Aero Force One/Twitter
July 30, 2009

Set List: Aerosmith – BOK Center

Eat The Rich
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Rag Doll
Dream On
Walkin’ The Dog
Last Child
Combination
Stop Messin’ Around
Love In An Elevator
Cryin’
Livin’ On The Edge
Lord Of The Thighs
Sweet Emotion
Walk This Way

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

–JP Guitar Duel–
Train Kept A Rollin’

Thanks to:  Aero Force One/Twitter

The Arizona Republic, AZ
July 28, 2009

Despite health problems that have affected four members, Aerosmith proved themselves road warriors with a strong set in Phoenix on Monday, July 27.

Co-headliners ZZ Top continued to churn like the rock-and-roll machine they have been for nearly four decades in the concert at Cricket Wireless Pavilion.

With bassist Tom Hamilton sidelined again and singer Steven Tyler recovering from a muscle tear in his leg, Aerosmith still managed to stage an entertaining, old-school rock show that ran about 90 minutes.

Guitarist Joe Perry was his old raging self onstage, showing no ill effects from two knee surgeries.

While the pavilion and lawn were nowhere near full as ZZ Top played their 60-minute opening set, things got more crowded as it came time for Aerosmith to hit the stage.

Some critics may say that Aerosmith has jumped the shark in recent years as they’ve struggled to score new radio hits, but the vocal Phoenix crowd would have no doubt begged to differ.

Tyler and Perry continue to define what rock stars should look and act like onstage, and that still connects with younger music fans.

Scores of fans in their late 20s and 30s danced and screamed as the pair performed such classics as “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” “Dream On” and “Train Kept a Rollin’ .”

Few rock bands do as good a job of mixing a touch of funk and soul into their music as Aerosmith did on “Rag Doll” and the show-opening “Eat the Rich.”

Tyler remains in great shape and was decked out in tight gold slacks, sleeveless black-patterned top and a scarf or two. He ventured out onto a long runway to flirt with female fans, some half his age, several times.

Perry was more understated in white shirt, vest and scarf, with his main accessories being a non-stop series of guitars, including a famous ax bearing the image of his glamorous wife, Billie Paulette Montgomery.

Perry wasted no time in throwing down a series of fiery leads, starting with “Eat the Rich” and climaxing with stints on guitar, vocoder (”talk box”) and theremin, a spacey gadget popularized by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, during “Sweet Emotion.”

At 61, Tyler can still scream, although he skipped a few high notes during the evening.

Brad Whitford, who has recovered from surgery after hitting his head, continues to play some of the best rhythm guitar in rock, and he did a nice job of stepping into the lead-guitar spotlight during “Last Child.”

Bassist David Hull did a good job filling in for Hamilton, laying down an impressive solo before the band played “Sweet Emotion.”

Perry said before the show that Tyler’s recent injury might force the band to abandon its plans to play its classic 1975 album “Toys in the Attic” in its entirety, and that was the case in Phoenix.

Another highlight came when ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons joined Aerosmith for “Rattlesnake Shake,” with the three guitarists lined up at one point a la Lynyrd Skynyrd.

ZZ Top delivered the type of set their longtime fans have come to expect, full of nothing-fancy classics like “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” Gimme All Your Lovin’ ” and “Tush.”

The Texas trio pulled out some of the ’80s MTV videos that made them famous, drawing howls and smiles from the crowd.

The bearded Gibbons made his guitar work look effortless, playing with just one hand during the bluesy “I Need You Tonight.”

Perhaps due to the desert heat, Gibbons and the other band member with a long beard, bassist Dusty Hill, didn’t do much of the shuffling and knee-wobbling that they sometimes engage in onstage. (Despite the temperature, the pair wore their usual modified biker gear, including jackets.)

Gibbons excelled on slide guitar during “Just Got Paid” and channeled Jimi Hendrix on a cover of “Foxey Lady.”

An extended version of the band’s mega-hit, “La Grange,” powered by Frank Beard’s drumming and boogieing guitar, was one of the biggest crowd-pleasers as ZZ Top’s set wound down.

More photos:  (here).

Aero Force One
July 28, 2009

Check this out! Joey Kramer is inviting fans to a pre-show meet and greet and autograph session in support of his recently released book “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom At the Top.”

If you do not have a copy of Joey’s new book, here’s your chance to pick one up AND have it signed by the man himself! If you already have a copy, bring it along to the venue and join in this meet and greet / signing event.

Date — Venue — Location — Time

Thu. 7/30/09 — BOK Center — Tulsa, OK Main Lobby – Upstairs — 6:15 pm
Sat. 8/1/09 — Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre — Denver, CO – North Plaza Merch Booth (near stairs to the lawn) — 6:15 pm
Wed. 8/5/09 — Buffalo Chip – Sturgis Bike Week – Sturgis, SD – TBD — TBD

**Details coming soon for additional venues.

Phoenix New Times, AZ
July 28, 2009

A funny thing has happened to the recording industry lately. Video games have begun to influence to music sales. Don’t believe me? Consider that the re-release of the entire Beatle Catalogue is scheduled for the exact same day as the release of The Beatles Rock Band, a music simulation game featuring The Beatles music and instrument-shaped controllers. Consider also the latest tour from the fab fivesome, Aerosmith, is presented by Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, a similar music simulation video game featuring classic rock.

No doubt the thought of video games driving music sales seems as unsavory on the surface to you as it did to me. Rest assured that any unease I felt about watching a concert presented by a video game was squelched during Aerosmith’s encore performance in which Joe Perry squared off against a virtual representation of himself from Guitar Hero: Aerosmith in a guitar solo duel. Virtual Perry struck first sending a blistering stream of notes into the air at Cricket Wireless Pavilion. Real Perry sent a down-and-dirty riff back. The two traded riffs of brilliant technicality back and forth until the genuine article ended the sortie by blowing his virtual counterpart to bits.

“Every once in a while, someone comes up and tells me they beat me [in the game] and we have a good laugh,” Perry crooned through a mic. “Well what’s better? The live thing or that thing?” A roaring applause was all the answer he needed.

But don’t knock the games just yet. At the very least they’ve sparked a renewed interest in classic rock. You remember classic rock, don’t you? It harkens back to a distant time when men worked on cars, set things on fire and could score chicks just by being sharply-dressed.

Nothing exemplifies the classic rock spirit more than living legends ZZ Top. As Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard belted out “Legs,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Tush,” and “Sharp-Dressed Man,” screens behind them bombarded the audience with images of hot chicks and hot rods. Hell, the trio even layed down a cover of “Foxy Lady.”

For a band that got its start in 1969, you’d expect ZZ Top to show more of their age. Sure, their dance moves boiled down to toe-tappin’, but other than that they proved they have remained consummate performers with each muddy guitar solo and each instance of southern-accented vocals. Maybe it’s the beards, but their age just makes them seem wiser. They’re like a couple of uncles who’ll teach you how to get high and give you advice on getting laid pulled from 40 years of experience and sweaty, blues licks. Now listen here, boy.

But if you’re going to take love advice, it might as well be from an aging rock star who will still straddle a sound monitor like he’s laying down with a fine woman. It was one of the only stunts Steven Tyler pulled that approached anything resembling physical exertion. I guess age isn’t such a burden if you can still do the moves that matter.

To show that they weren’t playing around. Aerosmith left their Toys in the Attic and played an extended set pulling from their entire library. Aerosmith opened up with “Eat The Rich,” from 1993’s Get A Grip before slide-guitaring their way through “Fallin’ In Love,” “Rag Doll,” “Dream On,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Love In An Elevator,” “Cryin’,” “Livin’ On The Edge,” “Sweet Emotion,” and “Walk This Way” with Tyler altering the lyrics to “just give me some head” instead of “just give me a kiss” on one verse.

Sex-charged and backed by a light show complete with four moving video screens, the performance was flawless with the exception of Tyler’s vocals on “Eat The Rich.” Maybe he needed a warm up or maybe he was just holding back for the rest of the show, but he played it safe on the first song of the night instead of taking on some of those ear-piercing screeches he is known for.

It’s a small nit pick but I draw on it to make a point: there’s not much else to criticize. Aerosmith and ZZ Top have achieved rock legend status in a way that no game player with a plastic guitar can ever hope to match regardless of how many times they’ve taken down a perfect score on Dragonforce’s “Through the Fire and Flames.” These bands are living legends who can not only still bring down a house after decades of rock stardom, but do it far better than most of the bands who have come after them.

The truth is that Aerosmith doesn’t need a video game (or any excuse for that matter) to go on tour. They’re Aerosmith. As long as Steven Tyler is willing to put on zebra print pants and send a mouth harp solo echoing into the night, you can bet there’ll be a concert pavilion full of fans waiting to hear it.

Of course, I’m sure the money could be worse.

Critic’s Notebook:

Better Than: playing Guitar Hero: Aerosmith

Personal Bias: In the interest of full disclosure I should mention that this reporter has a beard. Believe me when I say that my positive comments about ZZ Top’s performance had to do with more than their facial hair.

Random Detail: Aerosmith actually had another game called Revolution X which was initially released in arcades but ported to the SNES and Playstation One. In it you could shoot CDs to destroy just about everything on the screen. Just another advantage of going all digital, I guess.

Further Listening: Aerosmith’s Get A Grip. Ah! Adolescent memories.

By the way: Billy Gibbons joined Aerosmith on stage for a song during their set. I’m sure it’s happened and will happen every night of the tour, but it’s still pretty epic.

One More Thing: Talk is cheap. Shut up and dance.

More photos:  (here).

Aero Force One/Twitter
July 27, 2009

Set List: Aerosmith – Cricket Wireless Pavilion

Eat The Rich
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Rag Doll
Dream On
Walkin’ The Dog
Last Child
Combination
Love In An Elevator
Cryin’
Livin’ On The Edge
Rattlesnake Shake (w/Billy Gibbons)
Sweet Emotion
Walk This Way

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

–JP Guitar Duel–
Train Kept A Rollin’

Thanks to:  Aero Force One/Twitter

Aero Force One
July 26, 2009

MGM Grand Arena – July 25, 2009

Photo Galleries, Set List, Wallpapers – More: (here).

Aero Force One
July 26, 2009

WHO:

Joey Kramer, drummer for AEROSMITH, America’s Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band

WHAT:

Meet Kramer, currently in the midst of the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith tour, who will sign copies of his recently released book: “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom At the Top”.

WHEN:

Monday, July 27 at 6:15pm

WHERE:

Cricket Wireless Pavilion
2121 North 83rd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85035
**Fans should go to the Cricket Pavilion’s West Plaza, kitty corner to the merch booth, for the signing**

WHY:

Before the AEROSMITH show that night, also featuring special guests ZZ Top, Joey Kramer is inviting ticketed fans coming to the show that have already purchased a copy of his book “Hit Hard” to bring their book and come to the venue early to meet him and get their copy signed. If fans don’t already own one, additional copies will be made available for purchase at the meet & greet.

For more than 30 years, AEROSMITH has defined American Rock ‘n’ Roll and amassed a career that is truly amazing: over 150 million albums sold, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, earned countless awards (4 Grammy Awards, 8 American Music Awards, 6 Billboard Awards, and 12 MTV Awards), and have a diehard “Blue Army” fan-base numbering in the millions worldwide. The band made history last year when Activision released Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, marking the first music-based game built around the legendary music of the band. 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 watching sales explode and break records, with Aerosmith reaching another generation of fans.

MyVegasScene.com
July 26, 2009

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler hosted rockstar excess in Las Vegas, Nevada at Studio 54 on July 25, 2009. Once the “Bad Boys from Boston” rock concert was finished at the MGM Grand Arena on Saturday night Tyler hosted the official Aerosmith after party inside the Las Vegas hotel.

Party like a rockstar and that is exactly what Tyler did last night. He walked the red carpet for all of his fans after midnight! He walked the carpet in a red velvet knee-length jacket, rocked out jeans with metal embellishments, black Aerosmith t-shirt and black Croc slippers. He arrived with his long-time girlfriend, Erin Brady, and daughter, Mia, plus-size model, designer and former VH1s Celebrity Fit Club TV star.

Once inside Studio 54, Tyler was escorted to his VIP skybox where he was surrounded by 30 close friends and family. Shortly after arrival, he grabbed the mic, gave a shout out to DJ Ody Rock working the turntables, and went into an impromptu performance of “Walk This Way”.

The crowd cheered with excitement and began singing along with his each word. As he leaned over the second-floor balcony, serenading everyone, swarms of fans crowded around his VIP entrance, trying for a closer glance of the celebrated rock icon.

Included in his entourage were Matt Sorum, drummer of rock band Velvet Revolver (formerly of Guns N Roses). Ace Harper, founding diva of up-and-coming girl rock group, Darling Stilettos; and Mark Hudson, producer and songwriter that co-wrote over a dozen Aerosmith hits.

Congratulations Steven Tyler to a rockin good time in Las Vegas, NV. Your fans appreciated your enthusiasm tonight.

More photos:  (here).

Aero Force One/Twitter
July 25, 2009

Set List: Aerosmith – MGM Grand Garden Arena

Eat The Rich
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Rag Doll
I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
Walkin’ The Dog
Last Child
Mama Kin (w/Slash)
Combination
Red House
Love In An Elevator
Cryin’
Livin’ On The Edge
Sweet Emotion
Walk This Way

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

–JP Guitar Duel–
Train Kept A Rollin’

Thanks to:  Aero Force One/Twitter

WireImage.com
July 25, 2009

Brad Whitford, Joe Perry, Perla Hudson and Billy Gibbons attend Slash’s birthday dinner at Stack Restaurant at The Mirage Hotel and Casino on July 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)

Musicians (L-R) Steven Adler, Billy Gibbons, Steven Tyler and Mark Hudson attend Slash’s Birthday Cocktail Party At Rhumbar At The Mirage Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)

Steven Adler, Joey Kramer and Matt Sorum attend Slash’s birthday dinner at Stack Restaurant at The Mirage Hotel and Casino on July 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)

More photos:  (here).

Vegas Deluxe, NV
July 24, 2009

Tomorrow night [07/25/09], Aerosmith led by Steven Tyler rock the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but last night [07/23/09], Steven, accompanied by an oh-so-sexy date, his daughter Chelsea Tyler, and famed record producer and songwriter Mark Hudson showed up to watch The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. It’s the second time Steven has seen the production. Incidentally, Mark has worked with Ringo Starr in addition to Aerosmith and Ozzy Osborne. After the show, Steven took his group backstage to meet the cast.

Marin Britten, Steven Tyler and Dasha Chamanskaia

Steven Tyler and Mark Hudson with the cast of “Love”

More photos:  (here).

Aero Force One
July 24, 2009

WHO: Joey Kramer, drummer for AEROSMITH, America’s Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band

WHAT: Meet Kramer, currently in the midst of the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith tour, who will sign copies of his recently released book: “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom At the Top”.

WHEN: SATURDAY, JULY 25 at 6:15pm

WHERE:

MGM Grand Garden Arena
3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
**Fans should go to a designated area near the merch booth**

WHY:

Before the AEROSMITH show that night, also featuring special guests ZZ Top, Joey Kramer is inviting ticketed fans coming to the show that have already purchased a copy of his book “Hit Hard” to bring their book and come to the venue early to meet him and get their copy signed. If fans don’t already own one, additional copies will be made available for purchase at the meet & greet.

For more than 30 years, AEROSMITH has defined American Rock ‘n’ Roll and amassed a career that is truly amazing: over 150 million albums sold, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, earned countless awards (4 Grammy Awards, 8 American Music Awards, 6 Billboard Awards, and 12 MTV Awards), and have a diehard “Blue Army” fan-base numbering in the millions worldwide.
The band made history last year when Activision released Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, marking the first music-based game built around the legendary music of the band. 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 watching sales explode and break records, with Aerosmith reaching another generation of fans.

For more information, visit: www.aeroforceone.com

Las Vegas Review Journal, NV
July 24, 2009

Revisiting Songs Not Played Live In Decades

It was the most rock star of injuries: Dude smashed his head getting out of his Ferrari.

Scratch the rhythm guitarist for a bit.

Then the singer, a loose-hipped live wire who doubles as a fount of kinetic energy, hurt his leg during a show.

Finally, the bassist, a cancer survivor, had to undergo surgery unexpectedly.

Boston rockers Aerosmith have been through a lot in their 30-plus year existence, but they’ve never been through anything like this. On their current tour, they’ve had to postpone a slew of shows.

“Instead of hitting us a little bit at a time, we’ve gotten it all at once,” guitarist Joe Perry says with a rueful little chuckle. “I just have to look at the big picture, and since the band got back together, I don’t think we’ve canceled more than two shows — and we’ve toured a lot since then. These things are just life; it can happen to anybody. I don’t think we’re breaking down or anything like that. Stuff happens, you know?”

Perry knows of which he speaks. He’s long battled a chronic sore knee after falling down onstage 25 years ago, and at a 2006 gig at the MGM Grand, he almost suffered a far worse injury, getting mashed in the face by a swinging camera rig.

Still, the guy finished the show, even though the next day, his swollen jaw line made it look as if he had gone 12 rounds with a cheesed-off grizzly bear.

But battle scars aside, the train keeps a rollin’ for Aerosmith, as their song goes.

The band has remained a consistent arena filler on practically an annual basis, and this time out, they’re trying something different, playing their classic 1975 blues-rock firebomb “Toys in the Attic” from front to back.

“We had talked about doing it for a long time, years and years,” Perry says of playing a record in its entirety. “We had seen our friends do it, like Cheap Trick. We thought that was a really cool idea.

“The idea was to get four or five records ready to go so that we could pick one at any given time,” he continues. “By the time we got everybody going, we just kind of settled into ‘Toys’ and Steven (Tyler, singer) got hurt, so all these things that we had planned kind of had to take a backseat. But we are playing some different songs, some songs that we haven’t played in a while. By no means is it just another repeat of the last set list in a different order.”

In revisiting some songs he hadn’t played in decades, Perry underwent a period of rediscovery, and his relationship to some of the material changed.

Suddenly, old tunes began to take on a new meaning.

“Sometimes when you write a song, as it evolves, you’re not even sure what it’s about — and not just lyrically, but what makes it a good song or a great song or whatever,” Perry explains. “Once it makes the cut and you like it enough to put it on the record, you kind of go, ‘OK, next song.’ Then you think about mixing the record and the sequencing and all that stuff.

“When you start playing it live, then you really start to learn what the song is about, because very often the songs are recorded in pieces, very basically,” he adds. “A song like ‘Uncle Salty,’ we probably did that with three guys playing it, then we overdubbed some stuff and went on to the next song. So taking it apart and playing it live, we realized what a good song it was after 30 years.”

Of course, looking back on the past eventually leads one to the present, and Aerosmith has yet to track the follow-up to the 2005 blues excursion “Honkin’ On Bobo,” and hasn’t issued an album of all new material since 2001’s “Just Push Play.”

“We have about 15 songs ready to lay down,” Perry says. “I would expect that we’ll have it in the can sometime within the next six months and set it up and release it probably early next spring, I would imagine.”

In the meantime, the band has dropped one big-selling new release, “Aerosmith: Guitar Hero,” their own entry into the hugely popular video game series.

“I watched my kids play it, then the next thing I did was call my manager and say, ‘We’ve gotta get some more songs on one of these things,’ ” Perry says. “The next thing I know, we’ve got our own game. It’s turned out to have as much an impact, if not more, than putting out a record.

“We’ve always had an attitude of, ‘Let’s try it.’ We call it, ‘Dare to suck,’ ” he continues. “And that goes for everything, whether it’s doing videos or recording on computers instead of tape. Just try it, see if it works. We’re always trying new things. It’s managed to sustain us.”

Patriot Ledger, MA
July 23, 2009

Having recently moved from Marshfield to Hingham, Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer strolled into his neighborhood Barnes & Noble Wednesday night and signed over 200 copies of his new “Hit Hard” book for fans who began lining up at 3:30 in the afternoon to wait for the musician’s 7 p.m. book-signing, which lasted about two hours.

By 6:30 p.m. the line wrapped halfway around the building.

Accompanied by his fiance, Linda Pappan, and a few friends, Kramer allowed groups of about 50 to enter the store at a time, giving each gathering the opportunity to ask him questions as a combined group before they formed a line to have their book signed and have a photo-op with the drummer.

Though the crowd was primarily comprised of men and women in their 30’s through 50’s, there were a few senior citizens in line, along with some in their teens and 20’s, as well as a few young ones tagging along with their parents.

Even a few members of the Weymouth kids’ band Barroom Heroes waited for the drummer to sign their books.

More photos:  (here).

Watch video:  (here).

ClubPlanet.com
July 21, 2009

Event Name: Steven Tyler hosts
Date: Saturday, 7.25.09, 10:00pm – Sunday, 7.26.09, 4:00am
Venue Name: Studio 54 Inside the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino
Event Type: Celebrity Events
Scene Type: Afterhours, Club
Music Type: Hip-Hop
Age Requirement: 21 and over
Dress Code: Fashionable
Cover: Pre-Sale Tickets
Event Details: Steven Tyler hosts the eventing at Studio 54 Las Vegas

Buy Tickets:  (here).

Houston Press, TX
July 20, 2009

Make all the Guitar Hero jokes you want. Whatever it is that’s kept ZZ Top and Aerosmith in the public eye for almost four decades – video games or beards-n-babes videos, Back to the Future cameos or Michael Bay ballads, bee-stung lips or cheap sunglasses – they’ve never forgotten that eventually it all circles back around to the stage. And never been unable to deliver when it does.

Formed half a continent but not many years apart, ZZ and Aerosmith found common ground early on. After Jimi Hendrix’s death, American rock musicians’ natural birthright to the blues was in real doubt, and the most overt disciples of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, etc. – and certainly the ones who filled the most seats in U.S. coliseums and sports arenas – usually spoke with British accents. Others did their part, sure, but no Yanks plugged back into rock’s primal urges and origins in the early ’70s like these two.

All these years later, in the middle of what is politely still being called a recession, about 20,000 people plunked down money that otherwise might have gone towards rent or savings or college for tickets, parking, yard margaritas and “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” T-shirts. Many on hand no doubt already saw ZZ at the rodeo in March and/or helped Aerosmith set the all-time Pavilion attendance record back in 2003, proof enough how well the the groups have succeeded.

Enjoying home-field advantage Friday – but playing outdoors during daylight hours and opening for someone, period, in Texas for the first time in God only knows how long – ZZ Top didn’t make a big deal out of it either way.

Obviously glad to be presiding over “bluestime in Houston, Texas,” Billy Gibbons reminded everyone he was a reverend by laying down the rules of “Number 1, no drinking during the gospel songs” and “Number 2, no gospel songs,” and told an amusing anecdote about why he had on one red and one black Converse, but other than that the trio was reliably businesslike about enjoyin’ gettin’ it on.

The only real set surprises Friday were sticky deep-cut Eliminator ballad “I Need You Tonight” – that was prime bluestime, as were “Jesus Bus” and “Cheap Sunglasses” – and an explosive version of Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady.” Gibbons dedicated the latter to Houston’s “prettiest girls on the planet,” of whom there were many, and who showed their appreciation by shaking what the Good Lord and their mama gave ‘em all the way through a dirty-boogie suite of “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” “La Grange” and “Tush.”

How was it? How do you think it was? All Aftermath will say is if you ever get the chance to witness a pink-violet Texas sunset while ZZ Top how-how-how-hows “La Grange” from 25 to 100 yards away again… we recommend you take it, dumbass.

Whereas Gibbons and Dusty Hill onstage are the (literally) walking embodiment of Texas cool, never in much of a hurry to get anywhere, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler seems like he was born with a wind machine in his face. He can be more Tin Pan Alley/ragtime soft-shoe showman than rock and roller, scatting like Cab Calloway on “Rag Doll” and invoking Mae West (”sometimes I’m good but when I’m bad I’m better”) in “Falling in Love (Is So Hard on the Knees).”

Any throwback notions went by the boards as Aftermath scanned the blue-green sea of digital cameras and cell phones held aloft during “Dream On,” and wondered how many of the under-25s holding them up and heartily singing along – and there were lots – first learned about the song from Eminem’s 2002 semi-remake “Sing for the Moment.” But hey, they loved the raunchy R&B of “Back in the Saddle,” “Last Child” and “Walkin’ the Dog,” none of which get near the amount of radio play as “Dream On,” just as much.

“We couldn’t play on a bill with ZZ and not send out a little blues your way,” said Joe Perry before a stout “Stop Messin’ Round” that was pure sweet home Chicago. Perry’s fab fretwork – which, on “Saddle,” “Combination” and OMG closer “Walk This Way,” made it pretty obvious he taught Slash everything he needed to know – dominated the second half of the set as Tyler either took a breather, toned it down a notch (if you can believe that) or blew some tasty harp on “Messin’.”

The hits came and went (”Love In an Elevator,” “Cryin’,” “Livin’ On the Edge”), the air steadily got thicker (with sweat and smoke), there was a bass solo and we were all pretty dazed and confused by the time “Sweet Emotion” rolled around. Then Aftermath saw one of the most fucked-up, heartwarming things in 15-plus years of regular concert attendance: a mother and daughter screaming the “can’t catch me ’cause the rabbit done died” lyric – in other words, Tyler’s absconding because he knocked up this sweet emotion – to each other. This is why we still do this.

And it’s why Aerosmith and ZZ Top still do it, too. Friday, the train kept a rollin’ all night long, and it’ll be rollin’ for a long, long time to come.

Examiner.com, TX
July 20, 2009

Sunday night saw two rock legends pack Superpages.com Center in Fair Park. There was no shortage of fans, young and old, when ‘that little ol’ band from Texas’ kicked off the show early in the evening. ZZ Top showed once again that age only makes you better and the sang along to classics like “Legs” and “Sharp Dressed Man” and of course went wild for “La Grange”. Though the crowd called out for an encore it was not meant to be as plenty of time was needed to get Aerosmith’s massive set ready to go.

With the stage hidden by a massive black curtain baring the Aerosmith logo, the sun began to set and the crowd began to get anxious. Then it happened – the lights dimmed, the opening strains of “Eat the Rich” began to pound, lights flashed behind that curtain and finally it came falling down to reveal Steven Tyler sequins, shades, and a big hat – and they say Glam Rock is dead.

Despite recent injuries (bassist Tom Hamilton was still out recovering from surgery and David Hull filled in) the band was still in top form and rocking hard. Steven Tyler made good use out of the long catwalk that took him out into the crowd, the fans blowing his hair, and the walls of smoke and belted out classics like “Rag Doll”, “Janie’s Got a Gun”, and of course “Walk This Way”. At one point the crowd went wild to see Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top come back out to join the guys for an amazing blues jam session on “Rattlesnake Shake”. This time when the crowd called for an encore they were given not one but two more songs – “Guitar Hero Joe Solo” and “Train Kept a Rollin’” before the band finally called it a night.

Truly an amazing experience and though Tyler seemed a bit tired (apparently he too suffered an injury in recent weeks) he gave it his all and the crowd was not disappointed. All the new up and comers out there need to take note – this is what rock ‘n’ roll really is.

For more pictures of the event check out RenegadePhotos.Net:  (here)

Dallas Observer, TX
July 20, 2009

Aerosmith dropped into Fair Park for the Dallas stop of its tour with ZZ Top on Sunday night, and a packed crowd turned out to greet them. Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and the rest of the gang put on a big show, in spite of the run of injuries the band has been forced to cope with, most recently to bassist Tom Hamilton, who missed last night’s because he was having surgery.

You can check out more photos from the set at the slideshow:  (here).

The Dallas Morning News, TX
July 20, 2009

A couple of memorable visuals come to mind from Aerosmith’s headlining show Sunday night before a massive crowd at Superpages.com Center.

First, there’s Steven Tyler blazing his way through “Dream On” while he stands on the stage’s catwalk as a fan blows his hair and a wall of steam rises up from the floor. He looked like he had some kind of rock ‘n’ roll aura.

Then, during “Love in an Elevator,” the lighting rigs and four rectangular video screens hanging over the band went up and down like, well, an elevator. Way cool.

Aerosmith, after an hour-long set from rock ‘n’ blues Texas trio ZZ Top, proved age is for seasoning, not withering. The group from Boston rocked hard for nearly 90 minutes delivering many career classics, from the signature “Walk This Way” to the brooding “Janie’s Got a Gun.”

The kicking rhythm section was comprised of drummer Joey Kramer, bassist David Hull (subbing for Tom Hamilton who is recovering from surgery) and guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. A major highlight of the evening: a sizzling blues-rock jam that brought ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons back to the platform.

Another visual, albeit a minor one: Gibbons’ sneakers, one red and one black, looked nifty. Seriously, though, that collaboration was a tour-de-force. Nothing against the Top’s stint, which included staples such as “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Cheap Sunglasses” and “Legs.” But it’s clear that Gibbons and mates Frank Beard and Dusty Hill belong making groove-heavy blues-rock for the fans, not MTV where they gained fans in the ’80s and ’90s.

Aerosmith also benefited from MTV exposure during that time. Thankfully, not a note sounded dated in concert. “Cryin’” remains a powerful rock ballad. And “Eat the Rich,” which started the gig, was irreverent hard rock, right down to the burp at the end.

That’s quintessential Aerosmith.

Aero Force One/Twitter
July 19, 2009

Set List: Aerosmith – Superpages.com Amphitheatre

Eat The Rich
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Rag Doll
Dream On
Walkin’ The Dog
Janie’s Got A Gun
Last Child
Combination
Stop Messin’ Around
Love In An Elevator
Cryin’
Livin’ On The Edge
Rattlesnake Shake (w/Billy Gibbons)
Walk This Way

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

–JP Guitar Duel–
Train Kept A Rollin’

Thanks to:  Aero Force One/Twitter

Aero Force One
July 19, 2009

By Chad Berndtson
For The Patriot Ledger

There were the nights where so many drugs were entering so many orifices that Friday became Sunday and Monday in the blink of an eye, and no one had much moved from where they were sitting.

There were the parties with former girlfriends like Playboy bunny Cindy Oster and pals who’d let them snort lines of cocaine off chairs. There was the gig at Boston College in 1984 where he was so blotto his drum tech had to tape his hands, dress him and push him into his drum chair.

And all that was long before more public instances of death-defiance, such as when Joey Kramer almost barbecued himself for good when his Ferrari caught fire at a Scituate gas station in 1998.

The Aerosmith drummer has seen a few things, and if there’s one phrase from his new autobiography, “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom” (HarperOne, $26.99), that captures the whole panorama, it’s probably this one: “All I know is that it’s a (bleeping) miracle that none of the five of us are dead.”

What’s remarkable about Kramer’s book is that it isn’t just gossip and memories of off-the-rails nights, even though readers who approach the book just for the juice won’t leave disappointed. Just as often as he is recounting wild and woolly times, Kramer is lucidly explaining his complicated relationships with bandmates, his father, his long bouts with depression and the positive forces that caused him to leave the drug-and-booze lifestyle behind before it had finished eating him.

Kramer will be appearing and signing copies of the book at Barnes & Noble on Derby Street in Hingham at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Patriot Ledger caught up with Kramer earlier this week from an Aerosmith tour stop in Atlanta.

So why was now the time to write the book?

Well, it took me the last few years to write it, actually. I worked on it for about four years. But it’s at the time in my life where my journey is beginning to pay off. I wanted to share it with others, and, if I can, help them.

Help them in what ways?

There are a lot of people who can identify with and relate to some of the things I’m talking about in the book. I wanted to look at how if you can make it past that, it’s OK, and it’s part of life, and you shouldn’t hold it against yourself.

You’ve done a nice job keeping the juicy details of some of your more infamous moments intact and not letting the book become a cliched cautionary tale. And yet, you’re able to get past glamorizing that lifestyle, too and look at a lot of the partying and drug use with fresh eyes. Was keeping that tone throughout a conscious thing?

Definitely, and you get that through honesty. One of the things I’m most proud of is that it’s honest – I’m just hanging myself out there and making myself an open book.

Was there any time in writing the book and recounting these stories when you thought to yourself, man, my bandmates really wouldn’t like it if I air this?

There weren’t any conflicts. They all told me that as long as it was the truth and an honest read, they were fine with it.

There are different levels of airing the truth, though. Did they get a look at the book before you published it?

No, they didn’t. We trust each other, you know? We have that.

Was there a particular model of rock ’n’ roll memoir you were after? What have you learned from reading other memoirs?

I think what happens with a lot of the other ones is that they overdo it on the war stories and the drugs and the alcohol use. The difference in mine is that sure, it’s all there, but the big thread that runs through all of it is the confusion that exists between love and abuse. That’s an important difference.

What rock memoirs have you particularly liked?

I enjoyed Slash’s and also Nikki Sixx’s (“The Heroin Diaries”). He (Nikki Sixx) did the foreword to my book. Those are basically the only two that have impressed me in a while.

There are plenty of Aerosmith books out there. Which ones jump out?

Well, there’s only one out there that we did, maybe 10 years ago, that we approved. (1997’s “Walk this Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith” with renowned rock scribe and biographer Stephen Davis, of Milton). Anything else that’s out there is just somebody’s take on it and you can’t put too much into that. There’s going to be more stuff by us in the future, I can tell you that.

Is that right?

Steven’s writing a book, yeah. (Tyler’s autobiography, “Does the Noise In My Head Bother You,” was originally scheduled for October 2009 but has pushed out to a 2010 release date). Hopefully, if my book does OK, maybe I’ll write another one. Writing a book is really a lot of work (laughs), but if I’m invited to do another one, I would.

Did you rely on your own memories or did it take a lot of research and interviews to fill out the story?

The majority is from my memory, but I did speak with other people – old friends of mine that have been in my life for years. It’s amazing to me how your memory can retract. There’s stuff that’s in your mind all the time and all it takes is thinking about one person or situation to lead you to another person or situation. My mind would just start reeling. When I had it all down, there was over 1,000 pages, and from there the stuff I didn’t feel was interesting or important was the stuff we carved out. We carved all the fat off and just left the meat.

Any particularly dramatic memories dredged over the course of your research or conversations with others?

I had all that already, but there were definitely some situations that were difficult for me to describe. There’s a part in the book when I talk about how I went back to make forgiveness to my father, and that was difficult for me to come up with and write down, but also a very important part of it.

Do you do a lot of writing anyway?

I do find that I more easily express myself writing things down than I do verbally.

Aerosmith’s on tour at the moment, and I know you guys are about to get Brad back. (Guitarist Brad Whitford was sidelined for the first leg of the tour recovering from surgery following a head injury.)

Yes, tonight (July 15) is his first night back. You really miss your brothers when they’re gone.

But you’re about to lose (bassist) Tom (Hamilton), also recovering from surgery. Does it make it tougher on you guys to keep up a road schedule with so many injuries? Do these things tell you that maybe it’s time to hang it up?

No. I think after all these years, it’s just amazing to me the juice we do have left. I don’t see anything happening to change that short of one of us dying or being killed. I don’t see any real end in sight no matter what’s happened.

What do you like about revisiting ancient Aerosmith material, as you’ve been doing this tour with full-album readings of “Toys in the Attic”?

It’s a lot of fun for us, and I think I’m still trying to get a read on whether it’s fun for the audience. After a while we’ll change it up. We keep changing it up.

Joe (Perry) gave us an update on the new Aerosmith album a few weeks ago. Anything to add to that?

My take on it is it’ll be around by the end of this year or early next year.

Aero Force One
July 18, 2009

Meet Joey Kramer and get YOUR copy of “Hit Hard” autographed!

That’s right! Come meet Drum Legend and Rock Icon Joey Kramer of Aerosmith and get YOUR copy of “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top” signed!

Check out where and when Joey will be!

Book Signing Events:

Wednesday, July 22nd @ 7pm
Barnes & Noble (96 Derby St)
Hingham, MA

Sunday, July 26th @ 2pm
Barnes & Noble (567 North Stephanie)
Henderson, NV

Tuesday, July 28th @ 7pm
Changing Hands
6428 S. McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ 85283

Friday, July 31st @ 7:30pm
Tattered Cover Bookstore
9315 Dorchester Street
Highlands Ranch, CO

*Check back for more possible signing

Aero Force One
July 18, 2009

ICON Steven Tyler
Aerosmith’s hard-charging frontman on shooting guns, doing blow, and chasing tail. But is he ready to stop rocking? Dream on.

Q. You and Joe Perry have known each other for 40-odd years. What’s one thing he knows about you that most people don’t?

A. That I’m a better shot than he is. When we were kids we’d spend our summer walking around the woods in New Hampshire with .22s and shotguns.

To get the full article, pick up a copy of Maxim today!

Houston Chronicle, TX
July 18, 2009

ZZ Top had the hometown advantage during Friday night’s down-n-dirty double bill at the Woodlands Pavilion.

The trio earned its usual hero’s welcome and showcased a bluesy, blustery set — similar to what fans saw during March’s RodeoHouston performance (and in previous years).

But the grimy, glammy rock of Aerosmith quickly took center stage, and — no disrespect — made the ZZ three seem like a simply serviceable opening act. All it took was a few minutes of Steven Tyler onstage — rock resplendent in silver sequins, floppy hat and trademark scarves.

The action unfurled on an intricately designed, immense stage that was all lasers and multiple tiers and staircases. Neon outlined everything, and a four-part screen served as a backdrop. Large pieces lifted into the air and came gently down throughout the almost two-hour set.

A lit runway jutted out into the crowd, taking a strutting Tyler midway into the seats. He would often stand at the end, surrounded by a sea of hands and cameras. Tyler’s voice was sometimes screechy but in good shape on tunes Walkin’ the Dog, Dream On, Rag Doll and Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees). And Janie’s Got a Gun was still a piercing rock-potboiler.

Guitarist Joe Perry got in some serious shredding during Love In An Elevator, Sweet Emotion and Livin’ on the Edge – hearty tunes that whipped the massive Woodlands crowd into a frenzy. (He was less successful behind the microphone on a pair of songs that found fans heading to the beer stands and bathrooms.)

Signature, searing songs Cryin’ and Walk This Way came late in the set and seemed perfect setups for what seemed the inevitable set closers. But, alas, Diane Warren power ballad I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing and — gasp! — Dude (Looks Like a Lady) never materialized. Guess they still like to keep us guessing.

ZZ Top — Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard — stuck to the script that’s anchored most of its RodeoHouston shows, albeit with a bit more flair (and room). Red curtains and a large screen backdrop accented the stage, though some of the effect was lost in pre-sunset hours.

The guys tore through Cheap Sunglasses and extended instrumentals before kicking into its MTV triple crown: Gimme All Your Lovin’, Sharp Dressed Man and Legs. The middle-aged folk danced along, played air guitars and swayed their hips (they know how to use them).

Photo Gallery:  (here).

Aero Force One/Twitter
July 17, 2009

Set List: Aerosmith – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Eat The Rich
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Rag Doll
Dream On
Back In The Saddle
Walkin’ The Dog
Janie’s Got A Gun
Last Child
Combination
Stop Messin’ Around
Love In An Elevator
Cryin’
Livin’ On The Edge
Sweet Emotion
Walk This Way

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

–JP Guitar Duel–
Train Kept A Rollin’

Thanks to:  Aero Force One/Twitter

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA
July 16, 2009

Aerosmith and ZZ Top entertained a near capacity crowd Wednesday night at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith are still with the band in its fourth decade. (Robb D. Cohen / www.robbsphotos.com)

Photo Gallery:  (here).

Aero Force One/Twitter
July 15, 2009

Set List: Aerosmith – Lakewood Amphitheatre

Eat The Rich
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Rag Doll
Back In The Saddle
Walkin’ The Dog
Janie’s Got A Gun
Last Child
Combination
Love In An Elevator
Mama Kin
Train Kept A Rollin’
Walk This Way

~~~~~Encore~~~~~

–JP Guitar Duel–
Stop Messin’ Around
Draw The Line

Thanks to:  Aero Force One/Twitter

Aero Force One
July 14, 2009

Aerosmith recently postponed seven tour dates on their North American summer tour due to a leg injury Steven Tyler sustained while performing at their June 28 show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

Fans should stay tuned for news about the rescheduling of the following postponed dates of the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Presents Aerosmith tour with special guests ZZ Top:

Wed 7/1 — Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center
Fri 7/3 — Hershey, PA — Hersheypark Stadium
Sun 7/5 — Virginia Beach, VA — Verizon Wireless Amp.
Tue 7/7 — Raleigh, NC — Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
Thu 7/9 — Charlotte, NC — Verizon Wireless Amp.
Sat 7/11 — Tampa, FL — Ford Amphitheatre
Mon 7/13 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Bank Atlantic Center

Aerosmith want to thank their fans for their ongoing support and understanding during this time of unexpected circumstances. For up-to-date information on the tour, go to www.aeroforceone.com and www.livenation.com.

Aero Force One
July 14, 2009

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton will be sitting out some dates of the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Presents Aerosmith tour dates with special guests ZZ Top as he recuperates from non-invasive surgery. Filling in for Tom will be David Hull, a longtime friend of the band who played in the Joe Perry Project and who sat in for Tom on various shows in 2006. When Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Joey Kramer return to the road on July 15 at Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta, GA, they’ll be welcoming back Brad Whitford, who has recovered from a recent surgery after having sat out the opening dates of the tour.

Reuters.com
July 14, 2009

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Aerosmith bass player Tom Hamilton has become the third member of the group to be sidelined by health problems since its troubled tour kicked off a month ago, the band’s publicist said on Tuesday.

Hamilton, a 57-year-old cancer survivor, is recovering from “non-invasive surgery” and will miss “some dates,” according to a statement. The publicist did not have additional information.

In 2006, Hamilton underwent a seven-week course of radiation treatment for throat cancer, forcing him to miss many of the dates on a concert tour underway at the time. As was the case then, he will be replaced by David Hull, who previously played on Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry’s solo outings.

Hamilton, who co-wrote two of Aerosmith’s biggest hits with singer Steven Tyler, “Sweet Emotion” and “Janie’s Got a Gun,” has been with the quintet since its inception in 1970.

Aerosmith’s current tour began on June 10, but ground to a halt after seven shows when Tyler tore a leg muscle. His daughter, plus-size model Mia Tyler, wrote on her MySpace blog on Tuesday that the 61-year-old rocker is in a cast.

To date, seven concerts have been postponed. But the publicist said Wednesday’s scheduled show in Atlanta would go ahead. It will mark 57-year-old guitarist Brad Whitford’s first appearance on the tour. He underwent emergency surgery just before the tour began, having hit his head while getting out of his Ferrari.

The various ailments come amid some apparent strife in the Aerosmith camp. Tyler recently parted ways with the band’s long-time handlers, HK Management, and signed as an individual with Union Entertainment Group, whose roster includes Canadian rock band Nickelback and Kevin Costner’s rock band.

But Tyler’s bandmates have stayed put at HK Management, which has represented Aerosmith since 1999.

The news of Tyler’s switch was imparted to fans on Saturday through a Twitter message sent by Perry’s wife, Billie, who has emerged as the band’s unofficial spokeswoman.

Perry, meanwhile, is finishing work on his fifth solo album, while drummer Joey Kramer is promoting his memoir “Hit Hard,” a deeply personal recounting of his battles with childhood abuse, drugs and depression.

Aerosmith has not released an album of original material since 2001’s “Just Push Play.” Recording sessions were interrupted earlier this year when Tyler was stricken by pneumonia.

WMUR.com, NH
July 13, 2009

“He’s the internationally known front man of Aerosmith and has earned many accolades, and now he’s part of a new venture. A custom motorcycle company that’s located right here in NH. Tiffany caught up with Steven Tyler himself and was able to sit down and talk about two of his favorite subjects. Motorcycles and the Granite State.”

Watch:  (here).

Blabbermouth.net, NY
July 13, 2009

Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer was interviewed this morning (Monday, July 13) on “The Danny Bonaduce Show” on the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania radio station 94 WYSP. The chat is now available for streaming at this location.

Regarding Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler’s injury which led to the band’s recent string of concert cancelations, Kramer said, “There’s two big muscles in your legs, one’s the quadricep, and [Tyler] ripped that muscle. And it’s painful, it hurts; for the first couple of days, he couldn’t even stand up or walk or anything, so… [He injured it] jumping around on the stage.”

Tyler had surgery on both feet last year, telling The Pulse of Radio that 30-plus years of performing live had caught up with him. “The way I dance around onstage, it’s taken its toll,” he said. “They’ve got to take the nerves out and, you know, it hurts like hell. You know, I’ve just about destroyed my feet. But I never feel it when I’m onstage, I’ll tell you that much.”

Aerosmith’s Joe Perry has indicated in recent Twitter posts that guitarist Brad Whitford, who sat out the first part of the tour to recover from a head injury, was “up and ready to rock as soon as Steven’s leg muscle feels better.”

The group’s last show was on June 29 in Connecticut, where fans reported seeing Tyler strain something in his leg.

Herald Tribune, FL
July 12, 2009

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry and his wife, Billie, helped with the cleanup.

Billie Perry surfaces with some fishing line near her husband, guitarist Joe Perry, bottom, and dive instructor Mark Rush.

SARASOTA – Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry focused on combing ocean reefs for trash instead of perfecting guitar riffs Saturday.

The musician was not alone — he was accompanied by his wife, Billie Perry, and about 85 other divers who dedicated the day to scooping up trash left in the waters off Lido and Longboat keys.

The Perrys, who have a second home on Longboat Key, found themselves with extra time this weekend after an Aerosmith concert in Tampa was canceled because lead singer Steven Tyler has an injured leg.

The pair read an article about the cleanup in a local magazine and decided to put their 25 years of diving experience to work for a noble cause.

“We yanked out a bunch of trash — everything from a big chunk of fiberglass to 20 feet of rope on an anchor,” Joe Perry said. “This is the kind of thing that makes people realize you can’t just throw stuff off the side of the boat.”

Billie Perry cut out several feet of fishing line from sponges that could entangle other marine life.

“That much line would definitely be hazardous for turtles or manatees,” she said.

Strips of rubber, fiberglass, rope, bottles and more fishing line were among the pile of ocean pollution divers removed Saturday.

Mark Rush, a certified dive instructor and owner of Aquarush Diving in Sarasota, arranged the offshore reef cleanup in part because Mote Marine no longer had the means to do it. Mote had organized the event for the last three years.

The cleanup and the after-party helped raise money that will benefit Mote’s Center for Coral Research, Rush said.

About 17 percent of the world’s reefs are dead and the situation is worsening, Rush said.

Rush said he hopes to expand the event next year.

“The event makes people more aware of the reef, while also bringing the dive community together,” he said.

The canceled Aerosmith concert was upsetting news for Atlanta native Wesley Pate, 17, who came to Southwest Florida for the concert but stayed to participate in the dive.

The guitarist said he rarely signs guitars, but made an exception for Pate on the condition that he not sell it.

“I have no intentions to sell this,” Pate said, holding up the freshly-signed instrument. “Joe Perry is the reason I picked up a guitar.”

Aero Force One
July 11, 2009

Due to the Florida shows being postponed, and as I also no longer live in Lantana, I will unfortunately not be in the area for the book signing on Sunday, July 12th. When we reschedule the show, we will be looking to reschedule a book signing in the area during that time as well. Look for details soon.

Thanks for the support, sorry for any inconvenience,

JK

Aero Force One
July 10, 2009

Aerosmith has postponed their scheduled show for July 11th at the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, FL and for July 13th at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, FL due to an artist injury. A rescheduled date will be announced soon.

Tickets purchased for the Bank Atlantic Center concert will be honored at the rescheduled date.

For additional tour and ticket information, please visit www.livenation.com or www.aeroforceone.com

Aero Force One
July 9, 2009

Joey stopped by WGBH to talk about his new book, “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top.” Missed it? Check it out on WGBH.org.

Watch video:  (here).

Aero Force One
July 8, 2009

Joey Kramer stopped by WBCN in Boston to talk about his new book, “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top.”

Watch video:  (here).

Aero Force One
July 7, 2009

Memoir of a Rocker
FOX25 Morning News

Watch:  (here).

Aero Force One
July 7, 2009

I want to thank all of you for your submissions for my solo CD title contest. However, this contest is being held on my Twitter account exclusively (one entry per person). The winner will receive a signed guitar by me.

The contest ends 7/30/09. If you’ve submitted through AF1 or through JoePerrysRockYourWorld.com please resubmit through my twitter page (www.twitter.com/admiralperry).

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Joe Perry

Aero Force One
July 6, 2009

Be sure to tune in to the MyFox Boston Morning Show (Fox 25 News) on Tuesday, July 7th at about 7:45am and catch Joey Kramer talking about his new book “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom.”

And remember you can meet Joey Kramer and get YOUR copy of “Hit Hard” autographed!

Check out where and when Joey will be!

Book Signing Events:

Monday, July 6th @ 7pm
Brookline Booksmith
Brookline, MA

Wednesday, July 8th @ 1pm
Borders (10-24 School St)
Boston, MA

Sunday, July 12th @ 2pm
Barnes & Noble (2051 N Federal Hwy)
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Saturday, July 18th @ 4pm
Legacy Bookstore (7300 Dallas Pkwy)
Plano, TX

Wednesday, July 22nd @ 7pm
Barnes & Noble (96 Derby St)
Hingham, MA

Sunday, July 26th @ 2pm
Barnes & Noble (567 North Stephanie)
Henderson, NV

*Check back for more signing events, coming soon!

Aero Force One
July 6, 2009

(July 6, 2009) Aerosmith has postponed their scheduled shows for July 7th at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, NC and July 9th at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte in Charlotte, NC due to an artist injury. A rescheduled date will be announced soon.

Tickets purchased for the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek concert will be honored at the rescheduled date.

For additional tour and ticket information, please visit www.livenation.com or www.aeroforceone.com.

Aero Force One
July 2, 2009

TimesoftheInternet

Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer says he hopes to help those afflicted by depression and drug addiction with his new memoir.

Called “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top,” the book, set to come out Tuesday, chronicles Kramer’s highs and lows in his 40-year rock ‘n’ roll career, but concentrates on his battles against his personal demons, The Boston Globe reported.

“Basically, I want to be of service and help folks out,” Kramer told the newspaper. “Anybody that relates to stuff that’s happened to me along the way — my anxiety, my depression, the drugs. If I can help someone, I’ll have accomplished my goal.”

Kramer said his father was abusive and unresolved feelings over his death helped fuel his lowest personal moments in his Aerosmith career.

“I didn’t comprehend it when I was a kid, but the way he disciplined me, which was abusive, was my fuel,” Kramer told the Globe. “I wasn’t (drumming) to please him, but the big thing he related to was the almighty dollar, so when I started making some of those, he paid attention.”

To read the original article, click (here).

Aero Force One
July 1, 2009

Meet Joey Kramer and get YOUR copy of “Hit Hard” autographed!

That’s right! Come meet Drum Legend and Rock Icon Joey Kramer of Aerosmith and get YOUR copy of “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top” signed!

Check out where and when Joey will be!

Book Signing Events:

Monday, July 6th @ 7pm
Brookline Booksmith
Brookline, MA

Wednesday, July 8th @ 1pm
Borders (10-24 School St)
Boston, MA

Sunday, July 12th @ 2pm
Barnes & Noble (2051 N Federal Hwy)
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Saturday, July 18th @ 4pm
Legacy Bookstore (7300 Dallas Pkwy)
Plano, TX

Wednesday, July 22nd @ 7pm
Barnes & Noble (96 Derby St)
Hingham, MA

Sunday, July 26th @ 2pm
Barnes & Noble (567 North Stephanie)
Henderson, NV

*Check back for more signing events, coming soon!

Reuters.com
July 4, 2009

Here’s Aerosmith by numbers: The veteran rock band has performed seven shows on its summer tour, but now two of its five members are on the sick list forcing the postponement of at least three shows. In the latest development singer Steven Tyler, 61, has been hobbled by an unspecified injury, putting the kibosh on Cincinnati (July 1), Hershey, Pa. (July 3) and Virginia Beach, Va. (July 5).

Guitarist Joe Perry sent out a Twitter message on Friday expressing “sincere apologies,” and asking fans to pray for Tyler’s speedy return. “It really bums me out too — you have no idea,” he said.

The tour was looking shaky before it even started in St. Louis on June 10. Guitarist Brad Whitford, 57, underwent surgery earlier that month after hitting his head while getting out of his Ferrari. He is scheduled to rejoin his bandmates in Raleigh, N.C., on July 7, assuming Tyler is back in the saddle by then.

The band says the three shows (so far) will be rescheduled. Dates are on tap for the North American trek through Sept. 16 in Detroit. The band’s publicist was unable to provide additional information about Tyler’s health.

Fans have said Tyler appeared to pull a leg muscle at the band’s last show, on Monday. Tyler has been troubled by his feet: In May 2008, he checked into rehab saying he needed “a safe environment to recuperate” following a series of painful foot surgeries. In 2006, the band was forced to cancel the remaining dates on a tour so that Tyler could undergo throat surgery.

Aero Force One
Billboard.com
Gary Graff, Detroit
July 3, 2009

Aerosmith’s next album might be “on the bench, in pieces,” waiting for the group to resume recording after it finishes touring in mid-September, but guitarist Joe Perry’s next solo album is just about ready to go.

Perry tells Billboard.com that he’s just finishing mixing the follow-up to 2005’s Grammy Award-nominated “Joe Perry” and expects it to be mastered next week. He plans to release a single in late July or early August, with the album coming out this fall.

“It’s a lot different than the last one,” Perry reports. “The last one was a straight-ahead rocker. This one’s got some different things on it.” The album was recorded in about seven weeks at Perry’s home studio, The Boneyard; he shares lead vocal duties with a German singer his wife, Billie, discovered on the Internet, and there’s one instrumental track. David Hull from the Joe Perry Project and Ben Tileston, who plays with two of Perry’s sons in TAB The Band, were also involved.

“We were working around the clock, through weekends and everything, and it was all live,” Perry says. “In fact, a lot of the vocals are live along with the rest of the band. (Sound) was bleeding from one track to another; if somebody had a bad take everybody had a bad take, and we played it ’til we got a good one. Of course we went in and overdubbed a lot of the other stuff, but the energy is there. You can feel it.”

The one thing Perry doesn’t have yet is a title; for that he’s holding a contest via Twitter, letting fans make suggestions. If one of the fan’s is chosen, the winner will receive a guitar. “It’s tough, obviously, without having heard the record for people to name it,” he notes, “but we may find something really good. There’ve already been a bunch that are possibilities.”

Once the album is released Perry hopes to hit the road with his own band for “a short, fast, hard tour. That’s what I’m really looking forward to…getting back out there with some old friends and some other musicians and doing it like the old days.”

The Aerosmith album, its first since 2004’s “Honkin’ on Bobo,” will also be a consideration at that point as the group — which wraps up its current tour with ZZ Top on Sept. 16 — hits the studio again with producer Brendan O’Brien. “That is the next project right after we get off the road,” Perry says. “We’ll take a little break and then put it together. I’m hoping it will come together pretty fast, but I’ve been saying that for five years, so…”

Aero Force One
July 2, 2009

Through Charitybuzz.com you can bid on Aerosmith VIP Ticket Packages for the Las Vegas and Los Angeles shows. Each package comes with:

- A pair of tickets to the show
- A back stage tour
- VIP pre-show party with special appearance by Joey Kramer
- A killer swag bag of Aerosmith merch

Here is the link to the Urban Farming auction page:
http://urbanfarming.charitybuzz.com/viewLots.do

About Urban Farming:

Urban Farming’s mission is to eradicate hunger, alleviate poverty and green our environment. We locate and secure unused land, space, rooftops and walls for the purpose of bringing people together to plant organic food gardens in low income urban areas throughout America and abroad. Children, adults and seniors are given the supplies, tools, and education to create a lasting sustainable solution to these local and global issues.

Neighbors are encouraged to share their healthy harvest with local food banks to help others in need. This system of increasing diversity while working together for a common cause builds safer cities, provides food security, and instills hope for a better future. Planting attractive food gardens beautifies the area and helps to lower the heat index, aiding in the fight against global warming. Growing locally reduces the use of fossil fuels related to transporting produce to and from stores.

Urban Farming host several green science gardens in schools K thru 12. Children learn about team building, skills training, self-sufficiency, environmental issues, nutrition, health, and balanced living. Kids are proud to bring their fresh produce and newly acquired skills home to share. Older students receive the education and inspiration to prepare them for many types of green jobs and are encouraged to stay in school and volunteer in their community. A portion of the food grown in schools is also donated to local food banks.

Our Urban Farming Food Chain ‘Edible’ Wall Gardens consist of growing panels vertically installed on the sides of concrete walls. They are also available as portable free standing walls on wheels. So far we have placed them at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, The Weingart Center, and The Rainbow Apartments in the Skid Row area of LA. These walls are to be as links in a chain across the world, providing food for the hungry and greening the globe. The most recent edible wall garden was installed at the Brotherhood and SisterSol after school program in Harlem, New York on April 16th. They serve over 250 students ages 7 thru 19.

During World War II Twenty million people planted “Victory Gardens” at their homes and grew 40% of this Nation’s produce. They did it then and we can do it again!

HamptonRoads.com, VA
July 2, 2009

Aerosmith has postponed its show scheduled for Sunday with ZZ Top at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. The show has been postponed due to “an artist injury,” according to a press release from Live Nation, which manages the venue. Tickets purchased for the show will be honored at a date yet to be scheduled.

The Patriot-News, PA
July 2, 2009

Friday night’s Aerosmith/ZZ Top concert at Hersheypark Stadium has been postponed. A Hershey spokesperson said the postponement is because of “an artist injury” to an Aerosmith band member, but had no further information. The show was not immediately rescheduled, but tickets purchased for the concert will be honored at the rescheduled date.

Aerosmith’s July 1 concert in Cincinnati, Ohio, was postponed, also blamed on an injury. There’s nothing on the band’s Web site about the postponements or injury.

Aerosmith and ZZ Top have been going strong for what seems like forever: more than 30 years for Aerosmith and 40 for ZZ Top. Aerosmith has won four Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Awards. ZZ Top has been inducted into the Rock ‘ Roll Hall of Fame, was named the Official Heroes of the State of Texas and cited for Best Group Video and Best Direction at the first MTV Video Music Awards.

Tickets for Friday’s show were $200, $95, $75, $55 and $35. The Hersheypark Concert Deal will be accepted on Friday; it gives ticket-holders a discount on Hersheypark admission the day of a concert.

A video of the tour’s June 21 show at Nissan Pavilion in Virginia. They opened with “Train Kept a Rollin’.” – (here).

WCPO.com, OH
July 1, 2009

Aerosmith has postponed their scheduled show for Wednesday night at the Riverbend Music Center because of an artist injury. Details of that injury are not immediately available.

A rescheduled date will be announced soon.

Tickets purchased for the July 1 Riverbend Music Center concert will be honored at the rescheduled date.

For additional tour and ticket information, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.aeroforceone.com.

Aero Force One
June 30, 2009

From WCSX – Detroit:

The drummer of Aerosmith, Joey Kramer, called in to talk about his new book- “Hit Hard- A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom At The Top.”

WBZ – Radio
KISW – Seattle

The Sun Chronicle, MA
June 30, 2009

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – They may come from different parts of the country and offer somewhat different types of rock music, but Aerosmith and ZZ Top are thrown together on this tour.

The Texas pop rockers ZZ Top and Boston’s own Aerosmith performed Sunday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Their joint show isn’t so strange as both had their big start in the 1970s, became even more popular in the 1980s through music videos on TV, and are now considered among the classic rock genre. And both were influenced by the blues.

A twist for this tour, Aerosmith is playing its 1975 breakout third album, the blues heavy “Toys in the Attic” that spent about two years near the top of the charts, for the first time live: “Toys in the Attic,” “Uncle Salty,” “Adam’s Apple,” “Walk This Way,” “Big Ten Inch,” “Sweet Emotion,” “No More No More,” “Round And Round,” but minus “You See Me Crying.” A few are never played live.

Aerosmith, the top American hard rock band during the 1970s, opened with the title track of “Toys in the Attic,” one of Rolling Stone’s top albums of all time, but held off on the album’s other songs for a bit.

After the 1993 power ballad “Cryin’” and “Love in an Elevator,” a No. 5 tune from 1989, frontman Steven Tyler, 61, and sizzling guitarist Joe Perry, 58, together sang the old blues number from Rufus Thomas, “Walkin’ the Dog.”

Perry and Tyler often made use of a walkway that extended from the stage into the crowd.
“Dream On,” a No. 6 smash off the 1973 debut “Aerosmith” album, has always been a splendid song.

Perry took over lead vocals on the rarely played “Combination,” off of 1976’s “Rocks.”

After a couple of mediocre songs off “Toys in the Attic,” the energy heightened with “Walk This Way” and bass opening “Sweet Emotion.”

Perry, who switched guitars quite frequently, played a double-neck guitar on 1993’s “Livin’ on the Edge.” “Draw the Line” wrapped up the entertaining set.

For the encore, it was their cover of the 1950’s gem, “Train Kept a Rollin” the Yardbirds made famous in the 60s, and the band’s well-done cover of The Beatles “Come Together” that was featured in the movie, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Aerosmith usually includes the former in their encore.

While bassist Tom Hamilton, 57, is back after a bout with cancer, guitarist Brad Whitford was not in the band, recovering from a medical problem.

Known for its live shows, ZZ Top opened. With their beards and cars, ZZ Top is known for its image, but unfortunately that does take away from what exceptional musicians they are, especially guitarist Billy Gibbons, who Jimi Hendrix once gave high praise.

Kicking off the show with “Got Me Under Pressure” and “Waitin’ For the Bus,” the trio let into a string of their ’80s hits, “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs,” a No. 8 song. ZZ Top wrapped up with two of their ’70s classics, “La Grange,” their first hit, and “Tush.”
Some of the songs were drowned out a bit by too much bass.

The J. Giels Band, The Cars, and Boston also come from the Hub, but Aerosmith remains the most popular rock band to come from the city. Resembling the Rolling Stones to some degree, the band has scored 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, four Grammy Awards and 10 MTV Video Music Awards.

ZZ Top, which epitomizes the popularity during the 70s and 80s of three-member bands such as Rush, Genesis, The Police and Supertramp and has been compared to Lynyrd Skynyrd, has sold over 30 million records worldwide. They broke Beatles attendance records at mid-’70s concerts.