29


"Guitar Hero: Aerosmith," Activision's latest installment of their video game franchise, launched Friday at Time Square's Hard Rock Cafe release party in New York. It's the fourth game in the best-selling title, but the first based on a specific band.

Aerosmith jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the record-breaking franchise, which has sold more than $1.3 billion since the first version premiered in 2005.

“The Activision guys took it to another level with this one. We’re proud to be a part of it,” Aerosmith bassist Brad Whitford said at Friday's launch party.

“It was like breaking new ground,” added Joe Perry, the band's own featured guitar hero. "It was fascinating to see it all come together.”

During the game's creation, band members spent two weeks performing in a motion capture studio in order for their video game figures to move exactly as the group performs on stage.

Available in stores June 29, the game features 30 of the band's most notable hits such as "Love in an Elevator" and "Sweet Emotion." It also includes songs from various artists Aerosmith performed and collaborated with over the years, including Run D.M.C.'s "Walk This Way" and "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett.

There is even a special guitar controller emblazoned with the band's red and white logo for hard core fans.

The game and guitar controller bundle for Microsoft's PlayStation3 and Nintendo's Wii sells for $99.99, with an additional PlayStation2 version for $89.99. The game is also sold individually for each of the consoles and costs $59.99 and $49.99, respectively.

While the Aerosmith game is the first Guitar Hero edition that focuses on an individual rock band, the previous three versions of the game featured various rock music genres that ranged from grunge, classic rock, metal, punk and '80s hits.


(The creators of the Guitar Hero series, Charles and Kai Huang, at the launch party)

Activision acquired Guitar Hero in 2006 from the Huang Brothers, founders of the development company Red Octane, for $100 million. Before the acquisition, the Huang brothers were struggling to find investors and took out mortgages to finance their budding idea.

“I was saying to my wife, ‘I think we should take all the money we have and put it into this game Guitar Hero.’ Now it’s obvious to the world,” Charles Huang joked.

When Activision provided the resources to take their creation to an ever-expanding market, the several subsequent releases made Guitar Hero the No. 1 video-game franchise within a single year.

“People always told us video games is a hit-driven industry. We didn’t know what that meant until we had a hit," Huang said. "We didn’t expect it on this scale. This is insane.”

Before Guitar Hero became what it is today, bands were apprehensive about attaching their songs to an unknown game. A few short years later, bands are itching to be included. However, the Aerosmith discography is exclusive to Activision (with the exception of the single Aerosmith song on Rock Band), leaving some gamers concerned over the future of virtual rock stardom.


(A fan jams on "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" at the launch party at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York's Times Square)

“I think it’s way the market is going. We’re trying to lock down the best partners we can to make a great game,” Doug McCracken, global marketing brand manager for Activision said.

Activision also is set to come out with a Metallica Guitar Hero edition in 2009, further polarizing the song libraries between Guitar Hero and their top competitor, "Rock Band."

“I think that it’s great for the music game as a category," Kai Huang said of the competition. "The more players there are in this space, the more people are going to know what [the Guitar Hero brand] is. Overall, it’s going to continue to grow.”

The company also will release "Guitar Hero: World Tour" during the Christmas season, which will include a drum set and microphone in addition to the guitar controller, rivalling "Rock Band," produced by Viacom's MTV unit and Electronic Arts.

Aero Force One
June 28, 2008





Real-life Aerosmith fans screamed as loudly as the animated ones in a video sneak preview of "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" played today (June 27) during a press conference at New York's Hard Rock Cafe. All five band members attended the event to answer questions about the game, which fans got a chance to test-run before it hits stores Sunday.

The premise of "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" is for players to progress through the band's nearly 40-year career. Gamers have the opportunity to play seminal Aerosmith songs, all taken from the band's master recordings, as well as tracks from artists who have played with or influenced the band such as Joan Jett and Run DMC.

Among the Aerosmith tracks used in the game are "Sweet Emotion," "Livin' on the Edge," "Walk This Way" and "Dream On." The game will be released for Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 and 3.



Singer Steven Tyler said the process of animating the band was not easy. Game creators "wrapped me in a rubber suit, and I spent seven hours a day for two weeks getting in there with my hands and making this thing be all that Aerosmith is," he explained. Bassist Tom Hamilton joked that the game reminded him of the first time the band was animated, which was on "The Simpsons."

Players begin as guitarist Joe Perry, but completing different levels allows them to also play as guitarist Brad Whitford and Hamilton. The band starts out with club gigs and makes its way to stadium shows.

"Playing the 'Guitar Hero' game put me in that mode of the old songs," drummer Joey Kramer said. "I went back and started listening to the old albums. It's just really amazing. It made me really proud of all of us because I haven't listened to those records in so long."

Perry said the "Guitar Hero" series, regardless of which band's music is used, shows the significant changes in the music business. "Everybody's wondering how they're gonna [sell] their music [and] how the musicians are gonna get paid for it," he said. "I think this is one of the avenues that is gonna be an outlet and it's actually as important as albums used to be."

"Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" is the fourth game in the best-selling, but the first based on a specific band. The fifth edition, "Guitar Hero: World Tour," is slated for a late October release. As tipped here earlier this month, Guitar Hero franchise publisher Activision is expected to announced another special edition of the game featuring Metallica.

TMZ.com
June 28, 2008


".....Steven Tyler gave up more wacked out shots to the pappers yesterday...."





Watch video:  (here).

Reuters
June 27, 2008



Photo - (GettyImages)


Aerosmith fans can finally get their chance to step into the shoes of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry as video game developer Activision Inc released its Guitar Hero: Aerosmith game on Friday.

Dozens flocked to the Hard Rock restaurant in Times Square to see the legendary five-member rock band debut the game and try out the latest Guitar Hero addition.

Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford even brought his sons to take a look at the band's creation.

The game features 30 of the band's most notable hits such as "Love in an Elevator" and "Sweet Emotion." It also includes songs from various artists Aerosmith performed and collaborated with over the years, including Run D.M.C.'s "Walk This Way" and "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett.

There is even a special guitar controller emblazoned with the band's red-and-white logo for hard core fans.

The game and guitar controller bundle for Microsoft Corp's Xbox 360, Sony Corp's PlayStation3 and Nintendo Co Ltd's Wii sells for $99.99, with an additional PlayStation2 version for $89.99. The game is also sold individually for each of the consoles and costs $59.99 and $49.99, respectively.

The Aerosmith game is the first Guitar Hero edition that focuses on an individual rock band. The previous three versions of the game featured various rock music genres that ranged from grunge, classic rock, metal, punk and '80s hits.

"This is an experiment for us," said Charles Huang, co-founder of Activision's RedOctane unit, which oversees the Guitar Hero franchise. "There are certain artists that have so much great music like Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen ... but we wanted to do something much bigger."

The Santa Monica, California-based company said Aerosmith's vast collection of rock hits and elite status in the music industry made the band the ideal choice for the new game.

"There's only a handful of bands that have that longevity," Huang said.

During the game's creation, band members spent two weeks performing in a motion capture studio in order for their video game figures to move exactly as the group performs on stage.

Activision is set to come out with a Metallica Guitar Hero edition in 2009, but declined to specify what month the game will be released.

The company will also release Guitar Hero: World Tour during the Christmas season, which will include a drum set and microphone in addition to the guitar controller. This version will rival Activision's biggest competitor "Rock Band," produced by Viacom Inc's MTV unit and Electronic Arts Inc.



Photo - (GettyImages)

GettyImages.com
June 27, 2008



NEW YORK - JUNE 27: Musician Joey Kramer of Aerosmith attends the launch of 'Guitar Hero: Aerosmith' at the Hard Rock Cafe on June 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)



NEW YORK - JUNE 27: Musician Brad Whitford of Aerosmith attends the launch of 'Guitar Hero: Aerosmith' at the Hard Rock Cafe on June 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)



NEW YORK - JUNE 27: Musician Steven Tyler of Aerosmith attends the launch of 'Guitar Hero: Aerosmith' at Hard Rock Cafe on June 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)



NEW YORK - JUNE 27: Musician Joe Perry of Aerosmith attends the launch of 'Guitar Hero: Aerosmith' at the Hard Rock Cafe on June 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)



NEW YORK - JUNE 27: Musician Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith attends the launch of 'Guitar Hero: Aerosmith' at the Hard Rock Cafe on June 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)


More photos:  (here).

The Associated Press
June 27, 2008





NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Tyler sought the "safe environment" of rehab last month to recover from more than just surgery — the Aerosmith frontman now says was fighting a dependency on pain and sleep medication.

"To have your feet done, to have your leg done, you have to be on narcotics," Tyler told The Associated Press on Friday. "You have to be on sleep aids at night. I don't know about Joe (Perry) but I was off and running and I didn't like the me that was me."

Tyler released a statement in late May saying he checked into a rehab facility in search of a "safe environment" to recover from several foot surgeries and physical therapy. Tyler said the procedures were to correct longtime foot injuries resulting from his physical performances as the singer for the blues-rock band.

"This was a month ago, so I just put the brakes on and checked into detox and just pulled the plug on all of it," he told the AP on Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, where he and bandmates were promoting "Guitar Hero 3: Aerosmith Edition."

The 60-year-old was known for heavy drug and alcohol abuse in the 1970s and early 1980s, but completed rehabilitation in 1986, after which Aerosmith enjoyed a successful revival.

I4U News
June 26, 2008


Activision announced that Aerosmith will be on hand to launch the new Guitar Hero: Aerosmith video game this Friday [June 27th] in Times Square in NYC. All members of the band will be on hand for the unveil and fans are invited.

A press conference will be held and after the launch in Times Square the Hard Rock Café will be turned into a Best Buy home theater/video game lounge. In the lounge gamers will be the first to play the new game before it goes on sale on June 29th.


The events start at 2:30 on Friday, the Aerosmith conference starts at 4:00 and the launch party starts at 4:30. It’s not clear from the information available if the Hard Rock Café party is by invite only or if it is open to the public.

INF Daily.com
June 26, 2008



Steven Tyler, New York



Royston Langdon, Steven Tyler, Erin Brady


More photos:  (here).

You're So Pop.com
June 26, 2008


We got to meet Rock Legend Steven Tyler today and he took some time out to shout out You're So Pop. Check it out!





Watch video:  (here).

Motorsport.com
June 25, 2008


Events with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith:

[Dario] Franchitti and [Reed] Sorenson will be making an appearance to showcase their guitar skills at the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith bus Sunday, June 29, just outside of New Hampshire Motor Speedway from 10:15-10:45 am ET. Prior to their arrival, the bus will be open to fans all weekend at NHMS so they, too, can get a sneak peek of the game which will be released June 29. Franchitti will also be joining SPEED's Trackside Live on Friday to test the hosts' Guitar Hero: Aerosmith skills.

Business Wire (press release), CA
June 25, 2008


WHAT:

One of America’s greatest rock bands of all time – Aerosmith – will unleash the latest Guitar Hero fan frenzy in Times Square during the launch of their first videogame, Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®. Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer will unveil the game at a press conference and VIP celebration at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Hard Rock Cafe will also be transformed into a Best Buy home theater/videogame lounge where consumers will be among the first to play the game on PlayStation®3 before it hits store shelves on June 29.

WHERE:

Hard Rock, Times Square – Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Video Game Experience and Aerosmith Press Conference

WHEN:

Friday, June 27, 2008 - 4:00pm

* 2:30pm – Media check–in for Press Conference Open

* 4:00pm – Aerosmith Press Conference

* 4:30pm – VIP Launch Party

VISUALS:

* Aerosmith band members speaking on stage

* Guitar Hero: Aerosmith videogame demonstrations

* Simultaneous screening of press conference on NASDAQ/Reuters screens above Times Square

VIDEOGAME OVERVIEW:

Rock out to Aerosmith’s greatest hits and experience American rock royalty’s GRAMMY® award winning career with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. The collaboration offers consumers an unprecedented level of access to Aerosmith’s music catalog and an unbeatable soundtrack, with every Aerosmith song being a master recording. Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is available on June 29 nationwide for Xbox 360, PlayStation2, PlayStation3, and Nintendo Wii.

* Sound decks available

* Broadcast quality footage is available for download on http://www.Activision.com starting Friday, June 27 at 4:00 pm PT.

CheapPop.com
June 25, 2008



Photo/Mike DiScuillo


Only Steven Tyler could pull off that outfit...and a hot girlfriend (Erin Brady) - seen here sharing a smoke walking uptown.

Celebrities.com
June 25, 2008





Steven Tyler and his girlfriend Erin Brady are quite the couple. We saw the legendary rocker and his lady in New York recently and Tyler seemed very happy. He wore a fedora, sunglasses and a leopard printed shirt and went for a walk with Miss Brady, who was wearing a deep V necked tunic. Before they left on their walk Tyler was more than happy to sign autographs.


Watch video:  (here).

New York Post, NY
June 25, 2008


Who said nuns are out of touch? Yesterday afternoon, recently rehabbed Steven Tyler made a quick stop at a SoHo Starbucks and was confronted by an unlikely fan. A witness reports a nun went "crazy" upon realizing that the man next to her in line was the Aerosmith frontman. According to our spy, the nun started jumping up and down and yelling to Tyler "Have a good day" and, "I can't believe that you are in my Starbucks."

Guitarhero-Aerosmith.com
June 24, 2008


The band discusses the making of 'Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'










Watch video:  (here).

Celebuzz.com
June 24, 2008



Steven Tyler, New York, June 23, 2008


"...In a pair of Crocs and posing amiably with fans, Tyler looked to be in high spirits. But then, wearing comfortable shoes during a long day of high-priced shopping just before a limousine spirits you away to your multi-million dollar mansion can do that to a person."


More photos:  (here).

TMZ.com
June 24, 2008



New York, 06/23/08


Watch video:  (here).

Aero Force One
June 24, 2008


Hard Rock, Times Square – Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Video Game Experience and Aerosmith Press Conference !


One of America’s greatest rock bands of all time – Aerosmith – will unleash the latest Guitar Hero fan frenzy in Times Square during the launch of their first videogame, Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®. Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer will unveil the game at a press conference and VIP celebration at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Hard Rock Cafe will also be transformed into a Best Buy home theater/videogame lounge where consumers will be among the first to play the game on PlayStation®3 before it hits store shelves on June 29th.

Wanna Win Tickets? Click Here to learn how!

If you don't win from AF1, check out these radio stations for more chances:

95.5 WPLJ
WBAB
Q104.3


From WBAB:  

"...VIP Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Launch Party
The Hard Rock Café in Times Square
Friday, June 27th..."

Aero Force One
June 23, 2008





AeroForceOne has a HUGE prize for you!!!

So, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith – ya know it’s being released on Sunday, June 29th, right? Of course you do. So what better way to kick off the release of the game than taking over Times Square and the Hard Rock in NYC with a launch event like no other. And what makes it like no other? Yup, the boys themselves…that’s right, AEROSMITH will be in attendance and kickin' the event up a notch with a special press conference…And YOU could win and be a part of it! Oh Yeah!, be the first to play Guitar Hero: Aerosmith before it hits the streets! How cool is that?

AF1 scored 50 tickets to the VIP Party for this exclusive event so 25 AF1 members will be selected and will be able to bring 1 (one) guest! Winners must be 18 years of age or older to attend. So here’s what you gotta do…send an email with your name, address, email address for where you can best be reached, phone numbers and age to Contests@AeroForceOne.com with the subject line “Aero NYC Launch Tickets.” If you wanna throw in why you should win - go for it. Can we make it any easier for you?

All entries are due by Wednesday, June 25th 4pm EDT. Winners will be notified by Thursday, June 26th at 12pm EDT. AF1 will randomly select 25 winners who will be allowed to bring 1 (one) guest. The confirmed winners will be posted right here on AF1. Tickets will be left at will call under the winners name. You must present a valid ID to pick up your tickets to enter and must be 18 years of age or older.

If you are still reading this than you are doing something wrong…get those entries in NOW!

Good Luck,
The AF1 Crew

Official Rules

RedWingMotorcycles.com
June 23, 2008





Celtics Game 6


3-2-1-Aerosmith...can you imagine in the last 6 years. 3 Super Bowls, 2 World Series, and an NBA Championship for the City of BOSTON. I was suited up for Game 6 at the Garden, on the bench and ready to enter the game if Doc Rivers called my number...I had my Converse All Stars laced up and was ready to take on the Lakers...OK, I was dreaming but I was at game 6 and what a night to be a Celtics fan...See you on the Road...Soon!!!

ST

Gamesdog.co.uk, UK
June 23, 2008


The full tracklisting for Guitar Hero Aerosmith has been released, with the surprise (or perhaps not-so) inclusion of some non-Aerosmith tracks.

Activision obviously made the wise decision to move away from a complete Aerosmith tracklist, which could alienate a large number of gamers who aren't Aerosmith fans, or who don't really know much of their music.

They've instead thrown in a few more rock favourites, such as The Clash, The Kinks, Run DMC and Lenny Kravitz, opening up the game to a wider audience, and of course - increased sales.

The complete tracklisting is as follows:

Tier 1: "Getting the Band Together" (Nipmuc High School)

* "All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople (cover)
* "Draw the Line" by Aerosmith
* "Dream Police" by Cheap Trick
* "Make It" by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
* "Uncle Salty" by Aerosmith


Tier 2: "First Taste of Success" (Max's Kansas City)

* "All Day and All of the Night" by The Kinks (cover)
* "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett
* "Movin' Out" by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
* "No Surprize" by Aerosmith
* "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith


Tier 3: "The Triumphant Return" (The Orpheum)

* "Complete Control" by The Clash
* "Livin' on the Edge" by Aerosmith
* "Love in an Elevator" by Aerosmith
* "Personality Crisis" by New York Dolls (cover)
* "Rag Doll" by Aerosmith


Tier 4: "International Superstars" (Moscow)

* "Bright Light Fright" by Aerosmith
* "King of Rock" by Run-D.M.C.
* "Nobody's Fault" by Aerosmith
* "She Sells Sanctuary" by The Cult
* "Walk This Way" by Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith


Tier 5: "The Great American Band" (Half Time Show)

* "Always on the Run" by Lenny Kravitz
* "Back in the Saddle" by Aerosmith
* "Beyond Beautiful" by Aerosmith
* "Dream On" by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
* "Hard to Handle" by The Black Crowes (cover)


Tier 6: "Rock N Roll Legends" (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

* "Cat Scratch Fever" by Ted Nugent
* "Mama Kin" by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
* "Sex Type Thing" by Stone Temple Pilots
* "Toys In The Attic" by Aerosmith
* "Train Kept A Rollin" by Aerosmith
* "Guitar Battle vs Joe Perry" by Joe Perry


Bonus Songs (The Vault)

* "Combination" by Aerosmith
* "Kings and Queens" by Aerosmith
* "Let The Music Do The Talking" by Aerosmith
* "Mercy" by Joe Perry
* "Pandora's Box" by Aerosmith
* "Pink" by Aerosmith
* "Rats In The Cellar" by Aerosmith
* "Shakin' My Cage" by Joe Perry
* "Talk Talkin" by Joe Perry
* "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith

It's expected to hit shelves in the UK on July 27th.

[US Release Date: June 29th.]

Aero Force One Forum
June 22, 2008


Boston For Africa is a two-day event series brought to you by Red Wing Custom Motorcycles, the Hard Rock Café and Activision Games to support, benefit, and bring attention to a global challenge that affects us all.

While the United States has seen relative peace and prosperity on our soil for over 100 years, many African people have been born into a cycle of war and poverty that the rest of the world has an opportunity to end.

Join Steven Tyler and friends for the First Annual Ride for Africa, kicking off at 11:00 am. on Sunday, August 24th from the Boston Seaport. Activities include live music, food, entertainment and the Aerosmith Guitar Hero finals. Ride cost is $20 per person, and the ride will commence rain or shine. Tickets and more information can be obtained from Manchester Harley-Davidson (603.622.2461) and Nashua Harley-Davidson (603.578.9400) or at www.redwingmotorcycles.com.

Proceeds will benefit FORGE and Opportunity International, organizations committed to empowering communities and laying the foundations of peace and prosperity.







Postcard scan thanks to:  (Neesb).

Aero Force One Forum
June 20, 2008





Watch:  (here).

The Associated Press
June 21, 2008




Today’s Birthdays:

Actress Jane Russell is 87. Actor Bernie Kopell ("The Love Boat") is 75. Actor Monte Markham is 73. Actress Mariette Hartley is 68. Comedian Joe Flaherty ("SCTV") is 67. Musician Ray Davies of The Kinks is 64. Actress Meredith Baxter ("Family Ties") is 61. Actor Michael Gross ("Family Ties") is 61. Guitarist Joe Molland of Badfinger is 61. Keyboardist Don Airey of Deep Purple is 60. Country singer Leon Everette is 60. Drummer Joey Kramer of Aerosmith is 58...

Aero Force One
June 19, 2008





Celebrate your patriotism in style with the new 2008 Aerosmith American Flag T-Shirt! This design combines two of our Nation's most treasured symbols - the stars & stripes and the Aerosmith Wings logo.


Purchase:  (here).

Flickr.com/ Guitar World / Discuss
June 19, 2008






Link:      http://www.guitarhero.com/ghaerosmith/

Business Wire (press release), CA
June 18, 2008



Wrapped Car Will Run in New Hampshire NASCAR Race on June 29;
Target to Offer Exclusive Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Wii Bundle






CONCORD, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today it has partnered with Activision and its long-time sponsor Target® to feature the latest version of the Guitar Hero® series, Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®, on Dario Franchitti’s No. 40 Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) on June 29.

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, which will be released June 29, is the latest installment from the Activision franchise that was the top-selling video game in 2007. The game puts players in the shoes of Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar) and Tom Hamilton (bass), as they rock out alongside front man Steven Tyler and drummer Joey Kramer. Gamers will experience Aerosmith’s GRAMMY® winning career, from their first gig to becoming rock royalty while jamming to the band’s top songs.

With the launch of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, Target stores will carry an exclusive bundle for Nintendo’s Wii that includes the game, two wireless guitar controllers and a tour book. The ultimate rock experience, whether cooperatively or head-to-head, can be had right out of the box on June 29 for $149.99.

“The marriage of Nintendo Wii and Guitar Hero makes a lot of sense for the Target guest,” said Steve Eastman, Vice President, Target. “The music of Aerosmith bridges generations, just as the Wii has done. Everyone in the family can share that experience with this bundle.”

Franchitti will be making his debut in the Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire in the fading yellow to red Target/Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Dodge. The 2007 IndyCar champion has eight starts this season in his rookie campaign in the Cup Series and currently sits 39th in the 2008 point standings.

“We’re very excited to have Guitar Hero bring together two great American traditions, rock ‘n’ roll Aerosmith style, and NASCAR racing,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing Activision/RedOctane. “Fans at the event will get a double treat, watching their favorite drivers race and competing for a chance to face off against one of them on Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.”

The Guitar Hero consumer bus will be parked in the display area behind the main grandstands at NHMS all weekend for fans to take a sneak peak at the game and try their hands as a guitarist from Aerosmith. Franchitti and Target driver Reed Sorenson will make an appearance at the bus on Sunday to showcase their talents on the guitar before strapping into their Dodges for the 301-lap race.

“I love video games and actually have versions of Guitar Hero that I play on my bus and at home. To have Target, Activision and Aerosmith on my car for the New Hampshire race is pretty cool,” said Franchitti. “Who doesn’t love Aerosmith’s music? It’s perfect for getting ready for the side-by-side, non-stop action of NASCAR racing.”


For more information, log onto www.chipganassiracing.com.

Aero Force One
June 18, 2008


Drivers – Start, Your, Engines!!!

Guess where we’re sending four lucky AF1 winners? NASCAR baby! That’s right. Check it out... On Sunday, June 29th not only is Guitar Hero: Aerosmith hitting the stores but it’s also hittin’ the pavement.

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today it has partnered with Activision and its long-time sponsor Target® to feature the latest version of the Guitar Hero® series, Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®, on Dario Franchitti’s No. 40 Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) on June 29. The race will be broadcast on TNT. So don’t worry too much if you can’t be there – you can always watch it on TV....

So here’s what you gotta do to enter to win a chance to win a pair of tickets... simply email contests@aeroforceone.com, with the subject line “Guitar Hero Nascar Tickets” with a short message why you should win. Email entries are due by Tuesday, June 24th (12pm EDT) (snail mail must be post marked by June 20th) and two winners (2 tickets each) will be randomly selected and notified by Wednesday, June 25th (12pm EDT) - (winners need to supply their own transportation to and from the race). It’s that simple. Oh yeah, the contest is open to Gold/Platinum/Get Your Wings members! Not a member? Sign-up (here). We wanna give everyone a chance to win.

So watcha waiting for – get crackin’ and get those emails in! And remember, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith hits the streets on Sunday, June 29th.

Come Sunday, June 29th race out to get your copy of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. Wanna Pre-Order your copy? Click (here) to get started!

Good Luck!
The AF1 Crew

Official Rules:  (here).

San Francisco Chronicle, CA
June 18, 2008



AP Photo/Winslow Townson


Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler has completed his stint in rehab, celebrating his release by grabbing courtside seats for the Boston Celtics' basketball game on Tuesday.

The singer checked into a facility in Pasadena, Calif., last month, prompting speculation he had slipped from sobriety, 20 years after he kicked hard drugs.

Tyler later revealed he was in rehab on doctor's orders because of a foot injury.

But he appears to be recovering well, and looked happy and healthy as he cheered on his team against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics went on to win 131-92, and were crowned the new NBA Champions.

According to TMZ.com, Tyler is continuing to undergo outpatient treatment until he is back to full health.


More photos:  (here).

USA Today
June 17, 2008



(Photo - AF1 Forum)


Although it lacked the Hollywood glitz of Los Angeles, TD Banknorth Garden had its fair share of celebrities Tuesday for the NBA Finals game. And Boston being a big sports town, most of them came from the world of athletics.....

From the music world: Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, Donnie Wahlberg, Ken Casey, Joey Kramer and James "Jimmy Jam" Harris. Representing film and TV: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Pompeo, Bobby and Peter Farrelly and Lenny Clarke.

TMZ.com
June 17, 2008





The Lakers aren't the only team that can draw the big names!

Steven Tyler -- fresh off a trip to rehab he blamed on foot pain... is courtside for tonight's Lakers vs. Cetlics game.

We're hearing he's out of rehab, but still undergoing outpatient treatment. Sounds like a good deal to us!


More photos can be found at:  Yahoo! News.

Boston Globe, MA
June 17, 2008


Steven Tyler was spotted yesterday on an American Airlines flight bound for Boston from LA with girlfriend Erin Brady. In late May, Tyler checked himself into a Pasadena, Calif., rehab hospital after he had surgery on his feet. Tyler claimed the foot-repair pain was "intense" and that he "needed a safe environment to recuperate."

Digg.com
June 15, 2008


"... on YouTube. The song in the video is 'Walk This Way.' "





Watch:  (here).

PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria
June 15, 2008


Liv Tyler feared she'd frightened off one of her father Steven Tyler's beloved cranes when her pet dog went crazy on his farm just outside Boston, Massachusetts recently.

The actress reveals her rocker dad keeps chickens and turkeys on his rural retreat but his prized possessions are two African cranes that were given to him as a gift.

The Stealing Beauty star says, "I always keep him (dog) on a leash and he escaped and went straight down and scared them (the poultry) all and the African cranes started, like, jumping up and one of them escaped and flew away.

"I thought, 'Oh my God, my dad's gonna kill me.' I started running up to the house kinda like, 'Dad, the African crane escaped.'" But the exotic bird obviously likes life with the Aerosmith frontman - he flew back.

The Birmingham News, AL
June 15, 2008


A classic Scott Legato photograph might be one of Steven Tyler, lead singer of the band Aerosmith.

Mid-song during a concert in Indianapolis, the rock star grasped the microphone with his left hand and pointed at the camera with his right index finger. His hair fell forward over his eyes and nose, exposing only that gigantic pair of lips.

It was a gotcha moment, an increasingly frequent occurrence for Legato, who has a knack for synching his own trigger finger with a performer's most colorful moves....


Continued:  (here).

Emirates Business 24/7, UAE
June 14, 2008

(Excerpt from Liv Tyler Interview)


— Ageing rockers – including Aerosmith – are so popular these days. Does it surprise you, for instance, that your father is still astonishing?

—I know he has got an enormous amount of energy. It's rubbed off on me. It's in the genes too, unfortunately, the workaholic gene. He has always been like that. I think it's really incredible. When I see him perform, I definitely am taken aback by it. I'm really impressed by it. Just to be able to sing that well, that intensely, for two and a half hours, every night for a year.

— Would you ever do a reality series with your Dad, like The Osbournes?

—Then I would have to move back in with my dad and that would be weird.


Complete article:  (here).

MSN Money
June 13, 2008


Activision Inc. said the band Coldplay will debut on its popular video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock with a three-track downloadable song pack....

....The Coldplay track pack will be available on June 19 for download on Xbox Live Marketplace for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 system and in the PlaystationStore for the Playstation3 system.

Songs from Aerosmith, Guns 'N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam also are available on Guitar Hero III.

San Francisco Chronicle, CA
June 12, 2008


Tapping on fake instruments and screeching into microphones connected to video game consoles has become lucrative for both the music and gaming industries. Downloadable tunes for music-based games "Guitar Hero,""Rock Band" and "SingStar" have become as vital as iTunes itself — and one of the last ways to expose youngsters to classic rock.

The genre will evolve again later this month when game publisher Activision and developer Neversoft release "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith," the first such play-along rhythm game pegged to one music group, instead of featuring a multi-artist compilation more akin to one of those "Now That's What I Call Music!" albums.

"The game is really about the spirit of guitar music," Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton recently told The Associated Press. "It's all about being into music that sounds powerful, energetic and lush. You're rhythmically pushing buttons that create a certain reaction or sound along with the music. You can't say it doesn't have any musical relevance. It does."

Players start out as lead guitarist Joe Perry and can unlock Hamilton and Brad Whitford while playing in virtual versions of venues where Aerosmith once rocked, such as their first show at Nipmuc High School outside of Boston, their first showcase at Max's Kansas City in New York and the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show in Tampa, Fla.

"I guess it's one of those rewards that we get for keeping the band together," said Hamilton. "It might be the silver lining of the Napster cloud, too. Far more of this audience will hear our music via this game than if we had strenuously attempted to talk them into buying all of our CDs."

While regular versions of "Guitar Hero,""Rock Band" and "SingStar" come loaded with songs by bands like The Rolling Stones and Radiohead, the most recent incarnations of these games allow players to go online and download additional tracks, costing anywhere from 99 cents up to $2.50 per song, depending on the game.....


Continued:  (here).

Multichannel News, NY
June 11, 2008


Madison Square Garden has acquired a minority equity interest in Front Line Management, a personal music management firm, from IAC/InterActiveCorp and Warner Music Group.

Front Line, led by Irving Azoff, represents a number of well-known musical acts, including the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Neil Diamond, Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Nicks, Aerosmith, Steely Dan, Chicago, Journey and Guns N’ Roses. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We invited Madison Square Garden to be one of the Front Line Management partners due to their extraordinary commitment to artists,” Azoff said in a statement. “MSG’s diverse resources complement our management mandate to create new and exciting artist opportunities and marketing platforms on behalf of our artist roster.”

MSG, owned by Cablevision Systems, includes the Madison Square Garden arena, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theater in New York and the Chicago Theater in Chicago. Earlier this year several reports said that MSG was contemplating teaming up with IAC to purchase concert promoter AEG Live, but that deal fizzled when the parties couldn’t agree on terms.

Just what impact the agreement will have on MSG’s Fuse cable music channel remains to be seen. In recent months, Fuse has stepped up its focus on musical acts with its high-definition concert series, "Fuse Rocks the Garden," and has launched a new marketing campaign—“Music Is...”

Aero Force One Forum
June 8, 2008



Grande Dunes Golf Resort, North Myrtle Beach, SC - June 2, 2008


More: (here).

About - News & Issues, NY
June 9, 2008
By: Arthur Levine


"I headed back, along with my family, to South Carolina's Hard Rock Park to check out its official grand opening last week. Imagine my surprise when we spotted Aerosmith bass player Tom Hamilton just behind us in line to check his baggage for the Boston-to-Myrtle Beach flight. Sure enough, he was on his way to visit the park and to participate in a charity golf tournament that was part of the opening festivities. The affable Hamilton said that he and the band have been busy getting themselves digitized for the video imagery that will be featured in the upcoming release of Guitar Hero Aerosmith......"

"......My family and I had a ball at Hard Rock Park, riding all the rides, grooving to the live music, and soaking up the inspired atmosphere. We were tired and wallowing a bit in post-vacation blues at the Myrtle Beach Airport while waiting for the plane to take us back to Boston. The spell was broken, however, when the other half of Aerosmith's rhythm section, drummer Joey Kramer, sauntered into the terminal to wait for the delayed flight. Kramer was also involved with the Hard Rock Park opening. I guess you never know whom you might see at (or coming from and going to) Hard Rock Park."

Sound & Vision Magazine
June 2008


The mighty axman on cool videogames (such as
his own, "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith"), the wonders
of vinyl, surround sound, and "Shoot 'Em Up."



Tell me about Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (RedOctane/Activision). What a coup to be the first band to have the entire game dedicated to the arc of your career.

When I saw my son Roman playing Guitar Hero a few years ago, I was blown away. I pick up a lot of stuff from my kids, and I find out what's going on out there that affects the whole entertainment industry. The main thing I've learned here is that kids today really appreciate the classics.

When Cream did those reunion shows in New York in 2005, I was up in Vermont at the time. My son Tony asked me, "Dad, what time are we leaving for the Cream show?" And I said, "Ah, I don't know if we're gonna go or not." And he went, "What do you mean? Are you kidding? We gotta go. This is it. I never got to see them. They're making history." He was 20 at the time. That got me thinking, "This is something. He's really getting it — not just as a musician, but as a kid from this younger generation, appreciating that kind of music and putting such importance on the chance of getting to see Cream play." So I rethought it and said, "I guess we'll go." And we did, and they were great.

I totally agree. I saw the third night myself; what an amazing show, totally worth the price of admission. It was also cool to see the cross-section of the generations of people there, much like what you guys get at your shows.

We do get that cross-section of ages, no doubt about it. Though there's less of a "they'll never do this again" vibe at our shows. Cream came from that time period in the '60s where it seemed like so much was happening. It was such a different era in the way music came down the pipeline. It wasn't unusual for a band like Cream to put out a record or two and break up, and then the guys would quickly join up with another band. It was definitely an interesting time, a fantastic time with talented guys and girls coming out with all this great music. To have been 17, 18, 19 years old and see all those bands while growing up in that time period was really a blessing for a musician.

A lot of good vibes and good music came out of that era, for sure.

Yeah. And the band tried to reflect that feeling in how we put this game together. We gave it a viable story with subplots. The obvious thing was to follow the chronology of our career. We're a unique band — we're still together after 35-plus years with all the same guys, just barely holding on [laughs]. We're glad to have a job without having to have a real job, you know, and we have a great time playing the kind of music we love listening to. Our story is one that a lot of bands can relate to, from writing the first songs to doing the first rehearsals and gigs, right up to where and how we play today.

On a bigger scale, this game shows another way fans are getting their music. It looks like videogame companies are the new record companies, because some bands are releasing their new singles and albums on games first. It's a great format for getting songs out there. I mean, when do you sit down and listen to music anymore — just listen, and not do anything else? Now it seems like it's always in the background when you're doing other things.

In Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, you really have a chance to get a bit closer to and deeper into the tunes. You actually have to learn the songs to win, so it's a great way to get people to really listen to them and find out what we're doing. It's a blessing, really.

The beauty of it is we'll probably get Guitar Hero: Aerosmith II