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).