Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Kölnarena
Aero Force One
June 28, 2007
Aerosmith - Köln, Germany
(All photos by Amanda Ayre - AF1
- 06/28/07)
See more.... (here).
June 28, 2007
Aerosmith - Köln, Germany
(All photos by Amanda Ayre - AF1
- 06/28/07)
See more.... (here).
Köln, Germany
Aero Force One
June 28, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Kölnarena - June 28, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
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.
June 28, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Kölnarena - June 28, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
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.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
News From The Road
Aero Force One
June 28, 2007
Who's Next?
Hey Everybody! Greetings from London!
A lot has happened since I wrote last. The band has been cruising through Europe for the first time since 1999. After Sweden the guys invaded Germany. We were based in Frankfurt for the week. The Stones happened to be playing Frankfurt that same week and they were checking into our hotel the day after us. Good thing we got there first because the Stones had more people in their entourage but we got the pick of the litter room wise.
My favorite German city has to be Munchen. Not only is it the most desirable city in Germany to live in, it has a pretty cool name too. We missed the Who by a day but more on them later.
The guys got inducted into the Munich version of the Walk of Fame before the show. There they put their hands in cement. Better having hand’s than feet in cement Tom commented. Brad was sick up until show time and didn’t make it but Joe wrote a big BW to honor the guitar wizard. How the f#@k good is Brad Whitford? I still can’t believe I get to listen to him play every other night. Lately he is sporting a Dion and Belmonts look and I expect him to break into Runaround Sue or The Wanderer.
Next up was Venice. What a pain in the ass place to get to. Our hotel was on its own Island. We got off the plane, got into vans to clear customs, then had to get into a water taxi to get us to the hotel. Our luggage had it worse though. Donny Wightman drew the short straw and had a not so excellent adventure with the bags. The bags came off the plane and got loaded into a truck, then they cleared customs and went into another truck and taken to a loading dock 20 minutes away. Then they were loaded into a boat with Donny and taken to the Hotel. About an hour later a few of us were starting to get worried. As we were sipping our Campari and soda on the terrace of the hotel we saw our real life Steve Zissou in the distant with some sort of rain gear over his head. I started waving hoping Donny would see me. He did and returned the wave using only one of his fingers. I thought that wasn’t very nice. Well, he got caught in the near hurricane that took out the show while we didn’t get a drop of rain on the Island. Needless to say all the guys in the band were really bummed out that the show was cancelled but judging by the pictures we were just glad no one was killed. The last time in Italy the show got postponed because of rain and flooding and Aerosmith had to play early the following day. It was a total bummer because I expected to see a few paesans there. We spent the next day in Venice walking around Saint Marks Square. It was a lot of fun but still pretty scary thinking about the kids that got hurt the day before.
Next up was Paris:
Joe at Notre Dame - Photo: John Bionelli
Paris is a great city if you don’t mind being treated like poop. The French have this way of making you feel like a moron, but they say it with that cute French accent. I did think that the Paris gig was the best show of the tour so far. The guys were in a groove. Chris Cornell lives there part time and was at the gig with his wife. He jumped from dressing room to dressing room saying hi to each guy before hand. The boys were as happy to see him as they were to see them. Steven had dinner with Johnny Depp and his family the night after in the Hotel. Brad, Steven, Tom and Joey each went to The Louvre during their stay while Joe decided to check out the Eiffel Tower and even went up it.
We did a hit and run in Belgium. Aerosmith played another out of the way festival that seemed to take hours to get there. On the bill was Papa Roach, Static X and Chris Cornell. It was a good show but you could tell the guys and their families were itching to get to London.
London was great even though we were up against a curfew. The show was trimmed down a little because of the time restraints. Normally the guys would say f#@k it and play longer but the penalty wasn’t monetary. If you went over you were brought to the torture room at the Tower of London and put into a Scavenger’s Daughter.
TAB and Joe at the torture chamber - Photo: John Bionelli
The guys got to do some sightseeing in London. Steven had his family with him and took his and everybody else’s family out for a post show pizza party.
TAB was on the bill in London and rocked. They played a half dozen shows in the UK and are really honing their craft. They will be heading straight into the studio this week to record their first full length album. (Check out their new site Tabtheband.com) Joe spent some time with his boys and took them to the Tower of London and to see the Who at Wembley Arena.
Behind Blue Eyes - Photo: Kazuyo Horie
Before the show he said hello to Roger and Pete. He asked Pete Townsend if he gets nervous before a hometown show and Pete said he never gets nervous. He said he could be playing in front of 200 or 200 thousand and it didn’t matter. The only time I get nervous is when I play with another performer. Joe as you know will be playing with Tom Jones on Sunday at the Princess Diana celebration.
He spent his day off Monday rehearsing with Wix Wickens and his band. Wix is the musical director for the show and up until recently was in Paul McCartney’s band for 18 years or so.
Next week I’ll give ya a recap on The Princess Diana show as well as Dublin and the guys visit to Latvia and Estonia.
Employee of the Week goes to:
Jim Survis. Jim started working for Aerosmith in 1992 while the guys were in Vancouver making "Get A Grip". He has been a loyal soldier ever since. When the guys are off the road he can be found on a Van Halen tour or with Cheap Trick. Jim is also very much involved when Aerosmith is in the studio. Joe usually has about 40 guitars with him on the road and he keeps them all in tune. In his spare time (yeah right!) Jim likes to drive his antique car on the Island he is in the process of buying. He also enjoys quiet nights by the fire and making smores and hanging with his dog Lefty. Someday he wants to open a Fitness Center repair shop and call it Gym Service.
See you on the Road!
John B.
BTW-What is up with old Ross Halfin beating up on poor Russ Irwin in his Diarrhea? I mean Diary. Russ did make the mistake of asking Ross if his tight shirt made him look fat. Halfin just took it from there. I just got word that Ross will be joining us (Oh Boy!) for the rest of the tour. As you know Ross’s favorite band is the Who and thinks they are the greatest thing since Spotted Dick.
June 28, 2007
Who's Next?
Hey Everybody! Greetings from London!
A lot has happened since I wrote last. The band has been cruising through Europe for the first time since 1999. After Sweden the guys invaded Germany. We were based in Frankfurt for the week. The Stones happened to be playing Frankfurt that same week and they were checking into our hotel the day after us. Good thing we got there first because the Stones had more people in their entourage but we got the pick of the litter room wise.
My favorite German city has to be Munchen. Not only is it the most desirable city in Germany to live in, it has a pretty cool name too. We missed the Who by a day but more on them later.
The guys got inducted into the Munich version of the Walk of Fame before the show. There they put their hands in cement. Better having hand’s than feet in cement Tom commented. Brad was sick up until show time and didn’t make it but Joe wrote a big BW to honor the guitar wizard. How the f#@k good is Brad Whitford? I still can’t believe I get to listen to him play every other night. Lately he is sporting a Dion and Belmonts look and I expect him to break into Runaround Sue or The Wanderer.
Next up was Venice. What a pain in the ass place to get to. Our hotel was on its own Island. We got off the plane, got into vans to clear customs, then had to get into a water taxi to get us to the hotel. Our luggage had it worse though. Donny Wightman drew the short straw and had a not so excellent adventure with the bags. The bags came off the plane and got loaded into a truck, then they cleared customs and went into another truck and taken to a loading dock 20 minutes away. Then they were loaded into a boat with Donny and taken to the Hotel. About an hour later a few of us were starting to get worried. As we were sipping our Campari and soda on the terrace of the hotel we saw our real life Steve Zissou in the distant with some sort of rain gear over his head. I started waving hoping Donny would see me. He did and returned the wave using only one of his fingers. I thought that wasn’t very nice. Well, he got caught in the near hurricane that took out the show while we didn’t get a drop of rain on the Island. Needless to say all the guys in the band were really bummed out that the show was cancelled but judging by the pictures we were just glad no one was killed. The last time in Italy the show got postponed because of rain and flooding and Aerosmith had to play early the following day. It was a total bummer because I expected to see a few paesans there. We spent the next day in Venice walking around Saint Marks Square. It was a lot of fun but still pretty scary thinking about the kids that got hurt the day before.
Next up was Paris:
Joe at Notre Dame - Photo: John Bionelli
Paris is a great city if you don’t mind being treated like poop. The French have this way of making you feel like a moron, but they say it with that cute French accent. I did think that the Paris gig was the best show of the tour so far. The guys were in a groove. Chris Cornell lives there part time and was at the gig with his wife. He jumped from dressing room to dressing room saying hi to each guy before hand. The boys were as happy to see him as they were to see them. Steven had dinner with Johnny Depp and his family the night after in the Hotel. Brad, Steven, Tom and Joey each went to The Louvre during their stay while Joe decided to check out the Eiffel Tower and even went up it.
We did a hit and run in Belgium. Aerosmith played another out of the way festival that seemed to take hours to get there. On the bill was Papa Roach, Static X and Chris Cornell. It was a good show but you could tell the guys and their families were itching to get to London.
London was great even though we were up against a curfew. The show was trimmed down a little because of the time restraints. Normally the guys would say f#@k it and play longer but the penalty wasn’t monetary. If you went over you were brought to the torture room at the Tower of London and put into a Scavenger’s Daughter.
TAB and Joe at the torture chamber - Photo: John Bionelli
The guys got to do some sightseeing in London. Steven had his family with him and took his and everybody else’s family out for a post show pizza party.
TAB was on the bill in London and rocked. They played a half dozen shows in the UK and are really honing their craft. They will be heading straight into the studio this week to record their first full length album. (Check out their new site Tabtheband.com) Joe spent some time with his boys and took them to the Tower of London and to see the Who at Wembley Arena.
Behind Blue Eyes - Photo: Kazuyo Horie
Before the show he said hello to Roger and Pete. He asked Pete Townsend if he gets nervous before a hometown show and Pete said he never gets nervous. He said he could be playing in front of 200 or 200 thousand and it didn’t matter. The only time I get nervous is when I play with another performer. Joe as you know will be playing with Tom Jones on Sunday at the Princess Diana celebration.
He spent his day off Monday rehearsing with Wix Wickens and his band. Wix is the musical director for the show and up until recently was in Paul McCartney’s band for 18 years or so.
Next week I’ll give ya a recap on The Princess Diana show as well as Dublin and the guys visit to Latvia and Estonia.
Employee of the Week goes to:
Jim Survis. Jim started working for Aerosmith in 1992 while the guys were in Vancouver making "Get A Grip". He has been a loyal soldier ever since. When the guys are off the road he can be found on a Van Halen tour or with Cheap Trick. Jim is also very much involved when Aerosmith is in the studio. Joe usually has about 40 guitars with him on the road and he keeps them all in tune. In his spare time (yeah right!) Jim likes to drive his antique car on the Island he is in the process of buying. He also enjoys quiet nights by the fire and making smores and hanging with his dog Lefty. Someday he wants to open a Fitness Center repair shop and call it Gym Service.
See you on the Road!
John B.
BTW-What is up with old Ross Halfin beating up on poor Russ Irwin in his Diarrhea? I mean Diary. Russ did make the mistake of asking Ross if his tight shirt made him look fat. Halfin just took it from there. I just got word that Ross will be joining us (Oh Boy!) for the rest of the tour. As you know Ross’s favorite band is the Who and thinks they are the greatest thing since Spotted Dick.
From Wire Image
WireImage.com
June 28, 2007
Lipteese – An Original Burlesque Performance with Dita von Teese - Inside
Steven Tyler and Family - June 27, 2007
Bloomsbury Ballroom - London, Great Britain
More photos: (here).
June 28, 2007
Lipteese – An Original Burlesque Performance with Dita von Teese - Inside
Steven Tyler and Family - June 27, 2007
Bloomsbury Ballroom - London, Great Britain
More photos: (here).
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Pre-Sale Friday - New Tour Dates
Aero Force One
June 27, 2007
This just officially in!
Pre-sales for:
Jones Beach -- 9.12.07 -- Wantagh, NY
Nissan Pavilion -- 9.16.07 -- Bristow, VA
Pre-sales will take place Friday, June 29, 2007, at 7am EDT! Tickets are VERY limited - don't wait - check it out! Ticket package details will be posted tomorrow (Thursday, June 28, 2007) so be sure to check back to AeroForceOne.com!
Aerosmith Tour & Ticketing Info: (here).
June 27, 2007
This just officially in!
Pre-sales for:
Jones Beach -- 9.12.07 -- Wantagh, NY
Nissan Pavilion -- 9.16.07 -- Bristow, VA
Pre-sales will take place Friday, June 29, 2007, at 7am EDT! Tickets are VERY limited - don't wait - check it out! Ticket package details will be posted tomorrow (Thursday, June 28, 2007) so be sure to check back to AeroForceOne.com!
Aerosmith Tour & Ticketing Info: (here).
Marley Park
Aero Force One
June 26, 2007
Aerosmith - Dublin, Ireland
(All photos by Amanda Ayre - AF1
- 06/26/07)
See more.... (here).
June 26, 2007
Aerosmith - Dublin, Ireland
(All photos by Amanda Ayre - AF1
- 06/26/07)
See more.... (here).
Aerosmith Still Being Aerosmith
X17Video.com
...Rock band Aerosmith was in Paris - they had a concert on Monday - and took a little time outside their Park Hyatt hotel to sign autographs and take a few pics with fans...
Watch video: (here).
...Rock band Aerosmith was in Paris - they had a concert on Monday - and took a little time outside their Park Hyatt hotel to sign autographs and take a few pics with fans...
Watch video: (here).
Aerosmith Performs In London
NDTV Music
Jun 26, 2007
Aerosmith took to the stage in London's Hyde Park on Sunday, as part of their first European tour in eight years.
The band entertained rain-soaked fans with hits including Livin' on the Edge, Cryin' and I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.
"At the end of the day, it's really about a good time and letting loose," said Steve Tyler.
"My dad used to say 'musicians and cooks, they are the ones, because everyone has got to eat, and always at the end of everyone's day - even Hitler, he wanted to get up and dance.' I know it is a bad one to use, but whoever it is just wants to get up and dance and let it fly," he added.
They had an extra treat for the crowd - welcoming on stage Darryl McDaniels, for a reunion performance of their hit duet Walk This Way.
The duet was released as a single more than 20 years ago, and marked the first time rock and rap intertwined.
"All the 30 years since I've been in this business just ran past my eyes, but it was incredible to see the people with their hands up and all the hard rock people that I have been hanging with all weekend, who've probably never seen me perform, were looking at me like. It was awesome, because you feed off the crowd," said Darryl McDaniels, Singer.
Steve Tyler said that the song was an important moment in Aerosmith's career.
"It cut through a lot of sociological idioms, it broke though, it fused us with what was going on at the time, it was a great shot in the arm for Aerosmith because we reinvented ourselves by doing that," he said.
The open air show was part of the Hyde Park Calling two day festival, which also featured Crowded House and Peter Gabriel on Saturday, and Chris Cornell and Jet on Sunday.
Aerosmith continue their European tour in Dublin on Tuesday before moving on to shows in Koln, Germany; Riga, Latvia; Biddinghuizen, the Netherlands; Talinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; and Saint Petersburg in Russia.
The band will then play dates in Canada and California, in July.
Jun 26, 2007
Aerosmith took to the stage in London's Hyde Park on Sunday, as part of their first European tour in eight years.
The band entertained rain-soaked fans with hits including Livin' on the Edge, Cryin' and I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.
"At the end of the day, it's really about a good time and letting loose," said Steve Tyler.
"My dad used to say 'musicians and cooks, they are the ones, because everyone has got to eat, and always at the end of everyone's day - even Hitler, he wanted to get up and dance.' I know it is a bad one to use, but whoever it is just wants to get up and dance and let it fly," he added.
They had an extra treat for the crowd - welcoming on stage Darryl McDaniels, for a reunion performance of their hit duet Walk This Way.
The duet was released as a single more than 20 years ago, and marked the first time rock and rap intertwined.
"All the 30 years since I've been in this business just ran past my eyes, but it was incredible to see the people with their hands up and all the hard rock people that I have been hanging with all weekend, who've probably never seen me perform, were looking at me like. It was awesome, because you feed off the crowd," said Darryl McDaniels, Singer.
Steve Tyler said that the song was an important moment in Aerosmith's career.
"It cut through a lot of sociological idioms, it broke though, it fused us with what was going on at the time, it was a great shot in the arm for Aerosmith because we reinvented ourselves by doing that," he said.
The open air show was part of the Hyde Park Calling two day festival, which also featured Crowded House and Peter Gabriel on Saturday, and Chris Cornell and Jet on Sunday.
Aerosmith continue their European tour in Dublin on Tuesday before moving on to shows in Koln, Germany; Riga, Latvia; Biddinghuizen, the Netherlands; Talinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; and Saint Petersburg in Russia.
The band will then play dates in Canada and California, in July.
Dublin, Ireland
Aero Force One
June 26, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Marley Park - June 26, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 26, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Marley Park - June 26, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
Joe Perry to Play at Concert for Diana
Easier, UK
June 26, 2007
Fresh from Aerosmith’s blistering headline set at Hyde Park Calling on Sunday, guitar icon Joe Perry will join Tom Jones for a must-see live set at the eagerly anticipated Concert for Diana, July 1st at Wembley Stadium.
Currently on a major European tour, which includes dates in Germany, Ireland, France, Sweden and Belgium, Joe will play on three classic songs – marking only his second London performance in the past 8 years.
Aerosmith - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer – are currently working on a new studio album.
During their dazzling 30-year career they have sold over 100 million albums, won four Grammy Awards and earned 95 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications - the biggest ever tally for a USA act.
Find out more by visiting Aerosmith.com and Concertfordiana.com.
June 26, 2007
Fresh from Aerosmith’s blistering headline set at Hyde Park Calling on Sunday, guitar icon Joe Perry will join Tom Jones for a must-see live set at the eagerly anticipated Concert for Diana, July 1st at Wembley Stadium.
Currently on a major European tour, which includes dates in Germany, Ireland, France, Sweden and Belgium, Joe will play on three classic songs – marking only his second London performance in the past 8 years.
Aerosmith - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer – are currently working on a new studio album.
During their dazzling 30-year career they have sold over 100 million albums, won four Grammy Awards and earned 95 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications - the biggest ever tally for a USA act.
Find out more by visiting Aerosmith.com and Concertfordiana.com.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Brian May Comments About Aerosmith
Blabbermouth.net, NY
June 26, 2007
Queen guitarist Brian May wrote on his web site about this past weekend's Hyde Park Calling event in London, England where he witnessed performances by Aerosmith and Joe Satriani, among others. An excerpt from May's posting follows:
"There is so much fake stuff around these days, people short-cutting, not knowing their trade, having no respect for their audience, playing to clicks, and in many cases feeding all recorded stuff from hard disc into the PA, for their fans to listen to — sometimes you are really listening to an entire pre-record — like a crap TV mime show, brought into an arena or a stadium. Sometimes recently I have felt ashamed of my business, the music business ... and I resist the temptation to write about it here, because I hate to slag other artists off ... Sometimes it's VERY hard to resist.
"But Aerosmith brought back the smile to my face — brought back pride to me — these guys remind us that there IS still greatness out there ... there is still a band that is all real, and full of passion, and innovation, and courage, and brick-loads of polish too. This, to me, is the way it should be done. Some of it is what you ARE, and some it is what you DO. I know this art, this craft, this life, so I appreciate greatness in it all the more. These guys have been to the Wall and back, and it shows. Each one of them has devoted his life to his craft, like that great Carpenter I was talking about. And it shows. And for me, watching, I see all the elements that are rare and wonderful, and feel glad that my kids can see this, and I don't have to explain to them what REAL LIVE ROCK MUSIC is about.
"I loved every second. The most joyous thing about them is that they did NOT become SHOW-BIZ — they did NOT lose their roots. They are still treading that fine line between structure and improvisation, clean and dirty, love of what their music does, and love of it for itself, commercialism and art, fire and water, earth and air, light and shade. There will never be a rock group more all-round great than Aerosmith [in my humble opinion]. "
Read May's entire message at BrianMay.com.
June 26, 2007
Queen guitarist Brian May wrote on his web site about this past weekend's Hyde Park Calling event in London, England where he witnessed performances by Aerosmith and Joe Satriani, among others. An excerpt from May's posting follows:
"There is so much fake stuff around these days, people short-cutting, not knowing their trade, having no respect for their audience, playing to clicks, and in many cases feeding all recorded stuff from hard disc into the PA, for their fans to listen to — sometimes you are really listening to an entire pre-record — like a crap TV mime show, brought into an arena or a stadium. Sometimes recently I have felt ashamed of my business, the music business ... and I resist the temptation to write about it here, because I hate to slag other artists off ... Sometimes it's VERY hard to resist.
"But Aerosmith brought back the smile to my face — brought back pride to me — these guys remind us that there IS still greatness out there ... there is still a band that is all real, and full of passion, and innovation, and courage, and brick-loads of polish too. This, to me, is the way it should be done. Some of it is what you ARE, and some it is what you DO. I know this art, this craft, this life, so I appreciate greatness in it all the more. These guys have been to the Wall and back, and it shows. Each one of them has devoted his life to his craft, like that great Carpenter I was talking about. And it shows. And for me, watching, I see all the elements that are rare and wonderful, and feel glad that my kids can see this, and I don't have to explain to them what REAL LIVE ROCK MUSIC is about.
"I loved every second. The most joyous thing about them is that they did NOT become SHOW-BIZ — they did NOT lose their roots. They are still treading that fine line between structure and improvisation, clean and dirty, love of what their music does, and love of it for itself, commercialism and art, fire and water, earth and air, light and shade. There will never be a rock group more all-round great than Aerosmith [in my humble opinion]. "
Read May's entire message at BrianMay.com.
Steven and Joe - French TV Interview
Aero Force One
June 26, 2007
While the band was in Paris, Steven and Joe sat down with France 2 in Paris-Bercy on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 for a quick interview. Check out some video of that interview here! (Please note the audio is in French.)
June 26, 2007
While the band was in Paris, Steven and Joe sat down with France 2 in Paris-Bercy on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 for a quick interview. Check out some video of that interview here! (Please note the audio is in French.)
Hyde Park Calling 2007 review
The Sun, UK
June 25, 2007
You could be forgiven for thinking that Glastonbury was the only major musical event happening over the weekend. Not so…
Legendary blues rockers AEROSMITH re-united for their first UK gig in EIGHT years at London's Hyde Park Calling festival.
Led by Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry, they stormed onto stage in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans drenched from the afternoon rain.
Yet not even the miserable weather could dampen the spirit of the 'Toxic Twins' as Perry and Tyler masterfully crafted their way through decades of hits, spanning 1975's classic Toys In The Attic album all the way to 2004's Honkin' On Bobo.
From their opening number Love in an Elevator, it was clear that Aerosmith had lost none of their style, swagger or sex-appeal.
Classics like Cryin, Livin' On The Edge and I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing seemed to indulge the crowd into one giant karaoke session as thousands of fans sang back every word.
Hit after hit followed as Tyler and co effortlessly put on a show worthy of legendary status.
This tag was further justified as the band introduced Darryl McDaniels better known as one part of rap legends Run DMC as a surprise special guest.
Darryl and Tyler then proceeded in performing an amazing encore rendition of their 1986 classic Walk This Way.
Twenty years on and the fans still go as wild as ever for the timeless rock-rap collaboration which brought the festival to an energetic and memorable close.
Elsewhere on the bill former SOUNDGARDEN and AUDIOSLAVE frontman Chris Cornell performed an amazing 90 minute set in the worst weather conditions of the day.
Opening with the 1994 classic Spoonman, the rejuvenated Cornell delivered a stellar performance spanning his entire musical career that further cemented his status as one of the best singers in rock.
Aussie-rockers JET also graced the main stage with a plethora of hits including Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Cold Hard Bitch.
Belfast's finest THE ANSWER also wowed the thousands of fans with their own brand of classic rock.
The band are one of the best kept secrets on the UK music scene right now and are surely destined for great success after this performance.
Success is also on the menu for young Kentucky band BLACK STONE CHERRY who completely ripped up the second stage with their explosive brand of heavy southern rock that deserved a bigger stage.
But the final word has to go to Aerosmith, thirty years on and still showing the world how to put on a show.
A truly triumphant return in every sense of the word.
June 25, 2007
You could be forgiven for thinking that Glastonbury was the only major musical event happening over the weekend. Not so…
Legendary blues rockers AEROSMITH re-united for their first UK gig in EIGHT years at London's Hyde Park Calling festival.
Led by Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry, they stormed onto stage in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans drenched from the afternoon rain.
Yet not even the miserable weather could dampen the spirit of the 'Toxic Twins' as Perry and Tyler masterfully crafted their way through decades of hits, spanning 1975's classic Toys In The Attic album all the way to 2004's Honkin' On Bobo.
From their opening number Love in an Elevator, it was clear that Aerosmith had lost none of their style, swagger or sex-appeal.
Classics like Cryin, Livin' On The Edge and I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing seemed to indulge the crowd into one giant karaoke session as thousands of fans sang back every word.
Hit after hit followed as Tyler and co effortlessly put on a show worthy of legendary status.
This tag was further justified as the band introduced Darryl McDaniels better known as one part of rap legends Run DMC as a surprise special guest.
Darryl and Tyler then proceeded in performing an amazing encore rendition of their 1986 classic Walk This Way.
Twenty years on and the fans still go as wild as ever for the timeless rock-rap collaboration which brought the festival to an energetic and memorable close.
Elsewhere on the bill former SOUNDGARDEN and AUDIOSLAVE frontman Chris Cornell performed an amazing 90 minute set in the worst weather conditions of the day.
Opening with the 1994 classic Spoonman, the rejuvenated Cornell delivered a stellar performance spanning his entire musical career that further cemented his status as one of the best singers in rock.
Aussie-rockers JET also graced the main stage with a plethora of hits including Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Cold Hard Bitch.
Belfast's finest THE ANSWER also wowed the thousands of fans with their own brand of classic rock.
The band are one of the best kept secrets on the UK music scene right now and are surely destined for great success after this performance.
Success is also on the menu for young Kentucky band BLACK STONE CHERRY who completely ripped up the second stage with their explosive brand of heavy southern rock that deserved a bigger stage.
But the final word has to go to Aerosmith, thirty years on and still showing the world how to put on a show.
A truly triumphant return in every sense of the word.
Aerosmith take DMC for a Walk in Hyde Park
Aero Force One
June 25, 2007
Photos taken by Amanda Ayre - AF1
From NME.com
Boston's finest joined by special guest at London Calling
Aerosmith returned to the UK for their first full live show in nine years last night, headlining the second day of Hard Rock Cafe's London Calling event in Hyde Park.
Despite the poor weather conditions, the near-capacity crowd were clearly out to have a good time, standing in constant rain throughout the entire afternoon which featured performances from The Answer, Jet - who very nearly didn't make it due to a broken down ferry from Germany - and Chris Cornell.
Launching into a hit-laden set with 'Love In an Elevator', Steven Tyler's men proceeded to prove over the course of an hour that they've still got what it takes, with 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' and 'Cryin' proving to be particularly popular with the crowd.
The encore saw the band joined onstage by DMC from 1980s rap trio Run DMC, for the 80's rock-rap classic 'Walk This Way' which ensured that everyone went home with a smile on their face.
Aerosmith played:
Elevator
Same Old Song
Cryin
Eat The Rich
Miss A Thing
Jaded
Baby Please
Seasons
Dream On
Edge
Stop Messin'
Sweet E
Draw The Line
Walk This Way
More...
Check out the London concert recap page.
June 25, 2007
Photos taken by Amanda Ayre - AF1
From NME.com
Boston's finest joined by special guest at London Calling
Aerosmith returned to the UK for their first full live show in nine years last night, headlining the second day of Hard Rock Cafe's London Calling event in Hyde Park.
Despite the poor weather conditions, the near-capacity crowd were clearly out to have a good time, standing in constant rain throughout the entire afternoon which featured performances from The Answer, Jet - who very nearly didn't make it due to a broken down ferry from Germany - and Chris Cornell.
Launching into a hit-laden set with 'Love In an Elevator', Steven Tyler's men proceeded to prove over the course of an hour that they've still got what it takes, with 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' and 'Cryin' proving to be particularly popular with the crowd.
The encore saw the band joined onstage by DMC from 1980s rap trio Run DMC, for the 80's rock-rap classic 'Walk This Way' which ensured that everyone went home with a smile on their face.
Aerosmith played:
Elevator
Same Old Song
Cryin
Eat The Rich
Miss A Thing
Jaded
Baby Please
Seasons
Dream On
Edge
Stop Messin'
Sweet E
Draw The Line
Walk This Way
More...
Check out the London concert recap page.
Annual Fashion Rocks Event
Entertainment Tonight
Fashion rocks! And since clothing can bounce from grunge to girly glamour, it's no wonder musicians are so good at hitting all the right style notes. To honor the synergy between singers and their passion for fashion, the Conde Nast Media Group is gearing up for its Fourth Annual Fashion Rocks event, airing September 7th at
9 p.m. on CBS....
"Fashion Rocks" musical performers for the two-hour event include Aerosmith, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Fall Out Boy, Fergie, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Ludacris, Martina McBride, Santana and Usher....
Fashion rocks! And since clothing can bounce from grunge to girly glamour, it's no wonder musicians are so good at hitting all the right style notes. To honor the synergy between singers and their passion for fashion, the Conde Nast Media Group is gearing up for its Fourth Annual Fashion Rocks event, airing September 7th at
9 p.m. on CBS....
"Fashion Rocks" musical performers for the two-hour event include Aerosmith, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Fall Out Boy, Fergie, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Ludacris, Martina McBride, Santana and Usher....
Monday, June 25, 2007
Photos From Wire Image
WireImage.com
June 25, 2007
Aerosmith - 2007 Hyde Park Calling - Day 2
London, June 24, 2007
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith - 2007 Hyde Park Calling - Day 2
London, June 24, 2007
See more.... (here)
June 25, 2007
Aerosmith - 2007 Hyde Park Calling - Day 2
London, June 24, 2007
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith - 2007 Hyde Park Calling - Day 2
London, June 24, 2007
See more.... (here)
Aerosmith @ Hyde Park Calling Review
Londonist.com
June 25, 2007
Nobody would have guessed that Steven Tyler is a mere 59 years old judging by his performance at last night’s Hyde Park Calling finale with Aerosmith headlining a day of stellar bands. Strutting around the stage like only he can, Tyler had the audience in the palm of his hand from the opener “Love in an Elevator”.
Whilst Aerosmith undoubtedly stole the show, Hyde Park Calling was a three stage festival which showcases the best in current rock. London band Haunts played the packed out third stage, slowly warming up the crowds with their unique brand of danceable rock, akin to a lighter Biffy Clyro. Closing with “Live Fast, Die Young” they had everyone moving, and are surely ones to watch in the future for those with heavier tastes.
After them Brigade managed to entertain sufficiently the sizeable crowd on the third stage with their Placebo / Muse / Oceansize / My Vitriol style mixture of rock. Over on the main stage The Answer put in a performance of their lives, playing to their biggest audience yet and winning over a sizeable part, with massive “Answer” branded balloons bouncing along the audience. Fans of Led Zeppelin, Free or The Who should make sure they catch them – as they themselves said “We may be Irish, but we love London, so we’re around a lot”.
Jet were next on the main stage, putting in a decidedly average performance – their (few) hits sounded tired and jaded, and new material never goes down well at festivals. During Jet’s set the heavens opened, soaking everyone, leading to chants of “Get your brolly down” (and alternatives) from people further back when former Audioslave star Chris Cornell came on for his second-on-the-bill slot. Unafraid of the rain, he commented how it was just like being at home for him. Highlight of his varied set which mixed both his own solo material and Audioslave material was probably his most recent song, “You Know My Name”, title song for the recent Bond film.
Finally the stars arrived, 15 minutes late, and bounded through a greatest hits set that highlighted their long and varied career. “I don’t want to miss a thing” was thrown in early, much to the appreciation of the crowd, drowning out Steven Tyler. Prancing around the stage like he has done for the last 30 years, they really were not showing their age other than their short “Deckchair set” which saw Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry at the end of the catwalk sat in (some rather comfy looking) deckchairs.
Climaxing with a fantastic performance of... “Walk This Way”, Aerosmith were gone from London for another few years. Past their prime? Unlikely – they’re just as good as they have ever been.
Photos taken from author's own collection.
See more.... (here).
June 25, 2007
Nobody would have guessed that Steven Tyler is a mere 59 years old judging by his performance at last night’s Hyde Park Calling finale with Aerosmith headlining a day of stellar bands. Strutting around the stage like only he can, Tyler had the audience in the palm of his hand from the opener “Love in an Elevator”.
Whilst Aerosmith undoubtedly stole the show, Hyde Park Calling was a three stage festival which showcases the best in current rock. London band Haunts played the packed out third stage, slowly warming up the crowds with their unique brand of danceable rock, akin to a lighter Biffy Clyro. Closing with “Live Fast, Die Young” they had everyone moving, and are surely ones to watch in the future for those with heavier tastes.
After them Brigade managed to entertain sufficiently the sizeable crowd on the third stage with their Placebo / Muse / Oceansize / My Vitriol style mixture of rock. Over on the main stage The Answer put in a performance of their lives, playing to their biggest audience yet and winning over a sizeable part, with massive “Answer” branded balloons bouncing along the audience. Fans of Led Zeppelin, Free or The Who should make sure they catch them – as they themselves said “We may be Irish, but we love London, so we’re around a lot”.
Jet were next on the main stage, putting in a decidedly average performance – their (few) hits sounded tired and jaded, and new material never goes down well at festivals. During Jet’s set the heavens opened, soaking everyone, leading to chants of “Get your brolly down” (and alternatives) from people further back when former Audioslave star Chris Cornell came on for his second-on-the-bill slot. Unafraid of the rain, he commented how it was just like being at home for him. Highlight of his varied set which mixed both his own solo material and Audioslave material was probably his most recent song, “You Know My Name”, title song for the recent Bond film.
Finally the stars arrived, 15 minutes late, and bounded through a greatest hits set that highlighted their long and varied career. “I don’t want to miss a thing” was thrown in early, much to the appreciation of the crowd, drowning out Steven Tyler. Prancing around the stage like he has done for the last 30 years, they really were not showing their age other than their short “Deckchair set” which saw Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry at the end of the catwalk sat in (some rather comfy looking) deckchairs.
Climaxing with a fantastic performance of... “Walk This Way”, Aerosmith were gone from London for another few years. Past their prime? Unlikely – they’re just as good as they have ever been.
Photos taken from author's own collection.
See more.... (here).
London, England
Aero Force One
June 24, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Hyde Park Calling - June 24, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way (w/Run DMC)
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 24, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Hyde Park Calling - June 24, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way (w/Run DMC)
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Graspop Festival
Aero Force One
June 22, 2007
Aerosmith - Dessel, Belgium
(All photos by Amanda Ayre - AF1
- 06/22/07)
See more.... (here).
June 22, 2007
Aerosmith - Dessel, Belgium
(All photos by Amanda Ayre - AF1
- 06/22/07)
See more.... (here).
News From The Road
Aero Force One
June 22, 2007
Chris Cornell stopped by the guys Paris show...
Chris Cornell stopped by the guys Paris show on Tuesday. He has 3 shows coming up with the Boys from Boston. Read all about that and more in John B's upcoming News from the Road! The World Tour edition.
Photo: John Bionelli
June 22, 2007
Chris Cornell stopped by the guys Paris show...
Chris Cornell stopped by the guys Paris show on Tuesday. He has 3 shows coming up with the Boys from Boston. Read all about that and more in John B's upcoming News from the Road! The World Tour edition.
Photo: John Bionelli
Dessel, Belgium
Aero Force One
June 22, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Graspop Festival - June 22, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Lord Of The Thighs
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Train Kept A Rollin'
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 22, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Graspop Festival - June 22, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Same Old Song and Dance
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Lord Of The Thighs
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Train Kept A Rollin'
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Aerosmith on "Extra" this Weekend
Aero Force One
June 22, 2007
Check it out – Aerosmith will be featured on Extra this weekend! Extra interviewed the band in Vegas back in November about the Aerosmith/NASCAR relationship. That interview airs tonight (Friday, June 22, 2007) and over this weekend.
Here are some local time airings:
Boston (WHDH-7): Weekdays: 7:30pm, Sun: 12:00am
Los Angeles (KNBC-4): Weekdays: 7:00pm, Sat: 7:00pm, Sun: 12:35am
New York (WNBC-4): Weekdays: 7:00pm, Sat: 4:30am, Sun: 12:35am
Wanna find out when you can watch it in your area? Click (here).
Haven’t seen the Aerosmith/NASCAR video? Ya gotta check it out! Click (here).
June 22, 2007
Check it out – Aerosmith will be featured on Extra this weekend! Extra interviewed the band in Vegas back in November about the Aerosmith/NASCAR relationship. That interview airs tonight (Friday, June 22, 2007) and over this weekend.
Here are some local time airings:
Boston (WHDH-7): Weekdays: 7:30pm, Sun: 12:00am
Los Angeles (KNBC-4): Weekdays: 7:00pm, Sat: 7:00pm, Sun: 12:35am
New York (WNBC-4): Weekdays: 7:00pm, Sat: 4:30am, Sun: 12:35am
Wanna find out when you can watch it in your area? Click (here).
Haven’t seen the Aerosmith/NASCAR video? Ya gotta check it out! Click (here).
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Aerosmith's fowl demands
Monsters and Critics.com, UK
June 21, 2007
Legendry American Rock Band 'Aerosmith' lead Singer Steven Tyler (R) with Lead Guitarist Joe Perry addressing the media after the band's arrival at Bangalore Airport, June 1, 2007.
Aerosmith made a list of demands for their London festival appearance - including three roast chickens for each member.
The legendary rockers, who headline Hard Rock's Hyde Park Calling on Sunday (24.06.07), have requested five separate dressing rooms, 60kg of ice to keep them cool and several US soft drinks, including Diet Ice tea and Summer Berry Gatorade.
Surprisingly, there is no mention of any alcohol.
A source said: "Each member wants two roast chickens before the show and one for after. But there's no alcohol at all on their rider. They're the only act on the bill not to ask for it."
The band also want hip-hop act Run DMC to be flown in from the US to join them for their hit collaboration 'Walk This Way'.
Other bands set to perform at the two-day event include The Feeling and Jet, with Oasis, Geri Halliwell, Neve Campbell and Alicia Silverstone all expected to grace the VIP area.
Hyde Park Calling is the first stop on the Hard Rock' Ambassador of Rock tour...
June 21, 2007
Legendry American Rock Band 'Aerosmith' lead Singer Steven Tyler (R) with Lead Guitarist Joe Perry addressing the media after the band's arrival at Bangalore Airport, June 1, 2007.
Aerosmith made a list of demands for their London festival appearance - including three roast chickens for each member.
The legendary rockers, who headline Hard Rock's Hyde Park Calling on Sunday (24.06.07), have requested five separate dressing rooms, 60kg of ice to keep them cool and several US soft drinks, including Diet Ice tea and Summer Berry Gatorade.
Surprisingly, there is no mention of any alcohol.
A source said: "Each member wants two roast chickens before the show and one for after. But there's no alcohol at all on their rider. They're the only act on the bill not to ask for it."
The band also want hip-hop act Run DMC to be flown in from the US to join them for their hit collaboration 'Walk This Way'.
Other bands set to perform at the two-day event include The Feeling and Jet, with Oasis, Geri Halliwell, Neve Campbell and Alicia Silverstone all expected to grace the VIP area.
Hyde Park Calling is the first stop on the Hard Rock' Ambassador of Rock tour...
Today In History
Worcester Telegram, MA
June 21, 2007
Today's Birthdays:
Actress Jane Russell is 86. Actor Bernie Kopell is 74. Actor Monte Markham is 72. Songwriter Don Black is 69. Actor Ron Ely is 69. Actress Mariette Hartley is 67. Comedian Joe Flaherty is 66. Rock singer-musician Ray Davies (The Kinks) is 63. Singer Brenda Holloway is 61. Actress Meredith Baxter is 60. Actor Michael Gross is 60. Rock musician Joe Molland (Badfinger) is 60. Rock musician Don Airey (Deep Purple) is 59. Country singer Leon Everette is 59. Rock musician Joey Kramer (Aerosmith) is 57. . . .
June 21, 2007
Today's Birthdays:
Actress Jane Russell is 86. Actor Bernie Kopell is 74. Actor Monte Markham is 72. Songwriter Don Black is 69. Actor Ron Ely is 69. Actress Mariette Hartley is 67. Comedian Joe Flaherty is 66. Rock singer-musician Ray Davies (The Kinks) is 63. Singer Brenda Holloway is 61. Actress Meredith Baxter is 60. Actor Michael Gross is 60. Rock musician Joe Molland (Badfinger) is 60. Rock musician Don Airey (Deep Purple) is 59. Country singer Leon Everette is 59. Rock musician Joey Kramer (Aerosmith) is 57. . . .
Aerosmith ready to walk this way
Baltic Times, Latvia
June 21, 2007
It seems that every summer the Baltic capitals are visited by one hugely famous rock band, and this summer the honored guest is Aerosmith, who will be swinging through in early July as part of their World Tour 2007.
As of press time, tickets were still available for the two shows: in Riga’s Skonto Stadium on July 3 and in the A. le Coq Arena in Tallinn on July 5. Lithuanian fans will have to hoof it up to Riga to see the show, since the band won’t be coming to Vilnius.
A good number of Lithuanians might be doing just that; anticipation for the event is running high throughout the Baltics. If the local radio stations playing “Love in an elevator” almost hourly hasn’t created enough of a buzz, there’s the simple fact that this is the first time the U.S. band has toured Europe in eight years.
For anyone who has been living in a gulag, here’s the basic rundown: Aerosmith is the best-selling American hard rock band of all time, with 150 million albums sold worldwide. They’ve been around since the early 70s, and have had the same line-up for the past 23 years. Their hits make up a big chunk of those tunes you’ve been hearing on your car radio for the last couple of decades, including “Walk this way,” “Jaded,” “Livin’ on the edge,” “Dude looks like a lady,” and “I don’t want to miss a thing,” the theme of the 1998 romantic meteorite thriller “Armageddon.”
All of the above tracks are on the set list for the show, which is essentially a “best of” presentation of 17 of their hits.
Opening for Aerosmith in both cities will be the Finnish group Los Bastardos Finlandeses and the Estonian band Tanel Padar & The Sun, who in Latvia are better known under the name “S.U.N.” and will be singing in English for the Riga audience.
According to Ilja Judeikin, press representative for the Tallinn concert, it’s going to be quite a show. To give us an idea of how big an event this is, he said that technicians would be arriving in seven buses, and that the equipment takes up six cargo trucks and requires two days to set up. In addition to the three big TV screens and the 30-meter catwalk – the longest ever used in Estonia – there will also be video effects and a small camera mounted on lead singer Steve Tyler’s microphone which he can use to tease the audience.
Judeikin said Estonian journalists who went ahead to preview the tour in Denmark were bowled over. “They told me it was absolutely amazing and great and unbelievable, and rock and roll is still alive,” he said.
For their part, the band seemed equally enthusiastic to be coming here. “We love the fact that on this tour we are playing countries and cities that used to be completely off-limits for Americans,” the band said in a release. “We never dreamt we could come here, because we grew up during the period of cold war. Even during these years we knew we had a lot of fans in Estonia, we couldn’t imagine we will ever meet them. But now our dream comes true and this is really great!”
There seems to be more to this than the obligatory PR lip-service. Judeikin said that Aerosmith’s bassist, Tom Hamilton, is something of a history buff who has been reading up on Estonia and Latvia. “He also said he’s very interested in seeing how Estonia has developed since independence ...and wanted to see it with his own eyes,” said Judeikin.
Those interested in getting to the concert should move now. It’s not clear whether tickets will reach the sell-out point, but inevitably the cheaper ones will go first. Lithuanians can purchase theirs through the www.ticketa.lt service for 150 litas. In Latvia www.bilesuserviss.lv is selling them for 25 – 55 lats, and in Estonia the Piletilevi agency (www.piletilevi.ee) is letting most of them go for 795 – 995 kroons.
Aerosmith
Skonto Stadium, Riga
July 3
Show starts 8 p.m.
A. le Coq Arena, Tallinn
July 5
Show starts 7 p.m.
Aerosmith starts 9:30 p.m.
June 21, 2007
It seems that every summer the Baltic capitals are visited by one hugely famous rock band, and this summer the honored guest is Aerosmith, who will be swinging through in early July as part of their World Tour 2007.
As of press time, tickets were still available for the two shows: in Riga’s Skonto Stadium on July 3 and in the A. le Coq Arena in Tallinn on July 5. Lithuanian fans will have to hoof it up to Riga to see the show, since the band won’t be coming to Vilnius.
A good number of Lithuanians might be doing just that; anticipation for the event is running high throughout the Baltics. If the local radio stations playing “Love in an elevator” almost hourly hasn’t created enough of a buzz, there’s the simple fact that this is the first time the U.S. band has toured Europe in eight years.
For anyone who has been living in a gulag, here’s the basic rundown: Aerosmith is the best-selling American hard rock band of all time, with 150 million albums sold worldwide. They’ve been around since the early 70s, and have had the same line-up for the past 23 years. Their hits make up a big chunk of those tunes you’ve been hearing on your car radio for the last couple of decades, including “Walk this way,” “Jaded,” “Livin’ on the edge,” “Dude looks like a lady,” and “I don’t want to miss a thing,” the theme of the 1998 romantic meteorite thriller “Armageddon.”
All of the above tracks are on the set list for the show, which is essentially a “best of” presentation of 17 of their hits.
Opening for Aerosmith in both cities will be the Finnish group Los Bastardos Finlandeses and the Estonian band Tanel Padar & The Sun, who in Latvia are better known under the name “S.U.N.” and will be singing in English for the Riga audience.
According to Ilja Judeikin, press representative for the Tallinn concert, it’s going to be quite a show. To give us an idea of how big an event this is, he said that technicians would be arriving in seven buses, and that the equipment takes up six cargo trucks and requires two days to set up. In addition to the three big TV screens and the 30-meter catwalk – the longest ever used in Estonia – there will also be video effects and a small camera mounted on lead singer Steve Tyler’s microphone which he can use to tease the audience.
Judeikin said Estonian journalists who went ahead to preview the tour in Denmark were bowled over. “They told me it was absolutely amazing and great and unbelievable, and rock and roll is still alive,” he said.
For their part, the band seemed equally enthusiastic to be coming here. “We love the fact that on this tour we are playing countries and cities that used to be completely off-limits for Americans,” the band said in a release. “We never dreamt we could come here, because we grew up during the period of cold war. Even during these years we knew we had a lot of fans in Estonia, we couldn’t imagine we will ever meet them. But now our dream comes true and this is really great!”
There seems to be more to this than the obligatory PR lip-service. Judeikin said that Aerosmith’s bassist, Tom Hamilton, is something of a history buff who has been reading up on Estonia and Latvia. “He also said he’s very interested in seeing how Estonia has developed since independence ...and wanted to see it with his own eyes,” said Judeikin.
Those interested in getting to the concert should move now. It’s not clear whether tickets will reach the sell-out point, but inevitably the cheaper ones will go first. Lithuanians can purchase theirs through the www.ticketa.lt service for 150 litas. In Latvia www.bilesuserviss.lv is selling them for 25 – 55 lats, and in Estonia the Piletilevi agency (www.piletilevi.ee) is letting most of them go for 795 – 995 kroons.
Aerosmith
Skonto Stadium, Riga
July 3
Show starts 8 p.m.
A. le Coq Arena, Tallinn
July 5
Show starts 7 p.m.
Aerosmith starts 9:30 p.m.
Tom Reports From Dubai and Bangalore
Aero Force One
June 21, 2007
Dubai and Bangalore...
It’s a bit like a reunion. Maybe it’s my imagination but there’s quite a “welcome back” vibe from the fans. While we’ve been away we’ve been doing a lot of touring in The U.S., Canada and Japan so our basic skills have gotten better. There’s a lot of ways that we play the songs that are different and, I hope, better, than the way we did ten years ago or however long it was since we played Europe. We’ve been looking forward whipping ‘em out.
I keep talking about how amazing and ironic it is that we’re playing in the Middle East, India and even in areas that used to be behind the “iron curtain”. Dubai was off the scale. The magnitude of what they’re doing there is staggering. The entire city is under construction. They’ve made it a priority to shoot higher and dream bigger than almost anywhere in the world. I thought the Japanese were into futuristic architecture but I think Dubai is giving them a run for their money. I mean that almost literally because making money is what that city is all about. I mean that in a positive way. It’s like a lot of other areas of the world where people are having a taste of what they’re lives could be like and how much better off they could be and they’re not holding back. They’re gung ho. They’re going for it. One of the main things I liked about Dubai was that all different types of people from around the world could be there and let national, ethnic and religious differences be put on hold in the name of simply getting stuff done.
While we were there we went out for a dune ride in the desert. We piled into big SUVs and headed out of the city. I expected a scenic relaxing taste of the Arabian Desert. We turned off the highway and headed out into an ocean of sand. The dunes were really high and steep. At one point we rode along a ridge that dropped off to the right like a cliff. I thought our driver, Jafar, was cutting it kind of close but I figured he must be experienced enough so that he wouldn’t get too close and fall over. The next thing I know he spins the wheel to the right and suddenly we are diving straight down over the edge. I thought we were going to roll for sure. Next we charged straight up to the crest of another dune flew over the edge and dove. Everybody in the SUV gasped except Jafar who had a big smile on his face as he casually spun the steering wheel cranking it back and forth to counteract what would have had us standing on our heads. Just as we went over the top he whipped the wheel to the right so we were sideways on the slope. Every sphincter in the car tightened up for dear life. After a few minutes it became obvious that we weren’t going over but I had a hard time convincing most of my brain that we would stay upright.
When we finished the dune thing we stopped at a campground where they had tents set up with oriental rugs and hand woven cushions. In the center of the camp were long low tables where we would later have a buffet of freshly grilled food. I sat there looking at the desert, as the sun got lower in the sky and the heat mellowed. I had a moment where I realized how hard it must be for the nomadic desert people to give up this lifestyle. I felt like I could have stayed there staring at the sky all night. It was a deeply moving, soul inspiring taste of the paradise of being at one with the infinite embrace of nature. Plus I got to ride a camel.
The show happened a couple of days later with the desert making it’s presence known in the form of heat, sand and a red full moon. The crowd was a mixture of westerners, Arabs, Indians and Southeast Asians. It was a cool feeling to have our show be part of this new melting pot. We could forget whatever scary stuff was on the news and have an awesome time focusing on music.
The next day we slogged to the airport for the flight to Bangalore India. It went by pretty quickly and we all tried to anticipate what our first time there would be like. We had done a lot of advance press for this one and were told that people were looking forward to our show. It was confirmed the minute we walked through the airport. Suddenly we were surrounded by a huge group of fans and press people blasting us with cameras, pens, voices and autograph signing paraphernalia. We did our best to keep up with the chaos and give back the energy.
After 10 quick minutes we were on our way through the chaos of Bangalore’s traffic. They have these little vehicles called rickshaws. They’re not the old kind powered by a human. It’s like a big motorized tricycle. The driver sits at the front and up to two people sit in a seat behind him with a big yellow hood coming up and over their heads. The motors are tiny. The exhaust pipes are about the width of a garden hose. They swerve back and forth while making a sound like a bumblebee with a hard on.
Everyone beeps their horns all the time. At first I wondered why, then I realized that if they didn’t the whole scene would go out of control and melt down. There were cows by the side of the road. There were donkeys pulling carts. (I forgot to ask if they were called Asses). However you describe Bangalore, it’s a place where everyone has somewhere to go and something to do. It’s a city on it’s way up and nothing’s gonna stop it.
We got to our hotel, the Taj West End, and an entire new spectacle began. Two guys on horseback dressed in electric blue silks met us. They led us down a paved path surrounded by a lush cultivated jungle. We ended up at the end of a cul-de-sac where some of the rooms waited in low buildings tucked into the exotic vegetation. Suddenly we heard drumming coming from around a corner and the next thing you know our eyes and ears were assaulted by the spectacle of about ten or twelve guys playing hyper animated beats on big single drums they carried in front of them. They were dressed in colorful silk outfits and had obviously done this many times because they were tight. They played together really well and gave us inspiration to do the same when it was our turn the next day. As they banged away people from the hotel put leis around our necks of some kind of really strong smelling flowers. It reminded me of our first trip to Hawaii years ago. Maybe it’s a tradition in both places. All I knew is that they smelled really good. Meanwhile the drummers formed up into a pyramid and kept playing just as tight as before. You could see and hear the work they must put in at rehearsal. Good inspiration.
The jungle that the hotel sits on has over 8000 different species of plants on its 22 acres. It was cool the way it was cultivated without looking to perfect a la Beverly Hills. I’ve been known to stare at trees and other objects before but this time I was mesmerized. My eyes could hardly keep up with all the trees I had never seen before. Some of them were huge and over 100 years old.
For the next three days we could hardly move without someone being there asking if there was something they could do for us. Being in India was a bigger deal than I expected it would be. We had done a lot of press in advance of the show so we knew the excitement level was up there but this was more than we expected.
A lot of the news coverage went out over the whole country, which was pretty exciting considering there are about a billion people there.
This swell of frenzied excitement carried us for the next two days all the way up onto the stage. Since this was our first time playing there and also because we’ve been anticipating this for so long we wanted to really give it to ‘em good. The crowd was so over the top it made us feel really relaxed which is when we really play good. I know I’ve mentioned this before but its fun to feel that in a new exotic place like India.
We started the show with Taste of India especially for that night. We haven’t played that song in years but when we did our press conference in Dubai, there were journalists and radio people there asking if we would play it. How could we turn down a request like that?
Considering it’s been so long, it went down really well. We got through it right and made it cook. I could feel the satisfaction the band felt in kicking it out there and all the irony of finally coming to India and playing that song.
The next day was all about sitting by the pool, exploring Bangalore and for me, playing a little tennis on their funky red clay courts. The guy I played with was really good but he did a good job of letting me win a game here and there without making it obvious he was giving me a break. We went out looking around checking out the local stores. I got some really cool stuff to send home including some nice duds from a local designer named Manoviraj Khosla. Joey got some too.
I forgot to mention that earlier in the day we spent an hour hanging and taking pictures with an elephant. Her name was Lakshmee and she was 18 years old. I was a little taken aback by her incredible size and the fact that her curious trunk could have wound up in some awkward areas. Once we spent a little time we realized what a warm hearted animal she was. She was actually cute in spite of the fact that she weighs as much as a bulldozer and could pop your head with one foot. After an hour we had to be finished because she had a “prior engagement.”
It feels good to be able to say that we finally got to India and left our mark. It meant a lot to us that we played a good show and made a connection with some really awesome people.
TH
More Photos: (here).
June 21, 2007
Dubai and Bangalore...
It’s a bit like a reunion. Maybe it’s my imagination but there’s quite a “welcome back” vibe from the fans. While we’ve been away we’ve been doing a lot of touring in The U.S., Canada and Japan so our basic skills have gotten better. There’s a lot of ways that we play the songs that are different and, I hope, better, than the way we did ten years ago or however long it was since we played Europe. We’ve been looking forward whipping ‘em out.
I keep talking about how amazing and ironic it is that we’re playing in the Middle East, India and even in areas that used to be behind the “iron curtain”. Dubai was off the scale. The magnitude of what they’re doing there is staggering. The entire city is under construction. They’ve made it a priority to shoot higher and dream bigger than almost anywhere in the world. I thought the Japanese were into futuristic architecture but I think Dubai is giving them a run for their money. I mean that almost literally because making money is what that city is all about. I mean that in a positive way. It’s like a lot of other areas of the world where people are having a taste of what they’re lives could be like and how much better off they could be and they’re not holding back. They’re gung ho. They’re going for it. One of the main things I liked about Dubai was that all different types of people from around the world could be there and let national, ethnic and religious differences be put on hold in the name of simply getting stuff done.
While we were there we went out for a dune ride in the desert. We piled into big SUVs and headed out of the city. I expected a scenic relaxing taste of the Arabian Desert. We turned off the highway and headed out into an ocean of sand. The dunes were really high and steep. At one point we rode along a ridge that dropped off to the right like a cliff. I thought our driver, Jafar, was cutting it kind of close but I figured he must be experienced enough so that he wouldn’t get too close and fall over. The next thing I know he spins the wheel to the right and suddenly we are diving straight down over the edge. I thought we were going to roll for sure. Next we charged straight up to the crest of another dune flew over the edge and dove. Everybody in the SUV gasped except Jafar who had a big smile on his face as he casually spun the steering wheel cranking it back and forth to counteract what would have had us standing on our heads. Just as we went over the top he whipped the wheel to the right so we were sideways on the slope. Every sphincter in the car tightened up for dear life. After a few minutes it became obvious that we weren’t going over but I had a hard time convincing most of my brain that we would stay upright.
When we finished the dune thing we stopped at a campground where they had tents set up with oriental rugs and hand woven cushions. In the center of the camp were long low tables where we would later have a buffet of freshly grilled food. I sat there looking at the desert, as the sun got lower in the sky and the heat mellowed. I had a moment where I realized how hard it must be for the nomadic desert people to give up this lifestyle. I felt like I could have stayed there staring at the sky all night. It was a deeply moving, soul inspiring taste of the paradise of being at one with the infinite embrace of nature. Plus I got to ride a camel.
The show happened a couple of days later with the desert making it’s presence known in the form of heat, sand and a red full moon. The crowd was a mixture of westerners, Arabs, Indians and Southeast Asians. It was a cool feeling to have our show be part of this new melting pot. We could forget whatever scary stuff was on the news and have an awesome time focusing on music.
The next day we slogged to the airport for the flight to Bangalore India. It went by pretty quickly and we all tried to anticipate what our first time there would be like. We had done a lot of advance press for this one and were told that people were looking forward to our show. It was confirmed the minute we walked through the airport. Suddenly we were surrounded by a huge group of fans and press people blasting us with cameras, pens, voices and autograph signing paraphernalia. We did our best to keep up with the chaos and give back the energy.
After 10 quick minutes we were on our way through the chaos of Bangalore’s traffic. They have these little vehicles called rickshaws. They’re not the old kind powered by a human. It’s like a big motorized tricycle. The driver sits at the front and up to two people sit in a seat behind him with a big yellow hood coming up and over their heads. The motors are tiny. The exhaust pipes are about the width of a garden hose. They swerve back and forth while making a sound like a bumblebee with a hard on.
Everyone beeps their horns all the time. At first I wondered why, then I realized that if they didn’t the whole scene would go out of control and melt down. There were cows by the side of the road. There were donkeys pulling carts. (I forgot to ask if they were called Asses). However you describe Bangalore, it’s a place where everyone has somewhere to go and something to do. It’s a city on it’s way up and nothing’s gonna stop it.
We got to our hotel, the Taj West End, and an entire new spectacle began. Two guys on horseback dressed in electric blue silks met us. They led us down a paved path surrounded by a lush cultivated jungle. We ended up at the end of a cul-de-sac where some of the rooms waited in low buildings tucked into the exotic vegetation. Suddenly we heard drumming coming from around a corner and the next thing you know our eyes and ears were assaulted by the spectacle of about ten or twelve guys playing hyper animated beats on big single drums they carried in front of them. They were dressed in colorful silk outfits and had obviously done this many times because they were tight. They played together really well and gave us inspiration to do the same when it was our turn the next day. As they banged away people from the hotel put leis around our necks of some kind of really strong smelling flowers. It reminded me of our first trip to Hawaii years ago. Maybe it’s a tradition in both places. All I knew is that they smelled really good. Meanwhile the drummers formed up into a pyramid and kept playing just as tight as before. You could see and hear the work they must put in at rehearsal. Good inspiration.
The jungle that the hotel sits on has over 8000 different species of plants on its 22 acres. It was cool the way it was cultivated without looking to perfect a la Beverly Hills. I’ve been known to stare at trees and other objects before but this time I was mesmerized. My eyes could hardly keep up with all the trees I had never seen before. Some of them were huge and over 100 years old.
For the next three days we could hardly move without someone being there asking if there was something they could do for us. Being in India was a bigger deal than I expected it would be. We had done a lot of press in advance of the show so we knew the excitement level was up there but this was more than we expected.
A lot of the news coverage went out over the whole country, which was pretty exciting considering there are about a billion people there.
This swell of frenzied excitement carried us for the next two days all the way up onto the stage. Since this was our first time playing there and also because we’ve been anticipating this for so long we wanted to really give it to ‘em good. The crowd was so over the top it made us feel really relaxed which is when we really play good. I know I’ve mentioned this before but its fun to feel that in a new exotic place like India.
We started the show with Taste of India especially for that night. We haven’t played that song in years but when we did our press conference in Dubai, there were journalists and radio people there asking if we would play it. How could we turn down a request like that?
Considering it’s been so long, it went down really well. We got through it right and made it cook. I could feel the satisfaction the band felt in kicking it out there and all the irony of finally coming to India and playing that song.
The next day was all about sitting by the pool, exploring Bangalore and for me, playing a little tennis on their funky red clay courts. The guy I played with was really good but he did a good job of letting me win a game here and there without making it obvious he was giving me a break. We went out looking around checking out the local stores. I got some really cool stuff to send home including some nice duds from a local designer named Manoviraj Khosla. Joey got some too.
I forgot to mention that earlier in the day we spent an hour hanging and taking pictures with an elephant. Her name was Lakshmee and she was 18 years old. I was a little taken aback by her incredible size and the fact that her curious trunk could have wound up in some awkward areas. Once we spent a little time we realized what a warm hearted animal she was. She was actually cute in spite of the fact that she weighs as much as a bulldozer and could pop your head with one foot. After an hour we had to be finished because she had a “prior engagement.”
It feels good to be able to say that we finally got to India and left our mark. It meant a lot to us that we played a good show and made a connection with some really awesome people.
TH
More Photos: (here).
Aerosmith Notes
Aero Force One
June 20, 2007
Aerosmith: It's a Family Affair
When Aerosmith performs in London on June 24th at the Hyde Park Calling festival, the bill will include a few familiar faces. Steven Tyler's son-in-law (and Liv Tyler's husband) Royston Langdon, formerly of Space Hog, will perform with his band, Arckid. On the second stage will be TAB, which includes Joe Perry's sons, Tony and Adrian Perry. By Sal Cirrincione
Brad Whitford drives fast!
Last month, Aerosmith guitarist and race-car enthusiast Brad Whitford took part in the Richard Petty Experience in Las Vegas. Whitford got his stock car up to 160 miles-per-hour. Aerosmith are big NASCAR fans having worked with ESPN earlier this year for a promotional commercial for the network's coverage of NASCAR races in 2007. You can show off that association with the Aerosmith American Muscle t-shirt that's available now in the AF1 store.
June 20, 2007
Aerosmith: It's a Family Affair
When Aerosmith performs in London on June 24th at the Hyde Park Calling festival, the bill will include a few familiar faces. Steven Tyler's son-in-law (and Liv Tyler's husband) Royston Langdon, formerly of Space Hog, will perform with his band, Arckid. On the second stage will be TAB, which includes Joe Perry's sons, Tony and Adrian Perry. By Sal Cirrincione
Brad Whitford drives fast!
Last month, Aerosmith guitarist and race-car enthusiast Brad Whitford took part in the Richard Petty Experience in Las Vegas. Whitford got his stock car up to 160 miles-per-hour. Aerosmith are big NASCAR fans having worked with ESPN earlier this year for a promotional commercial for the network's coverage of NASCAR races in 2007. You can show off that association with the Aerosmith American Muscle t-shirt that's available now in the AF1 store.
Aero-dynamic
Belfast Telegraph, United Kingdom
June 20, 2007
“When I look at Joe Perry on stage”, says Steven Tyler of his band’s lead guitarist, “I see someone who looks as sculpted as one of his horses. I try to be the same because I’m an egomaniac. I see artists that have got frumpy or fat and they look a mere shadow of the Adonis they once were. Everybody’s got a hero they’ve watched go to seed, right?”
Were Aerosmith’s 59-year-old singer not so well preserved himself, his words might be harder to swallow. What might read to some like mild body fascism is, for Tyler, a simple expression of the rules of rock star engagement. To stay on top you have to walk it like you talk it, he says. Today, in his Knightsbridge hotel suite, Tyler is talking it, in leopard print shoes and a black leather jacket open to reveal his skinny bare torso. When asked about Aerosmith hits such as “Love in an Elevator”, he has a pleasing tendency to sing parts of his response. Inquire whether his background as a drummer helps explains why his vocals are so rhythmic, and he scats the chorus of “Rag Doll” while keeping time on an imaginary hi-hat.
Aerosmith are in town to headline Hyde Park Calling, their first full-length UK show in eight years, and on 1 July Joe Perry will play the Concert For Diana. Three years Tyler’s junior, Perry acknowledges that the pair are the worst possible advert for the dangers of drug abuse. “People look at us and think, ‘OK, they got away with it – why shouldn’t I?’” he says, square jaw tilting upwards. “The truth is it’s all in the genes. My Italian grandfather on my mother’s side had a full head of hair in his old age, and my paternal grandfather was this wiry Portuguese sailor.”
Formed in Sunapee, New Hampshire in 1970, Aerosmith initially struggled to shake off the tag of Stones copyists. By 1975’s Toys In The Attic, though, they had carved a niche and were sounding – and looking – like the band for which stadium concerts had been invented.
Marrying gutsy, high-octane guitar riffs with Tyler’s liking for a double en-tendre, the group quickly became a loveable tour de force that greatly influenced Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses and scores of other hard rock acts. But Tyler and Perry didn’t earn their “Toxic Twins” epithet for nothing. Circa 1982’s aptly titled career nadir Rock In A Hard Place, their cocaine- and heroin-fuelled spats almost sunk Aerosmith.
“Of course I did way too many drugs”, says Tyler. “I spent a lost week in a hotel room with Roger Taylor from Queen, and he wasn’t the only guy. The highs were incredible but the lows made you feel like someone was sucking the blood from your jugular with a straw. I sunk to my knees and lost everything, but I’m part Italian and my good old-fashioned guilt came up and I had to check in to rehab. The only way out is through.”
Remarkably, while cocaine abuse tends to corrode a voice – witness the depleted upper ranges of Elton John or Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks – Tyler seems to have got off scot-free. The showboating notes in seminal 70s ballad “Dream On” remain well within his grasp despite his snorting of much of Columbia, not to mention some major throat surgery just last year.
“This note I can hit all day”, he says, unleashing a startling falsetto scream. “But this” and he delivers a coffee-table-rattling “Oh yeah!” from his diaphragm, “requires more work. When I was doing heroin it gave me a gravelly voice and I just couldn’t hit the notes, but I’m clean now of course. I take great pride in not chickening out of the big notes.”
Aerosmith rose again when mercurial producer Rick Rubin suggested they rework a key track from Toys In The Attic with the hip-hop act Run DMC. The resulting single “Walk This Way” became a huge crossover hit in 1986, paving the way for Aerosmith’s drug-free comeback album Permanent Vacation.
A string of Enormodome-filling albums followed, including 1989’s Pump, 1993’s Get A Grip and 2001’s Just Push Play. But 2004’s grittier collection of blues covers, Honkin’ On Bobo, seemed to acknowledge some overegged puddings.
With James Brown gone, Tyler says he feels the passing of the old guard more strongly than ever. He had the chance to sing with another funk legend, Sly Stone, at the 2006 Grammy Awards, but as an audience of millions witnessed, Stone wasn’t quite all there.
“I don’t know what happened to him”, Tyler says, alluding to Stone’s own drug abuse. “He must have zigged when he should have zagged. When I met him backstage he was standing before me in a motorcycle helmet, and right before we went on, his manager said to me, ‘Steven, you’ve got to sing Sly’s part.’ I was like, ‘Come on man – that’s sacred ground. In the end I had to do it, though.”
Tyler and Perry seem like the rock equivalent of The Picture Of Dorian Gray, retaining their looks and vitality while their peers slowly crumble like waterlogged impasto. But what of the inevitable waning of the male libido – does Tyler see it as a blessing or a curse?
“Youth is beautiful, man”, he says, slipping off a shoe to reveal black varnished nails. “There’s nothing good about your libido waning, even if it does free you up to do other stuff. And any man who tells you different is a liar. Life is not about hobbies and putting a ship in a bottle. I mean, talk about displacing one thing with another!”
Aerosmith play London’s Hyde Park 24 June and Dublin’s Marlay Park 26 June.
June 20, 2007
“When I look at Joe Perry on stage”, says Steven Tyler of his band’s lead guitarist, “I see someone who looks as sculpted as one of his horses. I try to be the same because I’m an egomaniac. I see artists that have got frumpy or fat and they look a mere shadow of the Adonis they once were. Everybody’s got a hero they’ve watched go to seed, right?”
Were Aerosmith’s 59-year-old singer not so well preserved himself, his words might be harder to swallow. What might read to some like mild body fascism is, for Tyler, a simple expression of the rules of rock star engagement. To stay on top you have to walk it like you talk it, he says. Today, in his Knightsbridge hotel suite, Tyler is talking it, in leopard print shoes and a black leather jacket open to reveal his skinny bare torso. When asked about Aerosmith hits such as “Love in an Elevator”, he has a pleasing tendency to sing parts of his response. Inquire whether his background as a drummer helps explains why his vocals are so rhythmic, and he scats the chorus of “Rag Doll” while keeping time on an imaginary hi-hat.
Aerosmith are in town to headline Hyde Park Calling, their first full-length UK show in eight years, and on 1 July Joe Perry will play the Concert For Diana. Three years Tyler’s junior, Perry acknowledges that the pair are the worst possible advert for the dangers of drug abuse. “People look at us and think, ‘OK, they got away with it – why shouldn’t I?’” he says, square jaw tilting upwards. “The truth is it’s all in the genes. My Italian grandfather on my mother’s side had a full head of hair in his old age, and my paternal grandfather was this wiry Portuguese sailor.”
Formed in Sunapee, New Hampshire in 1970, Aerosmith initially struggled to shake off the tag of Stones copyists. By 1975’s Toys In The Attic, though, they had carved a niche and were sounding – and looking – like the band for which stadium concerts had been invented.
Marrying gutsy, high-octane guitar riffs with Tyler’s liking for a double en-tendre, the group quickly became a loveable tour de force that greatly influenced Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses and scores of other hard rock acts. But Tyler and Perry didn’t earn their “Toxic Twins” epithet for nothing. Circa 1982’s aptly titled career nadir Rock In A Hard Place, their cocaine- and heroin-fuelled spats almost sunk Aerosmith.
“Of course I did way too many drugs”, says Tyler. “I spent a lost week in a hotel room with Roger Taylor from Queen, and he wasn’t the only guy. The highs were incredible but the lows made you feel like someone was sucking the blood from your jugular with a straw. I sunk to my knees and lost everything, but I’m part Italian and my good old-fashioned guilt came up and I had to check in to rehab. The only way out is through.”
Remarkably, while cocaine abuse tends to corrode a voice – witness the depleted upper ranges of Elton John or Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks – Tyler seems to have got off scot-free. The showboating notes in seminal 70s ballad “Dream On” remain well within his grasp despite his snorting of much of Columbia, not to mention some major throat surgery just last year.
“This note I can hit all day”, he says, unleashing a startling falsetto scream. “But this” and he delivers a coffee-table-rattling “Oh yeah!” from his diaphragm, “requires more work. When I was doing heroin it gave me a gravelly voice and I just couldn’t hit the notes, but I’m clean now of course. I take great pride in not chickening out of the big notes.”
Aerosmith rose again when mercurial producer Rick Rubin suggested they rework a key track from Toys In The Attic with the hip-hop act Run DMC. The resulting single “Walk This Way” became a huge crossover hit in 1986, paving the way for Aerosmith’s drug-free comeback album Permanent Vacation.
A string of Enormodome-filling albums followed, including 1989’s Pump, 1993’s Get A Grip and 2001’s Just Push Play. But 2004’s grittier collection of blues covers, Honkin’ On Bobo, seemed to acknowledge some overegged puddings.
With James Brown gone, Tyler says he feels the passing of the old guard more strongly than ever. He had the chance to sing with another funk legend, Sly Stone, at the 2006 Grammy Awards, but as an audience of millions witnessed, Stone wasn’t quite all there.
“I don’t know what happened to him”, Tyler says, alluding to Stone’s own drug abuse. “He must have zigged when he should have zagged. When I met him backstage he was standing before me in a motorcycle helmet, and right before we went on, his manager said to me, ‘Steven, you’ve got to sing Sly’s part.’ I was like, ‘Come on man – that’s sacred ground. In the end I had to do it, though.”
Tyler and Perry seem like the rock equivalent of The Picture Of Dorian Gray, retaining their looks and vitality while their peers slowly crumble like waterlogged impasto. But what of the inevitable waning of the male libido – does Tyler see it as a blessing or a curse?
“Youth is beautiful, man”, he says, slipping off a shoe to reveal black varnished nails. “There’s nothing good about your libido waning, even if it does free you up to do other stuff. And any man who tells you different is a liar. Life is not about hobbies and putting a ship in a bottle. I mean, talk about displacing one thing with another!”
Aerosmith play London’s Hyde Park 24 June and Dublin’s Marlay Park 26 June.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Palais Omnisport de Bercy
Aero Force One
June 20, 2007
Aerosmith - Paris, France
(All photos by Amanda Ayre - AF1
- 06/19/07)
More photos: (here).
June 20, 2007
Aerosmith - Paris, France
(All photos by Amanda Ayre - AF1
- 06/19/07)
More photos: (here).
Bercy, Paris, France
Aero Force One
June 19, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Palais Omnisports de Paris - June 19, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Janie's Got A Gun
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Mama Kin
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 19, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Palais Omnisports de Paris - June 19, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Janie's Got A Gun
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
S.O.S. (Too Bad)
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Mama Kin
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Dude hits like a lady
TMZ.com
June 19, 2007
Aerosmith lead swinger Steven Tyler went after a paparazzo yesterday in Paris, but the snapper isn't exactly quaking in his chaussures, if you know what we mean.
Tyler was strolling the boulevards with a lady friend while en vacances, those shaggy locks tucked under a leopard-print number out of the Diane Keaton collection circa "Manhattan Murder Mystery."
Then, the attack -- Tyler went all granny on this photog's derriere, though witnesses say it was all just one big rise.
June 19, 2007
Aerosmith lead swinger Steven Tyler went after a paparazzo yesterday in Paris, but the snapper isn't exactly quaking in his chaussures, if you know what we mean.
Tyler was strolling the boulevards with a lady friend while en vacances, those shaggy locks tucked under a leopard-print number out of the Diane Keaton collection circa "Manhattan Murder Mystery."
Then, the attack -- Tyler went all granny on this photog's derriere, though witnesses say it was all just one big rise.
Steven in Paris - Pictures
AF1 Forums
June 19, 2007
Paris, France 6/18/07
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler during a visit in Paris.
See more... (here)
Thanks to: Tylergasm
June 19, 2007
Paris, France 6/18/07
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler during a visit in Paris.
See more... (here)
Thanks to: Tylergasm
Wish Joey a Happy Birthday
Aero Force One
June 18, 2007
Hey AF1, this Thursday, June 21, Joey Kramer will celebrate his birthday and we’re gonna give you the chance to tell Joey just how much you love him and the way he plays. Email your birthday greeting (with your full name) to contests@aeroforceone.com by Thursday night and we’ll post the best ones on the site for all to read on Friday. We’ll also randomly select three winners from the submissions for an autographed picture of Joey and his drums.
Wish Joey a Happy Birthday today!
View the rules.
June 18, 2007
Hey AF1, this Thursday, June 21, Joey Kramer will celebrate his birthday and we’re gonna give you the chance to tell Joey just how much you love him and the way he plays. Email your birthday greeting (with your full name) to contests@aeroforceone.com by Thursday night and we’ll post the best ones on the site for all to read on Friday. We’ll also randomly select three winners from the submissions for an autographed picture of Joey and his drums.
Wish Joey a Happy Birthday today!
View the rules.
Aerosmith On German TV - Walk Of Stars
Aero Force One
June 18, 2007
Aerosmith were inducted into the Munich 'Walk Of Stars' in Germany on June 14, 2007, before their show at the Olympiahalle in Munich. Some lucky fanclub members who happened to be in the venue got the chance to witness the event, and the German channel ZDF showed it on their Leute Heute show as a news item the next day.
The band put their hand prints in a cement slab. This slab will be placed around the Olympic Lake walkway in the Olympic Park in Munich alongside the prints of The Dalai lama, Metallica, Bon Jovi, and many more.
More information on the Walk Of Stars can be found at: http://www.olympiapark-muenchen.de/index.php?.
Watch video clip: (here).
June 18, 2007
Aerosmith were inducted into the Munich 'Walk Of Stars' in Germany on June 14, 2007, before their show at the Olympiahalle in Munich. Some lucky fanclub members who happened to be in the venue got the chance to witness the event, and the German channel ZDF showed it on their Leute Heute show as a news item the next day.
The band put their hand prints in a cement slab. This slab will be placed around the Olympic Lake walkway in the Olympic Park in Munich alongside the prints of The Dalai lama, Metallica, Bon Jovi, and many more.
More information on the Walk Of Stars can be found at: http://www.olympiapark-muenchen.de/index.php?.
Watch video clip: (here).
Monday, June 18, 2007
Review: Instant Karma
BostonNOW, MA
June 17, 2007
Lennon's music reworked for Darfur
'good music for a good cause'
Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur is a typical 'good music for a good cause' benefit package where a bunch of musicians donate a song to support something they believe in.
While no one will argue that the work being done by Amnesty International to save people in Darfur is important, the quality of the music on this specially priced two-disc CD package is much more open to debate. A lot of your opinion about the music will, of course, depend on how much you like the music of John Lennon's solo career to begin with, as well as how precious you are about that same music. For example, you may love the song Imagine, but you might absolutely hate the idea of having Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne sing it.
Some of the 23 songs on this set are fantastic. Give Peace a Chance, featuring Aerosmith and the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars is a funky re-working of the song that will blow you away. Likewise, it's cool to hear Christina Aguilera use her impressive set of pipes to take a lesser-known Lennon song like Mother and make it her own. And, credit where credit is due, Lavigne's Imagine is quite good, too.
On the other hand, U2's version of Instant Karma is dull, as is R.E.M. cover of #9 Dream. And why Jackson Browne was invited to be part of the disc to sing Oh, My Love, is a complete mystery.
June 17, 2007
Lennon's music reworked for Darfur
'good music for a good cause'
Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur is a typical 'good music for a good cause' benefit package where a bunch of musicians donate a song to support something they believe in.
While no one will argue that the work being done by Amnesty International to save people in Darfur is important, the quality of the music on this specially priced two-disc CD package is much more open to debate. A lot of your opinion about the music will, of course, depend on how much you like the music of John Lennon's solo career to begin with, as well as how precious you are about that same music. For example, you may love the song Imagine, but you might absolutely hate the idea of having Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne sing it.
Some of the 23 songs on this set are fantastic. Give Peace a Chance, featuring Aerosmith and the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars is a funky re-working of the song that will blow you away. Likewise, it's cool to hear Christina Aguilera use her impressive set of pipes to take a lesser-known Lennon song like Mother and make it her own. And, credit where credit is due, Lavigne's Imagine is quite good, too.
On the other hand, U2's version of Instant Karma is dull, as is R.E.M. cover of #9 Dream. And why Jackson Browne was invited to be part of the disc to sing Oh, My Love, is a complete mystery.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Venice, Italy - Heineken Music Festival is cancelled
Aero Force One
June 15, 2007
VENEZIA 15 JUNE 2007 H. 21.30
COMUNICATO STAMPA
"Comune Venezia, Milano Concerti and Heineken are forced to announce the cancellation of the concerts scheduled for Friday night, Saturday and Sunday at the Heineken Jammin’ Festival.
An incredibly violent tornado hit the festival area and consequently shattered the sound-system towers, made the main stage unfit for use, and compromised essential technical and electrical systems.
Under these circumstances it was impossible to let the event carry on.
Unfortunately there were 19 injured, still held at the hospitals in Mestre and surroundings, that were promptly rescued by the organization.
To all of them we give our best wishes.
The numerous crowd that was already attending the event reacted with great self-control and walked out from the festival area very smoothly. Equally smooth was the ticket refund procedure, which will continue in the next days.
Comune Di Venezia, Milano Concerti and Heineken had cooperated with great enthusiasm and perfect harmony to achieve the success of the event, which an absolutely unpredictable incident made impossible. Therefore, Milano Concerti, Comune Di Venezia and Heineken do hope to have the chance to produce, in the future, important events such as the one they had so carefully planned."
June 15, 2007
VENEZIA 15 JUNE 2007 H. 21.30
COMUNICATO STAMPA
"Comune Venezia, Milano Concerti and Heineken are forced to announce the cancellation of the concerts scheduled for Friday night, Saturday and Sunday at the Heineken Jammin’ Festival.
An incredibly violent tornado hit the festival area and consequently shattered the sound-system towers, made the main stage unfit for use, and compromised essential technical and electrical systems.
Under these circumstances it was impossible to let the event carry on.
Unfortunately there were 19 injured, still held at the hospitals in Mestre and surroundings, that were promptly rescued by the organization.
To all of them we give our best wishes.
The numerous crowd that was already attending the event reacted with great self-control and walked out from the festival area very smoothly. Equally smooth was the ticket refund procedure, which will continue in the next days.
Comune Di Venezia, Milano Concerti and Heineken had cooperated with great enthusiasm and perfect harmony to achieve the success of the event, which an absolutely unpredictable incident made impossible. Therefore, Milano Concerti, Comune Di Venezia and Heineken do hope to have the chance to produce, in the future, important events such as the one they had so carefully planned."
München, Germany
Aero Force One
June 14, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Olympiahalle - June 14, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Janie's Got A Gun
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
SOS Too Bad
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 14, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Olympiahalle - June 14, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Janie's Got A Gun
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
SOS Too Bad
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Life On The Edge
Mirror.co.uk, UK
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Has Quit Drugs, But Not Sex Or Rock 'n' Roll
Steven Tyler’s LA rock star mansion is suitably busy – and noisy. The Jagger-lipped, stick-like frontman of Boston-bred legends Aerosmith breaks away from our chat three times to answer the door.
“Sorry,” he explains with a grin. “I’m the only one home – plus rumour has it a rock star lives here.”
Unfailingly polite and brimming with boundless energy, 59-year-old Tyler’s time in the rock ’n’ roll trenches began in the mid-60s. Over the years, he gained and lost fortunes and, after kicking a ferocious drug habit, Aerosmith – formed in 1970 – made some of their greatest music in the 90s with the anthemic Living On The Edge.
Although as a young rocker he lived a wild and reckless life, Tyler was never in doubt that Aerosmith – the biggest-selling rock band ever to come out of America, with 140 million album sales and counting – were in for the long haul.
“I used to think whoever loves this song is going to love it when they are 80 too,” smiles Steve. “The thing about music is that it evokes the feelings you had the first time you heard it. It’s stronger than the strongest drug there ever was.
“You have to be myopic to believe that because a few greats died, that’s the way to do it. Mick Jagger does little tiny lines... some people know how to do it right. Of course, what I mean is that when he writes his lyrics he writes little tiny lines!”
Steve laughs, but while his daughter, movie star Liv, was growing up, he never saw much of her because drugs ruled his life. It was left to fellow US rock star Todd Rundgren to become Liv’s surrogate father.
“Now she’s doing movies all the time I still don’t see much of her,” says Steve. “I surely have regrets about not being there for Liv when she was growing up. It just happened that when I courted Bebe, Liv’s mum, I was stuck in a spot that sounds like the middle section of Whole Lotta Love. You know the one? I was in the way outosphere. I was in the sweet spot, hanging between the lines. Very long lines.”
Nowadays, he and Rundgren are pals, although Tyler admits he’s a little jealous of his old rival.
“Yeah, I’m envious that he owns all that property in Hawaii!” he laughs.
Sugababes and Girls Aloud recently covered Aerosmith’s most famous song Walk This Way – which the band reworked to celebrated effect in 1986 with Run DMC – for Comic Relief.
“I thought they made a good attempt,” nods Steve. “It was done from their heart for a good cause. And the video – a bunch of hotties shaking their asses? That was cool.”
So who is more rock ’n’ roll – you, Mick Jagger or Iggy Pop?
“Mick has always been my man,” Steve considers. “I loved him from day one. No, let me take that back and go for Iggy because he’s not playing giant stadiums but he lives it, kicking ass in small clubs. Iggy Pop’s the essence of rock ’n’ roll. He doesn’t have the greatest voice, but neither do I and neither does Mick. But what we’ve all got is the attitude. Iggy just does not stop.”
Staying in shape is essential for the long distance rocker and Steve is no exception.
“Jagger takes great pride in how he looks and I’m the same way,” he says. “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. I get shagged a lot. Most people call it the gym but it depends where you do it, right? My girlfriend keeps me busy.”
Did you worry that giving up drugs would impair your creativity?
“Of course,” Steve says. “But I tried it and found I was wrong. I could remember my lyrics for one thing. People think I use teleprompters onstage today because I can’t remember my lyrics. Well the real reason is that every third girl is lifting up her shirt and flashing me. When I see stuff like that, of course I’m going to forget lyrics!”
Tyler’s wild years have not left him unscathed and he recently underwent chemotherapy treatment for hepatitis C.
“It was pretty catastrophic,” he admits. “It meant the band taking a year off, which we never did in our career. I got through one day at a time. It was really hard. Anyone who has been through chemo knows it sucks. But the good news is that it’s non-detectable in my bloodstream and I can get insurance again.”
Living life to the full, equal parts cad and charmer, Tyler’s excited by the prospect of Aerosmith’s 15th studio album – due next year – and makes clear his enduring love for long-time songwriting partner, guitarist Joe Perry.
That the band are still with us – let alone firing on all cylinders – is something of a miracle. And before going off to phone one of his daughters, Tyler stops me with an unmistakeable glint in his eye.
“Hey, are you going to make me burn in hell in this interview?” he asks. “Well here’s to hell – may we have as much fun there as we had getting there.”
Aerosmith play Hyde Park Calling on June 24.
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Has Quit Drugs, But Not Sex Or Rock 'n' Roll
Steven Tyler’s LA rock star mansion is suitably busy – and noisy. The Jagger-lipped, stick-like frontman of Boston-bred legends Aerosmith breaks away from our chat three times to answer the door.
“Sorry,” he explains with a grin. “I’m the only one home – plus rumour has it a rock star lives here.”
Unfailingly polite and brimming with boundless energy, 59-year-old Tyler’s time in the rock ’n’ roll trenches began in the mid-60s. Over the years, he gained and lost fortunes and, after kicking a ferocious drug habit, Aerosmith – formed in 1970 – made some of their greatest music in the 90s with the anthemic Living On The Edge.
Although as a young rocker he lived a wild and reckless life, Tyler was never in doubt that Aerosmith – the biggest-selling rock band ever to come out of America, with 140 million album sales and counting – were in for the long haul.
“I used to think whoever loves this song is going to love it when they are 80 too,” smiles Steve. “The thing about music is that it evokes the feelings you had the first time you heard it. It’s stronger than the strongest drug there ever was.
“You have to be myopic to believe that because a few greats died, that’s the way to do it. Mick Jagger does little tiny lines... some people know how to do it right. Of course, what I mean is that when he writes his lyrics he writes little tiny lines!”
Steve laughs, but while his daughter, movie star Liv, was growing up, he never saw much of her because drugs ruled his life. It was left to fellow US rock star Todd Rundgren to become Liv’s surrogate father.
“Now she’s doing movies all the time I still don’t see much of her,” says Steve. “I surely have regrets about not being there for Liv when she was growing up. It just happened that when I courted Bebe, Liv’s mum, I was stuck in a spot that sounds like the middle section of Whole Lotta Love. You know the one? I was in the way outosphere. I was in the sweet spot, hanging between the lines. Very long lines.”
Nowadays, he and Rundgren are pals, although Tyler admits he’s a little jealous of his old rival.
“Yeah, I’m envious that he owns all that property in Hawaii!” he laughs.
Sugababes and Girls Aloud recently covered Aerosmith’s most famous song Walk This Way – which the band reworked to celebrated effect in 1986 with Run DMC – for Comic Relief.
“I thought they made a good attempt,” nods Steve. “It was done from their heart for a good cause. And the video – a bunch of hotties shaking their asses? That was cool.”
So who is more rock ’n’ roll – you, Mick Jagger or Iggy Pop?
“Mick has always been my man,” Steve considers. “I loved him from day one. No, let me take that back and go for Iggy because he’s not playing giant stadiums but he lives it, kicking ass in small clubs. Iggy Pop’s the essence of rock ’n’ roll. He doesn’t have the greatest voice, but neither do I and neither does Mick. But what we’ve all got is the attitude. Iggy just does not stop.”
Staying in shape is essential for the long distance rocker and Steve is no exception.
“Jagger takes great pride in how he looks and I’m the same way,” he says. “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. I get shagged a lot. Most people call it the gym but it depends where you do it, right? My girlfriend keeps me busy.”
Did you worry that giving up drugs would impair your creativity?
“Of course,” Steve says. “But I tried it and found I was wrong. I could remember my lyrics for one thing. People think I use teleprompters onstage today because I can’t remember my lyrics. Well the real reason is that every third girl is lifting up her shirt and flashing me. When I see stuff like that, of course I’m going to forget lyrics!”
Tyler’s wild years have not left him unscathed and he recently underwent chemotherapy treatment for hepatitis C.
“It was pretty catastrophic,” he admits. “It meant the band taking a year off, which we never did in our career. I got through one day at a time. It was really hard. Anyone who has been through chemo knows it sucks. But the good news is that it’s non-detectable in my bloodstream and I can get insurance again.”
Living life to the full, equal parts cad and charmer, Tyler’s excited by the prospect of Aerosmith’s 15th studio album – due next year – and makes clear his enduring love for long-time songwriting partner, guitarist Joe Perry.
That the band are still with us – let alone firing on all cylinders – is something of a miracle. And before going off to phone one of his daughters, Tyler stops me with an unmistakeable glint in his eye.
“Hey, are you going to make me burn in hell in this interview?” he asks. “Well here’s to hell – may we have as much fun there as we had getting there.”
Aerosmith play Hyde Park Calling on June 24.
Joe Perry on VH1 Live Broadcast
American Digital Networks (press release), MD
June 14, 2007
Fergie has been added to the list of performers who will join William and Harry in commemorating the life of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, with the "Concert for Diana," broadcast live from Wembley Stadium on her birthday Sunday, July 1, 2007 . Music fans will be able to enjoy the concert across a variety of VH1 platforms. The 6-hour concert will be broadcast live in its entirety on VH1 11 AM (Eastern)/8 AM (Pacific), streamed live on VH1.com, and simulcast live in HDTV on MHD: Music High-Definition, MTV Network's high-definition music channel. The event will also be telecast on a one-hour delay on VH1 Classic, starting at 12 Noon (Eastern)/9 AM (Pacific). Finally, in addition to the live online stream, the concert will be available for on-demand viewing at VH1.com following the event.
Fergie will take the stage along with Elton John, Duran Duran, Bryan Ferry, Lily Allen, Kanye West, Rod Stewart, Natasha Bedingfield, Nelly Furtado, P. Diddy, Tom Jones, Take That, Will Young, the legendary voice of Supertramp Roger Hodgson, The Feeling, James Morrison, Orson and Status Quo, The English National Ballet, and Joss Stone. Aerosmith's Joe Perry will perform with the legendary Tom Jones.
Anastacia, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Donny Osmond and Jason Donovan will perform in a special musical medley which Andrew Lloyd Webber has put together for the concert. VH1's Aamer Haleem will bring the day's performers to you from behind the scenes along with a special UK guest hosts Kate Thornton and Dave Berry.
June 14, 2007
Fergie has been added to the list of performers who will join William and Harry in commemorating the life of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, with the "Concert for Diana," broadcast live from Wembley Stadium on her birthday Sunday, July 1, 2007 . Music fans will be able to enjoy the concert across a variety of VH1 platforms. The 6-hour concert will be broadcast live in its entirety on VH1 11 AM (Eastern)/8 AM (Pacific), streamed live on VH1.com, and simulcast live in HDTV on MHD: Music High-Definition, MTV Network's high-definition music channel. The event will also be telecast on a one-hour delay on VH1 Classic, starting at 12 Noon (Eastern)/9 AM (Pacific). Finally, in addition to the live online stream, the concert will be available for on-demand viewing at VH1.com following the event.
Fergie will take the stage along with Elton John, Duran Duran, Bryan Ferry, Lily Allen, Kanye West, Rod Stewart, Natasha Bedingfield, Nelly Furtado, P. Diddy, Tom Jones, Take That, Will Young, the legendary voice of Supertramp Roger Hodgson, The Feeling, James Morrison, Orson and Status Quo, The English National Ballet, and Joss Stone. Aerosmith's Joe Perry will perform with the legendary Tom Jones.
Anastacia, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Donny Osmond and Jason Donovan will perform in a special musical medley which Andrew Lloyd Webber has put together for the concert. VH1's Aamer Haleem will bring the day's performers to you from behind the scenes along with a special UK guest hosts Kate Thornton and Dave Berry.
NASA bus lands in Peru
LaSalle News Tribune, IL
June 14, 2007
The retrofitted 1997 Eagle bus runs on biodiesel fuel but someday it will run on hydrogen, Mike Lupton said.
The 62-year-old retired NASA aeronautics technician was outside the Peru Public Library on Wednesday accompanying NASA’s Aerospace Environmental Traveling Exhibit Bus.
The brainchild of Lupton’s former coworker, Dan White, the bus was created in 1998 at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to take NASA’s mission and accomplishments on the road to a sometimes incredulous public.
On Wednesday, people gathered in the library parking lot to wait their turn to board the air-conditioned bus decorated with NASA themes, space images and words such as “We have friends in high places.”
Inside, they viewed videos on a 42-inch screen about living in space, the Mars Rover mission and the mind-boggling imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope. At the end of the video, Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith ask children to “Stay in school. Study hard. And dream on.”
June 14, 2007
The retrofitted 1997 Eagle bus runs on biodiesel fuel but someday it will run on hydrogen, Mike Lupton said.
The 62-year-old retired NASA aeronautics technician was outside the Peru Public Library on Wednesday accompanying NASA’s Aerospace Environmental Traveling Exhibit Bus.
The brainchild of Lupton’s former coworker, Dan White, the bus was created in 1998 at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to take NASA’s mission and accomplishments on the road to a sometimes incredulous public.
On Wednesday, people gathered in the library parking lot to wait their turn to board the air-conditioned bus decorated with NASA themes, space images and words such as “We have friends in high places.”
Inside, they viewed videos on a 42-inch screen about living in space, the Mars Rover mission and the mind-boggling imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope. At the end of the video, Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith ask children to “Stay in school. Study hard. And dream on.”
Still walking this way
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom
June 14, 2007
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler tells Andrew Perry how the band have survived 35 years of rock-and-roll excess
'I've been in here all day," says Steven Tyler, appearing suddenly at the toilet door in his luxurious hotel suite. "And you know what? That towel rail through there has been blazin' away." He casts his vast lips into a grimace of mock outrage and howls, "Why? It's such a waste of energy. Seriously, I'm calling Al Gore!"
In the singer's early days, he would almost certainly not have emerged from a bathroom visit with thoughts about climate change; back then, a cocktail of drugs would have been occupying his headspace. The Tyler of 2007, however, could teach the eco-crusading former Vice President a thing or two about self-preservation.
Aerosmith, the band he has fronted for more than 35 years, are rock's great survivors, and have rolled with the times more successfully than any band of their generation.
When the group first began in the early '70s, they capitalised on the huge success of acts such as the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, whose ever-expanding touring schedules necessitated ever-longer gaps between visits. Aerosmith energetically filled the void, bringing similarly bluesy, highly-amplified rock and roll to every small club in America, and soon joined the stadium league, too.
After a drugs-soaked meltdown in the '80s, they came back stronger, coining the first rock/rap crossover alongside Run-DMC on Walk This Way, then re-syncing with Guns N' Roses-era rock audiences via bawdy gems such as Dude (Looks Like a Lady). They later enjoyed another rebirth through the cannily marketed power ballad, I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.
Their most recent album, Honkin' on Bobo (2004), found them firing out vintage rhythm and blues with magisterial gusto. It wasn't too big a hit, but Aerosmith remain one of the rock's greatest live attractions. In 10 days' time, they take over Hyde Park, scene of the legendary Rolling Stones concert in 1969, and there will doubtless be some private points-scoring going on with their British rivals, who last weekend swept through the Isle of Wight.
The structure of the lower half of Tyler's face will ensure that he never escapes those Mick Jagger comparisons, but he certainly walks his own walk.
"It's weird, all these years later and we're still massively at it," he says, mincing hyperactively around his suite. "Because we're on the road so much, there's no time to go to the dentist, the doctor, go on vacation. My daughter's graduating from high school, and I'm gonna be in f***ing Dubai! I had to tell her, 'Aw baby, I tried to move it, but it's moving a whole tour! Sixty million f***ing dollars' worth of argh!"
Listening to him, one might wonder how Tyler, a tightly wound bundle of narcissism and neurosis, manages to stay afloat. The answer becomes clear, when, at a separate interview in the same hotel, I meet Joe Perry, the cadaverous Keith Richards to Tyler's Jagger. Their sparring relationship is palpably what makes the band tick.
"Steven lives and breathes Aerosmith," Perry drawls, from under a tousled crow-black thatch. "For me, sometimes, it's just a way to make a living. I love playing rock and roll and collecting guitars, but I'm not part of that celebrity thing. I don't need that."
When Perry quit Aerosmith in the early '80s, the band fell apart. "Those two or three years," he says, with a hint of pride, "they kept touring as Aerosmith, and kept cancelling dates, and falling down on stage. I came back, and we basically then had to prove that we were straight. It was all part of us coming out of that black hole."
Aerosmith's painful withdrawal from drug addiction is graphically documented in the collective autobiography they published in 1997, as part of their ongoing rehabilitation. Called Walk This Way, it's even more gruesome than Mötley Crüe's The Dirt, highlighting the appalling selfishness that dependency engenders.
Tyler talks reluctantly today about the band's narcotic dalliances. At the end of our conversation, he scampers up to me, plants his giant lips on my cheek and says, "No drugs in your article, OK?"
Perry, by contrast, wistfully remembers the days when "you would sit in first class in airplanes, and hand a bottle of coke around, and just turn your head to the side and do hits". His big regret is the book. "We didn't have to tell that much," he says, visibly embarrassed. He goes on to explain that it was necessary to win back confidence within an industry which viewed them as terminal wasters.
Incredibly, the Hyde Park appearance is part of the band's first proper European tour in eight years. According to Tyler, "the old stuff sounds even better now. On the last tour, we never got one bad review. It scared me at first. I thought it was the kiss of death."
"We're one of those few bands that can be a living jukebox and just play songs from across the decades," says Perry. "We're going to plop down with amplifiers and guitars, and prove ourselves as a live band again."
Perry picked up on the theme of the band's absence in a letter, which arrived at my home address two weeks later. "Eight years is a long time in this business," he wrote, in spidery capitals. "Thanks for the time and support." You wouldn't get that from Keith, now, would you?
Aerosmith play at Hyde Park Calling on June 24
June 14, 2007
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler tells Andrew Perry how the band have survived 35 years of rock-and-roll excess
'I've been in here all day," says Steven Tyler, appearing suddenly at the toilet door in his luxurious hotel suite. "And you know what? That towel rail through there has been blazin' away." He casts his vast lips into a grimace of mock outrage and howls, "Why? It's such a waste of energy. Seriously, I'm calling Al Gore!"
In the singer's early days, he would almost certainly not have emerged from a bathroom visit with thoughts about climate change; back then, a cocktail of drugs would have been occupying his headspace. The Tyler of 2007, however, could teach the eco-crusading former Vice President a thing or two about self-preservation.
Aerosmith, the band he has fronted for more than 35 years, are rock's great survivors, and have rolled with the times more successfully than any band of their generation.
When the group first began in the early '70s, they capitalised on the huge success of acts such as the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, whose ever-expanding touring schedules necessitated ever-longer gaps between visits. Aerosmith energetically filled the void, bringing similarly bluesy, highly-amplified rock and roll to every small club in America, and soon joined the stadium league, too.
After a drugs-soaked meltdown in the '80s, they came back stronger, coining the first rock/rap crossover alongside Run-DMC on Walk This Way, then re-syncing with Guns N' Roses-era rock audiences via bawdy gems such as Dude (Looks Like a Lady). They later enjoyed another rebirth through the cannily marketed power ballad, I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.
Their most recent album, Honkin' on Bobo (2004), found them firing out vintage rhythm and blues with magisterial gusto. It wasn't too big a hit, but Aerosmith remain one of the rock's greatest live attractions. In 10 days' time, they take over Hyde Park, scene of the legendary Rolling Stones concert in 1969, and there will doubtless be some private points-scoring going on with their British rivals, who last weekend swept through the Isle of Wight.
The structure of the lower half of Tyler's face will ensure that he never escapes those Mick Jagger comparisons, but he certainly walks his own walk.
"It's weird, all these years later and we're still massively at it," he says, mincing hyperactively around his suite. "Because we're on the road so much, there's no time to go to the dentist, the doctor, go on vacation. My daughter's graduating from high school, and I'm gonna be in f***ing Dubai! I had to tell her, 'Aw baby, I tried to move it, but it's moving a whole tour! Sixty million f***ing dollars' worth of argh!"
Listening to him, one might wonder how Tyler, a tightly wound bundle of narcissism and neurosis, manages to stay afloat. The answer becomes clear, when, at a separate interview in the same hotel, I meet Joe Perry, the cadaverous Keith Richards to Tyler's Jagger. Their sparring relationship is palpably what makes the band tick.
"Steven lives and breathes Aerosmith," Perry drawls, from under a tousled crow-black thatch. "For me, sometimes, it's just a way to make a living. I love playing rock and roll and collecting guitars, but I'm not part of that celebrity thing. I don't need that."
When Perry quit Aerosmith in the early '80s, the band fell apart. "Those two or three years," he says, with a hint of pride, "they kept touring as Aerosmith, and kept cancelling dates, and falling down on stage. I came back, and we basically then had to prove that we were straight. It was all part of us coming out of that black hole."
Aerosmith's painful withdrawal from drug addiction is graphically documented in the collective autobiography they published in 1997, as part of their ongoing rehabilitation. Called Walk This Way, it's even more gruesome than Mötley Crüe's The Dirt, highlighting the appalling selfishness that dependency engenders.
Tyler talks reluctantly today about the band's narcotic dalliances. At the end of our conversation, he scampers up to me, plants his giant lips on my cheek and says, "No drugs in your article, OK?"
Perry, by contrast, wistfully remembers the days when "you would sit in first class in airplanes, and hand a bottle of coke around, and just turn your head to the side and do hits". His big regret is the book. "We didn't have to tell that much," he says, visibly embarrassed. He goes on to explain that it was necessary to win back confidence within an industry which viewed them as terminal wasters.
Incredibly, the Hyde Park appearance is part of the band's first proper European tour in eight years. According to Tyler, "the old stuff sounds even better now. On the last tour, we never got one bad review. It scared me at first. I thought it was the kiss of death."
"We're one of those few bands that can be a living jukebox and just play songs from across the decades," says Perry. "We're going to plop down with amplifiers and guitars, and prove ourselves as a live band again."
Perry picked up on the theme of the band's absence in a letter, which arrived at my home address two weeks later. "Eight years is a long time in this business," he wrote, in spidery capitals. "Thanks for the time and support." You wouldn't get that from Keith, now, would you?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Aerosmith Frontman, Daughter Liv Focus Of This Weekend's 'True Hollywood Story'
Blabbermouth.net, NY
June 13, 2007
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and his actress daughter Liv Tyler will be the focus of the "True Hollywood Story" TV documentary series premiering this Saturday, June 16th at 6:00 p.m. on the E! Entertainment Television cable channel. A description of the program reads as follows: "She's a rockin' superstar, he's a super rock-star; Liv and Steven Tyler seem to have it all, but it wasn't always that way."
"True Hollywood Story" originally started as a series of specials in 1996, but evolved into a weekly biographical documentary series.
Episodes are either one or two hours long, depending on the topic being covered. There have been more than 300 "True Hollywood Story" episodes.
The series was nominated for Emmy Awards in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
June 13, 2007
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and his actress daughter Liv Tyler will be the focus of the "True Hollywood Story" TV documentary series premiering this Saturday, June 16th at 6:00 p.m. on the E! Entertainment Television cable channel. A description of the program reads as follows: "She's a rockin' superstar, he's a super rock-star; Liv and Steven Tyler seem to have it all, but it wasn't always that way."
"True Hollywood Story" originally started as a series of specials in 1996, but evolved into a weekly biographical documentary series.
Episodes are either one or two hours long, depending on the topic being covered. There have been more than 300 "True Hollywood Story" episodes.
The series was nominated for Emmy Awards in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Video Preview
Comcast.net
June 13, 2007
The E! True Hollywood Story
Musician Steven Tyler and his daughter, actress Liv Tyler.
Watch: (here).
Program airs June 16th on E!
Run Time: 60 min
June 13, 2007
The E! True Hollywood Story
Musician Steven Tyler and his daughter, actress Liv Tyler.
Watch: (here).
Program airs June 16th on E!
Run Time: 60 min
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
DM Arena, Germany
Aero Force One
June 12, 2007
Karlsruhe, Germany - June 12, 2007
(All photos by Amanda at AF1)
See more... (here).
June 12, 2007
Karlsruhe, Germany - June 12, 2007
(All photos by Amanda at AF1)
See more... (here).
Karlsruhe, Germany
Aero Force One
June 12, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - DM Arena - June 12, 2007
Train Kept A Rollin'
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Janie's Got A Gun
SOS Too Bad
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 12, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - DM Arena - June 12, 2007
Train Kept A Rollin'
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Janie's Got A Gun
SOS Too Bad
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
News From The Road
Aero Force One
June 11, 2007
Let's Go See the Elephant! Again!
Hamilton hears a Who! - Photo: John Bionelli
The Dubai show was something else. It was held in some Rugby field. The day before Joe went out to the desert with Ross Halfin to take some pictures and go cruising in some SUV’s in the sand. It was kind of like going jet skiing but on sand. The only scary thing is hoping the car won’t tip over. Steven and Tom went the day before and came away without a scratch. Joe’s mother Mary also came along for the ride and seemed to be having fun. It’s Mary’s first time on tour and she is having a blast. She has been telling stories about the early days of Aerosmith and admits to still get teary-eyed when the band plays Dream On in concert. She was telling me as she was boarding the band’s private jet that she and her husband lent the band $2,000 dollars to buy one of their first busses around 1972. She said she was finally paid back around the Rocks tour.
Halfin's Head ruins a perfectly good shot! - Photo: John Bionelli
Halfin Shoots, Elephant Listens! - Video: John Bionelli - Watch (here)
Off to India... The guys got to the airport in India to sheer pandemonium. They had an impromptu photograph session at the airport and it was immediately part of a really cool Aerosmith special on local TV that night. The band and crew stayed at an awesome hotel called The Taj West Inn in Bangalore. The band were well taken care of. The hotel staff were awesome. When ever you asked for something the staff would nod as if they were a human bobblehead doll and your request would be taken care of in no time. The band and family were supposed to fly off to Denmark right after the show but liked the Hotel and India itself so much they stayed 2 extra days. The show itself was really good. Russ Irwin missed the Dubai and India show because of a missing passport so it was a little weird with him not being there. His tech Bruce Hendrix filled in on a few tunes. You have to take your hat off to old “Haystack” - he had big shoes to fill and did a great job. Steven had a great night and must have logged in a few miles on stage in the humid night air. The next day the promoter arranged for an Elephant to be brought to the Hotel. Ross Halfin took some great photos. I was told he would have to work fast because the Elephant had to leave in an hour because it had a prior commitment. Old Ross nearly turned a deeper shade of orange each time old Nelly wouldn’t raise his trunk when Ross asked. He was screaming at the Elephant… but to no avail. Steven finally whispered something in it’s ear and the Elephant obliged. Most of the gang went out shopping in Bangalore. The Bangalore traffic is intense. They make Boston drivers look like the chauffer in Driving Miss Daisy. Bangalore is also going through a growth spurt with their own version of the Big Dig.
Too Close For Comfort! - Photo: John Bionelli
Off to Copenhagen:
As much fun as Dubai and Bangalore were, it was good to finally get back to Europe. Copenhagen is a great city. I put it right up there with Stockholm for the Scandanavian countries. The show was sold out with Danish band D*A*D opening the show. These guys are a great hard rock band that have been together longer than most members of our crew have been alive. If you get a chance check their music out. They have a heavy AC-DC influence with a little Cheap Trick thrown in for good measure. Their name was originally Disney After Dark but was forced to change for obvious reasons. Old Walt would be turning in his cylinder if his team of lawyers let that one slip through.
The guys played the Sweden Rock Festival on Friday night. There were a ton of great hard rock and rock bands on the bill. Gov’t Mule played and rocked the place. Brad got to hang with his friend guitarist Warren Haynes before the show and talked about how Brad jammed with the Mule at Mama Kin a while ago. Skid Row played the opposite stage before Aerosmith. They sounded good but was not the same Skid Row that opened for Aerosmith during the PUMP tour. They had a new singer who mentioned to the crowd that he has been in the band for 8 years. My, how time flies!? It was not the same as when Sebastian Bach was in the band but hey - ya gotta eat.
Jimmy Eyers - Photo: John Bionelli
Employee of the Week Honors:
Goes to: Tour Manager Jimmy Eyers. Jimmy is famous for staying in his room in his dressing gown (bathrobe) until the early evening on non show days. His Hotel suite smells like the break room at the Phillip Morris factory. He is a tireless worker and gets the band from point A to point B without fail. He is fluent in German and Japanese and has an uncanny resemblance to a young James Bond. He has been with the band since 1994 and collects model airplanes.
See You on the Road!
John B.
June 11, 2007
Let's Go See the Elephant! Again!
Hamilton hears a Who! - Photo: John Bionelli
The Dubai show was something else. It was held in some Rugby field. The day before Joe went out to the desert with Ross Halfin to take some pictures and go cruising in some SUV’s in the sand. It was kind of like going jet skiing but on sand. The only scary thing is hoping the car won’t tip over. Steven and Tom went the day before and came away without a scratch. Joe’s mother Mary also came along for the ride and seemed to be having fun. It’s Mary’s first time on tour and she is having a blast. She has been telling stories about the early days of Aerosmith and admits to still get teary-eyed when the band plays Dream On in concert. She was telling me as she was boarding the band’s private jet that she and her husband lent the band $2,000 dollars to buy one of their first busses around 1972. She said she was finally paid back around the Rocks tour.
Halfin's Head ruins a perfectly good shot! - Photo: John Bionelli
Halfin Shoots, Elephant Listens! - Video: John Bionelli - Watch (here)
Off to India... The guys got to the airport in India to sheer pandemonium. They had an impromptu photograph session at the airport and it was immediately part of a really cool Aerosmith special on local TV that night. The band and crew stayed at an awesome hotel called The Taj West Inn in Bangalore. The band were well taken care of. The hotel staff were awesome. When ever you asked for something the staff would nod as if they were a human bobblehead doll and your request would be taken care of in no time. The band and family were supposed to fly off to Denmark right after the show but liked the Hotel and India itself so much they stayed 2 extra days. The show itself was really good. Russ Irwin missed the Dubai and India show because of a missing passport so it was a little weird with him not being there. His tech Bruce Hendrix filled in on a few tunes. You have to take your hat off to old “Haystack” - he had big shoes to fill and did a great job. Steven had a great night and must have logged in a few miles on stage in the humid night air. The next day the promoter arranged for an Elephant to be brought to the Hotel. Ross Halfin took some great photos. I was told he would have to work fast because the Elephant had to leave in an hour because it had a prior commitment. Old Ross nearly turned a deeper shade of orange each time old Nelly wouldn’t raise his trunk when Ross asked. He was screaming at the Elephant… but to no avail. Steven finally whispered something in it’s ear and the Elephant obliged. Most of the gang went out shopping in Bangalore. The Bangalore traffic is intense. They make Boston drivers look like the chauffer in Driving Miss Daisy. Bangalore is also going through a growth spurt with their own version of the Big Dig.
Too Close For Comfort! - Photo: John Bionelli
Off to Copenhagen:
As much fun as Dubai and Bangalore were, it was good to finally get back to Europe. Copenhagen is a great city. I put it right up there with Stockholm for the Scandanavian countries. The show was sold out with Danish band D*A*D opening the show. These guys are a great hard rock band that have been together longer than most members of our crew have been alive. If you get a chance check their music out. They have a heavy AC-DC influence with a little Cheap Trick thrown in for good measure. Their name was originally Disney After Dark but was forced to change for obvious reasons. Old Walt would be turning in his cylinder if his team of lawyers let that one slip through.
The guys played the Sweden Rock Festival on Friday night. There were a ton of great hard rock and rock bands on the bill. Gov’t Mule played and rocked the place. Brad got to hang with his friend guitarist Warren Haynes before the show and talked about how Brad jammed with the Mule at Mama Kin a while ago. Skid Row played the opposite stage before Aerosmith. They sounded good but was not the same Skid Row that opened for Aerosmith during the PUMP tour. They had a new singer who mentioned to the crowd that he has been in the band for 8 years. My, how time flies!? It was not the same as when Sebastian Bach was in the band but hey - ya gotta eat.
Jimmy Eyers - Photo: John Bionelli
Employee of the Week Honors:
Goes to: Tour Manager Jimmy Eyers. Jimmy is famous for staying in his room in his dressing gown (bathrobe) until the early evening on non show days. His Hotel suite smells like the break room at the Phillip Morris factory. He is a tireless worker and gets the band from point A to point B without fail. He is fluent in German and Japanese and has an uncanny resemblance to a young James Bond. He has been with the band since 1994 and collects model airplanes.
See You on the Road!
John B.
Aerosmith Rock Randers
Aero Force One
June 11, 2007
Ekstrabladet June 7th/ Review by Thomas Treo
Note: Translation from Danish
Aeroflot over Randers
(This pun needs to be explained: ”Flot” means good in the sense great or grand in Danish. So the Russian airline has a different ring to it in Danish;-)
Wild Aerosmith defied sound chaos in irresistible emergency landing
From Aerosmith’s notorious cocaine excesses over the quartet’s flamboyant rock’n’roll to Steven Tyler’s enormous mouth and microscopic behind this Boston-band is exactly like the Rolling Stones.
But while moss has been growing on those Stones for a long time, Aerosmith steamrolled through Randers with a determined manic energy with more turned into a frisky love song to the devil’s music than a cadeau to that somewhat dried out source of inspiration.
In spite of the miserable sound conditions, Aerosmith strutted through a wonderful hit parade where the eternally youthful Tyler wriggled with masculinity as the centre of a show of true American entertainment.
Bombastic Hits
Especially Tyler’s eminent abilities as an entertainer and his orgiastic voice compensated for the usual echoing stadium sound which worked against Joe Perry’s robust riffs, but especially "Dream On" never the less unfolded itself beautifully as a grand classic.
Hefty versions of the blues based "Stop Messin’ Around" and "Baby Please Don’t Go" really shook up the ca. 23.000 fans at Essex Park and just like when they last visited in ’99 at Midtfyns Festival, the bombastic hits from the MTV-sponsored 90’s-comeback came with an entirely different nerve than on the recording.
Even the theme song "Livin’ On The Edge" had a real edge to it, even in the flickering sound which also made the enthusiastic support job from D-A-D thunder with their only new song sounding mostly like a Copenhagen country twang.
Keith’s Kitchen Sink
Aerosmith could have played in Keith Richard’s kitchen sink and good old "Sweet Emotion" would still have worked wonders, ‘cause during the 105 merry minutes Aerosmith neither looked nor sounded like a gang with an average age of 56.
When Circus Stones hits Copenhagen in August, they have something to live up to.
June 11, 2007
Ekstrabladet June 7th/ Review by Thomas Treo
Note: Translation from Danish
Aeroflot over Randers
(This pun needs to be explained: ”Flot” means good in the sense great or grand in Danish. So the Russian airline has a different ring to it in Danish;-)
Wild Aerosmith defied sound chaos in irresistible emergency landing
From Aerosmith’s notorious cocaine excesses over the quartet’s flamboyant rock’n’roll to Steven Tyler’s enormous mouth and microscopic behind this Boston-band is exactly like the Rolling Stones.
But while moss has been growing on those Stones for a long time, Aerosmith steamrolled through Randers with a determined manic energy with more turned into a frisky love song to the devil’s music than a cadeau to that somewhat dried out source of inspiration.
In spite of the miserable sound conditions, Aerosmith strutted through a wonderful hit parade where the eternally youthful Tyler wriggled with masculinity as the centre of a show of true American entertainment.
Bombastic Hits
Especially Tyler’s eminent abilities as an entertainer and his orgiastic voice compensated for the usual echoing stadium sound which worked against Joe Perry’s robust riffs, but especially "Dream On" never the less unfolded itself beautifully as a grand classic.
Hefty versions of the blues based "Stop Messin’ Around" and "Baby Please Don’t Go" really shook up the ca. 23.000 fans at Essex Park and just like when they last visited in ’99 at Midtfyns Festival, the bombastic hits from the MTV-sponsored 90’s-comeback came with an entirely different nerve than on the recording.
Even the theme song "Livin’ On The Edge" had a real edge to it, even in the flickering sound which also made the enthusiastic support job from D-A-D thunder with their only new song sounding mostly like a Copenhagen country twang.
Keith’s Kitchen Sink
Aerosmith could have played in Keith Richard’s kitchen sink and good old "Sweet Emotion" would still have worked wonders, ‘cause during the 105 merry minutes Aerosmith neither looked nor sounded like a gang with an average age of 56.
When Circus Stones hits Copenhagen in August, they have something to live up to.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Messe Frankfurt - Hessentag
Aero Force One
June 11, 2007
Butzbach (Frankfurt), Germany - June 10, 2007
All photos by Amanda at AF1
See more... (here).
June 11, 2007
Butzbach (Frankfurt), Germany - June 10, 2007
All photos by Amanda at AF1
See more... (here).
Butzbach (Frankfurt), Germany
Aero Force One
June 10, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Messe Frankfurt - Hessentag - June 10, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
SOS Too Bad
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 10, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Messe Frankfurt - Hessentag - June 10, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
Rag Doll
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
SOS Too Bad
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Aerosmith to Tour in Moscow and Saint Petersburg
Russia-InfoCenter, Russia
June 9, 2007
The legendary American rock band Aerosmith is going to perform in Russia for the first time.
The music shows will take place in the framework of the European concert tour which started on June 6 in Denmark. The band will give a concert in the “Peterburgsky” sport and concert complex in St. Petersburg on July 10 and in the “Olympyisky” sport complex in Moscow on July 12.
Aerosmith is one of the most original and famous hard rock bands, which became popular in the 1970s. The band’s free music style tending to blues influenced the manner and sound of many generations of musicians entering hard rock and heavy metal in the 1980-90s. Aerosmith became especially popular thanks to its talent in creating splendid ballads along with hard rock-n-roll.
The site on Russian concerts of Aerosmith: aerosmith.alfabank.ru/
June 9, 2007
The legendary American rock band Aerosmith is going to perform in Russia for the first time.
The music shows will take place in the framework of the European concert tour which started on June 6 in Denmark. The band will give a concert in the “Peterburgsky” sport and concert complex in St. Petersburg on July 10 and in the “Olympyisky” sport complex in Moscow on July 12.
Aerosmith is one of the most original and famous hard rock bands, which became popular in the 1970s. The band’s free music style tending to blues influenced the manner and sound of many generations of musicians entering hard rock and heavy metal in the 1980-90s. Aerosmith became especially popular thanks to its talent in creating splendid ballads along with hard rock-n-roll.
The site on Russian concerts of Aerosmith: aerosmith.alfabank.ru/
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Solvesborg, Sweden
Aero Force One
June 9, 2007
Sweden Rock Festival - 06/08/07
(Photos by: Amanda at AF1)
Lots more: (here).
One from Aftonbladet News, 6/9/07...
(Photo by: Rickard Nilsson)
June 9, 2007
Sweden Rock Festival - 06/08/07
(Photos by: Amanda at AF1)
Lots more: (here).
One from Aftonbladet News, 6/9/07...
(Photo by: Rickard Nilsson)
Sweden Rock Festival
Aero Force One
June 8, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Solvesborg, Sweden - June 8, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Last Child
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 8, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Solvesborg, Sweden - June 8, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Last Child
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Aerosmith At Randers
EkstraBladet.dk
June 7, 2007
Steven Tyler - Aerosmith
(Photo: Claus Bonnerup)
Complete article: (here).
June 7, 2007
Steven Tyler - Aerosmith
(Photo: Claus Bonnerup)
Complete article: (here).
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Music To The City
Randers Amtsavis, Denmark
June 7, 2007
Steven Tyler - Aerosmith
(Photo: Jacob Denisen)
Complete article: (here).
June 7, 2007
Steven Tyler - Aerosmith
(Photo: Jacob Denisen)
Complete article: (here).
Randers News
Randers Amtsavis, Denmark
June 6, 2007
23.000 fans for DAD and Aerosmith at The Ace Park
(Photos: Richard Sylvestersen)
June 6, 2007
23.000 fans for DAD and Aerosmith at The Ace Park
(Photos: Richard Sylvestersen)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Randers, Denmark
Aero Force One
June 6, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Essex Park (Randers Stadium) - June 6, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Last Child
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 6, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Essex Park (Randers Stadium) - June 6, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Last Child
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
More From Ross
RossHalfin.co.uk
June 5, 2007
Diary - June 4 - "Today is elephant day. Jumbo (I don't know it's Indian name) came to visit. Took a lot of photos of everyone..."
See more... (here).
June 5, 2007
Diary - June 4 - "Today is elephant day. Jumbo (I don't know it's Indian name) came to visit. Took a lot of photos of everyone..."
See more... (here).
Photos from India
Aero Force One
June 5, 2007
News From The Road
(All Photos: Ross Halfin)
The band arriving at the Taj West End in Bagalore
Joey in Bangalore - June 3, 2007
More: (here).
June 5, 2007
News From The Road
(All Photos: Ross Halfin)
The band arriving at the Taj West End in Bagalore
Joey in Bangalore - June 3, 2007
More: (here).
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Aerosmith report is same old song and dance
Boston Globe, MA
June 5, 2007
For the second time in less than a week, Aerosmith's reps are denying a report that the Boston band is no more. Publicist Mitch Schneider gave us the good word yesterday after RollingStone .com posted a pic of singer Steven Tyler at an airport in India with the following caption: "Steven Tyler touches down at the Bangalore airport only to announce that Aerosmith has broken up." Not so, according to Schneider, who called the cutline "an error." Last week, the New York Post reported that Tyler's daughter Liv had told friends her dad's unhappy with his bandmates and is planning to quit. Schneider worked overtime to knock down that innuendo, too. Reached yesterday, Rolling Stone flack Beth Jacobson insisted that the intern who wrote the caption was kidding , playing on last week's item in the Post. "Really, it was an intern who didn't do a good job," Jacobson said. "It's got a breaking news feeling, but it's inaccurate." If Tyler's in turmoil, he's not talking. Before the band's two-hour show in Bangalore Saturday, the 59-year-old frontman told the Times of India "Aerosmith has never sounded better."
June 5, 2007
For the second time in less than a week, Aerosmith's reps are denying a report that the Boston band is no more. Publicist Mitch Schneider gave us the good word yesterday after RollingStone .com posted a pic of singer Steven Tyler at an airport in India with the following caption: "Steven Tyler touches down at the Bangalore airport only to announce that Aerosmith has broken up." Not so, according to Schneider, who called the cutline "an error." Last week, the New York Post reported that Tyler's daughter Liv had told friends her dad's unhappy with his bandmates and is planning to quit. Schneider worked overtime to knock down that innuendo, too. Reached yesterday, Rolling Stone flack Beth Jacobson insisted that the intern who wrote the caption was kidding , playing on last week's item in the Post. "Really, it was an intern who didn't do a good job," Jacobson said. "It's got a breaking news feeling, but it's inaccurate." If Tyler's in turmoil, he's not talking. Before the band's two-hour show in Bangalore Saturday, the 59-year-old frontman told the Times of India "Aerosmith has never sounded better."
Side Tracks
Boston Herald, MA
June 5, 2007
We Hear:
That Aerosmith out-sold the Rolling Stones in Bangladore, India, last weekend with their 22,000-strong concert. But it’s no surprise that the Boston Bad Boys would best Mick & Company - Bangladore’s nickname is “Beantown!”
June 5, 2007
We Hear:
That Aerosmith out-sold the Rolling Stones in Bangladore, India, last weekend with their 22,000-strong concert. But it’s no surprise that the Boston Bad Boys would best Mick & Company - Bangladore’s nickname is “Beantown!”
Front Page
Bombay Times, India
June 5, 2007
Buddies All: Aerosmith band members chill out after the Royal Challenge Forever Young Aerosmith Concert in Bangalore with USL Chairman Vijay Mallya. (From left) Brad Whitford, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton. Also in the photograph are Billie Perry (in white) and Erin Brady (in red). This was yet another mega concert by Royal Challenge.
Full page: (here).
June 5, 2007
Buddies All: Aerosmith band members chill out after the Royal Challenge Forever Young Aerosmith Concert in Bangalore with USL Chairman Vijay Mallya. (From left) Brad Whitford, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton. Also in the photograph are Billie Perry (in white) and Erin Brady (in red). This was yet another mega concert by Royal Challenge.
Full page: (here).
Monday, June 04, 2007
U.S. servicemen and women meet Aerosmith
Pacific Daily News, GU
June 4, 2007
While at sea, sailors and Marines aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz were surprised by a visit from the legendary rock band Aerosmith on May 30.
“Hi everybody, this is Aerosmith. Hope you guys are having fun and playing safe — and, always remember, ‘Dude looks like a lady,’” yelled Aerosmith’s lead singer Steven Tyler over the ship’s 1MC.
Band members who joined Tyler on board Nimitz during the ship’s first Middle East port visit included Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, and Joey Kramer.
As the band walked up the officer’s brow they were applauded and cheered by Nimitz crew members. First Class Jacob Rico, was one of the thrilled Aerosmith fans who met the band and had his photo taken with Tyler.
“It’s unbelievable; I have been to three of their concerts and I always went out of my way to see the band up close and it never happened,” Rico said.
“It was cool that it happened on my duty day. (Steven Tyler) just looked up at me and said, “This is a big ship.” I said, “Yeah, come on up.”
While walking around the ship, Tyler and the band took time to talk to fans, sign autographs and have their pictures taken.
Aerosmith performed at a nearby venue the next night, and Nimitz’ Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sold more than 400 tickets to Sailors and Marines, enabling many crew members to watch the band they just met rock out on stage far from home.
Nimitz left its homeport of San Diego April 2 for a regularly scheduled deployment and began operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations May 8. After arriving in the region, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group began providing support to coalition ground forces in Afghanistan participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as conducting maritime operations.
Maritime operations set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. Maritime operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons and other material.
Commanded by Capt. Mike Manazir, Nimitz is the flagship for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, and is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
June 4, 2007
While at sea, sailors and Marines aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz were surprised by a visit from the legendary rock band Aerosmith on May 30.
“Hi everybody, this is Aerosmith. Hope you guys are having fun and playing safe — and, always remember, ‘Dude looks like a lady,’” yelled Aerosmith’s lead singer Steven Tyler over the ship’s 1MC.
Band members who joined Tyler on board Nimitz during the ship’s first Middle East port visit included Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, and Joey Kramer.
As the band walked up the officer’s brow they were applauded and cheered by Nimitz crew members. First Class Jacob Rico, was one of the thrilled Aerosmith fans who met the band and had his photo taken with Tyler.
“It’s unbelievable; I have been to three of their concerts and I always went out of my way to see the band up close and it never happened,” Rico said.
“It was cool that it happened on my duty day. (Steven Tyler) just looked up at me and said, “This is a big ship.” I said, “Yeah, come on up.”
While walking around the ship, Tyler and the band took time to talk to fans, sign autographs and have their pictures taken.
Aerosmith performed at a nearby venue the next night, and Nimitz’ Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sold more than 400 tickets to Sailors and Marines, enabling many crew members to watch the band they just met rock out on stage far from home.
Nimitz left its homeport of San Diego April 2 for a regularly scheduled deployment and began operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations May 8. After arriving in the region, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group began providing support to coalition ground forces in Afghanistan participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as conducting maritime operations.
Maritime operations set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. Maritime operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons and other material.
Commanded by Capt. Mike Manazir, Nimitz is the flagship for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, and is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
Pics Added
Aero Force One
June 4, 2007
JohnB's News From the Road -
Greetings from Dubai
Joe in Dubai - Photo: John Bionelli
Joe in Dubai - Photo: John Bionelli
More pictures: (here).
June 4, 2007
JohnB's News From the Road -
Greetings from Dubai
Joe in Dubai - Photo: John Bionelli
Joe in Dubai - Photo: John Bionelli
More pictures: (here).
Aerosmith impressed by warm welcome, rich Indian heritage
India eNews.com, India
June 3, 2007
Members of the American rock band Aerosmith that performed for the first time in India Saturday are impressed with the traditional welcome they received, making them 'feel like rock stars'.
The 'Boys from Boston' played to a crowd of 25,000 rock fans at the Palace Grounds in Bangalore Saturday.
Speaking to TV channel NDTV, the boys - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer - shared their experiences in India.
'For one thing we didn't know... when we got off the plane. We know that we will get captured in the cameras but we didn't know that the hotel will have two horses...white horses... nine guys with traditional drums, jumping around... It was so... It makes me feel like a rock star,' Tyler said.
Asked why did it take them so long to come to India, Hamilton said: 'Ten years ago... we were actually asked to come here and play in Bombay... is it Bombay or Mumbai... We literally couldn't afford it... It would have cost us so much to come here... So, we couldn't afford it... I don't know... I think it's the sign of the growing Indian economy now... This is happening and this is gonna be a part of it...'
They, however, are charmed by India the exotic too. 'When we get to see (India) unfold like an onion...You know it starts with the snake charmer and the elephants like the blacks and the blues and they open up to find a soul... Look at India...,' said Tyler.
'The oldest instrument on the planet is the Veena... 4,000 years ago... and when you hear it, it sounds like a human mourning... And I always believe that the first song ever sung... was... 'aahah'.'
Though this was their first trip to India in their 33-year-old career, they picked up a few phrases in Hindi soon. Queried on their knowledge of the Hindi language, Tyler greeted the questioner with 'Namsate...yeh...' and added: 'We like to eat Mughlai Paratha.'
Hamilton added that as so many Indians speak English it was time for them to learn some Indian language.
June 3, 2007
Members of the American rock band Aerosmith that performed for the first time in India Saturday are impressed with the traditional welcome they received, making them 'feel like rock stars'.
The 'Boys from Boston' played to a crowd of 25,000 rock fans at the Palace Grounds in Bangalore Saturday.
Speaking to TV channel NDTV, the boys - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer - shared their experiences in India.
'For one thing we didn't know... when we got off the plane. We know that we will get captured in the cameras but we didn't know that the hotel will have two horses...white horses... nine guys with traditional drums, jumping around... It was so... It makes me feel like a rock star,' Tyler said.
Asked why did it take them so long to come to India, Hamilton said: 'Ten years ago... we were actually asked to come here and play in Bombay... is it Bombay or Mumbai... We literally couldn't afford it... It would have cost us so much to come here... So, we couldn't afford it... I don't know... I think it's the sign of the growing Indian economy now... This is happening and this is gonna be a part of it...'
They, however, are charmed by India the exotic too. 'When we get to see (India) unfold like an onion...You know it starts with the snake charmer and the elephants like the blacks and the blues and they open up to find a soul... Look at India...,' said Tyler.
'The oldest instrument on the planet is the Veena... 4,000 years ago... and when you hear it, it sounds like a human mourning... And I always believe that the first song ever sung... was... 'aahah'.'
Though this was their first trip to India in their 33-year-old career, they picked up a few phrases in Hindi soon. Queried on their knowledge of the Hindi language, Tyler greeted the questioner with 'Namsate...yeh...' and added: 'We like to eat Mughlai Paratha.'
Hamilton added that as so many Indians speak English it was time for them to learn some Indian language.
A Life in the Day: Steven Tyler
Times Online, UK
June 3, 2007
The 59-year-old is the lead singer of the US rock band Aerosmith. Their hits span four decades and include Walk This Way and Love in an Elevator.
I usually lay in bed until 10, but the sound of the chickens often wakes me up a lot earlier. One of them’s nine years old and still laying eggs. I call her Biker Chick. I’ve also got a wild turkey called Buster, my peacocks, Harley and Davidson, two African cranes and the dogs, Lucky and Bailey. My home’s like a little enclave.
I have three acres and nobody can get at me. If I want to walk around with an old-fashioned western .45 gun on and pretend to be John Wayne, I can.
Being in my fifties, it takes a couple of hours now to find my personality. I’ll start the day with jasmine tea or jump in the car and head down to Starbucks for a Black Eye — two shots of espresso. It gives me a reason to get into my SL55 Mercedes-Benz. It’s a two-seater silver convertible with a red interior and a hard top that just melts into the trunk. It takes off like a rocket and looks like something out of Terminator.
I only have a proper breakfast when I’m on tour. Then it’s oatmeal with blueberries and maple syrup, followed by an egg-white omelette. I have to watch what I eat because I have this ongoing nightmare that I’m going to put on weight and end up looking like some of the other rock stars of a certain age who bounce around the stage. You look at them and think: “Oh my God, what happened to you? How did you let yourself get like that?” I always call Joe, my bandmate, and say: “Do you still weigh 145lb?” For God’s sake, I still want to be able to fit into those pants I wore on the last tour. I just live by the motto that nothing tastes as good as thin feels.
But I do look after my health these days and I’ve been clean for years. One of the worst things was being diagnosed with hepatitis C. But I went ahead with the interferon treatment, which basically boosts the immune system and gets whatever is in your system out. Of course, your hair falls out, your nails turn yellow, you throw up, you sweat all night, but it worked and now it’s non-detectable in my bloodstream. It also means I can get insurance again. Before, a policy would’ve cost me $160,000. Now I can get it for $12,000. I guess I’ve a lot to be thankful for. As well as my health, I’ve got four great children and my parents are still alive — Dad’s 90 and Mum’s 82. I haven’t called them in a bunch of days; I’d better do that. I also have a sister, Lynda, who’s a schoolteacher.
My name’s actually Steven Tallarico. My dad’s family were originally from Calabria, Italy. They came to the US in 1921 and bought 300 acres in Hampshire for $6,000. His father had six brothers who formed a band, the Tallarico Brothers. Then Dad became a classical pianist, so I grew up listening to him play every day. We lived in an apartment in the Bronx and then moved to Yonkers. Every summer we’d go back up to Grandma’s in Hampshire, where I’d do things like mow the lawn. Mum’s folks on her father’s side were horse farmers from the Ukraine. They got gunned down by the Russians.
I guess my folks passed on to me a sense of drive, of getting up and doing something with your life. I love the fact that I was able to sing and join a band, go on tour and make albums. I still remember the first night Clive Davis from Columbia Records came down to see us play. It was 1972. After the gig, he put his arm round me and said: “Steven, you’re going to be a big f***ing star.” It was like yesterday. But with success comes the excess — a line of blow here, gorgeous girls there, more blow, more girls, more blow, girls, drinking and so on. In the end I had my therapist saying: “Look at you! You don’t even know who you are. You’ve lost your wife, your band, your money… You don’t have anything.”
But if you were to ask me if I had any regrets, I’d have to say no, because if you’re really smart you realise that if you regret something it means you also change the future. Did I regret having Liv out of wedlock? No, because if I did, I wouldn’t have Liv. Do I regret doing drugs? No, because I got sober, and in getting sober I remarried, and in getting remarried I had Chelsea and Taj. Of course, there’s the other bad things that can happen, like getting financially screwed by people, but at the end of the day I just try to focus on the positive.
I don’t eat regularly during the day and in the evening I tend to stick to wild salmon and broccoli. Well, except for when I have the odd hankering for a T-bone. If I’m going out for the evening, I wear stuff like YSL and Roberto Cavalli, and I like jewellery. I only used to buy it for my wives and girlfriends — what a f***ing idiot! Now I’m making up for it.
I love diamonds. This canary-yellow diamond ring was originally made for me in 1976, but in 1981 while I was copping heroin on 79th Street, a guy put a gun to my head and ran off with it. I had a copy made. The sword in my left ear neatly disguises a large hole in my lobe. At a gig in Central Park in 1978, a girl jumped over a barricade, grabbed hold of me and caught my ear in the frenzy. The hole never healed, but the sword works in a rock’n’roll sort of way.
Every night before I get into bed, I do 250 sit-ups — religiously. After that I put my head on the pillow and sink in under an empress chinchilla throw. Last but not least, I thank the Lord above for the capability that I still have to love.
Aerosmith are performing at Hyde Park Calling, London, on June 24
June 3, 2007
The 59-year-old is the lead singer of the US rock band Aerosmith. Their hits span four decades and include Walk This Way and Love in an Elevator.
I usually lay in bed until 10, but the sound of the chickens often wakes me up a lot earlier. One of them’s nine years old and still laying eggs. I call her Biker Chick. I’ve also got a wild turkey called Buster, my peacocks, Harley and Davidson, two African cranes and the dogs, Lucky and Bailey. My home’s like a little enclave.
I have three acres and nobody can get at me. If I want to walk around with an old-fashioned western .45 gun on and pretend to be John Wayne, I can.
Being in my fifties, it takes a couple of hours now to find my personality. I’ll start the day with jasmine tea or jump in the car and head down to Starbucks for a Black Eye — two shots of espresso. It gives me a reason to get into my SL55 Mercedes-Benz. It’s a two-seater silver convertible with a red interior and a hard top that just melts into the trunk. It takes off like a rocket and looks like something out of Terminator.
I only have a proper breakfast when I’m on tour. Then it’s oatmeal with blueberries and maple syrup, followed by an egg-white omelette. I have to watch what I eat because I have this ongoing nightmare that I’m going to put on weight and end up looking like some of the other rock stars of a certain age who bounce around the stage. You look at them and think: “Oh my God, what happened to you? How did you let yourself get like that?” I always call Joe, my bandmate, and say: “Do you still weigh 145lb?” For God’s sake, I still want to be able to fit into those pants I wore on the last tour. I just live by the motto that nothing tastes as good as thin feels.
But I do look after my health these days and I’ve been clean for years. One of the worst things was being diagnosed with hepatitis C. But I went ahead with the interferon treatment, which basically boosts the immune system and gets whatever is in your system out. Of course, your hair falls out, your nails turn yellow, you throw up, you sweat all night, but it worked and now it’s non-detectable in my bloodstream. It also means I can get insurance again. Before, a policy would’ve cost me $160,000. Now I can get it for $12,000. I guess I’ve a lot to be thankful for. As well as my health, I’ve got four great children and my parents are still alive — Dad’s 90 and Mum’s 82. I haven’t called them in a bunch of days; I’d better do that. I also have a sister, Lynda, who’s a schoolteacher.
My name’s actually Steven Tallarico. My dad’s family were originally from Calabria, Italy. They came to the US in 1921 and bought 300 acres in Hampshire for $6,000. His father had six brothers who formed a band, the Tallarico Brothers. Then Dad became a classical pianist, so I grew up listening to him play every day. We lived in an apartment in the Bronx and then moved to Yonkers. Every summer we’d go back up to Grandma’s in Hampshire, where I’d do things like mow the lawn. Mum’s folks on her father’s side were horse farmers from the Ukraine. They got gunned down by the Russians.
I guess my folks passed on to me a sense of drive, of getting up and doing something with your life. I love the fact that I was able to sing and join a band, go on tour and make albums. I still remember the first night Clive Davis from Columbia Records came down to see us play. It was 1972. After the gig, he put his arm round me and said: “Steven, you’re going to be a big f***ing star.” It was like yesterday. But with success comes the excess — a line of blow here, gorgeous girls there, more blow, more girls, more blow, girls, drinking and so on. In the end I had my therapist saying: “Look at you! You don’t even know who you are. You’ve lost your wife, your band, your money… You don’t have anything.”
But if you were to ask me if I had any regrets, I’d have to say no, because if you’re really smart you realise that if you regret something it means you also change the future. Did I regret having Liv out of wedlock? No, because if I did, I wouldn’t have Liv. Do I regret doing drugs? No, because I got sober, and in getting sober I remarried, and in getting remarried I had Chelsea and Taj. Of course, there’s the other bad things that can happen, like getting financially screwed by people, but at the end of the day I just try to focus on the positive.
I don’t eat regularly during the day and in the evening I tend to stick to wild salmon and broccoli. Well, except for when I have the odd hankering for a T-bone. If I’m going out for the evening, I wear stuff like YSL and Roberto Cavalli, and I like jewellery. I only used to buy it for my wives and girlfriends — what a f***ing idiot! Now I’m making up for it.
I love diamonds. This canary-yellow diamond ring was originally made for me in 1976, but in 1981 while I was copping heroin on 79th Street, a guy put a gun to my head and ran off with it. I had a copy made. The sword in my left ear neatly disguises a large hole in my lobe. At a gig in Central Park in 1978, a girl jumped over a barricade, grabbed hold of me and caught my ear in the frenzy. The hole never healed, but the sword works in a rock’n’roll sort of way.
Every night before I get into bed, I do 250 sit-ups — religiously. After that I put my head on the pillow and sink in under an empress chinchilla throw. Last but not least, I thank the Lord above for the capability that I still have to love.
Aerosmith are performing at Hyde Park Calling, London, on June 24
Sunday, June 03, 2007
In Aerosmith's grip
Times Now, India
June 3, 2007
Perhaps America's longest-surviving rock group, Aerosmith, performed at Bangalore's Palace Grounds last night (June 2). Watch video...
Aerosmith at Bangalore - (here).
June 3, 2007
Perhaps America's longest-surviving rock group, Aerosmith, performed at Bangalore's Palace Grounds last night (June 2). Watch video...
Aerosmith at Bangalore - (here).
Rollin' in india - Steven Tyler Interview
The Economic Times, India Times, India
June 3, 2007
Personally, what will the Indian experience be? What are your expectations?
No expectations at all, since we are performing for the first time. We are sure that playing in India will be fantastic and hope the audience enjoys watching us.
There are several new Indian bands and musicians coming up with a wonderful blend of Indian & Western music? Have you heard any of them?
I’m aware of some of the genres. On the whole, a lot of Indian music seems to be speaking to the soul, which is wonderful. I’d have to say that my limited knowledge of Indian music and film is based on seeing Ravi Shankar when I was a teenager. I know there is a world famous music and movie scene in India and I’m sure that its growing influence will continue.
I don’t Want to Miss a Thing, the love theme from the 1998 film Armageddon in which your daughter Liv starred, has also been the band’s #1 single till date. Did your daughter inspire you in anyway?
That song was actually written by Diane Warren, Joe helped her with some of it but it was mostly Diane. That song was great though and it helped introduce us to a new audience. It was apparently supposed to be sung by U2, but after Liv was cast in Armageddon, they had the idea of us doing it.
I actually injured my knee the day before we shot the video, that’s why you don’t see me move around much.
Music has always been evolving. Many promising bands were disbanded. Aerosmith has seen it all, what does the future look like to you?
People ask this one often and the more they ask the more I have to think because I don’t know the magic formula. We have a lot of turmoil in our past. Come to think of it, we still do. I think we’ve all gotten better at expecting it and not being driven off the rails by it. We don’t have a plan. We’ve spent our lives learning how to be members of Aerosmith
Steve, before Aerosmith you were a part of a number of bands. A meeting with Joe in an ice-cream parlour in the 70’s changed it all. Now after three decades when you look back, how does it feel?
Great and amazing! That meeting in the ice-cream parlour definitely was my turning point.
Steve you are from New York. None of the band members come from Boston but why are you often referred to as ‘the bad boys from Boston’?
No idea....seriously. But it sounds good ... Doesn’t it?
Your last album Honkin’ On Bobo in 2004, was a long-promised blues album, which once again characterised the supremacy of the band. What are you now coming up with in your next much-awaited album?
We are working on the latest studio album slated to come out this year, which should be out in spring 2007 via Columbia. There’s also bits and pieces of things we haven’t got to, and some stuff from [the 2004 blues album] Honkin’ on Bobo that never got finished.
We want to bring some of the elements of the experimenting we’ve done on the albums over the last few years and mash that in with that Honkin’ on Bobo-kind of energy.”
June 3, 2007
Personally, what will the Indian experience be? What are your expectations?
No expectations at all, since we are performing for the first time. We are sure that playing in India will be fantastic and hope the audience enjoys watching us.
There are several new Indian bands and musicians coming up with a wonderful blend of Indian & Western music? Have you heard any of them?
I’m aware of some of the genres. On the whole, a lot of Indian music seems to be speaking to the soul, which is wonderful. I’d have to say that my limited knowledge of Indian music and film is based on seeing Ravi Shankar when I was a teenager. I know there is a world famous music and movie scene in India and I’m sure that its growing influence will continue.
I don’t Want to Miss a Thing, the love theme from the 1998 film Armageddon in which your daughter Liv starred, has also been the band’s #1 single till date. Did your daughter inspire you in anyway?
That song was actually written by Diane Warren, Joe helped her with some of it but it was mostly Diane. That song was great though and it helped introduce us to a new audience. It was apparently supposed to be sung by U2, but after Liv was cast in Armageddon, they had the idea of us doing it.
I actually injured my knee the day before we shot the video, that’s why you don’t see me move around much.
Music has always been evolving. Many promising bands were disbanded. Aerosmith has seen it all, what does the future look like to you?
People ask this one often and the more they ask the more I have to think because I don’t know the magic formula. We have a lot of turmoil in our past. Come to think of it, we still do. I think we’ve all gotten better at expecting it and not being driven off the rails by it. We don’t have a plan. We’ve spent our lives learning how to be members of Aerosmith
Steve, before Aerosmith you were a part of a number of bands. A meeting with Joe in an ice-cream parlour in the 70’s changed it all. Now after three decades when you look back, how does it feel?
Great and amazing! That meeting in the ice-cream parlour definitely was my turning point.
Steve you are from New York. None of the band members come from Boston but why are you often referred to as ‘the bad boys from Boston’?
No idea....seriously. But it sounds good ... Doesn’t it?
Your last album Honkin’ On Bobo in 2004, was a long-promised blues album, which once again characterised the supremacy of the band. What are you now coming up with in your next much-awaited album?
We are working on the latest studio album slated to come out this year, which should be out in spring 2007 via Columbia. There’s also bits and pieces of things we haven’t got to, and some stuff from [the 2004 blues album] Honkin’ on Bobo that never got finished.
We want to bring some of the elements of the experimenting we’ve done on the albums over the last few years and mash that in with that Honkin’ on Bobo-kind of energy.”
It was an electrifying performance
The Hindu, India
June 2, 2007
Bangalore, India: Lead vocalist of rock band Aerosmith, Steven Tyler (R) and guitarist Joe Perry perform in the high-tech city of Bangalore, 02 June 2007. Thousands of music lovers gathered to enjoy the late '70s band Aerosmith's first ever concert in the country as part of their world tour.
(Photo credit - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)
They came with intent to experience the sweet taste of India and left Bangaloreans with an aftertaste that will linger for long.
The performance by rock 'n' roll legends Aerosmith, simply put, had everything one could ask for — a powerful sound and impressive stage act — that just made for a thoroughly entertaining evening.
After an interminable delay, the giant display that formed the backdrop to the stage lit up to welcome the band on stage.
In a departure from the set they are playing around the world for this tour, they began with the apt number "Taste of India". And if that was not enough to warm the crowd, they followed with one of their biggest hits "Love In An Elevator".
It did not take very long to realise that Aerosmith do live up to their billing as one of the legendary acts of all time.
Steven Tyler has a voice which probably will never be paralleled again. And, it is not just his voice. He tied the trademark scarves and bandanas to the mike and his antics with it were a feature throughout.
Every album the band has released has gone to tower over the music charts, and thus the live set did not disappoint.
There was "Falling In Love (is hard on the knees)" followed by "Crazy".
All along the massive backdrop kept playing superb animation, the band large-size or clips from the original videos.
Tyler is 59, but the energy he exudes on stage is phenomenal. There was not a single moment he stood still, instead to preferring to prance around.
Every wrinkle on face and every muscle in his body was tense.
He showed off the many tattoos on his torso, including the one on his lower back that simply said in bold: "Lick me". The origins of the band were in no doubt when Tyler went on with the typically drawled "Baibey".
The almost full moon in the sky made the perfect setting for the atmosphere the performance generated. The mood reached frenzy when it was time to "Dream On". It is a power ballad from their debut 1973 album and is never omitted. It is famous for Tyler's scream and he proved he is blessed with a vocal range as big as his mouth.
Joe Perry was imperious as ever on the lead guitar with some really crisp solos and riffs.
Tom Hamilton ably backed him on the bass and was urged to "fuzz it up" by Tyler before the number "Sweet Emotion", which features a funky bass intro.
Together with Brad Whitford (guitars) and Joey Kramer (drums), the band went through their entire repertoire, which included elements from blues, glam rock, heavy metal, punk music, psychedelia and pop.
The numbers from their last album Honkin' On Bobo have won critical acclaim and here too they managed to give the audience something different as they delved into the Blues past of the band.
Perry has a flourishing career as a solo artist and he had time for a number of his own.
In the prelude to his number, he said in typical rockstar humour: "India is not about vindaloo, not about elephant rides or the painting stuff on your hands (mehendi). Aerosmith appreciates Kamasutra, it's all about messing around."
People had come from all over the country and there was excited chatter when groups from different cities ran into each other.
There was a significant expat contingent too which did not want to miss out on the opportunity of watching legends.
Security this time around was more stringent, but the crowd still managed to smuggle in the elements that keep them in good spirits.
The organisers had banned carrying ladies handbags into the venue, but curiously any other type of bag was waved through. For the large part, the crowd was well behaved except towards the end when a few created a flutter tearing down a portion of the makeshift wall at the entry to force their way in.
It was a pity there was not enough time to satisfy all the fans requests. Still there was "Livin' On The Edge", "Walk This Way" and "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing".
Tyler made no secret of the fact that they wanted to play on and on. Parting he simply said: "They are dragging us off."
More photos at Getty Images: (here).
June 2, 2007
Bangalore, India: Lead vocalist of rock band Aerosmith, Steven Tyler (R) and guitarist Joe Perry perform in the high-tech city of Bangalore, 02 June 2007. Thousands of music lovers gathered to enjoy the late '70s band Aerosmith's first ever concert in the country as part of their world tour.
(Photo credit - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)
They came with intent to experience the sweet taste of India and left Bangaloreans with an aftertaste that will linger for long.
The performance by rock 'n' roll legends Aerosmith, simply put, had everything one could ask for — a powerful sound and impressive stage act — that just made for a thoroughly entertaining evening.
After an interminable delay, the giant display that formed the backdrop to the stage lit up to welcome the band on stage.
In a departure from the set they are playing around the world for this tour, they began with the apt number "Taste of India". And if that was not enough to warm the crowd, they followed with one of their biggest hits "Love In An Elevator".
It did not take very long to realise that Aerosmith do live up to their billing as one of the legendary acts of all time.
Steven Tyler has a voice which probably will never be paralleled again. And, it is not just his voice. He tied the trademark scarves and bandanas to the mike and his antics with it were a feature throughout.
Every album the band has released has gone to tower over the music charts, and thus the live set did not disappoint.
There was "Falling In Love (is hard on the knees)" followed by "Crazy".
All along the massive backdrop kept playing superb animation, the band large-size or clips from the original videos.
Tyler is 59, but the energy he exudes on stage is phenomenal. There was not a single moment he stood still, instead to preferring to prance around.
Every wrinkle on face and every muscle in his body was tense.
He showed off the many tattoos on his torso, including the one on his lower back that simply said in bold: "Lick me". The origins of the band were in no doubt when Tyler went on with the typically drawled "Baibey".
The almost full moon in the sky made the perfect setting for the atmosphere the performance generated. The mood reached frenzy when it was time to "Dream On". It is a power ballad from their debut 1973 album and is never omitted. It is famous for Tyler's scream and he proved he is blessed with a vocal range as big as his mouth.
Joe Perry was imperious as ever on the lead guitar with some really crisp solos and riffs.
Tom Hamilton ably backed him on the bass and was urged to "fuzz it up" by Tyler before the number "Sweet Emotion", which features a funky bass intro.
Together with Brad Whitford (guitars) and Joey Kramer (drums), the band went through their entire repertoire, which included elements from blues, glam rock, heavy metal, punk music, psychedelia and pop.
The numbers from their last album Honkin' On Bobo have won critical acclaim and here too they managed to give the audience something different as they delved into the Blues past of the band.
Perry has a flourishing career as a solo artist and he had time for a number of his own.
In the prelude to his number, he said in typical rockstar humour: "India is not about vindaloo, not about elephant rides or the painting stuff on your hands (mehendi). Aerosmith appreciates Kamasutra, it's all about messing around."
People had come from all over the country and there was excited chatter when groups from different cities ran into each other.
There was a significant expat contingent too which did not want to miss out on the opportunity of watching legends.
Security this time around was more stringent, but the crowd still managed to smuggle in the elements that keep them in good spirits.
The organisers had banned carrying ladies handbags into the venue, but curiously any other type of bag was waved through. For the large part, the crowd was well behaved except towards the end when a few created a flutter tearing down a portion of the makeshift wall at the entry to force their way in.
It was a pity there was not enough time to satisfy all the fans requests. Still there was "Livin' On The Edge", "Walk This Way" and "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing".
Tyler made no secret of the fact that they wanted to play on and on. Parting he simply said: "They are dragging us off."
More photos at Getty Images: (here).
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Bangalore, India
Aero Force One
June 2, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Palace Grounds - June 2, 2007
Taste Of India
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Last Child
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
June 2, 2007
Set List: Aerosmith - Palace Grounds - June 2, 2007
Taste Of India
Love In An Elevator
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Last Child
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
Aerosmith all set to rock Bangalore today
The Hindu, India
June 2, 2007
Bangalore, India: Members of the rock & roll band Aerosmith gesture as they come out of the Bangalore airport, 01 June 2007.
(Photo credit - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)
Aerosmith have landed in Bangalore. Not looking even a bit jaded, the legendary band comprising Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer walked out of the airport terminal to a hastily arranged and improvised media interaction.
It is the band's first performance in India. In a joking reference to the band's number "Taste Of India", Tyler said he was looking forward to now finally experiencing the "sweet taste of India".
Warming to the theme he added that he was happy to be here because India was always on his mind and he was looking forward to "taste chicken vindaloo".
Replying to a cheeky question which sought his opinion on Indian women, he said: "It's all about the bindi."
Lead guitarist Perry, who along with Tyler founded the band, asked: "When can we see the elephants? What about the cobra?" He added that he loved the incense and spice from India.
World tour
The band is on a world tour and landed here after a concert in Dubai. They are expected to play some of their famous numbers such as "Dude Looks Like A Lady", "Livin' On The Edge, "Walk This Way", "Falling In Love", "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing", "Crazy", "Dream On" and "Janie's Got A Gun".
Fans from around the country are expected to turn up at Saturday's concert, especially a large contingent from Mumbai which missed out on the chance to host the concert.
The gates to the concert at Palace Grounds open at 5.30 p.m.
There are two entrances - Jayamahal entrance (near Funworld) and Vasanthnagar entrance (near Mount Carmel College).
People from M.G. Road, Koramangala, BTM Layout, Jayanagar and J.P. Nagar can use the Vasanthnagar entrance. People from Jayamahal, Ulsoor, Indiranagar, K.R. Puram, Cox Town, Cooke Town and Whitefield can use the Jayamahal entrance.
People coming from Rajajinagar, Vijayanagar, Malleswaram and Sadashivnagar must come via Sankey Tank Road and take a left on to Palace Cross Road to reach the Vasanthnagar entrance, and those from Yeshwantpur, Tumkur Road and Hebbal can also take the same entrance.
The organisers have said handbags, helmets, cameras and bottles are not allowed inside the venue for security reasons.
Tickets will be sold at the venue at both entrances.
June 2, 2007
Bangalore, India: Members of the rock & roll band Aerosmith gesture as they come out of the Bangalore airport, 01 June 2007.
(Photo credit - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)
Aerosmith have landed in Bangalore. Not looking even a bit jaded, the legendary band comprising Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer walked out of the airport terminal to a hastily arranged and improvised media interaction.
It is the band's first performance in India. In a joking reference to the band's number "Taste Of India", Tyler said he was looking forward to now finally experiencing the "sweet taste of India".
Warming to the theme he added that he was happy to be here because India was always on his mind and he was looking forward to "taste chicken vindaloo".
Replying to a cheeky question which sought his opinion on Indian women, he said: "It's all about the bindi."
Lead guitarist Perry, who along with Tyler founded the band, asked: "When can we see the elephants? What about the cobra?" He added that he loved the incense and spice from India.
World tour
The band is on a world tour and landed here after a concert in Dubai. They are expected to play some of their famous numbers such as "Dude Looks Like A Lady", "Livin' On The Edge, "Walk This Way", "Falling In Love", "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing", "Crazy", "Dream On" and "Janie's Got A Gun".
Fans from around the country are expected to turn up at Saturday's concert, especially a large contingent from Mumbai which missed out on the chance to host the concert.
The gates to the concert at Palace Grounds open at 5.30 p.m.
There are two entrances - Jayamahal entrance (near Funworld) and Vasanthnagar entrance (near Mount Carmel College).
People from M.G. Road, Koramangala, BTM Layout, Jayanagar and J.P. Nagar can use the Vasanthnagar entrance. People from Jayamahal, Ulsoor, Indiranagar, K.R. Puram, Cox Town, Cooke Town and Whitefield can use the Jayamahal entrance.
People coming from Rajajinagar, Vijayanagar, Malleswaram and Sadashivnagar must come via Sankey Tank Road and take a left on to Palace Cross Road to reach the Vasanthnagar entrance, and those from Yeshwantpur, Tumkur Road and Hebbal can also take the same entrance.
The organisers have said handbags, helmets, cameras and bottles are not allowed inside the venue for security reasons.
Tickets will be sold at the venue at both entrances.
Ready for take off
The Hindu, India
June 2, 2007
Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry tells Rakesh Mehar tonight’s concert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience In short, the real deal
Bangalore, India: Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton talk with reporters outside the Bangalore airport, 01 June 2007.
(Photo credit - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)
More than thirty years after they first hit the rock music scene, Aerosmith finally travels down south to rock the daylights out of little old Bengalooru. And with their coming, rock fans in the city can finally get past the grouse that only rock's retirees make their way down to the “erstwhile pensioner’s paradise”. Fortunately, three decades and more than a dozen studio albums have done little to wear the edge of one of the wildest, raunchiest rock sounds on the music scene.
While that has been a remarkable feat in the eyes of fans and critics everywhere, no one is more astonished about it than the band itself, says guitarist Joe Perry, ahead of tonight’s concert. When he first met lead singer and frontman Steven Tyler in a typical hamburger place many years ago, reveals Perry, he had felt the relationship between them (one with meteoric highs and scarily-depressing lows) had begun in an off-hand manner and Perry had never imagined Aerosmith would turn into a career for him.
“I never had any idea it would turn out this way. Just the fact that we’re still here still surprises me,” he says.
Indeed, that fact still surprises a lot of people who’ve followed the band’s career over the years, considering the self-destructing downhill spiral that the band went into at the height of their career in the ’70s. Much has been written and said about the infamous years that earned Perry and Tyler the nickname of “Toxic Twins”.
Capping it all off was the unique decision by the band to declare publicly their intention to clean up their act.
For a band that had built much of its reputation on being a party band, with an astounding record of run-ins with substance abuse, that decision was unprecedented. In hindsight, says Perry, the band would just as soon not have said anything at all publicly. “A lot of it really was nobody’s business. But we had no choice. Our reputation was so bad nobody would book us for a live gig and we couldn’t get a record deal. In the end you have to decide what’s important.” Since then, however, the band has come a long way. Perry is modest about the band’s success. “You have to have a lot of luck. This isn’t a career that you can pick and choose.” Despite having managed to successively create some of the most striking products of rock history, the historic video of “Walk This Way” with Run DMC for instance, Perry says that the band is just as unsure of how to strike the right chord as the newest garage band. “It’s really hit or miss. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. You could write a great song and people just might not like it. It has gotten a lot harder for bands now. There are a lot of big bands out there, but it takes more than one good song or one good record to make it. It needs a lot of good records over a lot of years.”
And that task doesn’t come easily even to a band like Aerosmith, as the 2004 release “Honkin’ On Bobo” proved. Despite proving to be a shot in the arm for the resurgence of blues music, “Honkin’…” did not manage the kind of success that the band hoped for. “I wish more people had liked it,” says Perry, pointing out that there are a lot of possible explanations including the album not being pushed hard enough by the label. “I guess it just wasn’t the right album for the right time.” Still, adds Perry, he expects the band to stay far more in line with the sound of the 2004 album rather than “Just Push Play”. “But I can’t possibly predict what the next Aerosmith song would sound like,” he clarifies.
As for closer here and now and tonight’s concert, Perry promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Rock fans that don’t come are going to miss out because this is their chance to see the real deal,” he promises in no uncertain terms.
June 2, 2007
Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry tells Rakesh Mehar tonight’s concert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience In short, the real deal
Bangalore, India: Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton talk with reporters outside the Bangalore airport, 01 June 2007.
(Photo credit - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)
More than thirty years after they first hit the rock music scene, Aerosmith finally travels down south to rock the daylights out of little old Bengalooru. And with their coming, rock fans in the city can finally get past the grouse that only rock's retirees make their way down to the “erstwhile pensioner’s paradise”. Fortunately, three decades and more than a dozen studio albums have done little to wear the edge of one of the wildest, raunchiest rock sounds on the music scene.
While that has been a remarkable feat in the eyes of fans and critics everywhere, no one is more astonished about it than the band itself, says guitarist Joe Perry, ahead of tonight’s concert. When he first met lead singer and frontman Steven Tyler in a typical hamburger place many years ago, reveals Perry, he had felt the relationship between them (one with meteoric highs and scarily-depressing lows) had begun in an off-hand manner and Perry had never imagined Aerosmith would turn into a career for him.
“I never had any idea it would turn out this way. Just the fact that we’re still here still surprises me,” he says.
Indeed, that fact still surprises a lot of people who’ve followed the band’s career over the years, considering the self-destructing downhill spiral that the band went into at the height of their career in the ’70s. Much has been written and said about the infamous years that earned Perry and Tyler the nickname of “Toxic Twins”.
Capping it all off was the unique decision by the band to declare publicly their intention to clean up their act.
For a band that had built much of its reputation on being a party band, with an astounding record of run-ins with substance abuse, that decision was unprecedented. In hindsight, says Perry, the band would just as soon not have said anything at all publicly. “A lot of it really was nobody’s business. But we had no choice. Our reputation was so bad nobody would book us for a live gig and we couldn’t get a record deal. In the end you have to decide what’s important.” Since then, however, the band has come a long way. Perry is modest about the band’s success. “You have to have a lot of luck. This isn’t a career that you can pick and choose.” Despite having managed to successively create some of the most striking products of rock history, the historic video of “Walk This Way” with Run DMC for instance, Perry says that the band is just as unsure of how to strike the right chord as the newest garage band. “It’s really hit or miss. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. You could write a great song and people just might not like it. It has gotten a lot harder for bands now. There are a lot of big bands out there, but it takes more than one good song or one good record to make it. It needs a lot of good records over a lot of years.”
And that task doesn’t come easily even to a band like Aerosmith, as the 2004 release “Honkin’ On Bobo” proved. Despite proving to be a shot in the arm for the resurgence of blues music, “Honkin’…” did not manage the kind of success that the band hoped for. “I wish more people had liked it,” says Perry, pointing out that there are a lot of possible explanations including the album not being pushed hard enough by the label. “I guess it just wasn’t the right album for the right time.” Still, adds Perry, he expects the band to stay far more in line with the sound of the 2004 album rather than “Just Push Play”. “But I can’t possibly predict what the next Aerosmith song would sound like,” he clarifies.
As for closer here and now and tonight’s concert, Perry promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Rock fans that don’t come are going to miss out because this is their chance to see the real deal,” he promises in no uncertain terms.
Steven Tyler Interview
Times of India, India
June 2, 2007
Bangalore, India: Lead vocalist of rock & roll band Aerosmith, Steven Tyler, gestures as he talks with reporters on his way out of the Bangalore airport, 01 June 2007.
(Photo credit - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)
The 'demon of screamin' is on the other end of the telephone line. "Hi, this is Steven.' The singular voice -which is raspy and glass-shattering one second, sonorous and throaty the other -is responsible for making hordes of fans bellow in delight. It's not for nothing that Aerosmith's lead singer Steven Tyler and his band (his real name is Stephen Victor Tallarico) have a maniacal fan following. The 'rock and roll hall of famers' -Steven, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer -are often called "the bad boys from Boston", though none of the band's members are actually from that city.
Speaking to The Times of India from Dubai where he performed a sell-out show on Friday, Steven talked a lot and burst into song mid-sentence. Has it been a busy day? "Of course. You know it's the first show and everybody is spitting out," he says. How does he keep his cool? "I surround myself with people, good people. Who understand what is really going on. I'm so excited about performing in Bangalore," he says.
Steven says that India has been a huge part of his life. His son is named Taj after the Taj Mahal. If he were to pen a song for the city he is to perform in, what would it be? "Well -Taste of India," he says and sings it for us.
When did he realise his voice would make money for him? Steven says it was not until he played the drums and started singing because he had to. "That was in 1964. In 1971, I realised I could make money doing that." Is his voice insured? "Oh, yes," he says. Are there many zeros after the number? "Mannnnny," he drawls.
Steven's had throat surgery before. Has he found any change in the quality of his voice? "No, I find that in my speaking voice. If I yell at people, my voice goes bad but I can sing."
His bad boy image gained him notoriety long ago, but now everyone seems to see a new side to him, the philosophical one. How different is Stephen Tallarico from Steven Tyler? "I think I was the same person before and after. I think I was just as opinionated."
Aerosmith has often been compared to the Rolling Stones. Steven doesn't mind it one bit. "It makes perfect sense. Which other singer jumps around like a madman? When I was a little boy, Mick Jagger was the baddest boy on the block."
So, what's it like for this big daddy of rock and grandpa in real life to still be a rocking star with three decades of music under his belt? "I'd like to leave a legacy. To teach people that it is no good to know the price of everything and cost of nothing. That's not a good way to look at life. Don't profess to know the price of things.
When you don't know what they cost."
What about the rumours of a microphone in the bathroom and do rockstars sound best in the shower? "There is a mike in the shower. But if rockstars sound their best in the shower, think how good they will sound on stage. Aerosmith has never sounded better."
June 2, 2007
Bangalore, India: Lead vocalist of rock & roll band Aerosmith, Steven Tyler, gestures as he talks with reporters on his way out of the Bangalore airport, 01 June 2007.
(Photo credit - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)
The 'demon of screamin' is on the other end of the telephone line. "Hi, this is Steven.' The singular voice -which is raspy and glass-shattering one second, sonorous and throaty the other -is responsible for making hordes of fans bellow in delight. It's not for nothing that Aerosmith's lead singer Steven Tyler and his band (his real name is Stephen Victor Tallarico) have a maniacal fan following. The 'rock and roll hall of famers' -Steven, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer -are often called "the bad boys from Boston", though none of the band's members are actually from that city.
Speaking to The Times of India from Dubai where he performed a sell-out show on Friday, Steven talked a lot and burst into song mid-sentence. Has it been a busy day? "Of course. You know it's the first show and everybody is spitting out," he says. How does he keep his cool? "I surround myself with people, good people. Who understand what is really going on. I'm so excited about performing in Bangalore," he says.
Steven says that India has been a huge part of his life. His son is named Taj after the Taj Mahal. If he were to pen a song for the city he is to perform in, what would it be? "Well -Taste of India," he says and sings it for us.
When did he realise his voice would make money for him? Steven says it was not until he played the drums and started singing because he had to. "That was in 1964. In 1971, I realised I could make money doing that." Is his voice insured? "Oh, yes," he says. Are there many zeros after the number? "Mannnnny," he drawls.
Steven's had throat surgery before. Has he found any change in the quality of his voice? "No, I find that in my speaking voice. If I yell at people, my voice goes bad but I can sing."
His bad boy image gained him notoriety long ago, but now everyone seems to see a new side to him, the philosophical one. How different is Stephen Tallarico from Steven Tyler? "I think I was the same person before and after. I think I was just as opinionated."
Aerosmith has often been compared to the Rolling Stones. Steven doesn't mind it one bit. "It makes perfect sense. Which other singer jumps around like a madman? When I was a little boy, Mick Jagger was the baddest boy on the block."
So, what's it like for this big daddy of rock and grandpa in real life to still be a rocking star with three decades of music under his belt? "I'd like to leave a legacy. To teach people that it is no good to know the price of everything and cost of nothing. That's not a good way to look at life. Don't profess to know the price of things.
When you don't know what they cost."
What about the rumours of a microphone in the bathroom and do rockstars sound best in the shower? "There is a mike in the shower. But if rockstars sound their best in the shower, think how good they will sound on stage. Aerosmith has never sounded better."
Friday, June 01, 2007
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Aero Force One
May 31, 2007
(Photos by: Amanda at AF1)
Set List: Aerosmith - Dubai Exiles Rugby Club - May 31, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Last Child
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
More Photos: (here)
May 31, 2007
(Photos by: Amanda at AF1)
Set List: Aerosmith - Dubai Exiles Rugby Club - May 31, 2007
Love In An Elevator
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Cryin'
Eat The Rich
Jaded
What It Takes
Baby Please Don't Go
Hangman Jury/Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Last Child
Livin' On The Edge
Stop Messin' Around
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
~~~~~Encore~~~~~
Walk This Way
Thanks to: Aero Force One.
More Photos: (here)
Dubai Press Conference
Blabbermouth.net, NY
May 31, 2007
"Video footage of Aerosmith's press conference in Dubai has been posted at this location..."
May 31, 2007
"Video footage of Aerosmith's press conference in Dubai has been posted at this location..."
