News From The Road

Hey Folks,

Just back from Japan! The old cable box, about 15 feet from me, made it to about 4:32am before I was bright eyed and bushy tailed. I think I left off in Bogota where by then, the set list that everyone helped sculpt was thrown out the window and the guys started playing what ever they wanted to the delight of the throngs of Aero Fanatics that came out to the shows. The only requests still in the set were from the promoter who begged for “Miss a Thing” and “Amazing.” Which went off great I might add. This Bogota show was even better than 2010. Simon Bolivar Park is one of the most picturesque venues in the entire world and the bad boys from Boston became the Bad Boys in Bogota by nights end. Quito was great as it was yet another country that was uncharted waters for Aerosmith. The set list was now seeing a trend. To quote Ozzy, “the crazier the crowd went the longer the band played.” This was a crazy crowd and they let the guys know it. Quito, Ecuador looked like a town that you would want to stay in for a few days and absorb the local flavor but we unfortunately had to do a runner back to Bogota and prepare for the long journey to Mexico. Ah, Mexico City the East Boston of North America. We had heard stories about how dangerous Mexico was but if you stayed within 15 feet of the Hotel you were fine. The crowds at all three shows in Mexico were off the charts.

Steven Tyler live in Bogota, Colombia.  Photo: Amanda Ayre

Aerosmith live in Quito, Ecuador.  Photo: Amanda Ayre

Joey Kramer live in Mexico City, Mexico.  Photo: Amanda Ayre

For the break Joey, Joe and Steven decided on spending it in Maui. It gave them a break in familiar surroundings and also a head start to Tokyo where we were headed within the week. Brad actually stayed at Steven’s house in LA visiting family and Tom headed back to Boston to do the same.  

Next Stop, Japan:

Japanese fan shows some Perry love! Photo: John B.

More Joe love.  Photo: John B.

We flew into Tokyo and missed our connection to Kanazawa, which suited me fine because Tokyo is a world-class city and the hotel had a Starbucks on the bottom floor. After a “non show day” in Tokyo it was off to Kanazawa. This Japanese city was also virgin territory for the band which is becoming rarer and rarer each tour. The band picked up where they left off in Mexico. With very few changes in the set they decided to mix it up in Hiroshima. “Hangman Jury” made its first full length return to the set in decades and sounded killer. Before the show the guys and their family’s all went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.  I have to tell you it was one of the most moving experiences you will ever go through. I am sitting here trying to type the words to describe it but my mind is a blank.

Tom Hamilton live in Kanazawa, Japan.  Photo: Amanda Ayre

Joe Perry live in Hiroshima, Japan.  Photo: Amanda Ayre

Next up was 2 Tokyo Dome shows. The Dome shows are huge. The “Big Egg” as it’s called, has been home to many an Aerosmith show. Friends and family always fly into Tokyo for these shows and this time was no different. The big shows are always, Boston, New York, LA, London and Tokyo. Even the US ambassador to Japan, John Roos, came to the show with his wife to partake in the festivities. I love the Dome shows and all the Pomp and Circumstance of it all but I do miss the Budokan’s intimacy. Maybe next tour they can squeeze one in there for old time sake. Mr. Udo is the band’s promoter in Japan and he never fails to set the band up with great people around them that speak the language and know the land better than anybody. He has been booking the guys since the 1977 Japanese “Rocks” Tour. He also brought the Beatles to Japan in June of 1966. Where did they play? You guessed it, The Budokan!

Steven Tyler & Joey Kramer live in Tokyo, Japan.  Photo: Amanda Ayre

Brad Whitford live in Tokyo, Japan.  Photo: Amanda Ayre

The band travel primarily by the Bullet in Japan. Shin-Osaka station is huge and it’s packed with people coming and going all day. It’s a cropdusters paradise. The stations are packed with food stands selling Bento boxes and just about anything you could want. Yes folks, even McDonald’s. Tour Manager, Jimmy “Mayor McQueso” Eyers, made a habit of picking up burgers and fries for everybody before the long train journey. Some people scoffed at the idea of eating McDonalds in Japan especially with a Bento box filled with eel flavored rice staring back at them. Everyone caved except Joe and Billie Perry and had at least one cheeseburger on the trip. 

Tour Manager Jimmy Eyers finds a quiet spot to rest. Photo: John B.

I’ll stop there for this segment and finish her up in the next week or so. Before I do however, it’s time to hand out the Employee of the week.

John Chadwick is Steven’s in ear monitor engineer. Which means he mixes a George Martin type mix for Steven every show. This mix is for Steven’s ears only and it allows himself to hear the best mix of the show possible. Mr. Chadwick is originally from Manchester England and is a soccer (they call it football) enthusiast. While he tells his pals he is a member of the Manchester City booster club he can be found looking for a sports bar on the road to support his beloved Man U. His favorite player of all time is Roy Keane. John has twisted the knobs in the past for Luis Miguel and Judas Priest to name a couple. If you see him in your favorite English pub on the road, buy him a pint and tell him you support Manchester United too.

John Chadwick - Monitor mixer to the stars, staunch Man U supporter. Photo: John B.

 Happy Holidays and See you on the road!

John B.