Kim Stock Photography
November 29, 2009

Taken on 11/15/09

More photos:  (here).

Blabbermouth.net, NY
November 26, 2009

More video footage (see below) has been posted online of Velvet Revolver/ex-Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash performing the Aerosmith classic “Walkin’ The Dog” with The Joe Perry Project on November 24, 2009 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California (courtesy of Christy Borgman).

Slash previously performed with Perry in Las Vegas on October 2. The concert, billed as “Slash & Friends”, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Las Vegas hotel, casino and white tiger playground the Mirage.

Slash and Joe Perry were both featured on “Les Paul & Friends – A Tribute To A Legend”, which was released in September 2008 via Immergent Records. This “tribute” to the beloved living music legend Les Paul, produced by Bob Cutarella (Eric Clapton, Sting, Joss Stone, Alison Krauss, Jeff Beck), included additional performances from Joe Bonamassa, Richie Sambora, Peter Frampton, Jeff Golub, as well as vocalists Joan Osborne, Edgar Winter, Mick Hucknall from Simply Red, Johnny Rzeznik, Lisa Fischer, and many others.

Watch video:  (here).

AZ Central.com
November 28, 2009

Joe Perry made it clear on his stop in Mesa that he is just a guy who wants to play his guitar.

Granted, he is a multimillionaire rock star with many, many guitars and a band called Aerosmith. But onstage with his other group, the Joe Perry Project, at the Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, the 59-year-old guitar master tore through lead after lead with the zeal of a 20-year-old learning “Smoke On the Water.”

“This is one of my favorite riffs. I know you’ll get sick of (hearing) that line as the night goes on,” Perry said early on at the Friday, Nov. 27, show, before playing the funky guitar line to Aerosmith’s “Sight For Sore Eyes.”

Perry sampled many of the riffs from five solo albums that date back, as he put it, “longer ago than I want to admit (1980),” for a small but appreciative crowd.

Backed by the latest version of his Joe Perry Project, a bulletproof group of musicians including longtime pal and occasional Aerosmith fill-in David Hull on bass, keyboardist-guitarist Paul Santo and J. Geils Band drummer Marty Richards, Perry focused on his solo catalog while sprinkling in some tracks from “that other band I play with.”

German singer Hagen Grohle, discovered by Perry’s wife, Billie, on YouTube, did an exceptional job on both the Aerosmith and Joe Perry Project songs.

Perry avoided mentioning Aerosmith by name, no doubt in part because he is frustrated with singer Steven Tyler, who Perry says recently told the band he wants to take two years off.

“All I’m doing is concentrating on this (latest) band. I plan to keep working, and we’ll see what happens,” Perry said of Aerosmith’s future in an interview this month with The Arizona Republic.

“Let the music do the talking,” is how I’ve put it in the past,” Perry added, referring to the title of his debut solo CD.

He played the title track from that album to set the tone for the Mesa show and also dipped into that album for an insane take on “Rockin’ Train.”

The latter song featured Perry, who was clad in black leather from head to toe, in full guitar god mode. Perry threw down wave after wave of slicing riffs and worked the stage like the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer that he is. At one point, he played while straddling his guitar neck, but didn’t just do it for 30 seconds for effect, like some guitarists. Perry played a full verse or two of lead in that challenging position.

Aerosmith fans got their fill with a frantic version of “Toys In the Attic” that showcased just how tight the band was. Perry, playing the famed Gibson that is adorned with his wife’s likeness, went over the top when the time came for him to solo.

Grohle hit every note that Tyler recorded and then some on “Toys,” as well as the show-closing “Walk This Way.”

The singer also drew fan approval as he shrieked on a not-so-successful reggae-infused remake of “Dream On.”

Perry showed of his slide prowess on the bluesy “Vigilante Man,” from his Grammy-nominated “Joe Perry” CD of 2005, which also featured a strong keyboard solo by Santo.

He and Grohle occasionally shared vocals, and Perry sang solo on the bluesy classic “Stop Messin’ Around” (which featured an ultra-smooth solo as he held his guitar behind his back) and the old-school boogie tune, “Slingshot,” from Perry’s new “Have Guitar, Will Travel” album.

Rock-guitar geeks in the Valley who skipped this show and contributed to its light turnout missed an impressive and enjoyable display of fret work by one of rock’s true treasures.

Electronista.com
November 25, 2009

Joe Perry’s Satellite Qosmio X505

Toshiba has teamed up with GQ magazine on auctioning off notebooks designed by four famous men. The ‘artists’ include Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, actor and writer Rainn Wilson, rock musician Joe Perry and actor and producer Omar Epps, with each designing the exterior and interior look of four different Toshiba Satellite notebooks.

Ward’s design includes a rendition of him as a football player on the outside lid of the 18.4-inch Satellite P505 multimedia notebook. Rain Wilson chose illustrator Mike Mitchell to design the look of the 14-inch Toshiba Satellite M505. Joe Perry chose a classic black and white image for the exterior of the 18.4-inch Qosmio X505, while Omar Epps shows off Brooklyn Bridge on the 16-inch A505 to pay homage to his hometown.

The auction starts on November 27th. Proceeds from the sale of the limited-edition notebooks will go to each designer’s chosen charity, including the Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation, MONA Foundation, Project AWARE and the Mount Calvary AME Church.

Examiner.com
November 25, 2009

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry’s concert Tuesday night in Hollywood, California at the House of Blues yielded the unpredictable, including a surprise appearance from former Guns N Roses guitarist Slash. The two stood side by side, exchanging leads on their Gibson Les Paul guitars, while playing Aerosmith’s classic rocker “Walkin’ The Dog.” Perry and his band are currently on tour, promoting his recently released fiery solo album, Have Guitar, Will Travel.

Perry, looking dapper in his jet black hair and an intentional grey streak in the front, wore a black vest, shirt, jacket and jeans, as well as glittery black shoes, along with a red piece of fabric tied around his waist, which he humorously explained was part of one of his wife Billie’s dresses. “This is all that’s left of it,” Perry joked. Perry easily stole the spotlight throughout the show, dazzling the audience with his trademark guitar work, interchanging several guitars throughout the evening, a few of which including a left-handed Fender Stratocaster, strung upside down, several Gibson Les Pauls, a gold glittery Strat, a clear Lucite Dan Armstrong guitar, and a custom painted model, featuring his wife’s image painted on it, with the wording “Billie Perry” inscribed on the headstock between its two rows of tuning pegs. Perry, who flaunted several more guitars during the evening, played slide guitar on numerous songs, and dazzled the crowd with guitar calisthenics, including playing his guitar behind his legs, and playing skilfully constructed, proficient licks using his tremelo bar, and other effects. Assaultive riffs, at times augmented with intermittent keyboard playing from guitarist Paul Santo, resulted in what would never be a dull moment.

Perry’s rhythm intensive approach while playing lead, along with his prolifically accessible songwriting, has made him a hard rock icon, who has long earned the respect of his peers.

Perry’s audience seemed be comprised not just of fans, but of devotees. One of them in the front row, Karen Blay, told Examiner.com that she flew from the state of Virginia to see Perry’s Hollywood concert. The fifty-year old woman, who sports a tattoo of Aerosmith’s logo, brought her daughter to the concert. “This is an event that is reminiscent of what we’ve already gone through with the toxic twins,” Blay said, referring to Aerosmith’s lead singer Steven Tyler, whose injuries resulting from falling off the stage at an Aerosmith show in Sturgis, South Dakota earlier this year, led to the cancellation of the Aerosmith tour. Blay added, “They’ve broken up before and they’re stronger when they come back.”

For those who were present at Perry’s Hollywood concert, Tyler’s absence was certainly not an issue at this ascendant show.

Perry’s solo line-up consists of feature bassist Dave Hull, Paul Santo on keyboards and rhythm guitar, lead singer Hagen Grohe and J. Geils Band drummer Marty Richards. Perry told his Hollywood audience that Hagen hails “from the south of Germany.” It would obviously be a daunting feat to serve as the front man next to Perry, given his thirty years performing with Tyler, not to mention the publicity mill and the innumerable resulting rumors stemming from a recent cryptic, or perhaps somewhat indecipherable Twitter message that Perry recently posted, stating, “In the meantime Aerosmith is positively looking for a new singer to work with. You just can’t take forty years of experience and throw it in the bin.” Hagen clearly held his own on vocals, even when taking on Aerosmith numbers. Perry’s audience remained enraptured throughout the show.

The songs performed from Perry’s new album Have Guitar, Will Travel were all well-received. In addition to the unexpected appearance of Slash for one number, another heavyweight highlight of the evening was the instrumental “Wooden Ships,” with its wailing solos, a luscious musical tribute from Perry to the late guitarist, inventor and innovator, Les Paul. The engaging opus “Scare The Cat” was also among the best performances of the night.

The evening included a lengthy bass solo from Dave Hull, whose history has become a bit of a legend. Drummer Marty Richards powerful drumming was extremely laudable, and also upped the ante throughout the evening. The band played songs from Perry’s new solo album including “Long Way To Go,” “Scare The Cat,” “Do You Wonder?” and “Head Kicked In.”

The encore included what Perry called a “Boston version of the blues,” the song “Combination,” which was followed by the Aerosmith mega-hit “Toys In The Attic.”

Clearly, despite whatever the situation is with Perry and Tyler, Perry seemed no worse from the wear, and he was in top form. While Perry was spending the evening off Twitter, he also sang many of the vocals, both with Hagen and alone. When vocalizing together, the two of their voices enmeshed as if they were musically destined for each other.

Perry’s band also kicked in the Joe Perry Project song “East Coast West Coast,” and performed a tantalizing version of the late Woody Guthrie’s “Vigilante Man.”

The appearance of Slash for “Walkin’ The Dog” was not the only surprise of the evening. A surrealistic moment occurred when Joe Perry’s band played a transfixing reggae version of the Aerosmith uber-hit “Dream On.” After playing the song, Perry joked, “We’re never going to play that song like that ever again.”

Set List from November 24, 2009, Hollywood, California:

Let The Music Do The Talking
Walkin The Dog (featuring Slash)
Bright Light Fright
Long Way To Go
East Coast, West Coast
Head Kicked In
Get The Lead Out
Dream On (Reggae Version)
Vigilante Man
Sight For Sore Eyes
Do You Wonder?
Rockin’ Train (with bass solo)
Wooden Ships
Slingshot
Scare The Cat
Combination
Toys In The Attic

ENCORE:
Stop Messin’ Around
Walk This Way

RTT News
November 22, 2009

Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke are reforming as Bad Company and hitting the road for a string of eight shows in the U.K. this April. The band announced their comeback at the Hard Rock Café in Central London before playing an intimate show for a small, select audience. “These dates are to thank the fans for keeping the music alive,” Rodgers said of the upcoming shows. “It’s great to be with Paul and Simon,” Ralphs added. “We made great music together and had the time of our lives doing it. I’m really looking forward to us bringing Bad Company back to the U.K.”

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry is slated to open for Bad Company along with his side group, The Joe Perry Project.

A new Bad Company live CD/DVD will also appear in the near future, scheduled for a release on February 9.

Tour Dates

April 1- Birmingham LG Arena
April 2- Manchester Arena
April 4- Sheffield City Hall
April 5- Cardiff CIA
April 7- Newcastle Arena
April 8- Glasgow Clyde
April 10- Brighton Center
April 11- Wembley Arena

Joe Perry Tour Dates:  (here).

Tonic.com
November 24, 2009

(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

He may be wreaking havoc on the hearts of Aerosmith fans lately — what with making a decision to take a two-year break from the band, and recent comments from his own band mates suggesting that he may be back on drugs — but rocker Steven Tyler was in top form when he showed up and rocked out at the annual Michael J. Fox Foundation fundraiser event in New York City last Saturday night.

By all accounts, the Boston Bad Boy was all giant-mouthed smiles as he hit Manhattan’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To Cure Parkinson’s,” the notoriously rock-centric annual charity gala to support Fox’s Parkinson’s foundation. (Last year’s musical guest? The Who!) Late in the evening, when Tyler hit the stage to sit in with headliner Greg Allman, “He sounded fabulous!” one audience member tells Tonic.

Even more fabulous? Tyler’s presence helped raised more than $4.3-million for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research — a dollar amount that’s on par with previous annual galas. And that’s no small feat given the state of the economy.

Elvis Costello and John Popper (of Blues Traveler fame) also performed at this year’s event, to an audience of 900 that included some of Fox’s famous friends: Roger Daltry, John McEnroe, Rachael Ray, Julianne Moore, Ryan Reynolds and Martin Scorcese among them.

As always, Fox himself strapped on a guitar for an end-of-night jam session with the band.

Marty McFly would be proud.

Founded by the Back To The Future and Family Ties star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinon’s Research is dedicated to ensuring the development of better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for the disease through an aggresively funded research agenda. To date, MJFF has funded nearly $160 million in research.

Gibson.com
November 24, 2009

Though it’s shrouded in mystery, news of yet another “supergroup” project is brewing — this one involving some of rock’s greatest guitar royalty.

Writing Monday (Nov. 23) in his online diary, engineer Kevin Shirley says he’s been recording with Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford and “many other” guitarists for some “high profile projects” about which he’s “sworn to secrecy.”

Shirley, who engineered Led Zeppelin’s How the West Was Won, goes on to say that in January he’ll be “producing what has the promise to be one of the most exciting ‘supergroups’ to come around in a long time.”

“[However], theory is just that,” Shirley writes, “until we see how the dynamics play out in the studio between these superb musicians. And of course the songs will make the real difference.”

Shirley also says he’ll soon be “remixing one of Classic Rock’s seriously classic albums.” Given that next year marks the 40th anniversary of such landmark discs as Santana’s Abraxas, Led Zeppelin III, and Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs, the range of possibilities is wide.

In yet another teasing nondisclosure, the veteran engineer said he’s set “to record one of guitar’s great legends” in December.

Blabbermouth.net, NY
November 23, 2009

According to Citizen-Times.com, Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford will join the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam on Saturday, December 12 at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, North Carolina.

Jam tickets are on sale at the Civic Center box office, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 251-5505. The cost is $55 plus various service charges.

More acts are still being added to the Jam, according to the show’s web site.

Blabbermouth.net, NY
November 23, 2009

(Photo Courtesy of Rob Shanahan/www.robshanahan.com)

Randy Patterson of Boomerocity recently conducted an interview with Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On how key the role of forgiveness played in turning his life around:

Kramer: “Oh! Very key! Very key! You have to forgive and you have to let go of the past because, without letting go of the past, without forgiving, you really can’t move on. You really can’t move forward with your life in any capacity. And as long as it takes to conjure up that forgiveness, that’s how long you stay stuck. . . [Forgiving my father] before he passed . . . that was really important to me because, otherwise, I would’ve really been stuck there. It really was an amazing moment for me. After doing a lot of therapy, I just came to him and — well, the reality of it is that I was doing it for myself but for him as well. It released him and cleaned the slate for us both before he passed.”

On what technique, what attitude or what actions have been successful for him in standing up to those who have wished to dominate him or new relationships that tried to dominate him:

Kramer: “Well, that’s a very interesting question. My answer to that would be to own yourself; to own your own feelings, your own emotions, and not let co-dependency get in the way — with co-dependency being that you’re dependent upon someone else to feel good about yourself. It’s very important to own your own feelings and to stand up for yourself.

“In the past, I’ve always had a difficult time standing up for myself and, by virtue of that, sometimes you establish relationships with people who are not even conscious or aware of their taking advantage of you or your emotions. If things go a certain way for them and they get certain perks — from me anyway — they get certain perks by being your friend and then all of a sudden, when you take back the turf that you let them own, they don’t like that and it makes people very uncomfortable. And that in itself is a very difficult thing to deal with. But you have to own your own emotions and your own feelings and basically, for me, a big part of it was learning to stand up for myself.”

On whether he had been hiding behind the drums:

Kramer: “Well, where I really hid the most, I found, was in my drug addiction and in my alcoholism and once that was gone and I got rid of that, there was no place to hide. Then I really came into the depression and the anxiety. I think that was the lack of being able to deal with the stuff that we’ve been talking about. Because I think depression and anxiety, which goes hand-in-hand with it, is un-dealt-with anger that reverts back inside you. If you can’t be outward with it, then it comes in and attacks you inwardly.”

“I was just really emotionally distraught and bankrupt when I had my breakdown back in 1995. That’s when I dealt with all of that. I was already 9 years clean and sober. So I was really wondering, ‘Wow, I’ve been clean and sober for 9 years and now, what is this all about?’ Because people are under the impression that getting clean and sober is the answer itself which it really isn’t. It’s only part of it.”

On what his “elevator speech” would be to a room full of people, kids and adults alike, who are either in homes like he was as a kid or were at their own “Miami cross-roads” as he was in 1995.

Kramer: “Well, it’s a difficult thing to just say and pull off at the same time but I think that the biggest attribute that I was able to establish for myself was honesty. And once you’re able to be completely honest with yourself then I think a lot of things begin to fall into place. Because, you know, we have a lot of things justified and we make excuses for anything and everything in life, whether it’s for not doing certain things that we should do or being a certain way and not correcting it or being mean to people and not being a pleasant person.

“I mean, there are all kinds of justifications for everything but when you get down to being honest with yourself, I mean, for real, because I believe that we all have that little voice inside, you know? That little voice inside – that we know better? Unless you’re troubled by being mentally ill in some fashion, then when that little voice talks to you, then that’s the honesty. I know that I have that little voice inside and I’ve done a lot of work and a lot of therapy and I honor that little voice inside.”

Read the entire interview from Boomerocity.

Getty Images
November 22, 2009

Musician Joe Perry (L) and rapper Snoop Dogg speak onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Musician Joe Perry arrives at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

More photos:  (here).

Getty Images
November 21, 2009

‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s’

Michael J. Fox and Steven Tyler perform onstage during The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s 2009 Benefit, ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s’ at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel on November 21, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MJF/WireImage for The Michael J. Fox Foundation)

(L-R) Musicians Gregg Allman, Elvis Costello, and Steven Tyler attend The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s 2009 Benefit, ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s’ at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel on November 21, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MJF/WireImage for The Michael J. Fox Foundation)

More photos:  (here).

JoePerry.com
November 21, 2009

Joe Perry will be a presenter at the 2009 American Music Awards. Be sure to tune in to ABC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 8pm ET. Word has it Joe will be presenting the 4th award of the night.

The Windsor Star, Canada
November 20, 2009

(Photo credit: Gene Schilling, LiveDaily)

WINDSOR, Ont. — Joe Perry wasn’t about to let anyone off the hook Thursday at Caesars Windsor’s Colosseum.

The guitarist for Aerosmith brought his part-time rock band, the Project, to Windsor for an old-fashioned, balls-to-the-wall rock show that featured a smattering of Aerosmith, and a whole lotta rock love.

He was backed by the band that appears on his latest solo album, Have Guitar, Will Travel.

He opened with the title song from the first Joe Perry Project album in 1980, Let The Music Do The Talking, delivered with screeching intensity by lead singer Hagen Groag.

Hagen, as he prefers to be known, was a discovery on YouTube by Perry’s wife, Billie. He hails from Germany and told the audience it was his first visit to Canada.

Perry switched guitars like Celine Dion changes dresses, hauling out an array of axes to suit every musical occasion.

Now and then, he also showed a prowess for slide blues, as in the song Vigilante Man, from the self-titled 2005 album.

As might be expected at a gig where Perry was front and centre, not the singer, every song was geared to show off different aspects of his guitar playing.

The new song, Somebody’s Gonna Get (Their Head Kicked in Tonite), was an extended series of Chuck Berry riffs, but amplified to deafening proportions. It also gave keyboardist Paul Santo a chance to shine with some boogie-woogie breaks.

Santo was also featured along with Hagen on the Joe Perry Project song from 1980, Rockin’ Train, a funky, hard-pounding bit of business that also had a monster bass guitar solo by longtime Perry sideman, and sometime Aerosmith member, David Hull.

The rest of the band stood back and admired Hull’s single time in the spotlight.

Also in the band was drummer Marty Richards, who was borrowed from the J. Geils Band for the solo album and tour.

Perry has been telling everyone who’ll listen that Aerosmith is still going strong, and that may explain why the Colosseum wasn’t sold out. Caesars even tried to pad the audience in the days leading up to the show with discounted ticket prices.

Those who took a pass missed a terrific, inspired and passionate rock concert.

For good measure, Perry threw in a version of Dream On, Aerosmith’s signature song. It was to a reggae beat with Hagen hitting the familiar wailing, early Steven Tyler-like high notes near the end.

Photo Gallery at LiveDaily:  (here).

CBS-TV
November 20, 2009

(Photo Credit: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images)

Steven Tyler has opened up about his rumored hiatus from Aerosmith – he’s taking some time off to write a book while his injured shoulder heals.

The group has been thrown into chaos in recent weeks, with Tyler’s baffled bandmates admitting he’s kept them in the dark over whether he plans to continue as their frontman.

Guitarist Joe Perry recently claimed Tyler is planing to take a “two-year” hiatus, leaving the band in turmoil.

But a spokesperson for the frontman is adamant Tyler is just taking a quick break while he recovers from a shoulder injury, which he sustained after falling off stage at a gig in August.

The rep adds that Tyler is using his time productively – he is writing his autobiography, telling People.com, “He’s concentrating on his book right now while his shoulder heals.”

Press-Enterprise, CA
November 19, 2009

When Aerosmith’s time in the studio stalled earlier this year, guitarist Joe Perry decided to record a new solo record.

Then, when Aerosmith’s summer tour ended abruptly when frontman Steven Tyler fell off a stage, Perry decided to live up to the name of his new solo record, “Have Guitar, Will Travel.”

The guitar hero performs at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on Saturday, the House of Blues in Anaheim on Monday and the House of Blues in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The tour could be a fortuitous move, now that Tyler has been talking to media outlets about flying the Aerosmith coop.

In a recent telephone interview, Perry said he didn’t know when Aerosmith would get back to recording the unfinished album they left in the studio, but he’s excited to be out and playing his own new album.

“I kind of wrote it to be the backbone of a live show,” Perry said.

He said he thought about it from the fan’s perspective — some people may not have heard the record.

“It kind of gives the songs a feel, that people can get into the songs the first time they hear them,” Perry said.

“I really like this record a lot. We cut back on a lot of overproducing it and went for the energy.”

Perry wrote one of the songs, “Do You Wonder,” with longtime Aerosmith collaborator Marti Frederiksen. Perry’s wife, Billie, wrote the lyrics.

Perry said he had written some lyrics but never really pinned them down. He was getting ready to write a set when his wife handed him a legal pad with lyrics for the song.

She also found Hagen, the singer on about half the tracks on the disc, through YouTube.

Perry said he had been trying to get Aerosmith to do the rock anthem, and the band passed. Then producer Brendan O’Brien heard it and had them work on the anthem in the studio before recording stalled.

“When the record came down, I said, ‘Ten years is long enough, this song’s gonna get out there,’ ” Perry said.

But the record is more than just songs that Aerosmith could have recorded. Perry melded myriad styles on the album.

“There’s some funk on there, some bluesy stuff, there’s that old rock ‘n’ roll, straight-up rock ‘n’ roll, just some different avenues to get to the same place. And that’s kind of what the show is,” Perry said.

In addition to playing the solo material, he said some Aerosmith songs would be in the set because that’s what a lot of people want to hear.

“We do them, but we don’t stray too far from the original,” he said.

Perry said he loves the energy of playing live.

“I get a chance to hear my guitar. I love the way it sounds, and I get to play riffs that I like. … I’m a fan of this kind of music, a big fan, and I get to play it. I’m really lucky,” Perry said. “Having a project like this really gives me a chance to indulge myself.”

Joe Perry

Indio: 8 p.m. Saturday, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, 800-827-2946, $49-$89, www.fantasyspringsresort.com

Anaheim: 8 p.m. Monday, House of Blues, 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, 714-778-2583, $37.50 in advance, $40 the day of the show, www.hob.com

Los Angeles: 8 p.m. Tuesday, House of Blues , 8430 Sunset Blvd., 323-848-5100, $35.50 in advance, $40.50 the day of the show, www.hob.com

On the Web: www.joeperry.com

Aero Force One
November 19, 2009

Joey Kramer would like to thank everyone that came out to Mohegan Sun for the Winning Authors event to celebrate his book, “Hit Hard.” The event was a huge success with over 300 people attending the intimate live discussion at the Cabaret Theatre. Led by Eddie Trunk, also host of VH1’s acclaimed “That Metal Show,” the crowd both observed and contributed to a highly enjoyable experience.

The event kicked off with a screening of “It’s About Time” – the film dedicated to Joey’s lasting influence both within Aerosmith and the entire rock and roll world. After a standing ovation, fans were treated to an hour long question-and-answer session allowing guests insight into the experiences recounted within “Hit Hard” and Joey’s catharsis in writing it. Twice Joey’s dialogue was interrupted as the audience rose to its feet and applauded in response to his honesty in relation to his personal struggle with drug and alcohol addiction and battle with depression.

“Having been able to find my own sanity within the insanity that has been such a prevalent condition of the Aerosmith experience for over forty years” is an accomplishment representative of the transformative experience which Joey believes truly saved his life. For him, sharing this information and passing on the value of his life changing, and ultimately life saving transformation was the driving force behind turning “Hit Hard” into a reality.

Following the discussion, Joey gave back to all the faithful supporters as he personalized and signed copies of “Hit Hard” for all in attendance. The line flowed out the door of the Shops at Mohegan Sun as fans waited with excitement. From ages 8 to 80, all were represented as supporters passed through to get their own copy of “Hit Hard” signed.

Stay tuned for video footage from the event!

Aero Force One

Julien’s Auctions – Rock Icons & Steven Tyler

One Day – Two Amazing Auctions

On November 21, 2009, The Hard Rock Cafe Times Square New York will be the venue for two of Julien’s Auctions most anticipated auctions of the year, beginning at 10 a.m. E.S.T. with the Steven Tyler Auction benefitting MusiCares and the Musicians Assistance Program (MAP).

For the first time, the clothing and memorabilia from Aerosmith’s legendary front-man, Steven Tyler, are offered for public sale. The proceeds from this auction will benefit The MusiCares MAP fund that assists musicians in their recovery from addiction. Steven Tyler has lent his support and offered his personal items for auction, including stage and event worn clothing by renowned designers and signed memorabilia. Own a piece of Tyler’s unique style down to his boxer shorts or swim trunks. Also offered for sale, a signed Paul McCartney Hofner bass and other Paul McCartney Grammy Awards memorabilia, a U2 signed guitar, a Ron Wood signed Gibson guitar, guitars hand painted by Carly Simon, Brandon Boyd, David Lee Roth and others.

Click (here) to see the items up for auction! Bidding on these items can be done in-person at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, or online in real-time at www.julienslive.com - Register today!

RollingStone.com
November 18, 2009

Last week, Steven Tyler surprised Joe Perry at a New York solo gig and announced onstage he wasn’t quitting Aerosmith. In new interviews with Rolling Stone, members of the group say that they not only still plan on hiring a new singer — but they are concerned that Tyler may have returned to some of his bad habits. “He doesn’t act like a sober person,” says Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford. “I’m not hanging with the guy, but his history of drug abuse is well documented. And like many other people in this same position, the prospects aren’t good. For most people, full blown recovery is a tough thing to pull off.”

Drummer Joey Kramer also has concerns, though he wasn’t as explicit as Whitford. “I hope that Steven takes the time to put the focus on Steven and get healthy and take care of himself,” he says. When asked what exactly he means by “get healthy” Kramer said, “The truth of that is something that only Steven can answer and I’m not really at liberty to discuss it, you’d have to speak with him or his management.” A rep for Tyler said he is too busy working on his forthcoming memoir to comment on the allegations.

Meanwhile, the group says they have no plans to wait two years to reform, which Tyler has asked them to do while he works on a solo album and his book. “We have a fortieth anniversary coming up and we all would like to celebrate that with our fans,” Kramer says. “There’s people that we’ve been kicking around [to sing]. Famous singers. If that’s part of what it takes for us to move forward then you know, that’s what it’s gonna be.” Check out the next issue of Rolling Stone, on stands November 25th, for a detailed account of Aerosmith’s implosion.

Billboard.com
November 18, 2009

Even as they contemplate working with another singer, Steven Tyler’s Aerosmith bandmates say they’re worried about their frontman’s health and well being.

“Steven, he isolates more and more all the time — that’s what gives it away to me that there’s something going on,” drummer Joey Kramer tells Billboard.com. “I don’t know what that is. I know he’s made some not so great choices and he’s got some negative influences around him now. I love the guy. I just want to see him get some help.”

Kramer demures on discussing the specific rumors of substance abuse swirling around Tyler via online reports, but guitarist Brad Whitford acknowledges that “this guy has a tremendous history of drug abuse, and you have to be suspicious that this is something that’s probably going on with him. I have a feeling we might be looking at someone who’s just really struggling very badly.” Whitford adds that Tyler’s behavior in recent years “was becoming more erratic and unreasonable” leading to the singer’s recent decision to take two years away from Aerosmith to focus on what he refers to as “brand Tyler.”

Kramer and Whitford both say Tyler has become increasingly isolated from the rest of the band, hiring separate management and not communicating directly with anyone. “I have called him and left voice mails and texted him to no avail,” says Kramer, who chronicles his complex, passive-aggressive relationship with Tyler in his new memoir “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top.” “I get no reply. One of his biggest things is that, ‘Well, nobody calls me.’ Well, that’s bullshit, ’cause I have. I’ve always been there for him and I probably always will be. I can only hope and pray that Steven will put the focus on Steven and get healthy.”

Tyler’s only public comment about the matter came on Nov. 10, when he made a surprise encore appearance at the Joe Perry Project’s concert in New York City and announced that “I’m not leaving Aerosmith.” The rest of the band, meanwhile — including guitarist Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton — is in daily communication and focusing on what it wants to do next.

The group does seem resolved in its decision to look for another singer to work with. Whitford predicts that while “no one can fill Steven Tyler’s shoes,” the selection process will come down to “people that we know or are friends that we think might consider doing it.” Sharing names “wouldn’t be prudent right now,” according to the guitarist, but he says that “hopefully we’ll do something creative and push the boundaries of what we do, maybe make some new music, not just go out there and be, like, an Aerosmith cover band.”

Even the band name is up for grabs, as fan sentiment online is running decidedly against using Aerosmith for a group without Tyler. “We’re contemplating our options, and (the name) is one of them,” Kramer says. “I don’t know that we have the answers yet. But no matter what you do, you can never make everybody happy…You’ve just got to come from your heart and do what you think is the right thing to do and hopefully people will adapt. Brad and Tom and Joe and I wish to continue to play and tour as a band, so whatever is involved in that, in moving forward, that’s what we intend to do. The four of us stand united.”

Whitford says the group will choose its course of action “ideally sooner than later” but acknowledges that “I have my doubts about us being able to pull this off any time soon.” He’s also not ruling out a reconciliation with Tyler.

“We would love to see that happen,” Whitford says. “I hear all the fans and everybody, but no group of guys would like him back more than we would. We would never shut the door — there might be a sign on that door that has a list of qualifications, but we would never shut the door.”

JoePerry.com
November 17, 2009

The Joe Perry Project upcoming tour dates:

Date	Venue	City, State	Ticket Info
Wed. 11/18/09   7:30pm	House of Blues	Chicago, IL	$36-$38 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Thu. 11/19/09   8:00pm	The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor	Winsor, ONT	$28-$52 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Sat. 11/21/09   8:00pm	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino	Indio, CA	$49-$89 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Mon. 11/23/09   8:00pm	House of Blues	Anaheim, CA	$35 Onsale 10/24 Get Your Tix HERE!
Tue. 11/24/09   8:00pm	House of Blues (Sunset Strip)	West Hollywood, CA	$35.50-$45.50 Onsale 10/24 Get Your Tix HERE!
Wed. 11/25/09   8:00pm	The Fillmore	San Francisco, CA	Price TBA Onsale TBA More Info HERE!
Fri. 11/27/09   7:30pm	Mesa Arts Center	Mesa, AZ	$40 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Sat. 11/28/09   8:00pm	House of Blues	Las Vegas, NV	Price TBA Onsale 10/31 More Info HERE!
Tue. 12/01/09   7:00pm	Freebird Live	Jacksonville, FL	$40-$50 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Wed. 12/02/09   8:00pm	House of Blues	Orlando, FL	Price TBA Onsale 11/13 More Info HERE!
Sat. 12/05/09   8:00pm	State Theatre	St Petersburg, FL	$28 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Sat. 1/23/10   7:00pm	Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre Special Guest to Motley Crue	Victoria, BC	Price TBA Onsale 11/20 More Info HERE!
Sun. 1/24/10   7:00pm	General Motors Place Special Guest to Motley Crue	Vancouver, BC	CA $54.50-$130 Onsale 11/20 More Info HERE!
Tue. 1/26/10   7:00pm	Pengrowth Saddledome Special Guest to Motley Crue	Calgary, AB	CA $39.50-$115 Onsale 11/20 More Info HERE!
Wed. 1/27/10   7:00pm	Rexall Place Special Guest to Motley Crue	Edmonton, AB	CA $39.50-$115 Onsale 11/20 More Info HERE!
Thu. 1/28/10   7:00pm	Brandt Centre – Evraz Place Special Guest to Motley Crue	Regina, SK	CA $24.75-$99 Onsale 11/20 More Info HERE!
Fri. 1/29/10   7:00pm	MTS Centre Special Guest to Motley Crue	Winnipeg, MB	CA $58-$128.75 Onsale 11/20 More Info HERE!
Mon. 2/01/10   7:00pm	John Labatt Centre Special Guest to Motley Crue	London, ON	Price TBA Onsale 11/20 More Info HERE!
Tue. 2/02/10   7:00pm	Colisee Pepsi Special Guest to Motley Crue	Quebec City, QC	Price TBA Onsale 11/24 More Info Soon!
Thu. 2/04/10   8:00pm	Air Canada Centre Special Guest to Motley Crue	Toronto, ON	CA $39.50-$115 Onsale 11/20 More Info HERE!
Fri. 2/05/10   7:00pm	Bell Centre Special Guest to Motley Crue	Montreal, QC	Price TBA Onsale 11/24 More Info Soon!

Blabbermouth.net, NY
November 16, 2009

Motley Crue will embark on “The Dead Of Winter” Canadian tour in January/February with special guests The Joe Perry Project.

Commented Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx: “Canada has always been one of Motley Crue’s most supportive markets. We look forward to going up there again and rocking people’s faces off.”

The dates are as follows:

Jan. 23 – Victoria, BC – Save-On Foods Memorial Centre
Jan. 24 – Vancouver, BC – GM Place
Jan. 26 – Calgary, AB – Pengrowth Saddledome
Jan. 27 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
Jan. 28 – Regina, SK – Brandt Centre
Jan. 29 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
Feb. 01 – London, ON – John Labatt Centre
Feb. 02 – Quebec City, PQ – Colisee Pepsi
Feb. 04 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Feb. 05 – Montreal, PQ – Bell Centre

Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 20 at 10:00 a.m. at LiveNation.com. The Montreal and Quebec City shows go on sale on November 28 at 10:00 a.m.

JoePerry.com
November 15, 2009

“Joe Perry will perform at the NFL Tailgate game on Sunday, December 6, in Miami when the Miami Dolphins will take on The New England Patriots.

Performance time is 7:30pm at the LandShark stage in the Grand Plaza of LandShark Stadium. T-Pain has been confirmed to perform ‘Walk This Way’ with Joe.

Be sure to tune in!”

The Patriot Ledger, MA
November 15, 2009

Bassist Tom Hamilton joins Joe Perry for Encore!

BOSTON — If it wasn’t exactly the special guest most of the 1,200 fans were hoping for, it was still 40 percent of Aerosmith onstage at the House of Blues for the rip-roaring encore Saturday night.

After a week of rumor and provocative statements about singer Steven Tyler’s future with the band, he’d surprised fans by appearing guitarist with Joe Perry’s Project last Tuesday in New York City for an encore of an Aerosmith favorite, so there was plenty of anticipation when the JPP came to Boston. Saturday, Perry teased it late in his set, saying he had a special guest backstage for the encore, “assuming he hasn’t gotten bored and left already.”

But this time, it was another member of the South Shore’s transplanted rock franchise who emerged, bassist Tom Hamilton. Hamilton joined the JPP for a rambling run through “Stop Messin’ ‘Round,” the old Fleetwood Mac chestnut that has long been a Perry favorite. Perry and Hamilton seemed to be having great fun with the song, which also featured a sprightly electric piano solo from Weymouth’s Paul Santo. Perry and Hamilton then led a raucous romp through “Walk This Way” to finish the 85-minute show with one of Aerosmith’s signature tunes.

Before those encores, the JPP had performed an electrifying 14-song set, including some Perry nuggets as well as several tunes from his new solo album, “Have Guitar Will Travel.” And it should have been no surprise, if like us, you passed the Joe Perry Project tour bus on the Southeast Expressway after the show, for this band also has a definite South Shore feel. Along with Santo, who plays guitar and keyboards in the JPP, the band includes Plymouth bassist Dave Hull, longtime friend of Perry’s who has also filled in with Aerosmith when Hamilton was sidelined. And while Perry now spends most of his time in Vermont, he still has his home studio in Duxbury.

The Perry set began with “Let the Music Do the Talking,” as close to a theme song as the guitarist has. Wearing a black leather jacket over black leather pants, Perry, 59, also had black boots with silver glitter on them, cutting a rough but stylish figure. Perry changed guitars for nearly every song, displaying an impressive segment of his vast collection of axes.

The new singer with the JPP is a young German who goes by the monicker Hagen. The story is that Perry’s wife Billie discovered him on the internet, through youtube clips of his performances, and he surely has a big, room-filling voice. By the second tune, a bass-heavy bluesy treatment of the old classic “Walkin’ The Dog,” it was obvious that comparisons to Tyler are inevitable for young Hagen. He appears to have a somewhat deeper voice than Tyler, and likely can’t hit all the high notes of vintage Tyler, but Hagen does have plenty of power and a nice overall tone to his voice. And if he thus far lacks Tyler’s charisma, Hagen’s energetic dancing, air-guitar playing, and general enthusiasm for the music went a long way towards winning the crowd over.

A tune from the new album, “Long Way to Go” might be viewed as a statement of sorts, as it seems to deal with endurance and tenacity and soldiering on as the years go by. It began with a synthesizer line, and burst into infectiously pounding rock ‘n’ roll. Another notable song from the new album is not really new at all, as the pulsating rocker “Somebody’s Going to Get Their Head Kicked in Tonight” is actually a Jeremy Spencer composition from the early (Peter Green-era) Fleetwood Mac, but Perry’s affection for the song was palpable as he sang it. Perry isn’t in Hagen’s league as a singer, but his vocals were a good change of pace.

“Do You Wonder?” is as close to a ballad as anything on the new CD, but it is a ballad with big dynamic swings, and Hagen sang it for all it was worth, with Perry crafting a fiery guitar solo. Perry sang the old Woody Guthrie tune “Vigilante Man” while playing some hellacious slide guitar, as Hagen joined the rhythm section by pounding on an extra tom-tom drum.

“I’ve seen a lot of shows here,” Perry said while looking out over the crowd at the space formerly known as Avalon/Citi/Metro/Boston Tea Party. “But I don’t think I’ve ever played here before.”

Probably the most blistering new tune was “Scare the Cat,” with some of Perry’s most brain-curdling guitar lines over a full-bore rhythmic foundation. The regular set ended with a frenetic charge through Aerosmith’s classic “Toys in the Attic” where it was again obvious that Hagen has been a big Steven Tyler fan for a long time. But it was also impossible not to notice that if some of the crowd was old enough to remember when that song ruled the airwaves, more than a few were also college-age kids just as excited to hear it–and just as likely to be singing along word for word.

Another slice of Boston rock royalty, The Neighborhoods, opened with as vibrant a 40 minutes as any rock fan could want. The power trio led by the estimable David Minehan romped through “Bygone Era” and finished their terrific set with the whipsaw guitar of “Home Sweet Home” and the absolutely roaring finale “Think It Over.” Having The Neighborhoods open a portion of his tour is one of the best decisions Perry ever made.

PYX-106, NY
November 14, 2009

PYX-106’s afternoon drive host, Uncle Vito, interviewed Joe Perry of Aerosmith…

Listen at YouTube:  (here).

House of Blues

Saturday, November 14, 2009 -
Doors: 06:00 PM
Show: 07:00 PM

Joe Perry of Aerosmith – The Joe Perry Project
Opening: The Neighborhoods

House of Blues Boston
15 Lansdowne St.
Boston, MA 02215

Prices:
$29.50 – General Admission Standing Room ?
$39.50 – Reserved Seating – Advance
Ages: All

Get tickets: (here).

Flickr.com
November 12, 2009

Joe Perry performs at Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
November 11, 2009 (Photo by: Roman Dolinsky)

More photos:  (here).

Aero Force One
November 11, 2009

ProJo.com
By Rick Massimo

Everyone knows the redemptive feel-good story of the rock legends Aerosmith, who credibly called themselves “America’s Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band” through the ’70s before imploding under the weight of their own drug abuse problems later in the decade, before pulling it back together for a platinum-selling rebirth beginning in the late ’80s and continuing until this day.

But for drummer Joey Kramer, the journey didn’t end there.

Kramer’s memoir, “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top” (HarperCollins, 233 pages, $26.95), begins in 1995 with the drummer arriving in a posh Miami hotel to begin work on the follow-up to the group’s smash “Pump” album. He takes one look at the drums, turns around and walks out. Within a few hours, with the help of a therapist who had been working with the band, he’s in a California mental-health facility. It’s not drugs or alcohol that’s the problem — it’s depression and anxiety.

For the rest of the book, Kramer traces his life and the roots of the problems that eventually took him over. There are some stories of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, but they pale next to the stories of abuse, neglect and, well, rock ’n’ roll.

He describes, in sometimes pretty rough language, the abuse he took from his father, beginning when he was two years old. Music was his refuge, and it defined his youth, as he played in dozens of bands until he headed to Boston, fell in with the guys who formed Aerosmith, working like dogs building a name and eventually hitting the big time.

There was a different kind of trouble awaiting Kramer, though: Singer Steven Tyler, an acquaintance of Kramer’s since middle school, was originally a drummer — in fact, the group had originally picked him over Kramer, and it was Tyler who volunteered to move to frontman and let Kramer in. And Tyler, it seems, never let Kramer forget it. For decades, Kramer took the brunt of Tyler’s perfectionism, as the singer criticized his playing, his attitude, his supposed lack of dedication — pretty much everything.

“You might think that it should have been pretty obvious to me that Steven was simply my father all over again,” Kramer writes at one point. “… But at the time, it was not obvious at all.”

Even after hitting it big and kicking drugs, Kramer’s underlying problems were still there. “It’s said that when you start using drugs,” he writes, “you stop maturing emotionally, so according to that calculation, I was emotionally about 15 years old when the calendar said I was 37. On top of that, I made my living in a rock ’n’ roll band, which meant I was a complete” — um, did I mention the language could get rough sometimes?

Kramer details the years of therapeutic work he did with and without the band, and the secrets and patterns he found in that work, eventually learning to forgive his father, to stand up for himself in the band and to differentiate between love and abuse.

In a phone conversation earlier this week, Kramer says that writing the book was “a pretty cleansing experience,” and helped in his process. And at the signings and meet-and-greets he did at every stop on Aerosmith’s summer tour, he met everyday people who could relate to a rock star’s trauma.

“Depression and anxiety and the like are so prevalent in today’s society that people come up to me all the time and say, ‘Joey that was such a great book; I’m glad you were so honest about it,’ ” Kramer says.

Kramer, 59, says that the guys in the band have all read the book, “and they’ve all expressed that they’re proud of the fact that I did it, and as honestly as I did.” Even Tyler? “Pretty much so, yeah.” (…..Kramer’s only comment was, “Steven has sought to go after some solo pursuits in the immediate future, and we’re kind of contemplating what we’re gonna do. We shall see. It’ll be very interesting.”)

The recovery process continues. He’s learned, with the help of his mother and anecdotes from friends, his father’s true feelings for him, and his inability to share them. (His father’s childhood, as described in the book, was pretty harrowing as well.) He’s made peace with his mother, who stood by during the abuse, and his sisters, who “claim they were raised by a different guy. So I have to let go of the past. …

“It’s like when somebody dies. It’s not something you actually get over or get cured of; you just learn how to live with it.”

Joey Kramer will speak and sign copies of “Hit Hard” in the Cabaret Theatre at the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, Conn., Saturday at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Billboard.com
by Gary Graff, Detroit
November 11, 2009

(Photograph by Frank White)

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry says estranged singer Steven Tyler’s surprise guest appearance at his Joe Perry Project concert Tuesday night (Nov. 10) in New York “really didn’t change anything in my mind” about the status of their band.

Tyler joined Perry and company for an encore rendition of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” telling fans before the song that “I want you to know that I’m not leaving Aerosmith.”

Now, Perry tells Billboard.com that Tyler “never said he was leaving the band” but further explains that the singer “said he wanted two years off to do his other projects,” which is where things become problematic.

“Aerosmith wants to work,” says Perry, who Tweeted earlier in the week that the band was “positively looking for a new singer to work with.” He adds, “the band’s been playing together for 40 years. It’s a really powerful rock band, and I don’t want to see it just go to waste and I don’t think any of the other guys do, either. We’re gonna work and we’re gonna do something — I’m not exactly sure what yet, but the band’s too good to let it sit around. We’re not going to wait for Steven.”

Perry says he’s had one conference call during the past week with bandmates Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer, but they have not made any firm decisions about anything — including working with another singer while Tyler is pursuing his outside endeavors. “We’re waiting for things to kind of settle down, and then we’ll figure out what we’re gonna do. Anything is possible,” the guitarist says.

Perry also says that Tyler’s appearance at Irving Plaza on Tuesday caught him completely by surprise. Tyler, he says, appeared backstage just as the Project was taking its encore break. “He was really the last person I expected,” Perry recalls, “and then I saw him. He said, ‘How ya doin’? What’s going on? What songs are you playing — anything good or what?’ I said, ‘Well, we’ve got a couple more to go…You want to come and sit in with the band?’ and he said ‘Yeah’ and…[chose] ‘Walk This Way.’”

“I was really blown away that he came to the show,” says Perry, “but he showed up and was really anxious to come and sit in and play, so I figured, what the hell? He’s been my partner for 40 years, and I figured I’d let him have some fun and…give the fans an extra treat.”

As for spreading Internet rumors about Tyler’s health, Perry says that the singer “came and went so fast I didn’t even get a chance to check him out that much…We read the Tweets and the different bits of gossip here and there, but that’s stuff you need to talk to Steven about.”

Perry says the Project, meanwhile, will be on the road throughout the month and then plan to resume touring in late January, though he expects to be speaking to the other Aerosmith members in the near future about their potential plans.

Starland Ballroom
November 11, 2009

Sayreville, NJ
Wed, Nov 11, 2009 – 07:00 PM

Joe Perry of Aerosmith – The Joe Perry Project
Opening: The London Souls

An all-ages to enter, 21 to drink event.
$25 advance, $30 day of show + applicable surcharges

Get tickets:  (here).

Blabbermouth.net, NY
November 11, 2009

Video footage of Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry and vocalist Steven Tyler confirming to a TMZ.com cameraman last night (Tuesday, November 10) in New York City that “there is absolutely no validity to rumor that Aerosmith is breaking up” can be viewed [at link] below.

Tyler joined The Joe Perry Project — the band led by Perry — on stage yesterday at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza in New York City to perform the Aerosmith classic “Walk This Way”. “I just want New York to know, I am not leaving Aerosmith,” Tyler said to a relieved crowd. “Joe Perry, you are a man of many colors. But I, motherfucker, am the rainbow!”

Article continued:  (here).

Watch TMZ interviews:  (here).

Watch last night’s Tyler & JPP Performance- “Walk This Way”  (here).

United Press International
November 10, 2009

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10 (UPI) — Lead singer Steven Tyler does not intend to quit the rock group Aerosmith, contrary to rumors claiming he already has, sources told The Hollywood Reporter.

Aerosmith member Joe Perry has said in recent interviews that Tyler quit the band after he made comments about wanting to work on solo projects.

Perry also reportedly said the group is considering finding another singer to replace Tyler, its front man for the last 39 years.

However, The Hollywood Reporter cited unnamed sources Tuesday as saying Tyler is expected to make an announcement soon saying he didn’t quit the band and doesn’t plan to do so.

The entertainment industry trade newspaper noted matters have been complicated lately because the band and Tyler have separate management and legal teams.

OK! Magazine
November 10, 2009

After more than 35 years of leading Aerosmith to the top, many may think Steven Tyler is ready for a break. But don’t doubt the prowess of the rock ‘n’ roll legend! Steven put the rumors to rest last night at the 2009 Glamour Women of the Year Awards. “Does it look like I’m leaving Aerosmith?” Steven questioned reporters on the red carpet. “You know what it is, it’s those people who are putting out Joe’s [Perry] album,” he added of how the reports may have originated.

“Joe’s doing a solo album,” he said. “So people are paying attention to that.”

Not only is Steven staying with the “Bad Boys from Boston,” but he also has a solo album in the works.

Steven was dressed in his rocker best, donning a black and beige floral jacket, a red and black leopard print scarf and lots of leather and jewelry.

When asked about his passion for fashion, he quipped, “You think I need a purse?”

“You know how androgynous I am. [Designer] Stella [McCartney]? Twenty percent rock discount,” he added with a laugh.

Abaca Press
November 9, 2009

Steven Tyler attends the The 2009 Women of the Year hosted by Glamour Magazine at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY, USA on November 9, 2009. (Photo by Mehdi Taamallah/AbacaUSA.com)

More photos at Abaca Press:  (here)…………..More photos at Getty Images:  (here).

ClassicRockMagazine.com
November 9, 2009

It seems that the Aerosmith story that appeared on the Classic Rock website has taken a life of its own and spread faster than a rampant STD, appearing on sites all over the world, especially in the US where, since Tyler’s dramatic stage exit a few months ago, the band have enjoyed a new life as media darlings.
Judging by a story in the Las Vegas Sun Joe Perry was door-stepped coming off a long-haul flight from Aerosmith’s triumphant show in Abu Dhabi (read the review in next month’s Classic Rock) where he seems to have interpreted the now famous “Brand Tyler” quote as being a signal from the singer that he was on his his way out.

Classic Rock can only say that when Steven Tyler spoke exclusively to our intrepid reporter Peter Makowski, he in no way indicated that he was leaving the band, and just stated that he wanted to spend some time out to record a solo album and promote his forthcoming autobiography Does The Noise In My Head Bother You.

It’s Aerosmith’s 40th anniversary next year and one would hope that there are some pretty special events lined up.

Since the story broke though, there has been radio silence on both sides of the camp. We do know that Perry, Tyler, Whitford and Kramer will or already have got together to discuss their future before Joe embarks on a solo tour of the West Coast.

As for Tyler, Makowski sent an email requesting a follow-up interview to his management and was told: “Regretfully, Steven has had to return to the east coast quickly and immerse himself into some time-sensitive endeavours that require his full attention for the next days leading into the Thanksgiving holiday. He asked me to pass along his regards and we’ll look to bounce back to you as soon as appropriate time permits.”

We shall of course keep you posted.

Aero Force One
November 10, 2009

Joey Kramer will be LIVE on WPLR (New Haven, CT 99.1) with Chaz and AJ on Tuesday, November 10th at 9:30am. Joey will be talking about his book, Hit Hard. Tune in on Tuesday and listen to what Joey Kramer has to say!

Don’t forget to enter to win a private meet and greet with Joey at the discussion & book signing event at Mohegan Sun on November 14th! All the details are available right (here).

Listen live:  (here).

WAAF.com, MA
November 10, 2009

Joe Perry to call in at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday.

Listen live:  (here).

WZLX.com, MA
November 9, 2009

Listen to Monday’s Interview:  (here).

JoePerry.com
November 8, 2009

The Joe Perry Project upcoming tour dates:

Date	Venue	City, State	Ticket Info
Tue. 11/10/09   9:00pm	The Fillmore at Irving Plaza	New York, NY	$40-$45 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Wed. 11/11/09   7:00pm	Starland Ballroom	Sayreville, NJ	$25-$30 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Fri. 11/13/09   8:00pm	Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom	Hampton Beach, NH	$26-$28 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Sat. 11/14/09   7:00pm	House of Blues	Boston, MA	$29.50-$39.50 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Sun. 11/15/09   7:00pm	Northern Lights	Clifton Park, NY	$25-$28 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Wed. 11/18/09   7:30pm	House of Blues	Chicago, IL	$36-$38 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Thu. 11/19/09   8:00pm	The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor	Winsor, ONT	$28-$52 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Sat. 11/21/09   8:00pm	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino	Indio, CA	$49-$89 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Mon. 11/23/09   8:00pm	House of Blues	Anaheim, CA	$35 Onsale 10/24 Get Your Tix HERE!
Tue. 11/24/09   8:00pm	House of Blues (Sunset Strip)	West Hollywood, CA	$35.50-$45.50 Onsale 10/24 Get Your Tix HERE!
Wed. 11/25/09   8:00pm	The Fillmore	San Francisco, CA	Price TBA Onsale TBA More Info HERE!
Fri. 11/27/09   7:30pm	Mesa Arts Center	Mesa, AZ	$40 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Sat. 11/28/09   8:00pm	House of Blues	Las Vegas, NV	Price TBA Onsale 10/31 More Info HERE!
Tue. 12/01/09   7:00pm	Freebird Live	Jacksonville, FL	$40-$50 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!
Wed. 12/02/09   8:00pm	House of Blues	Orlando, FL	Price TBA Onsale 11/13 More Info HERE!
Sat. 12/05/09   8:00pm	State Theatre	St Petersburg, FL	$28 Onsale NOW Get Your Tix HERE!

ClassicRockMagazine.com
November 4, 2009

Classic Rock exclusive: Steven to work on ‘Brand Tyler’ as band members ponder a future without him…

Words: Peter Makowski

“Once the band hit the final note and I walk off stage – then I’ll tell you the whole story,” an exuberant Steven Tyler announced to Classic Rock minutes before Aerosmith played a triumphant set to a crowd of over 50,000 adrenalized punters at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The future of Aerosmith looks uncertain at moment as they approach their 40th anniversary in 2010.

Since falling off stage whilst the band were on tour with ZZ Top, Tyler has decided to pull out of a planned South American tour at the end of the year and seems intent on pursuing solo projects, as he revealed to Classic Rock.

“I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but it’s definitely going to be something Steven Tyler: working on the brand of myself – Brand Tyler.”

Guitarist Joe Perry also took advantage of the recent break by recording and releasing a new solo album – Have Guitar, Will Travel – and will be touring in the States over the next couple of months with talks of doing some dates in Japan and the UK early next year.

Even with all the internal politics the band managed to pull out all stops by playing what Perry described as “one of the best shows of the year”. There will be a full live review in the January issue of Classic Rock.

“You know on a good night I believe that Aerosmith can top any band in the world,” said the granite-jawed axeman, “but the Grand Prix is a tough act to follow.”

On stage there was no sign of any acrimony – just the smiles, banter and the general bonhomie that is associated with Boston’s premier good-time band.

But off stage the story is much different.

As with the last three shows, none of the band see Tyler until the opening number and his dressing room is located quite a distance from the rest of the group.

At the moment Aerosmith’s future is an open book and over the next couple of weeks the band will reconvene (probably sans Tyler) to discuss future plans, which could be either the announcement of a long hiatus – or even possibly include carrying on with a new lead vocalist.

Guitarist Brad Whitford revealed:

“I’m not sure how good that would look, it would largely depend on who we could get and who would want to do it. That’s big shoes to fill.

“Nobody could replace Steven or imitate him – he’s one of a kind. But if somebody was willing to do it and the chemistry was right, why not?”

For future developments keep your eye on this website and February’s issue of Classic Rock, which will have a full story – and a very, very special surprise for Aerosmith fans.

Las Vegas Sun, NV
November 6, 2009

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry said today that singer Steven Tyler quit the band following a recent concert in Abu Dhabi.

Bassist Tom Hamilton told the Boston Herald’s Inside Track that there is dissension among the “Bad Boys From Boston,” but that he hopes things can be worked out. He dismissed a report that guitarist Brad Whitford discussed the possiblity of Aerosmith finding a new frontman.

However, Perry told the Las Vegas Sun today that he believes Tyler is history.

“Steven quit as far as I can tell,” Perry said from his Boston home. “I don’t know anymore than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band. I don’t know for how long, indefinitely or whatever. Other than that, I don’t know.”

Part of the problem, he says, is that Tyler doesn’t return his phone calls.

“He’s notorious for that,” Perry said. “That’s one thing I’ve learned to live with. I try to overlook it. I like to pick my battles. Frankly, the last few months I’ve been wanting not to rock the boat. I don’t want him canceling any more gigs. We really wanted to do these last four. We just kind of didn’t want to call him out or anything and get him anymore pissed off, for whatever reason. So we just let things lie. So we did the gigs and, like I said, I got off the plane and saw this online. That’s how I know about it.”

Perry will perform his Joe Perry Project Nov. 28 at the Las Vegas House of Blues, performing from his latest release “Have Guitar, Will Travel.”

Most of Aerosmith’s recent world tour was canceled in August after Tyler fell from the stage at a Sturgis, S.D., concert and broke his shoulder. The band members were unhappy with Tyler over the incident. However, Aerosmith salvaged the final leg of the tour, including two shows in Hawaii and one Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before more than 50,000 fans.

After the Middle Eastern concert the band parted ways with Perry going to London to attend the Classic Rock & Roll of Honour awards ceremony on Monday. Perry said he arrived home in Boston on Wednesday and read on the Internet that Tyler planned to leave the band.

“He has had no contact with me or the other band members,” Perry said.

He says he hopes to keep Aerosmith together, with or without Tyler, but he was so stunned by recent developments he doesn’t know what’s going to happen.

“Right now I’m adjusting to how we’re going to go on,” Perry says. “Aerosmith is such a powerful band, I mean it’s like a steam locomotive. You just can’t disregard 40 years of four guys who play together as well as they do. We’re just trying to – at least I am – trying to figure out what direction the band should take.

“As far as replacing Steve, it’s not just about that, it’s also four guys that play extremely well together, and I’m not going to see that go to waste. I really don’t know what path it’s going to take at this point, but we’ll probably find somebody else that will sing in those spots where we need a singer and then we’ll be able to move the Aerosmith up a notch, move the vibe up a notch.”

Perry believes Tyler has been planning on leaving for a while.

“Obviously he hasn’t been giving 100 percent to this thing for a long time,” Perry said. “He’s obviously had this planned for a long time. To disregard his brothers to the point where we have to find out about it on the Internet – it’s like, ‘See you later, Bud.’ I still care for him as a person, or at least the person I used to know. But things change.”

Aerosmith rose to popularity in the ’70s with a combination of hard rock and power ballads only to be derailed by drug and alcohol abuse. After Tyler completed rehab in 1986, the band rose to prominence again. There were rumors last year that Tyler had checked back into rehab after more than 20 years of sobriety.

Perry himself left the band for two years in 1979. While he was away he created the solo Joe Perry Project, which has now released five albums.

“The circumstances were different then,” Perry said. “We’d been touring pretty much nonstop for eight years and the band was just pretty much burned out on each other. We needed a break. We needed to take a vacation but blood was running so hot I just had to leave, had to get out of there. But I certainly wasn’t going to stop playing so I put out a solo project.”

The Star-Ledger – NJ.com
November 5, 2009

Where and when: Tuesday at 9 p.m. at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place, New York; Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville

How much: $40 in advance, $45 day of show for New York; call (212) 777-6800 or visit Livenation.com. $25 in advance, $30 day of show for Sayreville; call (732) 238-5500 or visit StarlandBallroom.com.

Joe Perry does most of his performing in arenas and amphitheaters. But fans of the Aerosmith guitarist will have an opportunity to see him this week at two considerably smaller venues: the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza in New York, and the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville.

He’ll be with his own band. Having released a solo album, “Have Guitar, Will Travel,” on Oct. 6, he is touring large nightclubs and small theaters.

“They’re the best places to hear rock ’n’ roll, as far as I’m concerned,” says Perry, 59. “It didn’t start in arenas. It started in clubs and theaters, and that’s really where it sounds the best.”

Aerosmith’s planned September concerts at the PNC Bank Arts Center and Madison Square Garden were canceled after frontman Steven Tyler fell from a stage in Sturgis, S.D., Aug. 5, breaking his shoulder and suffering cuts to his head that required 20 stitches. With that tour cut short, Perry was able to move up the release date of “Have Guitar, Will Travel,” and start his own tour earlier than planned.

“Have Guitar, Will Travel” was released under his name, though on the tour, the band is billed as the Joe Perry Project. Perry released three Joe Perry Project albums and toured under that name in the early ’80s.

Bassist David Hull is the only holdover from the original Joe Perry Project. Perry found the other new musicians in a variety of ways. Guitarist-keyboardist Paul Santo is a veteran studio musician whose credits include Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr and Ozzy Osbourne. Drummer Ben Tileston, who plays on the album but not the tour, is in a group called TAB the Band, with two of Perry’s sons. And Perry found vocalist Hagen Grohe on YouTube, after his wife, Billie, stumbled across a video of him singing.

“She said, ‘You’ve got to hear this guy,’ ” says Perry, “and sure enough, he blew my mind. We made some phone calls, and sent him a plane ticket.”

Grohe, who is 30 and lives in Germany, splits lead-vocal duties with Perry, whose low, gruff voice works well on some, but not all, songs.

“I’ve kind of grown into my voice — I’m a late bloomer,” says Perry, who occasionally sings lead with Aerosmith but sticks mostly to backup parts. “I can handle the low stuff, and Hagen can handle the high stuff.”

On tour, the band will play songs from “Have Guitar, Will Travel,” as well as some old Joe Perry Project material and Aerosmith classics.

“We do a version of ‘Dream On’ in the set,” says Perry, referring to one of Aerosmith’s best-known songs. “It’s kind of whatever we feel like — some of the guys in the band have Aerosmith songs that they really like, and we’ll do them. Some of my favorite riffs that I’ve written are in the middle of Aerosmith songs, and this band being as talented as they are, we can definitely get out there and do ’em justice.”

No one knows when Aerosmith will get back together, Perry says.

“I know the band wants to make another record — we haven’t put a great studio record together in a long time — and go on the road. But we need to take a breather and analyze what we want to do next, and when we want to do it.”

Crunktastical.net
November 4, 2009

More photos:  (here).

Froggertv.com
November 4, 2009

First he gave us his hat — but would the Aerosmith frontman take one of ours when offered?

Watch video:  (here).

Aero Force One
November 3, 2009

Mohegan Sun

The drummer for Aerosmith takes part in a live discussion and book signing on November 14th for his new autobiography Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top

Enter (here) For Your Chance to Experience a Special Private Meet & Greet With Joey Kramer & Receive an Autographed Copy of His Book!

Mohegan Sun’s Winning Authors welcomes Joey Kramer, the legendary drummer from one of the most successful bands in America, Aerosmith. Joey Kramer will host a live discussion on Saturday, November 14th in The Cabaret Theatre at 2:00pm followed by a book signing in The Shops at Mohegan Sun, at 3:00pm for his new autobiography Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top.

Complete article:  (here).

Aero Force One
November 3, 2009

What happens when you bring Aerosmith to the Middle East? CNN’s Leone Lakhani found out.

Watch video:  (here).

Huntington Herald Dispatch, Huntington, W. Va.
November 2, 2009

Joe Perry of Aerosmith poses with the band’s Classic Album award at the 2009 Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards in London, Monday Nov. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

GettyImages.com
November 2, 2009

Guitarist Joe Perry of Aerosmith with the Classic Album award for ‘Rocks’ during the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour Awards at the Park Lane Hotel on November 2, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Huntington Herald Dispatch, Huntington, W. Va.
November 2, 2009

Brian May from Queen, left, poses with from left, musicians Slash from Guns N’ Roses, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Jeff Beck, and Joe Perry from Aerosmith as they arrive for the 2009 Classic Rock Roll Of Honour awards in London, Monday Nov. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

More photos at GettyImages.com:  (here).

Khaleej Times, Dubai, UAE
November 2, 2009

Although the roar of engines have come to a halt and the virgin track declared its victor, the magnitude of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale called for something a bit more special to send racing fans off with, and it was delivered via leather pants and rubber-lips.

The original sons of rock, Aerosmith, staged one of the most exciting shows of the Formula 1 weekend by transforming Yas Island into a mecca for rock & roll’s fans, giving residents as well as thousands of international guests a reason to remember the UAE.

On the fourth night at Ferrari World, the larger-than-life arena which played host to the likes of Beyonce, Jamiroquai and Kings of Leon, spectators began trickling in before the Formula 1 races even came to a close. The reason was simple, one fan admitted.

“I have been swept up in Abu Dhabi fever for a week now,” Diana Merhi explained as she arrived at the venue more than four hours before the band was slated to begin.

“It is not everyday that rock legends grace us with their presence here in the Middle East,” she continued, “but when they do, I expect nothing short of magic.”

An appropriate theme of the evening, magic could be felt all around as race-goers began flooding the arena by the thousands, all vying for a stage seat to see the legendary band.

Ariyana Peshkepija from Albania, a self-proclaimed Aerosmith fanatic, was waiting for a chance to catch a glimpse of the rockers back stage.

“I have had a crush on Steven Tyler for more than 20 years,” the young 34 year old declared.

“It’s as if time has never touched them…they will remain forever young in my eyes.”

It was only fitting that Tyler and his band mates of some four decades would be chosen to host the final show on Yas Island. The group’s energy and dynamism was palpable as they took to the stage in what seemed like a marathon introduction set of fused hits set off by Tyler’s signature screeching.

Belting out wall-to-wall stadium anthems throughout the night, the audience roars became deafening when Tyler took to the runway ramp leading away from the main stage.

“He performs like he’s still a teenager!” roared one fan over the music as Tyler belted out chart-toppers that included ‘Jaded’, ‘Cryin’, ‘Dude (looks like a lady)’ and ‘Crazy’, which garnered thunderous applause from the sea of spectators.

Appropriately enough, the Bad Boys from Boston were invited to play the grand finale show to inject a bit of energy and life to the newly constructed Yas Island, but fans also got a taste of the softer side of rock as the arena’s lights flickered like twinkling stars.

As the music slowed down, it seemed as though the 40,000 or so spectators were one body as they sang along to the Armageddon-sized hit, ‘I don’t wanna miss a thing.’

Age seems to have defied Tyler as he dipped and dived on stage in a performance one might normally expect from a teenage boy band. The group, making their first ever Gulf debut in Abu Dhabi, solidified their rock supremacy as one of the greatest party bands of all time.

Aerosmith, the best-selling American hard rock band of all time, has sold more than 150 million albums worldwide cementing their status as icons of rock & roll. Band members include Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (guitar and backing vocals), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums)

The National, UAE
November 2, 2009

Aerosmith performs during the final day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Photo: Philip Cheung / The National)

ABU DHABI // The American hard-rock juggernaut Aerosmith served up plenty of swagger and sweet emotion last night, capping off a stunning Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.

The performance from the iconic Boston five was driven by bone-rattling riffs from the guitarist Joe Perry and Steven Tyler’s larynx-shredding vocals on power ballads such Dream On and Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees).

“Abu Dhabi!” Tyler proclaimed with arms raised, before launching into the jackhammer drums-fuelled opener, Eat the Rich.

At 61 years old, Tyler’s lanky frame still strutted, kicked and bounded around the Ferrari World stage, encouraging sing alongs and brandishing his signature microphone stand draped with scarves.

“You ain’t never seen nothing like this before, Abu Dhabi!” he screamed.

Megan Needs, a 22-year-old substitute teacher from Dubai, occupied a front-row spot, gazing up at Perry and Tyler, who arrived in shades and dazzling overcoats.

(Photo: Philip Cheung / The National)

“It’s Steven Tyler, man. He’s fantastic,” said Ms Needs, a Canadian. “I just want to hear him play the harmonica!”

Earlier, fans had speculated on whether the veteran rockers might appear creaky, particularly since Tyler mistimed a step and tumbled from a catwalk during an August show in South Dakota. He broke his left shoulder and cut his head, requiring 20 stitches and resulting in the cancellation of the band’s North American tour until October.

“I’m a little bit worried about this ramp over here,” said Peter Vegas, 41, from New Zealand. “Steven just recovered from a fall.”

Last night, however, the band soldiered on without any problems.

Darren Ball, 37, has seen Aerosmith perform three times. The British logistics worker from Abu Dhabi was in awe of Tyler. “He’s 61. If I can move like that at that age, it would be something.”

The National, UAE
November 1. 2009

The author F Scott Fitzgerald once famously claimed there are no second acts in American life. But Aerosmith prove him resoundingly wrong. Currently well into the third or even fourth act of their roller-coaster career, these raunchy rockers from Boston transformed themselves from self-destructive casualties to platinum-selling superstars at the end of the 1980s. Despite four decades of fights, fallouts and fateful accidents, they remain America’s favourite cartoon bad boys. A gigantic billboard advert for bad behaviour and conspicuous consumption. The ultimate party band.

Fronted by the rubber-lipped singer Steven Tyler and the granite-jawed lead guitarist Joe Perry, Aerosmith are now a brand name as globally recognisable as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the rock duo they were inevitably compared to in their early days. The band have maintained their popularity for a reason, which is grounded in giving audiences what they want.

Perry confirms Aerosmith’s first-ever show in the Gulf will consist of wall-to-wall stadium anthems. “What we’ve found is that when we play a new country for the first time, people want to hear the songs that were hits,” the 59-year-old says.

“I know the show will be full of fire.”

The prospect of playing a grand prix was especially appealing for the band’s second guitarist, Brad Whitford, an amateur racing driver himself. “Brad more than anyone else is the real car nut,” Perry explains, “but I think the whole thing’s about being a part of a sport that is so much bigger than anything else. I mean Nascar’s big in America but it’s nothing like the money that goes into the Formula One. We’re gonna be paid, sure, but you do it for the experience…..”

….Perry and Tyler were… reunited onstage a couple of weeks ago in Maui, Hawaii, fulfilling a legal commitment to make up for a cancelled show two years ago. The good news is, they reportedly blew the roof off. Even when playing as a contractual obligation, it seems Aerosmith are still the ultimate party band. There was scant trace of tension between the singer and guitarist, and Perry even apologised for suggesting the band were on indefinite hiatus. Whatever Scott Fitzgerald claimed, some American lives just seem to go on forever.

“Over the years we’ve learnt that the magic is in having five guys that work together and make music,” Perry says. “We may not be the best musicians in the world but there’s a certain thing that meshes together and it just gets stronger with time. We’re kind of like a family by choice, and – as with most families – you’re not always on the best of terms. So you’ve got to figure out how to make it work because you’re bonded together. Families are bonded together by blood. Bands are bonded together by the magic of being able to make music.”

Aerosmith play the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tonight. Joe Perry’s album Have Guitar, Will Travel is out now.

Complete article:  (here).