Aerosmith seems unstoppable these days. Singer Steven Tyler's throat surgery, bassist Tom Hamilton's bout with throat cancer, guitarist Joe Perry gets whacked in the head by a 2,000 pound camera boom – it seems nothing can get in Aerosmith’s way from its current "Route of All Evil" tour that comes to Tampa on Wednesday.
November the 4th at the MGM garden Arena in Las Vegas, was when Aerosmith’s near fatal blow occurred. When the camera boom struck guitarist Joe Perry in the head and face, the band was three songs into its performance, singing its classic “Back in the Saddleâ€. Joe finished the 90-minute show but sustained a concussion and severe bruising to his face.
"I was so pissed off - really, really pissed off by the time show was over," confessed Perry in Arizona on Monday. "I was a mess by the next day and felt like (expletive)."
The Guitarist was glad even though he couldn’t remember finishing the show - the 15,000 in attendance were pleased, as well. The legendary rock band is earning its strongest reviews in years from its tour “Route of All Evilâ€. The musicians are taking their shows a little more seriously, one can conclude by their recent health issues.
"That's exactly it," Perry said. "That feeling of wondering when you're gonna play again is what does it. I gotta think there's a sense of immediacy that all this stuff brings. When I play these cities I can't help but think: Who knows, this might be it."
The 56-year-old guitarist added: "It's like that old saying; if you wanna make God laugh, tell him your plans. Be humble and play the show, that's all I can do. If I had my head tilted a few more inches the other way I couldn't have finished that show - or maybe ever played again. And then look at Tom (Hamilton), who's never missed a show, and then something happens out of his control. Things like that really make you feel you gotta just live for the day."
David Hull is temporarily replacing Hamilton who is recovering from throat cancer. However, in Boston last month Hamilton found the strength to perform “Sweet Emotionâ€
"That was pretty incredible," Perry said. "Talking about it, I also saw him a couple weeks ago . . . It was great he came out and played. I think he's also gonna join us when we play Mohegan (Sun Uncasville, Conn)."
Tyler and Hamilton’s health had prevented the bands hopes of completing a new record, but Perry said we should expect the album out by next summer.
What can we expect to hear?
"There will be the rock stuff that has that familiar sound and a couple of ballads," Perry said.
On Wednesday, Aerosmith will perform at the 20, 000-person capacity Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, with opening act Motley CrŸe. In 2003 it is likely several people in attendance witnessed the band perform at Hyatt Sarasota Ballroom. Their long time producer Jack Douglas was who they wanted to honour, who was given a career lifetime achievement award by the Sarasota Film Festival. The Late Night Unwrap Party was the event.
Nearly causing a riot, Aerosmith’s surprise concert kicked off in the ballroom shortly after midnight February 1st. Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander joined the band in the unprepared performance. The performance included “Walk This Wayâ€, “Sweet Emotionâ€, “Walkin’ the dog†and a wild, frenzied version of “Train Kept a Rollin’†That sent the room into pandemonium.
“At a gig like that where everything is loose it's great to just get up there and just start playing,†said Perry who has spent time vacationing in the area. “It was fun night. Sarasota has always been like a second home to us.â€
