What I Did on My Summer Vacation:
Sorry that it took so long to write but I was either really busy or really lazy or both. The guys took most of August off except for one quick trip to Las Vegas but we can’t talk about that. Joe did tape his segment with Toby Keith on the 24th right outside of Buffalo. It was weird being at that venue. Aerosmith has probably played there 7 or 8 times in the past 10 years and this time there were no cases with the wings painted on the side in sight. I felt like I was visiting a house I use to live in but the current residents made us feel right at home. At least we had old Jim Survis and his bald dome there to make sure the Billie fiddle was in tune and sounding great. Joe and I got to the venue at about 4 in the afternoon and he ran through the song a few times with Toby and his band. After the soundcheck the guys did some interviews and chilled together on Toby’s bus before the show. They traded old Elvis stories. Joe and Toby both have good friends who were in the Memphis mafia so the tales came right from the sources. Joe’s buddy as you may know is Joe Esposito (Elvis’s Tour Manager and friend) who was also on the Elvis special quite a bit. Right after the show it was back to the airport and back to Vermont.
Toby Keith and Joe - photo by Kirby Middleton
Joe, Me, Joe Espo and Steven in Vegas - photo by Ross Halfin
September has just been all out! The band all got together in NYC for a rehearsal at Radio City for the Fashion Rocks show. The guys as you know did “Walk this Way” with Fergie and “Dude.” WTW was always a lock but “Pink,” “Train” and “Ragdoll” were also in the running for the second song but “Dude” won out. Fergie was awesome! Every bit as pretty and nice in person. Steven and her just jelled and she was amazing. Joe collaborated with Emmy winner Jennifer Hudson on the Beatles song “Come Together.” This wasn’t the first time Joe has performed that song on that stage. In 1991 the guys played it at the Grammys in a tribute to John Lennon. Jennifer was very shy so if you can believe it, Joe was the chatty Kathy of the two. Boy can she sing! They rehearsed in Joe’s dressing room before hitting the big stage and she practically broke glass with her high notes. After the show most of the guys flew back to Boston leaving the party animal Mr. Tyler behind to attend the after show soirées.
Fergie with Steven
Joe and Jennifer Hudson hang backstage - photo by John B.
The band hired old friend Mark Weiss to shoot the behind the scenes moments. With Old Ross Halfin being wished into the cornfields for the 11th time and Blonde Bombshell Melissa Mahoney (who did the European Tour) at home with a bun in the oven, the guys brought in old Mark who looks like he was just defrosted from a cryogenic cylinder. He basically looks the same as he did when he was on the Rock Scene in 1977. He also shot a few of the shows too.
Joe and Tony on Red Carpet with Mark Weiss - photo by John B.
Brad, Tom and Joey on CCN
Next up was Detroit Rock City. It was a bummer that we didn’t stay over because it has always been one of my favorite cities to hang in. The show in my mind was one of the better ones of the tour. As you know Chicago was postponed and has been rescheduled for Sept. 24th. I’m glad because the place is going to be packed and is now going to be one of the last shows of the tour. What a way to go out. It’s too bad too because it was originally going to be on Joe’s birthday.
Jones Beach was good too because you get to see a lot of old friends. Even some of the Sony brass took the trek from the city to say hi to the guys. Of course a NY show wouldn’t be the same without an appearance from Ray Tabano. Ray as you know was the band’s first rhythm guitarist and then T-Shirt peddler so he is permanently enshrined in Aero folk lore. His snappy attire never disappoints.
Joan Jett has been opening the shows this tour and must have been in a cylinder next to Weiss. She looks exactly the same as she did in 1982. It was a pleasure having her and her friend Carmen Electra watching the show behind me at Jones Beach. Unfortunately a prior commitment forced her to skip the Mansfield show but taking her place was James Montgomery. James and the band have been friends since cane was able and brought his Boston baked blues to another level that night. David Hull is his bass player and looked quite happy back on the big stage even though his bass rig has shrunk quite a bit since filling in for Tom Hamilton last year. James was invited out to blow some harp on “Stop Messin’.” It was fun seeing him and Steven kind of recreating a sort of Crossroads type duel. James is the master of the harmonica no question but Steven went toe to toe with him. It just proves how versatile the Demon is whether it’s on Harp, Piano or drums. Oh Yeah he’s not a bad singer too.
Speaking of Harps - Steven has just come out with his own Hohner signature Harmonica. Folks, these harps are a thing of beauty. If you get a chance you should pick one up. It’s a real collector’s item that would look great on the mantel.
The Steven Tyler Signature Series Harmonica
The band’s video director, Casey Thibeault, and creative director, Keith Garde, have come up with a new opening for the show. Unless you live under a rock you know the guys have just preformed in countless country’s this summer and the video is a kind of “what Aerosmith did on their Summer vacation.” I am sure they will put it up on the web site right after the tour. They would do it now but we don’t want to spoil it for the last few shows.
I promise to be back next week after all the gear is back in the warehouse and recap the final week of this awesome run of shows.
See You on The Road!
John B.
Joey right before going onstage in Toronto - photo by John B.
