An Update From Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton
I know, I know! “What’s goin’ on with the band?” “What the hell are you guys up to?” Well it all boils down to Steven wanting to go solo for a while and the other four of us wanting to continue. I’m not getting into what and what not’s been in the press lately. I’d like a day off from all that if you don’t FREAKIN’ mind.
Some weeks ago we finished four shows that were still left on the plate for this year. As we’re getting close to the end of the year I found myself replaying my mental videos of those gigs.
The first one was in San Francisco. It was basically a huge party put on by one of our most massive companies. They may be a corporate monolith but when they decide to reward their employees with a party the lid is basically off the budget. They rented an island off of San Francisco and turned it into soiree central. The place was set up like a permanent venue even though it was only going to be used for this one night. What the hell? We have a history of wretched excess. Why not play for a big corporation enjoying theirs? Considering that it was a party for their employees I guess it’s kind of cool.
A little while before the show we went over to a tent to do a met and greet with some of the revelers. On the way back I thought I heard someone say that Roger Daltry was playing nearby on another stage that was set up for the party. We headed in that direction and found ourselves in his trailer where he and his band-mates were getting ready for their show. We had met before in Japan a few years back so, even though we hadn’t had time to become close friends there was still a happy re-union atmosphere. We spent a few minutes catching up. Simon Townshend was there. I asked when they would be coming to Boston and then gave him some advice about where to find some cool duds if they want to go out and spend a few quid.
I had a new tech named Mike who usually works for Joe Walsh when the Eagles tour. He had some unexpected time off and came to work for me on our remaining gigs. We had some time for a sound check earlier in the afternoon and everything was tight. We don’t always do sound checks because the sound can vary so much when the venue fills up with people. Some of us almost consider them bad luck but this time it was productive as I got to simplify my set-up a bit.
Steven was off on his own somewhere so we didn’t see him until show-time. As everyone already knows there had been some difficult vibe issues but once we got up on to the stage waiting to go on, I felt us morphing into show mode. It was exhilarating to sense the everyday crap melting away and being replaced by that feeling of diving off a cliff as one, knowing how good that water was going to feel.
Read the rest at Aeroforceone.com
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