News From The Road

I’m not quite sure where to start? Maybe I should start by saying that Boston really does feel like the city of Champions. With the Patriots winning 3 Super Bowls since 2001, the Sox winning 2 World Series since 2004, now the Celts winning their record 17th World Championship banner this year and the Bruins still celebrating their 1972 Stanley Cup win over the Rangers that will go on until the Big Dig is finished.

Joey, as you know, was giving the owner of the Celtic Wyc Grousbeck drum lessons the weeks leading up to the playoffs (watch it HERE). Wyc then returned the favor by giving Joey and Steven floor tickets to the 6th and deciding game against the Lakers. Now I have seen Steven at hockey games, football games and his favorite sport baseball games but never a basketball game. Part of me was sitting back at home first jealous that he didn’t call me to go with him and then thinking Tyler has never even mentioned liking basketball. Then I realized that Steven is addicted to the thrill of the crowd and you could tell he was trying to play it cool but you could see he missed being on stage and hearing the roar of the fans going completely nuts for their home town team. It didn’t matter if he didn’t know the difference between Kobe Bryant or Kobe Beef he was soaking up the atmosphere and the thrill of it all. I did want to call him and tell him to close his legs but I was afraid his “Highway to Hell” ringtone would disturb a Kevin Garnett free throw. They both stayed to the end and even got stuck in a little after game traffic jam but it was well worth it he said later.

A few weeks back I went to our travel agent Randle Feagan’s wedding down in St. Barth’s. Brad was there with his wife Kim and we all had a blast. Randle is friends with the Hootie and the Blowfish guys and had them play at the reception. Needless to say they invited Brad up to play and he just shredded. No disrespect to Randle and his new bride Melissa but seeing Brad up there having a ball and the look on the Hootie guys faces while Brad was soloing was worth the trip down there, that and the amazing beaches and adult beverages I might add.


Photo by: John B. "Sorry ladies, Randle is now taken."

Then it was back to work! Guitar Hero Press Conference Hard Rock Café NYC. It was great seeing the guys all in the same building at the same time. It hasn’t happened since the end of September. They all looked pretty tan, healthy and rested. They had planned to play at the event but as some of you might think it’s easy to plug in and play a few songs - it’s not. Not one of their crew guys were available for starters and their wasn’t anytime to rehearse. I know what your thinking. These guys should be able to do “Dream On” and “Walk this Way” in their sleep but with the guys eyes and ears for perfection and also the fact that Steven and Joe haven’t performed on their recently repaired stems yet, they took on the side of caution. With them all in the same place at the same time it’s just a matter of time before the whole Aero-Machine get’s lubed and gassed up for another go in the barrel.

Joey Kramer - Guitar Hero


Joe Perry - Guitar Hero


Tom Hamilton - Guitar Hero

Billy Joel @ Shea Stadium July 18th.

Steven was asked to participate in an event in LA sponsored by the Grammy Foundation. It was to honor the most famous record producer of all time Sir George Martin. Unless you live in Siberia or are under the age of 16, Sir George was the producer for almost every single Beatles release. He also produced Gerry and the Pacemakers, America, Jeff Beck and Cheap Trick. He is considered the 5th Beatle (sorry Murray the K and Billy Preston). Steven was all set to fly out to LA and perform “Come Together” when he got news that his mother was sick and taking a turn for the worst. He cancelled his trip and got to spend the next week by her side with her and his father in NH. Sue past away on July 14th.

Steven still had a commitment with Billy Joel later in the week and used it as a way of not just paying homage to the closing of Shea Stadium but as a personal tribute to his Mother who was very supported of him all these years. I remember Steven changing the words to “Eat the Rich” on several occasions to include his Mother and Father. “If calling names kick back on you, then you best call Sue and Vic.” He would come up to me after the show and say “Did ya catch that”? Of course I did. Steven left early in the afternoon on the show day. It’s nice to have friends in high places and this friend lent him his plane on this day to go down to NYC from NH and right back after the show. Once we got to Shea he immediately went to the stage to rehearse with Billy and his band. Now I was never a huge fan of Billy Joel but if you look over the setlist you will be amazed at the body of work this guy has amassed. Hit after hit. Billy was awesome and the band nailed the song.


Photo by: John B. "We Wrote Movin' Out Before You Did...'

We then went back into the dressing room compound. Billy’s crew are top notch and made all the guests feel right at home. In the compound were Tony Bennett, Roger Daltrey, Garth Brooks and Steven. Garth Brooks looked like a tank. He wasn’t huge in a fat way but more like a Barry Bonds 2003 kinda way without the juice. Daltrey also didn’t look like he has missed the gym in the last 20 years or so and his voice sounded rested. Joe and I saw the WHO on their last tour in the US and Daltrey had to bail halfway through the show because of sore pipes.

Billy came back to say hi to Steven and offer his condolences. After a few minutes of chatting Ross Halfin’s favorite USA lens man Kevin Mazur took some photos of the 2 icons. I asked Billy if he wouldn’t mind signing my pass for my sister who is a huge fan. As he was signing, Steven told Billy about the time we were talking to Paul McCartney backstage at the Grammy’s. I pulled out an Aerosmith setlist for Paul to sign and Steven wanted to do the same but I didn’t have anymore setlists on me. Billy was looking bewildered at this Beatle related story but I couldn’t tell if he was amazed at the tale or if he was thinking he might have left his stove on at his Long Island mansion. I think the latter.


Photo by: John B. "Kevin Mazur Shoots the Boys...Daltrey was napping."



Steven was slotted to come out ¾ of the way into Billy’s set. We were set to leave immediately after ST performed. We now got confirmation that Paul McCartney had just landed at a nearby airport and was coming in to close the show. We had a 12:00am curfew at Laguardia and either had to leave right after “Walk this Way” or get stuck in NYC for the night. Needless to say Steven wanted to stay and still get back to NH. Our plane was coming back from Boston to pick us up and we diverted it to JFK where there is no curfew in order to see Macca. I am glad we did.  After Steven kicked major ass he retreated to his dressing room. I loaded the car up with his bags and mic stand and then we went back to the side of the stage. After the set ended there was some commotion behind the stage and you could feel the electricity back there. Billy comes out and introduces McCartney and the place erupts. Steven saw the Beatles at Shea in 65’ and he was getting to see a Beatle again in 2008. We were 20 feet away from Sir Paul. After he played we flew out of the Stadium and headed for JFK. On our drive to the plane the car was filled with excitement and astonishment of what just went down but as soon as the door closed on the plane you could hear a pin drop. Not a word was spoken on the hour ride home. Just silence.



JB