Boston’s FOX News
April 29, 2009

FOX25’s Doug Meehan recently got an invitation to Joe Perry’s home to talk with the lead guitarist about Aerosmith and the upcoming tour. Check out Doug’s interview for more.

Watch video:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 29, 2009

Tom Hamilton talks about Urban Improv on Magic 106.7.

Magic 106.7 aired Tuesday at 6:20
Katie Stinchon
Teak Media Communications
416 West Broadway
South Boston, MA 02127

PH: 617.269.7171
FX: 617.269.7179
www.teakmedia.com

Listen:  (here).

Publishers Weekly
April 28, 2009

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and the E Street Band’s Clarence Clemons will appear together as part of BEA’s opening night keynote, where they will be interviewed live on stage by author Chuck Klosterman. The event marks the debut of BEA’s Author Stage program, which features groupings of authors interviewed by journalists or other authors on one of two new stages on the show floor. The Author Stage interviews, many of which have already been scheduled, will take place throughout the day on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30.

The series debut with Tyler, Clemons and Klosterman will take place on BEA’s “main” stage in the Special Events Hall on Thursday, May 28 at 5:30 PM and is free to all show attendees. It will follow a CEO roundtable with Tina Brown at 3 p.m., and BEA’s Editor’s Buzz at 4:15 p.m.

Tyler, Clemons and Klosterman all have books coming out this fall. In October, Ecco will publish Tyler’s memoir, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?; Grand Central will publish Clemons’s book (co-written with Don Reo), Big Man; and Scribner will publish Klosterman’s Eating the Dinosaur. V-p and show manager for BEA Lance Fensterman said, “BEA is about featuring stories, whether real or fictional, and Steve Tyler and Clarence Clemons certainly have their fair share of stories.”

Aero Force One
April 27, 2009

Watch video:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 27, 2009

Begin Tuesday, April 28th

Tues 07.07.09 –Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek — Raleigh, NC — Tues 04.28.09, 10am ET
Thurs 07.09.09 — Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte — Charlotte, NC — Tues 04.28.09, 10am ET
Fri 07.17.09 — Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion — Houston, TX — Tues 04.28.09, 11am ET, 10am CT
Sun 07.19.09 — Superpages.com Center — Dallas, TX — Tues 04.28.09, 11am ET, 10am CT
Wed 08.19.09 — Sleep Train Pavilion — Concord, CA — Tues 04.28.09, 1pm ET, 10am PT
Sun 08.30.09 — Verizon Wireless Music Center — Indianapolis, IN — Tues 04.28.09, 10am ET

Check it out:  (here).

Boston Herald, MA
April 26, 2009

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, channeling Queen Elizabeth, got jiggy with society gals Kristina Lyons, Liz Brunner, Lisa Pierpont and Anna Levitan as they rehearsed their version of ‘All the Married Ladies,’ (a takeoff on Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’) at a rehearsal for Wednesday’s annual Banned In Boston revue at the House of Blues, a fund-raiser for Urban Improv.

WZLX.com
April 20, 2009

Listen:  (here).

Boston Globe, MA
April 25, 2009

Who’s that lady? It’s Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton pretending to be queen. The famous bassist was at the House of Blues yesterday rehearsing for his upcoming Banned in Boston performance of “I Touched Michelle,” a takeoff on Katy Perry’s single “I Kissed a Girl.” Hamilton, who said he knows Perry’s song well (”My daughter played it nonstop for a while there”), is always happy to dress in drag for the Urban Improv comedians who write the annual benefit show. “I’ve been Laura Bush, I think I’ve been Barbara Bush, and I think I was Camilla Parker-Bowles,” he said. Hamilton’s number, a take on Michelle Obama’s trip to London, has him wearing what he describes as “a nice gown – a nice pink satin gown – with a little bit of a cape effect, and a wig.” After Wednesday’s Banned in Boston event, Hamilton will focus on Aerosmith’s summer tour, which brings the band to the Comcast Center on June 16. The band may be putting off the release of a new album to go on the road, but Hamilton says fans may hear new material live. “I know there’s a couple of things that would be really cool to put out there,” he said. “We may be tempted.”

Aero Force One
April 24, 2009

Boston “Celebs” Act out for a Good Cause
14th Annual Banned in Boston Comedy Revue
A Benefit for Urban Improv: Wednesday, April 29

BOSTON — If laughter is the best medicine, these days we all could use a thousand milligrams of the giggles. The 14th annual Banned in Boston is set to offer a dose of hilarity, giving Boston the opportunity to laugh off the blues. Mayor Menino will let his hair down, Governor Patrick will not talk about taxes, and Attorney General Martha Coakley will drop her legal briefs, all for the sake of Urban Improv, a leading youth charity in Boston.

On April 29th, Banned in Boston will rock the new House of Blues on Lansdowne Street. Other Boston favorites set to take the stage are Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, Click ‘n Clack the “Car Talk” guys, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Doris Kearns Goodwin, “Hair” Director Diane Paulus, auto czar Ernie Boch, Jr., and a special message from a much loved Celtic baller.

Boston’s favorite chefs will also take center stage, filling bellies before all the laughter begins with their top notch cuisine. Participating restaurants include Upstairs on the Square, Eastern Standard, The Catered Affair, Sel de la Terre and many more.
Banned in Boston is a benefit for Urban Improv, the nationally-acclaimed youth program that uses interactive, improvisational theater to promote positive youth development as a catalyst for violence prevention and social change. The program provides young people a realistic and compelling forum to engage in self-exploration, practice self-expression and critical decision-making. Urban Improv confronts issues like violence, racism, bullying, homophobia, and drugs – all of which can be a stark part of today’s reality for young people everywhere.

Banned in Boston is the one night a year when Boston lets go of its conservative image and has a good laugh at itself. The funds raised through Banned in Boston will make Urban Improv workshops and programs a reality for 7,000 students in Boston and throughout the region in the coming year.

LISTEN TO TOM from the podcast on this link (it starts at about 27 minutes 30 seconds into it).

TUNE IN TO “Matty In the Morning” on Kiss 108FM (WXKS) - Monday, April 27 at 7:15am – and listen to Tom’s interview!
WHO: Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, Governor and Mrs. Deval Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, Mayor Tom Menino, Click ‘n Clack the “Car Talk” guys, A.R.T.’s new Artistic Director and Director of Broadway’s “Hair” Diane Paulus, WGBH “Greater Boston” host Emily Rooney, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care’s Charlie Baker, Massachusetts Film Office Director Nick Paleologos, Boston Culinary Group CEO Joe O’Donnell, Red Sox Foundation Exec. Meg Vaillancourt, car dealership guru Ernie Boch, Jr., President of Boston City Council Mike Ross, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation President Jarrett Barrios, Broadway star Nancy Anderson, Massachusetts State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry, Vice President of Community Relations at John Hancock Carol Fulp, creator of “Style Boston,” Anna Levitan, Executive Director of Year Up Casey Recupero, and many more.

WHAT: The 14th annual Banned in Boston benefit
WHERE: The House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston
WHEN: Wednesday April 29, 6 p.m. cocktails and dinner served up by Boston’s top chefs including, Ashmont Grill/Tavolo, Chez Henri, DaVinci, Eastern Standard, La Morra, Middlesex Lounge, Olive’s, Scampo, Sibling Rivalry, Sel de la Terre, The Catered Affair, Union Bar & Grille and Upstairs on the Square. The Performance will begin at 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m. finale.

TICKETS: Tickets are $200 each, or $100 for those under the age of 40. The ticket price includes cocktails and hors d’ouevres, prepared and served by Boston’s top chefs. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (617) 524-7049 or visit www.urbanimprov.org.

Aero Force One
April 23, 2009

Begin Saturday, April 25th

Detroit, MI — 09.16.09 — Presale: 10:00 AM ET — Sat, 04.25.09

Tour schedule and tickets for other dates:  (here).

Gibson
April 22, 2009

“Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry was talking to VH1 Radio’s Dave Basner the other day and dropped a potential bombshell of an announcement: that the band was considering performing an entire album on their upcoming tour with ZZ Top, which launches June 10 in St. Louis, Mo.

Perry specifically told Basner that he’d love to perform Toys In The Attic in its entirety, but wouldn’t divulge any other details. An announcement is expected before the band hits the road in early June.

We’ll keep you posted as soon as we hear anything.

In the meantime, check out the full list of Aerosmith/ZZ Top concert dates here.”

Glosslip
April 22, 2009

“At sixty years young, rocker Steven Tyler (aka Steven Tallarico) of Aerosmith (whose father Victor who is a classical musician who studied at Julliard), has no intention of sporting his AARP card any time soon.

Tyler will be headlining the upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp founded by David Fishof in Hollywood, Ca.

Roadrunner Records reports:

The five-day session, which runs April 29 through May 3 in Hollywood, California, gives music lovers — regardless of their musical ability — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live like a rock star and jam with their idols. Participants form separate bands, each of which receives intensive coaching from a different rock star in preparation for the two big events that cap off this unforgettable experience. Each band records an original song with renowned engineer/producer Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix) at the historic Capitol Studios. Located near Hollywood and Vine, the famed studios have hosted recording sessions for everyone from Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys to Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Then the bands will rock all night, performing at the world-famous Whiskey-A-Go-Go on the Sunset Strip….”

Complete article:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 20, 2009

Watch video:  (here).

WZLX.com
April 20, 2009

Listen live or online -

“Thursday morning at 7:50, with Karlson and McKenzie on ZLX!”

More info:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 20, 2009

Begin Tuesday, April 21st

St. Louis, MO — 06.10.09 — 11am ET
Wantagh, NY — 06.26.09 — 10am ET
Cincinnati, OH — 07.01.09 — 10am ET
Hershey, PA — 07.03.09 — 9:20am ET
Tampa, FL — 07.11.09 — 9:40am ET
Phoenix, AZ — 07.27.09 — 1pm ET
Denver, CO — 08.01.09 — 12pm ET
Seattle, WA — 08.17.09 — 1pm ET
Toronto, ONT — 09.03.09 — 9:40am ET
Holmdel, NJ — 09.12.09 — 9:20am ET

More info:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 20, 2009

“…..On Monday morning Fox News [Boston] is going to run their story on the Morning News Show, so make sure to tune in! Joe is going to be talking about the new tour and about the Boston show on June 16th at the Comcast Center!”

Aero Force One
April 17, 2009

(Photo courtesy AF1 Forum)

“…Your favorite rockin’ man from Boston… on your local Channel 7 News.”

Watch video:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 17, 2009

Begin Saturday, April 18th

Ft. Lauderdale, FL — 07.13.09 — 10am ET — Sat. 4.18
Tulsa, OK — 07.30.09 — 10am ET — Sat. 4.18
Las Vegas, NV — 07.25.09 — 10am PT — Mon. 4.20

Check it out:  (here).

Billboard.com
April 17, 2009

Recovered from a recent bout of pneumonia, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler is ready to infect the upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles with some wisdom gleaned from nearly 40 years of recording and touring.

“I’ve not done anything like this before. I’m expecting just a whole lot of fun,” Tyler tells Billboard.com. He’s not planning much in the way of formal lesson plans, either.

“I think they’ll find it very interesting when I tell them that it’s not really necessarily about practicing and hitting all your notes,” explains Tyler, whose father, Vic Tallarico, studied at the Julliard School in New York. “I don’t think it’s about that at all. I think it’s all about finding a passion, a way of singing something in a way that nobody has ever done it before. It’s about a feeling and getting that across to people. That’s what I’ll be trying to tell them.”

Tyler will be among 20 counselors taking part in the camp that runs April 29-May 3 in Hollywood. He’ll join previously announced celebrities such as Duff McKagan, Todd Rundgren, Yes drummer Alan White, former Toto guitarist Steve Lukather, ex-Cars guitarist Elliott Easton and producer-songwriter Mark Hudson (Aerosmith, Ringo Starr). Camp organizers recently added three more mentors keyboardist Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters), original Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine and Vixen bassist Share Ross.

The camp will provide a bit of recreational respite for Tyler before preparation begins for Aerosmith’s summer tour, which kicks off June 10 in St. Louis and adds ZZ Top to the bill on the third date. “It’s the weird to the beard,” Tyler enthuses. “It’ll be the most bad-ass rock ‘n’ roll you’ve ever heard in your life.”

He’s also continuing to work on songs for Aerosmith’s next album, the group’s first since 2004’s “Honkin’ on Bobo.” The project, with Brendan O’Brien producing, has been delayed by Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry’s health issues, but he reports that it’s still “pretty far along. Stuff is sounding great. I can’t wait to get back to it and really make it cook.”

ABC12.com, MI
By: James R. Chesna
April 13, 2009

Got a favorite show?

“As a former full-time music and entertainment writer for the Flint Journal (and a current free lancer who works shows and does CD reviews when he can, right here on ABC12.com), I’m always thinking music. And like John Cusack in ‘High Fidelity,’ I love debating about it even more….. I started thinking about concerts I’ve attended or seen on TV, both as a fan and as a professional, and I wondered which ones would go on a list of all-time favorites. And I compiled a list below…..

Aerosmith/Kiss, 2003, Comerica Park: Boston’s mighty Aerosmith was reconnecting with its blues roots on the support tour for ‘Honkin’ on Bobo,’ and completely smoked Kiss. But it was cool to see them share a bill…..”

Complete article:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 15, 2009

Hey Aero Force One –

Lots of fans have asked us questions about Aerosmith’s potential setlist on this summer’s massive tour with ZZ Top.
Well, Steven Tyler had this to say – “You’re gonna hear every rock n’ roll lick that ever made you wanna kiss a girl. From A to Z – Aero to ZZ Top!”

Is that good enough for ya? We thought so. Grab that person who makes your pants wet and get ready for a performance that’ll seal the deal.

See you on the road this summer!

For tour dates, fan club presales and exclusive VIP packages, keep your eyes on the AF1 Tour page.

Business Wire (press release)
April 14, 2009

• VIP experience presales for the Aerosmith 2009 Tour presented by Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith® with special guest ZZ Top are available now via www.AeroForceOne.com
• Experience package options include: meet & greets with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, photo opps on-stage, pre-concert parties with special appearances by Joey Kramer, and Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith® jam sessions
• The 43-date North American tour starts June 10 at the Verizon Amphitheatre in St. Louis and hits most major cities prior to its scheduled conclusion September 18 in Philadelphia
• VIP packages are offered thru the official Aerosmith fan club managed by PAID, Inc. (OTCBB: PAYD)

Aero Force One brings you the only thing better than Aerosmith’s 2009 Tour…meeting band members, back stage tours, exclusive preshow parties And primo seats on the tour! An Aerosmith fan’s dream come true! Your chance for presale orders of the Wheels Up experience package including a meet & greet with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry as well as other incredible VIP fan experience packages for the first events on the mega 43-date Aerosmith 2009 Tour starts now through Aerosmith’s official fan club, Aero Force One (www.AeroForceOne.com). Check back frequently for onsale information listing VIP experiences for additional concert dates.

Joey Kramer, Aerosmith drummer, said, “Our VIP fan experiences on the 2009 Tour offer incredible opportunities for fans to experience Aerosmith up close and personal. Being part of Aerosmith for many years has been an incredible ride from the wildest parties you can imagine and playing in front of millions of people around the world, to the hard, soul-searching work of climbing back from the edge of darkness that ultimately led to us earning the music industry’s most prestigious honors. It continues to be an amazing ride, which after all is said and done, wouldn’t be possible without the best fans in the world. I’m excited to be meeting fans at the back stage parties to share some of the intense behind-the-scenes and personal stories from life and the road that will blow them away.”

Available exclusively through Aero Force One, packages include perks such as appearances by Aerosmith members –Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), and Joey Kramer (drums) — at meet & greets and pre-concert parties. Packages may also include Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith® jam sessions, concert photo books, back stage tours to chat with Aerosmith’s crew and instrument techs, autographed merchandise, bags of swag, giveaways and more! Fans who purchase tickets elsewhere may add the pre-concert party.

“It’s always an amazing experience to meet your favorite artists — and all the more incredible to see them in concert after you’ve met them,” said Greg Rotman, CEO of PAID, Inc. celebrity services, which manages Aero Force One. “We’re especially thrilled to join with Aerosmith in offering the broadest selection of fan experience packages in Aero Force One’s history including multiple options for fans seeking the experience of a lifetime at an Aerosmith concert. No matter which packages fans choose, they can be assured they’ll receive the VIP treatment from start to finish with ’fan-focused value’ only offered through Aero Force One.”

For fast access to VIP sales, visit www.AeroForceOne.com in advance to join AF1 or make sure your membership is current. Fans without Internet access, can call +1 508-791-3853 in the USA, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. EDT…….

Complete article:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 13, 2009

Aerosmith ReJoins Forces With Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith® For Rock Event Of The Summer

Massive Three-Month Tour Launches June 10 In St. Louis, With Special Guests ZZ Top

Tickets Go On Sale Beginning April 17 at LiveNation.com

What happens when Aerosmith, America’s Greatest Rock ‘N Roll Band who’ve sold over 150 million albums, won four Grammys and been inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame, rejoins forces with Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®?

You have the rock event of the summer.

The massive Aerosmith tour–presented by Guitar Hero: Aerosmith–kicks off June 10 at Verizon Amphitheatre in St. Louis. Special guests ZZ Top join the tour on June 16. Tickets go on sale in select markets to the general public beginning Friday, April 17th. For additional presale, on sale, ticket and tour information go to www.livenation.com. The North American tour runs through September and includes stops in New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

Aerosmith–Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums)–made history last year when Activision released Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, marking the first music-based game built around the legendary music of Aerosmith. The groundbreaking partnership united “America’s greatest hard rock act” (as described by Mojo editor Phil Alexander in a May ‘07 cover story) with the massively successful videogame franchise; sales exploded and broke records, with Aerosmith reaching another generation of fans.

This summer’s dates follow Aerosmith’s 2007 worldwide tour that encompassed 35 dates in 20 countries, including their first-ever concert in India. Highlights included the band headlining a crowd of 50,000 fans on the second night of Hard Rock Café’s London Calling event in Hyde Park. Known for their incomparable chemistry and trademark electrifying performances, Aerosmith also triumphantly performed in packed stadiums in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, and culminated their overseas domination with two unforgettable shows in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

“I have always been a huge fan of ZZ Top,” Joe Perry says. “I toured with them with the Joe Perry Project, and those shows were unforgettable. With ZZ Top on this bill, it will definitely kick us into overdrive.”

Aerosmith is currently in the studio working on a new album. For more than 30 years Aerosmith has defined American Rock ‘n’ Roll. They’ve earned countless awards (including four Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards, and twelve MTV Awards), performed electrifying sold-out concerts around the world and have a fan-base numbering in the millions worldwide. The members of Aerosmith remain creatively vital, and are the platinum standard for artistic and commercial success in the music business. Through it all they have undeniably withstood the test of time. For more information on Aerosmith, including fan club tickets, go to www.aeroforceone.com.

Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, ZZ Top–Billy F Gibbons (guitar/vocals), Dusty Hill (bass/vocals) and Frank Beard (drums)–formed in 1969 and played their first show in February 1970 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont, Texas. The personnel line-up for “That little ol’ band from Texas” has not changed in the intervening years: no other major band can make that claim. Along the way, they’ve been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2004), were named Official Heroes of the State of Texas (1986), and were cited for Best Group Video and Best Direction at the very first MTV Video Music Awards. They performed at the 1997 Super Bowl halftime show and their landmark Eliminator album was in the first group of recordings to achieve RIAA’s Diamond status in recognition of domestic sales in excess of ten million units. Texas Governor Ann Richards declared May 4, 1991 ZZ Top Day in their home state. Live From Texas was released last year and debuted at #1 on Billboard’s music DVD chart. The band’s consistency has been attributed by its members to the fact that they are “the same three guys playing the same three chords.”

Get ready for the summer. The Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Presents Aerosmith tour with special guests ZZ Top will be live, loud, and all the rock you’ll need.

Date	City	Venue	Country
No shows booked at the moment.
RSS

* ZZ Top will not appear on June 10th and June 13th.
+ Support to be announced

Aerosmith VIP Ticket Packages and Fan Experience Programs Available Now for Kansas City and St. Paul! Pre-Sales for additional shows begin Tuesday, April 14th. Check back to AF1 soon for further details.

Have you checked your AF1 Membership status lately? Don’t forget that members get exclusive pre-sale and tickets for Aerosmith shows and the longer you have been a member the better the tickets. So Join Now or update your member info, so you keep those great seats. Join Now! If you are signed up on the AeroForceOne email list only You Must have an AF1 All Access Membership in order to purchase AF1 Ticket Packages.

Classic Rock Magazine – Cover
May, 2009

More:  (here).

Boston Globe, MA
April 11, 2009

Could Joe Perry be the next Simon Cowell? Word is the Aerosmith ax man will channel his inner “Idol” judge at the Paradise Tuesday when he critiques seven college rock bands, with the winner getting a record deal. Perry, whose band is hitting the road this summer with ZZ Top, will be joined at the Rolling Stone-sponsored event by Incubus’s Mike Einziger. Vying for the deal with Veritas records will be the Ben Kultgen Band (Harvard), Gerard Mellen (BC), Kids With Kites (BU), SEX! (Berklee), The Pears (MIT), The Hollow Sound (Emerson), and FunkSoulLove (Tufts).

Complete article:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 10, 2009

Watch video:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 10, 2009

It has taken me so long to write because I couldn’t actually believe what took place at the Rock and Roll Hall last Saturday really happened.

Photo By: Ross Halfin

It all started when Joe was asked to play with Run DMC a few months ago. Joe wanted to go to the Induction ceremonies when he heard Jeff Beck was being inducted by Jimmy Page and with Run DMC there, it was a slam dunk. He had the guitar he used in the “Walk this Way” video all ready to go. Then word came that Rev. Run and DMC wouldn’t be playing after all. The rumor is that the two don’t speak to each other. So Joe decided he and Billie would just go and enjoy the festivities. The days leading up to the show, Joel Gallen, who was putting the TV show together had a great idea to have the 3 guys who made the song “Train Kept’ a Rollin’” famous on stage performing it. Add Ron Wood to the mix and you have an end of show jam of epic proportions. I have heard of 2 drummers before but 3 bass players? With the energetic Flea (there to induct Metallica) on bass as well as current and past Metallica four-stringmen, Rob Trujillo and Jason Newstead, the line up was filled by James Hetfield, who stepped out of his box and sang great, Kirk Hammett who took the second solo and just crushed and then there was Lars Ulrich who was capable on drums.

We arrived Friday afternoon and were to rehearse Friday night but apparently Metallica’s gear didn’t make it into the country in time and wouldn’t be arriving from Paris until the wee hours of Friday.

Rehearsals. Photo By: Ross Halfin

Metallica had a small party at the House of Blues to celebrate their induction. Earlier that day I got a call from Ross Halfin who was there escorting his mate Jimmy Page. You could hear him getting all peacock’d up on the phone just kinda strutting around his hotel suite telling me about his adventures with ‘Pagey’. Next thing I know there is a knock on the door and there stood Mr. Page and his bodyguard/assistant Ross the Boss. Let’s go then! “We are driving to the party on the bus with you lot,” he half shouts at me. I leave my room with the bossiest photographer in the world and the perhaps the greatest guitarist on earth. I did notice Ross once again nicked my $10 can of cashews from my mini bar.

We go to Joe and Billie’s room and there Jimmy and Joe hang for a few minutes before leaving for the party. As we waited in the lobby for the lift, all of Metallica and their families are there and Kirk was getting ready to introduce Joe, Jimmy and Billie to his Mom. Mama Hammett looks at Jimmy and said I know you, you’re Mr. Aerosmith! Joe chuckles, Jimmy points to Joe we all enter the Elevator red faced.

The next day a rehearsal was set up for 12 Noon.

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Everybody arrives bright eyed and bushy tailed. It was weird because Jimmy was kind of lurking in the audience and then moved closer to the stage during the jam. He was listening and you could see the wheels turning in his head. It almost looked like he was sizing up the players and seeing if he wanted to take part in the jam or maybe he was thinking of the song and what he should play in it. A solo? Rhythm?

Rehearsals. Photo by: Ross Halfin

Rehearsals. Photo By: Ross Halfin

After a few run-throughs he grabbed a rented Les Paul and began to jam. He decided he would leave the solo’s to Joe, Jeff and Kirk. Joe started with the Bones and Bullets guitar but opted for the Billie after he broke a string. He stuck with the Billie for the show. Jimmy actually used Felicia Collin’s (from David Letterman) white Les Paul for the show.

Joe did a lot of press while in Cleveland – taking about the new Aerosmith tour with ZZ Top and also the next Aerosmith recording and working on his new solo album.

Then came what we were all here for: The Show!

It started with Joe and Billie walking the red carpet and posing for pictures.

Photo by: John Bionelli

Photo by: John Bionelli

Next came the dinner. Joe was seated next to Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Halfin was a little put off because he had to sit on the other side of the table and couldn’t refill his boss’s water glass in a timely fashion.

The show itself was long with no time limit on the inductions or acceptance speeches.

Photo By: Ross Halfin

They should have had Power Bars for dessert that night instead of crème brulee. People were popping no-doz like they were tic tacs. I happened to be backstage after Run DMC was inducted and I saw them walking to the press tent. Rev Run was walking in front of Darryl and he turned and said and I quote “my favorite part of the night was watching all that old video footage of us.” I thought that was cool and also squashes the whole not talking to each other rumor.

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Jimmy Page talks with Billie Perry with John Bionelli in the Grassy Knoll.

Photo By: Kazuyo Horie

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Metallica woke people up around 11:30pm with a blistering mini set. Then came what the 5000 people in attendance were waiting for. A Guitar lovers all-star jam that would have had Jimi Hendrix watching his 60 inch Plasma in the sky on this night.

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Next day it was back on the bus and still feeling numb for what had just taken place the last 2 days.
As I look back on it I remember looking at the run-down sheet I was given the day of the show. Normally at the Grammy’s or AMA’s we get a run down sheet that tells us what time the artist goes on and if they are playing live or to tape or live-to-tape. Usually if you see say J-Lo or Britney it says to-tape. I noticed that every single band at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said “Live” and that made me smile. It was refreshing to see that bands playing on TV can still do it without the help of tape.

Photo By: Ross Halfin

Joe and Tom taped a message for their other child hood heros “The Ventures,” last week. The Ventures are an instrumental band from the early 60’s that had such hit’s as “Walk Don’t Run” and the theme to Hawaii Five-O to name a couple. The Ventures are celebrating their 50th anniversary in Seattle this week.

Joe taped a message at the Boneyard the other morning for the fans which should be up anytime now.
See You on the Road! Soon…

John

Aero Force One
April 9, 2009

Watch video:  (here).

Date	City	Venue	Country
08/05/09	Aerosmith in Sturgis, SD	Buffalo Chip Amphitheater	US
	Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $89.50. Buy tickets. Address: 20603 132nd Avenue.
08/23/09	Aerosmith in Irvine, CA	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre	US
	Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $..TBA. Buy tickets. Address: 8808 Irvine Center Drive.
09/01/09	Aerosmith in Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center	US
	Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $..TBA. Buy tickets. Address: 1407 Grand Boulevard.
09/08/09	Aerosmith in Saint Paul, MN	Xcel Energy Center	US
	Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $..TBA. Buy tickets. Address: 199 West Kellogg Boulevard.
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Aero Force One
April 9, 2009

Presale Dates:

Irvine, CA – Tue, 04.14.09, 10am PT, 1pm ET

Kansas City, MO – Sat, 04.11.09, 10am CT, 11am ET

St. Paul, MN – Sat, 04.11.09, 10am CT, 11am ET

More info:  (here).

Date	City	Venue	Country
08/05/09	Aerosmith in Sturgis, SD	Buffalo Chip Amphitheater	US
	Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $89.50. Buy tickets. Address: 20603 132nd Avenue.
09/01/09	Aerosmith in Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center	US
	Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $..TBA. Buy tickets. Address: 1407 Grand Boulevard.
09/08/09	Aerosmith in Saint Paul, MN	Xcel Energy Center	US
	Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $..TBA. Buy tickets. Address: 199 West Kellogg Boulevard.
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Aero Force One
April 8, 2009

They’re Back!!! The Bad Boys of Aerosmith are gettin’ geared up and gettin’ Back in the Saddle Again with the Biggest Tour of the Summer! Wanna go to the show??!! Of course you do!!!

You gotta be there Live to experience Aerosmith the way it should be – all of the Pulse Pounding, Over-the Top, Thumpin’ ‘N Pumpin’ Outrageous moments that Only Aerosmith can bring ya! Are You Ready?! Then you gotta get your concert tickets from Aero Force One!

AF1’s got ya covered with Amazin’ VIP Fan Experience and Ticket Packages (Packages will be announced soon!) with incredible options like Premier Seating, Pre-Show Parties (now your talking!) killer Merchandise, and even an opportunity to Meet Steven and Joe! How cool is that?

At Aero Force One you get the Full Force Aerosmith Experience! Be Sure – Get More! Get Your Aerosmith Concert Tickets from Aero Force One!

Make sure Your Membership is up to date so you can Get Access to Pre-Sales!

AF1 Customer Service can be reached at 508-791-3807 or via email at: customerservice@aeroforceone.com

RossHalfin.com
April 7, 2009

The Hall of Fame

Joe Perry, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck (Photo by: Ross Halfin)

More photos:  (here)

TheRockRadio.com
April 6, 2009

Joe Perry has good news and bad news for Aerosmith fans. The bad news is that the group has decided to delay its next album after the guitarist had to have corrective surgery on his 2008 knee replacement and singer Steven Tyler subsequently came down with pneumonia. The good news: Aerosmith will hit the road in June for the first time in nearly two years, touring with longtime friends ZZ Top. Perry told us he’s excited about the co-billing: “To follow them is gonna be a mouthful every night, and I know it’s gonna kick us into overdrive. That sounds like a cliche, but when you play with a band like that we’ll be out listening a lot ’cause I love them. I always have…they just got it, man. We got our work cut out for us, and the audience gets the benefit. They really win.”

Perry said 40 North American dates are currently planned with the possibility of also playing in South America and Japan.

He added that Aerosmith has just a couple of songs in finished shape for the new album, its first since 2004’s Honkin’ On Bobo. The group plans to get back to work with producer Brendan O’Brien after the tour.

Perry, meanwhile, is also working in earnest on a new solo album, his follow-up to 2005’s Grammy-nominated Joe Perry.

The Aerosmith/ZZ Top tour dates are expected to be announced soon.

Deseret News, UT
April 6, 2009

” . . . ‘Chris Botti In Boston’ is a sequel to the trumpeter’s hit 2006 CD/DVD, ‘Chris Botti Live with Orchestra and Special Guests,’ but on a grander scale, thanks to the rich orchestral backdrop provided by the Boston Pops under conductor Keith Lockhart.

Botti takes special delight in shaking things up by getting his musical friends to stretch outside their typical repertoire. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler not only rocks hard on his own ‘Cryin’,’ but touchingly sings the Charlie Chaplin ballad ‘Smile’ to his father, seated in the front row . . . ”

Complete article:  (here).

GettyImages.com
April 4, 2009

Joe Perry and Kirk Hammett perform onstage during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ron Wood, Joe Perry and Kirk Hammett perform during the finale at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage)

More photos:  (here).

YouTube.com
April 5, 2009

Watch video:  (here).

The Plain Dealer – Cleveland.com
April 4, 2009

Watch video:  (here).

GettyImages.com
April 4, 2009

CLEVELAND – APRIL 04: (L-R) Musicians Jimmy Page, Joe Perry of Aerosmith and Kirk Hammett of Metallica attend the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

More photos:  (here).

Billboard.com
Gary Graff, Cleveland
April 4, 2009

Health issues and touring commitments have combined to postpone Aerosmith’s next album, according to guitarist Joe Perry.

Perry tells Billboard.com that the record sessions — for the group’s first album since 2004’s “Honkin’ on Bobo” and first of all-original material since 2001’s “Just Push Play,” were delayed when he had to have surgery earlier this year to clear out an infection in his knee replacement.

Then, last month, singer Steven Tyler came down with pneumonia, after which the veteran Boston rockers “realized there wasn’t any chance of getting it finished before we hit the road for the summer. So basically we had to push (the album) back, and when the band gets off the road, that’s when we’ll pick up the Aerosmith record.”

Aerosmith’s tour, the group’s first since 2007, starts in June with ZZ Top. Perry says about 40 dates are set so far for North America, with South America, Europe and Japan also under consideration. The itinerary should be announced soon.

Perry — who was in Cleveland to attend Saturday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and perform the Yard Birds’ “Train Kept A Rollin’” with Metallica, Ron Wood and inductee Jeff Beck — says Aerosmith has “probably two or three (songs) that could be mixed right now, maybe even more. But there’s a long way between two or three and doing the 12 or 14 that you have to have to do a whole project.” He says what’s been done so far at his home studio with producer Brendan O’Brien “sounds like ‘Rocks’” and hews closer to the rougher sound of “Honkin’ on Bobo” than the more polished production of “Just Push Play.” “It’s everybody in the room with a producer cracking the whip,” Perry notes, “laying the tracks down and getting a good take without having to (edit) too much.”

The silver lining in the Aerosmith delay, Perry adds, is that he’s been able to go “full blast” on his next solo album, the follow-up to 2005’s Grammy-nominated “Joe Perry.” He has 10-12 songs ready — three of which, including a cover, he played for Billboard.com — which he’ll record with “an A-list producer I can’t name, but will very soon.” David Hull from the Joe Perry Project is playing on some tracks, along with Ben Tileston, who plays drums with two of Perry’s sons in TAB the Band. He’s also considering using other players and possibly guest vocalists.

“I have a big chunk of time before the tour, so I’m gonna try to get the solo record done as soon as I can,” Perry says. “Chances are you’re gonna be hearing that before you hear an Aerosmith record…’cause I expect the Aerosmith tour, God willing. to continue through the fall.”

Billboard.com
Gary Graff, Cleveland
April 4, 2009

In the throes of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mania, Cleveland was loaded with revelry on the night before Saturday’s induction ceremony….

….Over at the Ritz-Carlton, where many of the inductors and presenters are staying, photographer Anton Corbin unwittingly held court in the lobby bar, visiting with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who will inducted Jeff Beck and was returning from a visit to the museum, and with Metallica’s James Hetfield and his family as they came down for an early dinner. Sound checks and rehearsals took place at the Cleveland Public Auditorium, where the ceremony will be held; Womack worked through a medley that will include “Across 110th Street” and “It’s All Over Now,” while Metallica had to wait into the evening until crew members could arrive from France on a delayed flight. There was no sound check for what’s likely to be one of the night’s highlights — a jam on Tiny Bradshaw’s “Train Kept A-Rollin’ ” with Metallica, the Rolling Stones’ Ron Wood (who’s inducting Womack) and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry — but Perry told Billboard.com “that’s probably better. It’ll be a little looser and…raw….”

Complete article:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 3, 2009

Joe will be in Cleveland this weekend to take part in the festivities at the 24th Annual Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Jimmy Page is inducting Jeff Beck – two of Joe’s all time favorite guitar players. Oh Yeah, another Aero connection, Run DMC is being inducted…their biggest hit happened to be “Walk This Way.”

Be sure to tune in Saturday night (8pm EDT on FUSE Television Network) and catch the induction ceremony live!

BraveWords.com
April 2, 2009

AskMen.com has issued the following report from Nathan Atnikov:

You can have the chops, you can have the songs and you can have the savvy, but if you don’t have an engaging front man, you’ll never be one of the biggest bands in the world.

AskMen’s top 10 rock ‘n’ roll front men salutes the 10 most charismatic, spotlight-drawing lead singers in history. If time, age and rock genre were no object, these are the 10 rock ‘n’ roll front men that would be leading us into the future.

No. 10 - Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
No. 9 – Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
No. 8 – David Lee Roth (Van Halen)

Complete article:  (here).

Aero Force One
April 1, 2009

Watch video:  (here).

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR ALL ACCESS AF1 MEMBERS! Purchase your camp spot to the Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp (April 29th – May 3rd) in Hollywood, CA and receive a Gibson/Epiphone guitar that Steven will autograph. How cool is that! Limited space is available. When purchasing tickets you must give Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp your AF1 membership number, your name, address and (daytime) contact telephone number. Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp will verify the membership number with AF1. Order online through rockcamp.com or by calling 888-762-2263.

Campers Will Live Like Rock Stars, Jamming With Tyler And Other Legends, Recording At World Famous Capitol Studios And Playing A Dream Gig At The Whiskey A Go Go On The Sunset Strip

Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp has been making it possible for music fans to jam with their favorite rock stars since 1997. But the next session – running April 29th through May 3rd in Hollywood, CA – is bound to blow the roof off the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp as it welcomes for the first time ever the legendary Steven Tyler as its headliner.

Tyler, lead singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist for the Grammy-winning, Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, which has sold over 150 million albums in the U.S. in a career spanning four decades, will bring his own inimitable style to the proceedings, fielding questions and sharing insights and stories from his incredible career.

“Steven has generously agreed to donate exclusive autographed memorabilia for our traditional closing night concert and charity auction to benefit MusiCares, which will take place at the world famous Whiskey A Go Go,” said David Fishof, Producer, Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp.

At camp, participants form separate bands, each of which receives intensive coaching from a different rock star “counselor.” This session’s all-star roster of musicians also includes Grammy award-winning producer Mark Hudson, Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather (Toto), Bruce Kulick (KISS), Alan White (Yes), Elliot Easton (The Cars) and many more. Several celebrity campers have signed on for the April session, including ice skater/Olympic Gold medalist Scott Hamilton and Guy Fieri, the “bad boy” of Food Network.

Previous camp guest stars have included Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Roger Daltrey (The Who), Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) and Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones). The Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were featured in a special Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp episode of “The Simpsons.”

There are a limited number of spots open for the upcoming Hollywood session of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp. To register, please visit http://www.rockcamp.com or call 1-888-762-2263.

Aero Force One
April 1, 2009

Watch video:  (here).

Extra TV
March 31, 2009

One lucky “Extra” friend is getting the chance to rock out with Guy Fieri and Steven Tyler! One winner will live like a rock star for a week — work, play and jam at the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. The camp runs April 29 – May 3 in Hollywood, CA. The winner will also do a recording at the world famous Capitol Studios and play a dream gig at Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip. The package also includes hotel accommodations and airfare to Los Angeles.

You must enter by Wednesday, April 1 at 1:29 PM PST.

More info:  (here).

Watch video:  (here).