News From The Road

News from the Road 10-4-06

HAIL MARY! IT'S THE BLOODY SOCK!

As of this writing I am in the Windy City. Chicago is one of my favorite cities in North America. This place has it all. It’s a real world-class city.

I want to take a few minutes to recap the last few weeks. I left you off in New York City. The Jones Beach shows were really good and it seemed like the band was starting to get their stride. Steven, Brad and Joey went to the Hard Rock Café on the off-day and hung out with all the celebs who were there to help celebrate the Hard Rock’s 35th anniversary. Matt Sorum and Dave Kushner from Velvet Revolver, Rick Nielsen, Scott Ian, Evan Seinfeld and S.O. Tera Patrick. (who I had the pleasure of meeting). Steven got up at the end of the show and belted out Helter Skelter with Motley Crue. It was a great night. Fifty Dollar Don Bernstein from the Hard Rock put on an awesome party and made everybody feel right at home.

Absent from the Hard Rock Party was Ross Halfin. When I asked him if he was going to the Rock he answered in a posh reply “My presence has been requested at Madison Square Garden to shoot The Who.”  He stopped by my hotel room the next day with his wife Anja Halfin. After he drank a couple of bottles of H2O valued at 7 bucks a pop he scarfed down some cashews and made his way out the door. Nice seeing ya!

Before the Charlotte show Joe and Billie went over to Brad and Kim’s new house on the outskirts of town. It is the most beautiful house I have ever seen. It is very tastefully done and would make those shacks on Cribs look like trailer homes.

After the Charlotte show we headed to Philly. I got to hang out with some of the crew at a bar called Tattooed Mom the night before the show. If you’re in South Philly you should check it out. Before the show in Camden I shot Joe for the big screen at Pats and Genos. In case you don’t know these are the two most famous Philly Cheese steak places in the country. Joe sampled both and declared it a draw. We have been having some fun shooting in different cities for the High Def screen the guys have on tour.

After Camden we drove straight home and got to spend a bunch of days in our own beds.

As you all know Tom Hamilton came to the show the first night in Mansfield. Well we didn’t know until about 7:00pm that he was going to make it. I got a call from his driver Fred “The Animal” Roach that indeed Tom was in the back and heading our way. He was escorted to a private room and immediately asked Jerry Sabatino (his tech) for a bass and amp to practice. I had the pleasure of getting a guitar signed by him for a charity auction. It’s weird because things just don’t look right with 4 signatures on it and it was great to have Tom sign it. One by one the guys came in to say hi and spend some time with the master of the big bottom. The guys rearranged the set so Sweet E was closer to the beginning because Tom didn’t know how long he would be able to stay. Boy when Steven introduced him to the crowd it sent a tingle up my spine. I can’t wait until Tom comes back. He’s a battler and a great human.

Shonda and Kurt Schilling drop in on Steven
Photo: Melissa Mahoney
 

Boston sports fans like myself were thrilled to have 2 Icons at the Thursday night show, Doug Flutie and Curt Schilling. Doug and Curt both spent time chatting with the guys before the show. Curt gave Steven a Red Sox shirt, which he wore for the encore. Both guys are class acts and huge Aerosmith fans.

The Perry's and The Schillings    Photo: John Bionelli

Joe’s son Adrian lives in DC so we left right after the Mansfield show. On Sunday after the show Joe went to the Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport. It was amazing! A must stop for all you tourist out there.

Joe at The Air and Space Museum      Photo: John Bionelli


The day before the Bristow show Brad and Joe stopped by the Walter Reed Hospital to spend some time with the soldiers who are recovering from various injuries due to battle. The guys were there for about 4 hours going from room to room posing for pictures and signing autographs. Some of the soldiers got to come to the show the next day.

Brad and Joe at Walter Reed Hospital       Photo: John Bionelli

Joey continues to review each show and is getting great feedback. Lost on the injury report is Joey’s shoulder, which seems to be close to 100%. Joey had to really work at getting the clipped wing back in action and he has. His drumming is as strong as his coffee.

Rumor or should I say Rumour of the week is that the guys will be playing a bunch of festivals in Europe this summer. Also rumored is that the tour will continue until close to Christmas. All will be revealed soon.

See you on the Road!

John B.

Read John B's previous reports