CyrilHuzeBlog.com
August 29, 2008
Article continued at Cyril Huze Blog: (here).
More on Broken Spoke Campground: (here).
Aero Force One
August 29, 2008
I Love New York Too!
With the closing days of summer upon us and September here, I woke up this morning unusually happy. I then read the sports page and thought to myself “oh yeah it’s because the Yankees are 10 ½ games out of first place and 6 games from the “Wild Card.” With 30 or so games left I am sure stranger things have happened but today I feel good. I have never owned anything with a NY Yankees logo on it. I wouldn’t even wear a ‘Yankees Suck!’ Or Jeter Swallows shirt. That’s not me! All I care about today is that the Yankees (I even hate typing Yankees) are behind the Red Sox in the standings. I guess the saying “I love NY too, it’s the Y%@nk**s I hate” fits me to a tee.
With that out of my system a couple of New Yorkers named Kramer and Tyler took the stage at Boston’s Hard Rock on Monday night. It was a benefit for Boston for Africa. I’m not quite sure what the benefit was benefiting but I bet it was a good cause. I heard Tom Brady’s sister was heading the thing up. Tom made an appearance at the Club and stayed for a little over an hour. I did run into him in the bowels of the Hard Rock as he was making his way out of the restaurant and into his still idling SUV waiting for him on the street. As he walked by, all time stopped. I went into slow motion mode and wished Tom good luck this season. He stuck out his hand and said “thanks a lot” and I returned with my standard reply whenever I meet a member of the Patriots family - “I’m a season ticket holder” - and like a true politician Tom responded, “thanks for the support,” as he hurried into his awaiting Dav-El driven SUV, with Gisele close behind, and drove off into the blackness of the night. His hands like granite his smile like one of the Osmond’s. I had just had an encounter with the greatest football player that has ever lived. OK, I juiced the last part up a bit for dramatic effect. But it was pretty cool none the less.
Steven had agreed to give away one of his “Redwing” motorcycles to the winner of a Guitar Hero competition that was being held at the Rock on this night too. The winner was a guy named Eric Miller from Utah that in my mind should have also won an award for having way too much time on his hands.
Steven and Joey assembled a band to play a few songs that night to cap off the event. It was basically the band Joey and James Montgomery have on the side with a different lead singer with lips the size of Rhode Island. There are several ties between this band and Aerosmith. The obvious was the bass player, David Hull who played in the Joe Perry project and then later subbed for Tom Hamilton while Tom was recovering from throat cancer. David is one of my favorite bass players to listen to. I was amazed at the sounds coming out of his rig. Paul Santo plays keyboards in Joey and James’ band but played guitar this night. Aero diehards may have seen his name before as he has been involved in a lot of recordings since Just Push Play. He was mainly an engineer in the studio but also played some keyboards on Bobo. He has worked with countless other artists but I don’t have the time or patience to list them here. Become a friend on his myspace page and stroke his ego. Then there was the other guitarist, George McCann. The only thing I could think of about George is Tom Hamilton’s father is named “George.” I shat you negative. So that’s his connection. The guys settled on a set list leaning on blues and funk. Joey is a funk guy and you can tell he is much happier playing stuff like Mother Popcorn than any blues song. The band was joined by legendary guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. I’m not quite sure why he is called Skunk and I wasn’t about to ask him. Word has it he has been working as a defense consultant, chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense, and dabbles on guitar in his spare time. I wasn’t about to mess with this overly mustached monster of a guitar player. He shredded on Walk this Way and laid down a funky rhythm bed on Mother Popcorn that would have put James Brown in a cold sweat. Jeff was a member of Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. He also played with 60’s band Ultimate Spinach and more recently the Blues Brothers - (thank you wikipedia)!
Photo By: John B. “Steven and Joey with Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter”
It was an awesome night of music and more importantly for AF1 Nation it was good to see Steven back up on stage for more than one song. His pipes sounded great and granted the stage was the size of a postage stamp he maneuvered well and seemed to be having a ball.
Steven’s plans for the next few weeks are to continue to write his book. He has mentioned to me numerous times about having journals and I’m sure it’s going to take a lot of time to sift through them.
Joey will continue to play with James Montgomery until Aerosmith hits the studio. You should really catch a show when they come near you.
Joe and his son Roman are taking part in a CBS Evening News with Katie Couric feature on A NEWS STORY Regarding HOW GUITAR HERO HAS BECOME AN EFFECTIVE PLATFORM FOR ESTABLISHED ARTISTS TO REACH A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF MUSIC FANS. Roman is involved because he was the first one to play the game and tell his dad about it. The show is scheduled to air next week sometime.
I hear the band is going into the studio in October if the creek don’t rise and the good lord’s willin’.
See you on the Road!
John B.
Portsmouth Herald News, NH
August 29, 2008
Two classic shows kick off the fall line up at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. The inventors of rock-comedy Cheech & Chong (who recently stopped feuding) will bring their “Light Up America…” tour to the Ballroom on Friday, Oct. 3 and Experience Hendrix returns to the Ballroom for the second year in a row with a line-up including Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson and many more. Experience Hendrix hits the beach Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Tickets to both shows go on sale Thursday, Sept. 4, Experience Hendrix at 10 a.m. and Cheech and Chong at — wait for it — 4:20 p.m. Call 929-4100, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. For information, visit www.casinoballroom.com or call the concert hotline at 929-4201.
BrightCoveTV
August 28, 2008
Hill-Man hosts the Boston For Africa Gala at the Hard rock on 8.25, featuring performances by Steven Tyler and Dropkick Murphys.
Watch video: (here).
Boston Globe, MA
August 28, 2008
Steven Tyler must have been hungry after all that rocking out at the Hard Rock Cafe Monday night; he joined Longwood Events owner Jim Apteker, Richie Balsbaugh of Pyramid Radio, and owner Steve DiFillippo at Davio’s for some Philly cheese steak spring rolls and beet salad. . . .
Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer and Don Bernstein, curator for Hard Rock International, were recently spotted lunching with friends in RumBa at the InterContinental hotel. The same day, Doobie Brothers’ guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Bernstein, and Stephen Talarico, who launched a custom line of motorcycles with Tyler, dined with friends in a private room at the hotel’s Miel Brasserie Provençale.
Aero Force One
August 26, 2008
Miriam Lamey, Spin.com
Eric Miller and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler / Photo by Rebeca Oliveira
With the astounding score of 398,000, Eric Miller blew away his rivals on stage last night in Boston, winning the booty in the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith ROCKS the Hard Rock competition. His prize? One rather stylish motorcycle signed by Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler himself. But the evening wasn’t only about Guitar Hero and motorcycles. The end to a 16-date nationwide hunt for America’s most proficient gamer coincided with the benefit gala, Boston for Africa, where citizens opened their purses for FORGE, Foundation Rwanda and Opportunity International.
Boston’s Hard Rock café was peppered with celebrities, including New England Patriots player Tom Brady. Yet the night’s true stars were undoubtedly Tyler and Aerosmith drummer Joe Kramer, who played a brief but striking set with local support! The band presented an electrifying rendition of “Walk this Way,” enhanced by Tyler’s growling vocals, a floor-shaking bass line, and that oh-so-familiar guitar riff. Tyler went on to introduce “Mother Popcorn” by joking, “How long has it been since you heard this one?” and the crowd thrilled to the funky riffs and bass, and sang excitedly over Tyler’s lead vocals during the chorus. The night ended with a surprise performance by more Beantown natives, the Dropkick Murphys, who jumped onstage to play their upbeat ballad, “The Chosen Few,” rife with hometown pride and Irish flavor.
Read the rest of the article: (here).
RedWingMotorcycles.com
August 27, 2008
Boston for Africa
“What a weekend…Sunday started out with sunshine 80 degrees and ended with about 1200 bikes in my rear view mirror…what a ride. We ended up at the Pavilion on Boston Harbor and it was time for some great music and some Slammin hot dogs. Thanks to my friends with the Mass State Police Motorcycle Unit and the Waltham PD. The escort was so cooool. The next night it was off to the Hard Rock Boston to watch the Guitar Hero Aerosmith finals, give the winner the Guitar Hero Red Wing Pro Street (I want one), and then play some music with a little help from my friends. Thanks Joey, David, Paul, George (What no Ringo), and the Skunkman…We rocked out. See you on the road.”
Aero Force One
August 26, 2008
Joey Kramer with Tom Brady - Photo: Brian Malloy
Steven performing live at Hard Rock Cafe - Photo: Brian Malloy
Steven performing live at Hard Rock Cafe - Photo: Brian Malloy
Skunk Baxter, George, Joey Kramer, David & Paul - Photo: Brian Malloy
More at the AF1 Gallery: (here).
AF1 Forum
August 26, 2008
Steven Tyler - ‘Guitar Hero: Aerosmith’ Rocks the Hard Rock at the Hard Rock Cafe on
August 25, 2008 in Boston. (Photo by Gail Oskin/WireImage)
Joey Kramer performs at the “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith” event at the Hard Rock Cafe on
August 25, 2008 in Boston. (Photo by Gail Oskin/WireImage)
Steven Tyler - ‘Guitar Hero: Aerosmith’ Rocks the Hard Rock at the Hard Rock Cafe on
August 25, 2008 in Boston. (Photo by Gail Oskin/WireImage)
Steven Tyler - ‘Guitar Hero: Aerosmith’ Rocks the Hard Rock at the Hard Rock Cafe on
August 25, 2008 in Boston. (Photo by Gail Oskin/WireImage)
More photos: (here).
Aero Force One
August 26, 2008
By Jed Gottlieb / Music, Boston Herald
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Video game dorks and rock stars never had much in common. But that may be changing.
Last night Salt Lake City’s Eric Miller parlayed his talent for joy-stick jockeying into a full-on rock star experience, playing “Sweet Emotion” center stage at Boston’s Hard Rock Cafe and hobnobbing with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.
Looking more like meditating monks than guitar shredders, Miller and three other regional winners competed in Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Rocks the Hard Rock Finals before a crowd of a couple hundred.
If you’re not a “Guitar Hero” enthusiast, the game allows players simulate the real thing using a guitar-shaped controller with fret buttons that corresponded to notes that scroll on the screen. It’s difficult, pretty addictive and massively popular.
“I thought it was kinda dumb the first time I saw it,” said Miller, after besting Orlando’s Joe Ostrom during final tune “Love in an Elevator.” “I didn’t even want to try it, but a friend told me it had (Ozzy Osbourne’s) ‘Bark at the Moon’ in it, so I gave it a try.”
As champion, Miller took home a custom “Guitar Hero”/Hard Rock Cafe Red Wing motorcycle, which Tyler was nice enough to sign for him. Not bad for a 24-year-old plastic guitar slinger.
“I came here thinking I’d lose,” he said. “I was just in for the free trip to Boston.”
Helping to blur the line between real and simulated rock, both Miller and Ostrom play music and say there’s an overlap in the coordination used in the video game and actual guitar.
“I’m a keyboard player with a degree in music,” Ostrom said. “There’s definitely a link between the two.”
It was easy to believe the two guys, watching them rock out on the big screen TVs. Then Tyler and Joey Kramer took the stage with a few friends, and suddenly the game was dwarfed as the band plowed into some loud, dirty, hard-thumping Aerosmith classics.
Comfortable in the Hard Rock’s intimate Cavern Club room, Tyler led the ad hoc group through early, gritty tunes including “Walkin’ The Dog” and “Last Child.”
Both the Guitar Hero finals and the Tyler/Kramer performance were part of a charity event held by Boston for Africa 2008, which benefited organizations working to end the cycle of war and poverty in many African nations. In addition to two Bad Boys of Boston, former Doobie Brother and Steely Dan guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Dropkick Murphys leader Ken Casey pitched in.
MetroWest Daily News, MA
August 26, 2008
Eric Miller of Salt Lake City, left, won the Guitar Hero Challenge at the Boston Hard Rock Cafe’s Africa Benefit Concert and Auction on Monday and was awarded a motorcycle by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith (Photo by: Melissa Ostrow/Daily News correspondent)
BOSTON — “That’s a long time ago,” Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer said of his band’s first concert at Nipmuc High School in Mendon.
Kramer joined band mate Steven Tyler last night at the Hard Rock Cafe for the Boston for Africa VIP Gala that also served as a competition for a new video game, “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith,” which has a local connection.
Nipmuc High School is one of the venues featured in the game, which traces the band’s roots from its beginning to its induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Players can jam to Aerosmith songs at Nipmuc High School in the game. The high school has been converted to the Miscoe Hill School and replaced by a new Nipmuc High School.
“Steven and I still have the T-shirts,” Kramer said of the items they infamously stole backstage at the 1970 concert. A photo in Aerosmith’s biography, “Walk this Way,” shows Tyler wearing a shirt that reads “Nipmuc” across the front.
Having venues from the band’s career makes the game more interesting, Kramer said on the red carpet as competitors played “Sweet Emotion” inside.
“It gives it more sustenance,” Kramer said.
The winner of the competition, Eric Miller of Utah, scored almost 400,000 points while playing the “Love in an Elevator” song to walk off with a motorcycle signed by Tyler.
“You’ve got to play me now,” Tyler joked to Miller when he hopped onstage at the Hard Rock. Tyler, however, did not square off against the winner of the game.
Later in the event, comedian Lenny Clarke helped run an auction that raised tens of thousands of dollars. Boston for Africa benefits the charities FORGE, Foundation Rwanda and Opportunity International.
A throwing session with Tom Brady went for $47,000, while car czar Ernie Boch Jr. bought a ball boy experience with the Boston Celtics for $10,000.
Activision, a company involved with the video game, gave $50,000 to Boston for Africa.
To close out the event, Tyler, Kramer and other musicians rocked the hundreds in attendance with a 40-minute set that included “Walk this Way,” “Big Ten Inch Record” and “Last Child.”
Other celebrities in the house included Patriots players and Bruins players.
WHDH-TV, MA
August 26, 2008
BOSTON — Celebrities turned out for a Hero-ic event Monday evening at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Local band Aerosmith hosted a Guitar Hero contest to raise money and awareness for the charity Boston for Africa, aimed at raising awareness for the genocide and suffering in Africa.
Celebrities like Tom Brady and girlfriend Gisele, Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys and other Patriots attended the event.
Boston for Africa was presented with a $50,000 check and one supporter bid $47,000 to throw the ball around with Tom Brady.
Watch: (here).
Boston Herald, MA
August 25, 2008
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steven Tyler was “Back in the Saddle” yesterday, not storming a stage with his legendary band Aerosmith, but straddling one of his custom-made Red Wing motorcycles for the first annual Boston Rock Ride For Africa.
Hundreds of humanitarian bikers followed the 60-year-old Marshfield superstar’s tailpipe on a 15-mile charity ride from Waltham to the Bank of America Pavilion on Boston’s waterfront to raise money for FORGE and Opportunity International, two charities dedicated to stamping out poverty and empowering struggling Africans to “Dream On.”
Boston Herald, MA
August 25, 2008
By Inside Track
” . . Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer and legal eagle Frank Cimler backstage with Motley Crue at the Comcast Center . . . “
Aero Force One
August 25, 2008
Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler took part in the First Annual Boston Rock Ride for Africa on Sunday. Proceeds from the ride will benefit FORGE, Foundation Rwanda and Opportunity International.
Watch at wbztv.com: (here).
Boston Globe, MA
August 25, 2008
Steven Tyler led a posse of about 1,500 bikers on a Boston for Africa 2008 charity ride to the Bank of America Pavilion yesterday. Ernie and The Automatics were expected to perform afterward, along with Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Johnny A, James Montgomery, and Mike Mangini. The Aeromsith frontman, and bandmate Joey Kramer, will also judge a Guitar Hero rock-out competition tonight at the Hard Rock Café. The two-day event benefits Foundation Rwanda, FORGE, and Opportunity International, which raise awareness about poverty and war in Africa.
Boston Globe, MA
August 23, 2008
Steven Tyler was back in his old New Hampshire ‘hood the other night. The flamboyant frontman showed up at a reunion of Gunnison Brook, a band of buddies that predates even Aerosmith. Held at the fab Foxstand Estate in Springfield, N.H., the gig was organized by Gerry Wolf…, a friend of Gunnison Brook band members Pete Merrigan, Dan Sibley, Mario Casella, and John Maxfield. Tyler didn’t hang around long, but we’re told he did lend a hand on a rocking version of the Rolling Stones’ “Dead Flowers.”
Aero Force One
August 22, 2008
This is a 21-Plus Event, No Exceptions. Under 21 Will Not Be Allowed Into The Event
WZLX.com, MA
August 21, 2008
This Sunday night on the Living Room Concert it’s Aerosmith recorded live in 1987 followed by a Southern Rock double shot of 38 Special & Lynyrd Skynyrd also recorded in the mid-80’s!
It’s the Living Room Concert – wrapping up the Weekend ‘ZLX! Every Sunday night, kick back and enjoy a classic ‘ZLX concert… in your living room!
The show starts at 10pm Sunday night on Boston’s Classic Rock, 100.7 WZLX!
Listen: (here).
Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer are hosting a “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith” playoff at the Hard Rock Cafe on Aug. 25 to benefit Boston for Africa 2008.
Apparently the four best “Guitar Hero”-s (as determined by competitions in 15 other markets) will go head to head and whoever still has feeling in their fingers at the end will be awarded a custom motorcycle by Tyler. The press release also promises that “Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer will rock the house with an all-star performance for the contestants and a host of Boston-area celebrities and sports heroes.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit FORGE, Foundation Rwanda and Opportunity International to raise awareness of the opportunities to end the cycle of war and poverty that affect many African countries.
If you want in on all the local luminary action it will run you $250. Click here for the deets.
CNN.com
August 20, 2008
…..Geoff Mayfield, senior analyst and director of charts for Billboard magazine, said he sees a direct cause-and-effect for some of the artists who have licensed their songs to “Guitar Hero.”
“A few weeks ago, when the game featuring Aerosmith [’Guitar Hero: Aerosmith’] came out, there was more than a 40 percent increase in their catalog sales. I expect you’ll see that again when Metallica gets the same kind of treatment in a few weeks,” Mayfield said…..
(Complete article - here)
Artisan News Service
August 17, 2008
Aerosmith talks about longevity, being survivors and Guitar Hero.
Watch: (here).
Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance (Press Release)
August 18, 2008
Paid Video & Film Production Produces “Real” Footage for Activision’s Guitar Hero(R): Aerosmith(R) Epic Collaboration
…..Keith Garde, president of Paid Inc. Video & Film Production (Paid VFP), directed the production and post-production of the video interviews and has directed or produced numerous other award-winning video projects and music videos for Aerosmith as well as other musical artists.
He noted, “Aerosmith has had such an incredible reign in rock and roll, so capturing the band member’s expression of their history as part of this project has been just an incredible experience. The interviews with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer punctuate the important milestones and the emotions of the band members at each juncture of their career and provide a personal connection to the band for gamer. At the same time, the video segments profoundly spotlight the talent of the development team Neversoft’s amazingly accurate and lifelike motion capture of the band members in the game. The video and animation complement each other for an intense interactive experience that raises the bar to a new level……
(Complete article - here)
Joe Perry
(Photo by Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)
#48 Joe Perry
of Aerosmith
Joe Perry has spent most of his three decades in Aerosmith being compared to Keith Richards: as the guitar pirate and songwriting foil to Aerosmith’s own Jagger, Steven Tyler. But Perry’s admiration for both Richards’ riffing and Jeff Beck’s screaming leads was grounded in blues and R&B: Perry’s immortal pimp-roll lick in “Walk This Way” was a natural progression from Aerosmith’s early covers of Rufus Thomas’ “Walking the Dog” and James Brown’s “Mother Popcorn.” And everything Perry loves about Jimi Hendrix’s iridescent lyricism comes through in Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” one of the only power ballads worthy of the term.
Essential Recording: “Walk This Way,” Toys in the Attic (1975)
Boston Globe, MA
August 15, 2008
Relax, all you Aerosmith acolytes, the band is heading back to the studio in October and will hit the road next spring. In the meantime, drummer Joey Kramer is staying busy with bluesman James Montgomery, playing dates as the Kramer/Montgomery Band. “James has been around as long as we have, and we’ve always talked about playing together,” Kramer told us. “He had a few dates and wondered if I’d be into it. I said, ‘Sure.’ ” The gigs are Sept. 12 at the Roxy and Sept. 13 at the Academy of Music in Northampton. (Tickets go on sale today via TicketWeb.) There’ll be special guests at both shows, including guitarist J. Geils, harpist James Cotton, the Rolling Stones’ Uptown Horns, and Ernie Boch Jr.’s band, the Automatics, with former Boston members Sib Hashian and Barry Goudreau. “It’s basically blues,” Kramer said. “But we’ll do a few Aerosmith tunes, too.”
Aero Force One
August 15, 2008
So by now you’ve probably heard about the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Rocks the Hard Rock summer tour? Well, on Monday, August 25th, things kick into high gear with the championship of the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Rocks the Hard Rock summer tour landing in Boston. The four finalists from across the 15 tour markets will compete in a Guitar Hero: Aerosmith showdown at the Boston For Africa VIP gala at the Hard Rock Cafe Boston. And if you didn’t know - Steven Tyler will personally award the Grand Prize winner of the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith competition his custom-designed Guitar Hero: Aerosmith / Hard Rock Cafe Red Wing motorcycle. Additionally, Activision will provide a $50,000 charitable contribution to Boston For Africa, LLC.
And guess what? Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer will rock the house with an all-star performance for the contestants and a host of Boston-area celebrities and sports heroes will also be in attendance. What would make this even better? How about having YOU attend?!? That’s right. AF1 has got a pair of tickets for one lucky winner. All you gotta do to enter to win is send an email to Contests@aeroforceone.com with the subject line “Guitar Hero; Aerosmith Rocks the Hard Rock” along with your name, age, address, email address and phone numbers where you can best be reached. Entries are due by 12pm EDT on Wednesday, August 20th and a winner will be notified by 12pm EDT on Thursday, August 21, 2008. You must be 21 years of age or older to enter the event at the Hard Rock Café and you must supply your own transportation there and back.
Sound like a kick-ass event? Well, whatcha waitin’ for? Send in your email today!
Good Luck!
The AF1 Crew
Motorsport.com
August 11, 2008
Speedway Children’s Charities will host a charity golf tournament and dinner the week of the NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway with proceeds benefiting BRAKES, a non-profit organization founded by NHRA Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert in memory of his two sons who were killed in a car accident earlier this year.
The Speedway Children’s Charities Golf Classic and the Doug Herbert & Friends Charity Dinner will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, in conjunction with the grand opening of zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C…..
The Speedway Children’s Charities Golf Classic will be held at Rocky River Golf Club, located less than a mile from zMAX Dragway. The 32-team tournament begins at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start and gives fans the opportunity to play golf alongside NHRA drivers and personalities. Mike Rucker, from the Carolina Panthers, and Aerosmith band member Brad Whitford will also be playing…..
More info: (here).
Plochmann Lane, NH
August 14, 2008
“We attended a wonderful performance by the Lake Sunapee (NH) region legend Pete Merrigan and The Lake Sunapee All-Stars in the Sunapee Harbor last night. Beautiful music and weather. Being The Band fans we are, we really enjoyed their rendition of Remedy. Even Aerosmith frontman
Steven Tyler and his girlfriend Erin Brady joined the strong crowd.”
Aero Force One
August 12, 2008
Day 1 – We arrive in Sturgis and chill waiting to hit town the next morning…
Day 2 – The gang grabs our Red Wings and head into the Black Hills for a ride. On the way back we stop at The Broken Spoke for lunch, and discover an Olympic size pool in the middle of nowhere. This it’s off to the Thunderdome for a guitar giveaway, and a look at the Red Wing display. After it’s back to home base for a slammin’ cookout.
Day 3 – We are up early and head off to Deadwood. With us for this ride is our friend Nuc from Russia and some of his staff. Nuc is the biggest importer of custom bikes in Russia. We pull into the center of town and head into a little coffee shop. When we return to our bikes there is a huge crowd checking out the collection of Red Wings that we rode in on. The crowd swelled even bigger as we came back out to get on the bikes. The local Deadwood police department was very helpful getting us back on our way. A big thanks to the officers. Our Russian friends were truly impressed. Then back to the house for a photo shoot with Michael Lichter, and then with American Bagger Magazine. Then it was back to Thunder Road to work the crowd (400,000) attended this year’s rally. We ended up at Bullwackers for a dinner with the locals. Bullwackers and us will never be the same.
Day 4 – We mount the Red Wings and head to breakfast before a final cruise through downtown Sturgis… Wow.
See you on the Rode,
Donny Wightman
Boston Herald, MA
August 12, 2008
Photo by Matt Stone (file)
We hear that Aerosmith sticksman Joey Kramer and blues man James Montgomery - who performed together on Martha’s Vineyard last month - will headline the Reel Blues Fest fundraiser at The Roxy on Sept. 12. Other local musicians including J. Geils, James Cotton, the Uptown Horns, Ernie and the Automatics and the Peter Wolf Band will also jam at the show, which will raise money for musicians’ health care.
Aero Force One
August 11, 2008
Two-Day Finale Event - Boston for Africa 2008 - Includes First Annual Boston Rock Ride for Africa and Star-Studded Showdown with Steven Tyler at Hard Rock Cafe Boston
Orlando, Fla., August 11, 2008 – The national tour – Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith® Rocks the Hard Rock – is gearing-up for a 2-day finale that completes the summer search for the best of the best axe shredders. Throughout the summer, Hard Rock International teamed up with rock legends Aerosmith® and SPIN Magazine for a national tour of 16 Hard Rock Cafes, featuring the newest release in the blockbuster Guitar Hero® franchise, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. Local Guitar Hero fans competed in their favorite game to win a trip to Boston and play for the Grand Prize – a Guitar Hero/Hard Rock Cafe Red Wing Custom Motorcycle designed by Steven Tyler. The upcoming two-day finale event – Boston for Africa 2008 – will benefit FORGE, Foundation Rwanda and Opportunity International to raise awareness of the opportunities to end the cycle of war and poverty that affect many African countries.
Day One
The event begins with the First Annual Boston Rock Ride for Africa to be held Sunday, August 24. Steven Tyler, legendary frontman of the band Aerosmith, will head up this 15-mile escorted charity ride of 1500 motorcyclists into downtown Boston.
At the end of the ride, participants will enjoy live music, courtesy of Ernie and the Automatics and legendary guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan. Motorcycle enthusiasts will enjoy displays of one-of-a-kind customs, including the latest builds from Red Wing Motorcycles and Sucker Punch Sally’s. The day’s festivities will also include food, drinks and vendors for the public.
Day Two
On Monday, August 25, the finale kicks into high gear with the championship of the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Rocks the Hard Rock summer tour. The four finalists from across the 15 tour markets will compete in a Guitar Hero: Aerosmith showdown at the Boston For Africa VIP gala at Hard Rock Cafe Boston. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer will rock the house with an all-star performance for the contestants and a host of Boston-area celebrities and sports heroes.
Steven Tyler will personally award the Grand Prize winner his custom-designed Guitar Hero: Aerosmith / Hard Rock Cafe Red Wing motorcycle. Additionally, Activision will provide a $50,000 charitable contribution to Boston For Africa, LLC.
For further information on Boston for Africa, please visit www.hardrock.com or
http://www.guitarherogame.com/ghaerosmith/hardrocktour.
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith brings these quintessential rock legends to the interactive realm to create the ultimate gaming experience. As fans progress through their careers in the game, they can rock out to scores of Aerosmith’s greatest hits including various tracks re-mastered by the legendary band for Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, as well as songs from celebrated artists that the band has either performed with or has been inspired by in some way. Highlighting the list of celebrated artists is an in-game guest appearance from one of the pioneers of hip-hop and kings of rock, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. Venues from historical moments during the band’s illustrious career offer the experience of “sweet emotion” and further capture the essence of the band’s rise to fame.
About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.
Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision Publishing and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.
About Red Wing Custom Motorcycles
Red Wing Motorcycles was born because a collection of friends wanted to create a unique line of bikes that would turn heads around the world. After a couple of years of design, engineering and testing, the company’s first line of motorcycles debuted in 2007 and those friends — rock and roll legend Steven Tyler, renowned engineer Mark Dirico and Stephen Talarico of AC Custom Motorcycles — achieved their goal. For further information, please visit www.redwingmotorcycles.com.
About FORGE
FORGE leverages African refugee communities to end the cycle of war and poverty in the refugees’ home countries. Through its innovative Collaborative Project Planning Process, FORGE works to facilitate local development solutions to community problems and lay the foundation for peace and prosperity. Since its founding in 2003, FORGE has helped 70,000 refugees from 5 countries to address their needs and become more self-sufficient. In the short term, the initiatives that refugees develop through FORGE address problems of disaffection, disempowerment, and poverty endemic to refugee camp life. In the long term, refugees develop leadership, education, and vocational skills that will aid their home countries when they eventually return. In this way, FORGE tackles the root causes of protracted conflicts by helping communities emerge from poverty, foster peace, and develop future leaders. For more information and frequent updates on projects, visit www.FORGEnow.org.
About Opportunity International
Opportunity International is committed to solving global poverty. Currently serving 1.1 million poor entrepreneurs in 28 developing countries, Opportunity International is a pioneer in offering small business loans, savings, insurance and training in basic business practices to women and men living in chronic poverty. Founded in 1971 as one of the first microcredit lenders, Opportunity International provides small loans – sometimes as little as $50 – and other services that allow poor entrepreneurs to start or expand a business, develop a steady income, provide for their families and create jobs for their neighbors. For more information, visit www.Opportunity.org.
About Foundation Rwanda
During the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, an estimated 20,000 children were born from rapes committed during the genocide. Due to the stigma associated with rape, these children and their mothers have been severely marginalized by their communities and are not actively seeking help. No existing government or NGO programs have been created to support their specific needs. Foundation Rwanda was established to improve the lives of these children by 1) providing funding for their secondary school education, 2) linking their mothers to existing psychological and medical support services, and 3) raising awareness about the consequences of genocide and gender-based sexual violence through photography and new media. For more information or to help sponsor a child’s education, please visit www.foundationrwanda.org.
About Hard Rock International
With 125 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and nine Hotels/Casinos in 48 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya and Bali. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau and Penang, both scheduled to open in 2009; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2010; and Dubai, scheduled to open in 2011. Hard Rock Park, located in Myrtle Beach, is the world’s first rock ‘n’ roll theme park. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.
Aero Force One
August 8, 2008
Join Steven Tyler, the legendary lead singer of Aerosmith and owner of Red Wing Motorcycles, for a 15-mile escorted ride in Boston Sunday, August 24, 2008. The first Rock Ride Boston 2008 will benefit FORGE and Opportunity International, which seeks to help African refugees rebuild communities in war-torn countries.
The ride starts off Route 128 in Waltham, MA. and ends up at the Live Nation Bank of America Pavilion on the waterfront in downtown Boston. At the end of the ride, check out live music courtesy of Ernie and the Automatics and the legendary Skunk Baxter of the Doobie Brothers with displays by Red Wing Motorcycles and Sucker Punch Sally’s.
Registration is just $20…so get online at www.rockride.net and be prepared for a memorable ride with the legendary frontman of Aerosmith. The inaugural Rock Ride Boston is the first of a series that will include Rock Ride Phoenix hosted by Sucker Punch Sally’s as well as several other cities and rock stars.
CMT.com
August 11, 2008
If you’re a fan of Elvis Presley - and I bet you are - be sure to tune in to CMT… for the premiere of Elvis: Viva Las Vegas … The show offers rare performance footage and interviews with his friends. Also in the special, Faith Hill remembers the King’s gospel side with her rendition of “Peace in the Valley,” while Toby Keith and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry get all shook up on “Mystery Train.”
Broadcast Times - RockOnTV.com
Tue - 08.12 - 04:00 PM ET - CMT
Sat - 08.16 - 08:00 PM ET - CMT
Sun - 08.17 - 03:00 PM ET - CMT
Tue - 08.19 - 02:00 PM ET - CMT
AARP.org
August 8, 2008
AARP sent New York-based writer Elinor Nauen and photographer Rebecca Norris Webb back to their homeland of South Dakota to follow the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally August 4-10, 2008 with daily reports and photos…..
Rock icon Steven Tyler, lead singer for the Boston-based rock group Aerosmith, spoke in Sturgis about his new line of motorcycles called Red Wing. (Photo: Rebecca Norris Webb)
Rocker Steven Tyler with writer Elinor Nauen. (Photo: Rebecca Norris Webb)
Elinor Nauen - Red Wing Motorcycle Display. (Photo: Rebecca Norris Webb)
More photos: (here).
Black Hills Pioneer, SD
August 8, 2008
(Pioneer photo by Wendy Pitlick)
Steven Tyler, of Aerosmith fame, makes a guest appearance during a regular Sturgis Motorcycle Rally press conference Wednesday. Tyler has been at Thunder Road at Glencoe Camp Resort all week to form domestic relationships with dealers for his new Red Wing Motorcycles line. Unveiled in 2007 in New Hampshire, Tyler has been working with AC Custom Motorcycles to create the bikes that are being distributed around the world.
(Pioneer photo by Wendy Pitlick)
NWA Bikers.com
August 7, 2008
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith appears at a news conference at the Sturgis Community Center on Wednesday afternoon, August 6, 2008. Tyler and his business partners are promoting Red Wing at Thunder Road at this year’s Sturgis rally. (AP Photo/Rapid City Journal, Kristina Barker)
Boston Herald, MA
August 7, 2008
NEW YORK - At 60, Aerosmith frontman and wild man Steven Tyler is ready to spill.
Tyler, known for heavy hits such as “Walk This Way” and “Dream On,” is working on a memoir to be published in 2009 by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins. The book is not yet titled.
“I have so many outrageous stories, too many, and I’m gonna tell ’em all,” Tyler said in a statement Thursday. “All the unexpurgated, brain-jangling tales of debauchery, sex and drugs, transcendence and chemical dependence you will ever want to hear. And this is not just my take, this is the unbridled truth, the in-your-face, up-close and prodigious tale of Steven Tyler straight from the horse’s lips.”
Black Hills Pioneer, SD
August 7, 2008
STURGIS - Steven Tyler, of Aerosmith fame, is branching out into the motorcycle industry.
Tyler, along with his partners renowned engineer Mark Dirico and Stephen Talarico of AC Custom Motorcycles, launched Redwing Motorcycles in 2007, and they are in Sturgis this year to network with domestic dealers and get their name out. The bikes are touted as beautiful creations that are both comfortable to ride and reliable.
Tyler has been doing meet-and-greets at Thunder Road near Glencoe Camp Resort to promote his new motorcycle line, for which he has had a heavy design influence. His partners include renowned engineer Mark Dirico and Stephen Talarico of AC Custom Motorcycles.
“Steven Tyler has provided the artistic vision for Redwing,” said Massey as she introduced the group. “He has insisted on making sure each motorcycle is as comfortable as it is unique.”
During the press conference Tyler explained that the goal of his new line is to provide motorcycles that look and feel good, but that are also very reliable. Redwing Motorcycles, which debuted in 2007, are distributed around the world, and the company’s goal at Sturgis is to network with domestic dealerships.
“It just went from a dream, just like a song does, that comes to fruition,” Tyler said of how Redwing Motorcycles got started. “It comes from the lust and love of driving and the ‘what if?’ That’s how I got to be in this band. It’s the same thing. I love watching things come from a dream and an idea and a thought, to what we got today. It’s just amazing.”
Tyler spoke about his new line of bikes during a Rally press conference where law enforcement officers, S.D. Department of Transportation officials and other Rally officials talked about how the Rally has been going……
Continued: (here).
Aero Force One
August 6, 2008
Renowned trumpeter Chris Botti will perform two special star-studded performances with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops as part of a PBS special “Chris Botti Live in Boston,” at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall on September 18 and 19, 2008.
These star-studded performances will include Botti performing with some of today’s most popular music artists including Steven Tyler (18th and 19th), Sting (18th and 19th), Josh Groban (18th), Yo-Yo Ma (19th), and many more.
Read on… (here).
Aero Force One
August 6, 2008
8/06 - 8/08 Only
Get Your Wings (free) members will receive 10% off all merchandise in the store and platinum/gold members will receive 20% off until Friday afternoon (8/8) at 4:00 PM ET. Remember, you must be logged in to receive your discount!
Log In/Sign Up: (here).
Crain’s New York Business.com
August 5, 2008
Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins, has won an auction to publish the autobiography of rock legend Steven Tyler, according to publishing sources.
Terms of the deal could not be learned.
Aerosmith’s lead singer is only the latest aging icon of rock ‘n’ roll to agree to tell his story. Last summer, the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards signed a $7 million world rights deal with Little, Brown to write an autobiography — a deal that was concluded shortly before Eric Clapton’s autobiography came out.
Clapton went on to become one of the Doubleday Publishing Group’s bestselling titles of 2007.
Mr. Tyler is a prize catch for the HarperCollins imprint. In addition to being the driving force behind one of the music industry’s top bands for nearly 40 years, the singer and songwriter has a personal comeback story to tell, having overcome a heroin addiction.
The Queen Literary Agency, which handled the sale, declined to comment. An Ecco spokesperson could not be reached.
Aero Force One
August 4, 2008
Contemporary Jazz Trumpeter Chris Botti to Perform With Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops in Symphony Hall September 18-19, 2008
Star-Studded Performance Includes Sting, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Yo-Yo Ma, and More
Performance to be Broadcast on PBS, Recorded Live, and Released on CD And DVD
Tickets Go On Sale August 8
Legendary trumpeter Chris Botti will perform a special star-studded performance with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops as part of a PBS special “Chris Botti Live in Boston” at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall on September 18-19, 2008. This star-studded performance will include Botti performing with some of today¹s most popular music artists including Josh Groban (18th), Sting, Steven Tyler, Yo-Yo Ma (19th), and many more. Tickets for each performance range from $95-$250 and will go on sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 8. They are available online at www.bostonpops.org and through SymphonyCharge by calling 1-800-266-1200.
This special collaboration with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops will be broadcast nationally during PBS’ pledge drive in March 2009; a DVD and other bonus items will be released exclusively through PBS in March as well.
SonyBMG will release a live audio CD of the performance in December 2008, followed by a nationwide DVD release in April 2009. “Chris Botti Live in Boston” is a follow-up to Botti’s highly acclaimed “Live with Special Guests” PBS Special/DVD released in 2005. Since the release of his first solo album in 1995, trumpeter Chris Botti has created a series of recordings which have made him a star in the realm of contemporary jazz and pop world. Through his singular combination of lush atmospheres and thoughtful improvisations, Botti has earned both critical acclaim and mainstream appreciation for a succession of best-selling albums including When I Fall In Love (2004, #1 Top Jazz Album, #37 Billboard Top 200), To Love Again: The Duets (2005, #1 Top Jazz Album, #18 Billboard Top 200), and Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests (2006, #2 Top Jazz Album).
In the studio and on stage, Chris Botti has worked with such leading singer-songwriter/composers as Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and renowned film composer John Barry, among others; as a sideman, he has appeared on dozens of albums, compilations and soundtracks. Botti’s association with Sting–who joins Botti on both To Love Again and When I Fall In Love–dates back to 1999, when the trumpeter joined the pop legend’s band as featured soloist on the “Brand New Day” tour, which lasted two years.
RedWingMotorcycles.com
August 1, 2008
Sturgis Baby!
Aug 1 at Sturgis…the bikes arrived in yesterday and I am not far behind.
Looking forward to the sights and sounds of 400,000 CRAZY bike nuts like myself and the beautiful riding that is Sturgis.
Come by and check out the Red Wing display and say hello!
BostonScore.com
August 2, 2008
Posted by Adam Hart
7:06 The Red Sox are about to start their game against the A’s. Let’s hope Jason Bay isn’t forced to score all the runs again tonight. Not that Jon Lester needs more than 2 runs to win.
7:14 Emil Brown just hit a two-run homer. I was wrong. Again. Lester is getting hit around the park, so far. Jason Bay may need to bat 17 times today just to keep up with the A’s. Aren’t they supposed to be terrible?
7:22 Youk goes deep, hitting a two-run homer — his 19th of the season. Game tied at 2-a piece. Joey Kramer from Aerosmith, who threw out tonight’s first pitch, caught the home run ball in his Monster Seats….
RedWingMotorcycles.com
July 30, 2008
Annual Sturgis Rally - August 4-10, 2008
Those attending the 68th annual Sturgis Rally won’t be able to miss Red Wing. Come visit us at Thunder Road! We’ll be riding with Steven and showcasing the bikes all week.
Boston for Africa
Come ride with Steven Tyler and friends for a great cause on August 24th. We’re leaving Resevoir Place at Trapelo Road in Waltham, MA and headed to Bank of America Pavilion in Boston for an afternoon of music, fun and entertainment.
www.bostonforafrica.org has more information on this wonderful event. Visit or call Manchester (603.622.2461) or Nashua (603.578.9400) Harley-Davidson for pre-registration.
More info: (here).
A Hawkeye View Of Gotham - Typepad.com
August 1, 2008
New York City, NY - July 31, 2008
“Yesterday afternoon… I saw none other than Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith! He was chatting with the crowd and posing for photos, so I introduced myself, said I was a big fan, and got my picture taken with him…”
Larger photo: (here).
Aero Force One
July 31, 2008
Be sure to check out the Red Sox game Saturday, August 2 as Joey Kramer will be throwing out the first pitch. The Red Sox are hosting the Oakland Athletics and the game is set to start at 7:05 PM.
Red Sox vs. Athletics
Saturday August 2
7:05 PM
NESN
Aero Force One
July 31, 2008
Tom Hamilton visited WPXC - PIXY 103 for Live Lunch with the Rock Babe on Wednesday, July 30. During the show, Tom talked about Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, discussed the levels and gave first-hand tips for mastering the game.
To listen to the segment On Demand, go to www.pixy103.com
Click on “Listen Live On Demand Media Center”
Choose…
- On Demand
- Audio Vault
- WPXC - Tom Hamilton Interview
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