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.”