Phuket Town locals got a shock last night when they spotted Aerosmith’s lead singer Steven Tyler partying at Timber Hut bar in Phuket Town.

Kajonkiet arts teacher Josh said he got a hug from Mr Tyler, who spent around an hour at Timber Hut last night accompanied by guards and a woman friend.

“I was in shock when he gave me a hug. He was so nice,” said Josh.

“Really warm and just like a normal guy.”

Sources said Mr Tyler spent an hour or so at the bar, dancing and partying with the locals.

Mr Tyler is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman and lead singer of the American rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion.

More photos:  (here).

When you have a teammate as flashy, iconic and unrestrained as Steven Tyler, it’s hard not to be overshadowed and viewed as perpetually playing second fiddle.

But as Aerosmith’s lead guitarist Joe Perry tells us, that is the way he prefers it to be.

In a phone interview last week from his home in Massachusetts, US, the gangly 62-year-old acknowledged that former American Idol judge Tyler often gets the lion’s share of the limelight.

“It is what it is. (It’s) funny, but the personality of the different players (leads) you to end up where you are,” he said.

“I mean, what makes Steven such a good lead singer is the fact that he commands attention.

“It’s not just because he is holding the microphone, it’s because he’s flamboyant and has a knack for entertaining people.”

Perry, a member of Aerosmith going all the way back to the US hard rock band’s debut in 1970, will be in town with his buddies – Tyler, 65, drummer Joey Kramer, 62, guitarist Brad Whitford and bassist Tom Hamilton, both 61 – on May 23.

They will be at the inaugural Social Star Awards ceremony at Marina Bay Sands, followed by a full concert at Gardens by the Bay on May 25.

Expect Perry to do what he does best on stage – executing mean solos and intense chugging riffs.

“I don’t go out trying to attract attention,” he explained.

“You know, it’s kind of interesting how I’ve learnt to figure out, over the years, the personalities that make up a band.

“If I walk into a room full of musicians, I can easily pick out the bass player, the guitar player and the lead singer simply by the way they act, without even knowing their names.”

Mr Paul Morrison, co-CEO of Starcount, the organiser of Social Star Awards and its post-awards gigs, told LOUD that Aerosmith, famed for their classic hits like Dream On, Walk This Way, Janie’s Got a Gun and Sweet Emotion, would be a huge draw for their legions of fans in Singapore.

“This is going to be the rock concert of the year,” he said.

South Korean rapper sensation Psy, Canadian bubblegum pop star Carly Rae Jepsen and soul crooner CeeLo Green will also be attending the awards ceremony and performing at a separate concert on May 24.

Even though Perry might not be as instantly recognisable as his famous bandmate, ardent Aerosmith diehards would agree with me that the guitar maestro is dashing, suave and oozing sex appeal all the same.

“I don’t know about that. I just play my guitar,” said Perry with a laugh.

“Well, rock and roll is based on rhythm, and rhythm has a lot to do with sex, so there’s no denying that there’s an element of that to our music.”

Perry has three sons, Adrian, Tony, and Roman, a stepson, Aaron, and a grandchild, Austin

Complete article:  (here).

Below is an email interview with Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry:

After being in the business for so long, how do you inspire yourself?

What we do is not a regular job where you put in your years and then you retire. It’s an art form and you get better at it. Then you realise there’s never a point where it’s as good as it’s going to get — there are always more songs to write, more shows to play and more fans who want to see you. It’s kind of a whole different way of life and it’s not something you turn around and give up.

I can’t speak for other bands who play and break up, and don’t do it anymore, and go off to do other things. All I can tell you is how it works for us and that’s pretty much it. A band like ours is really about five members playing together and it becomes one, and that’s where the energy is.

With the album out and the world tour going great, what’s next for you personally?

I’m currently working on a book about my life. There’re lots of things related to Aerosmith, some that haven’t been written or talked about. I thought it was time to set it down on paper and tell the story from my end of things so there’s going to be a lot of things that people will be surprised to know. It will be out in the fall of 2014.

What do you think of the state of music today?

The way people get their music is obviously very different. They have their computers, Internet and their MP3s but people are starting to rediscover albums and vinyl, and the demand is there now. They realise how much better vinyl sounds. The fans seem to stay the same. And the excitement at rock shows is the same as 40, 30 and 20 years ago. After doing this for 43 years, the bottom line of playing live is the fans having a party and that part hasn’t changed, and it will probably stay that way forever. It’s still live and it’s in person.

What would you say is the band’s secret to longevity and success?

We have grown together. We started as teenagers, living in an apartment — no wives, kids or money — and we grew up, sold albums and had families. The main thing we have in common is that we still love to play together and it’s more apparent than ever. I think we’ve been a lot more pragmatic now and we don’t let a lot of things get in the way anymore. We make the most of it when we are together.

Complete article:  (here).

Aerosmith will be heading south this fall as the band have announced a short series of Latin American dates that will take place in September and October.
The trek kicks off with a show in Caracas, Venezuela on September 28th and will conclude with the band’s very first show in Guatemala City, Guatemala on October 6th.

The band is living up to the title of their Global Warming tour as they have dates linedup this summer and fall scattered across the globe including a handful of U.S. dates, as well as a Japanese tour, two dates in Singapore and a stop in Mexico City.

05/23 – Marina Bay Sands- Singapore
05/25 – The Meadow, Gardens By the Bay – Singapore
07/10 – MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods – Mashantucket, CT
07/13 – Randall’s Island – New York, NY
08/08 – Marine Stadium – Tokyo, Japan
08/11 – Nippon Gaishi Hall – Nagoya, Japan
08/14 – Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium – Osaka, Japan
08/16 – Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium – Osaka, Japan
08/30 – Marcus Amphitheater – Milwaukee, WI
09/28 – Estacionamiento Del Poliedro – Caracas, Venezuela
10/01 – Estadio Ricardo Saprissa – San Jose, Costa Rica
10/04 – Magico Stadium – San Salvador, El Salvador
10/06 – Estadio Cementos Progreso – Guatemala City, Guatemala
10/27 – Arena Ciudad De Mexico – Mexico City, Mexico

Ticket info at Aero Force One:  (here).

“Me with @YengConstantino at the lounge at the airport in the Philippines @YengCFans”

Photo:  (here).

Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne

More photos:  (here).

Aerosmith will be back in Boston to play the One Fund benefit May 30, but for now Joe Perry is holed up in LA in a house owned by Johnny Depp. The Aerosmith guitarist is working on his memoir with David Ritz, a ghost writer who’s collaborated with the likes of Buddy Guy, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Cornel West, and Marvin Gaye.

More photos:  (here).

Global Super Stars Head To Singapore For The Inaugral Social Star Awards
With First Time Full Live Concerts In Singapore From Aerosmith, Ceelo Green & Blush Plus Very Special Guest Appearance From Psy
At Ultimate Post-Awards Concert Weekend The Singapore Social,
South East Asia’s Entertainment Event Of The Year

The Social Star Awards will be a unique 24 hour event with an incredible 288 awards (one every 5 minutes) presented to the biggest stars and brands across the world. The Awards show at Marina Bay Sands will feature live performances from Aerosmith, CeeLo Green, Psy, and Blush all of whom will also perform at the ultimate post-Awards concert weekend, The Singapore Social.

At the Social Star Awards the world will shine a spotlight on Singapore to discover the world’s most popular stars in social media globally over the past 12 months in this 3-hour celebration event.

America’s greatest rock and roll band, first time performers in Singapore, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Aerosmith have sold over 150 million albums worldwide and have been recognized with uncountable accolades including 4 Grammy’s, 6 Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Music Awards. “The Bad Boys from Boston” and one of the most beloved bands of all time have dominated popular culture for decades, and their classic hits like I don’t Want to Miss a Thing, Love in an Elevator and Living on the Edge have brought millions of fans to their feet. Aerosmith is guaranteed to provide the perfect anthemic finale to the awards…..

….The Social Star Awards celebration will be set against the stunning backdrop of our unique venue, Marina Bay Sands, which will be transformed into an interactive spectacle for an evening of truly memorable moments. With the Hollywood A-List on the red carpet and a four-course meal from official Academy Awards Chef Wolfgang Puck delivered by his talented team at CUT, Marina Bay Sands, being served to VIP guests, The Social Star Awards will have sealed its place as the ‘Oscars’ of social media.

This unprecedented line-up of the most amazing international talent will then stay on for the public holiday weekend to present The Singapore Social Concerts at the Gardens By the Bay – the ultimate post Awards concert weekend for the Social Stars.

The Singapore Social will see full live sets from Aerosmith (Saturday 25th May) CeeLo Green and Blush plus very special guest appearance from Psy (all Friday 24th May) as guests keep the party going throughout the weekend, they can marvel at the incredible backdrop of what is the jewel in the crown of Singapore’s entertainment spaces – Gardens by the Bay – enjoying a venue and a line-up that are out of this world.

Paul Morrison and Drew Thomson, Joint CEO’s of Starcount comment: “We are incredibly excited to welcome some of the biggest stars on the planet to Singapore for the inaugural Social Star Awards. With a line-up that features rock and roll icons Aerosmith, digital music record-breaker CeeLo Green, plus Psy, the star of the most viewed YouTube video in history and Blush, the biggest all Asian girl group on the planet, we couldn’t imagine a better representation of everything that Starcount is celebrating at our first ever global show.

The Social Star Awards will take social influence to another level, from the 276 Awards we give out via our social media partners during our 24-hour event to the 12 global awards unveiled in the room. Singapore itself and our partners at Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay will provide the ultimate backdrop: now we just need the ultimate global audience to come and join us. With more announcements of talent attending and performing to follow over the coming weeks, the official countdown starts now…”

Karen Mosley, Executive Director, Entertainment, Marina Bay Sands said: “Marina Bay Sands is excited to host the first ever Social Star Awards in Singapore. This inaugural social media awards is set to be a spectacular star-studded affair that celebrates personalities who are taking the social world by storm. This event is a testament of Marina Bay Sands’ commitment and ability to bring world-class entertainment to Asia.”

Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board commented: “We are thrilled that Singapore will host yet another unique first-of-its-kind event that will cement our reputation as an innovative lifestyle hub. By tracking and celebrating the most popular personalities and brands in social media across various genres, Starcount will be the first to pay tribute to how entertainment is increasingly consumed and enjoyed in today’s world. By being part of this undertaking, the value this brings to our local industry is significant and tangible – along with major celebrities gracing our shores, there will also be opportunities to share knowledge, technology and concepts across a myriad of local and global platforms.”

Danielle Tiedt, Vice President of Marketing at YouTube, said: “The Social Star Awards’ innovative 24-hour broadcast concept is perfectly suited for YouTube. For the first time an entire generation, who we call Gen C, has grown up with an unmediated relationship with content. They are defined by the Internet, mobile, and social networking, and the Social Star Awards will celebrate this new cultural moment. We are excited to help make Social Star Awards a truly global event and help them connect with Gen C audiences everywhere.”

In short, if it’s massive in social, it’s part of this exclusive global awards event.

The stars are aligning in Singapore. Get ready for the showbiz glamour, fix up and look sharp, prepare to be entertained by the stars but most importantly be proud that Singapore yet again attracts a world first.

The stars are coming to party at Marina Bay Sands – are you?

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Social Star Awards | Marina Bay Sands | Thursday May 23rd | Tickets and information on exclusive hospitality packages available from www.starcount.com/tickets

Singapore Social Concerts | The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay | Friday 24th & Saturday 25th May | Tickets and information on exclusive hospitality packages available from www.starcount.com/tickets

The Social Star Awards and Singapore Social Concerts will be streamed live around the world by our global partner YouTube. www.youtube.com/starcount

Starcount’s Global Partners for the Social Star Awards are Your Singapore, YouTube and Marina Bay Sands is the official founding host event partner.

Aerosmith, the multi-Grammy Award-winning rock juggernaut, proved to Filipino fans that some things, especially the chance to behold sonic glory, are definitely worth the wait.

Their first ever Manila concert finally pushed through on May 8, Wednesday, after decades of anticipation. The legendary band gave their fans a show packed with all time favorite hits, new singles, and an animated, signature performance by lead singer Steven Tyler.

Aerosmith is composed of Tyler on vocals, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford on guitars, Tom Hamilton on bass, and Joey Kramer on drums. Their performance last night was part of the “The Global Warming World Tour” where the Asia Pacific leg kicked off in New Zealand and Australia.

With a set of eighteen songs that included crowd-pleasers like “Jaded”, “Cryin’”, “Dream On” with an introspective Tyler on piano, and “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing”, the audience was enthralled and galvanized into full participation. Tyler’s singing was on point and htiting all the high notes, his screaming matched his kinetic presence on-stage. Cover songs from the Beatles and James Brown were an added, tasty bonus.

The band’s fans proved very diverse. Hardcore rockers mingled with celebrities, businessmen, socialites, and other personalities at the Mall of Asia Arena. Among the big names were National Artist BenCab, members of Rivermaya (who were also Aerosmith’s front act), Kean Cipriano of Callalily, Megaworld’s Kevin Tan, Bianca Araneta, Crystalle Belo Henares, and Camille Villar.

The Filipinos expressed their love on Twitter with the hashtag #AerosmithInManila. All night long, concert goers freely expressed their sentiments and cited highlights in their life marked by Aerosmith’s music.

Music columnist Paul John Caña dubbed the concert “epic”. He then added that he “thought Aerosmith knocked it out of the park. Steven sounded great and performed as expected. He was a consummate performer and the quintessential rock star. Joe Perry was phenomenal but it was drummer Joey Kramer who brought the house down with an extended drum solo. Overall, the production was excellent. There were a few technical issues but nothing that wasn’t resolved immediately. Despite the members all being in their 60s, Aerosmith proved to everyone that they’re still relevant and still the best at what they do.”

Throwing their love back to their Filipino fans, guitarist Joe Perry tweeted “All of the Aerosmith fans made last night’s show in Manila rock.”