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Aerosmith is one band
that has survived the test of time, turmoil, and the trials of the rock world
not only continuing on, but being quite successful over and over again. This tour reminds fans of the time that Aerosmith
had the need to resurrect their career and to put themselves back on top again.
That opportunity was given to the band when a popular rap group wanted to not
only sample their song but also to sing it with them for a new recording.
The video track of Aerosmith and Run DMC can still be remembered today, and
while some may argue the merger of rock and rap and even the line-up of Run DMC,
Kid Rock, and Aerosmith on this tour, one thing is for certain, if it wasn’t for
that unexpected comeback, songs like “Dude,” “Love in an Elevator,” and even
“I Don't Want to Miss a Thing” may not have seen the light of day (or at least the radio and
video exposure that made them new classics)…
 In Pittsburgh,
Aerosmith knocked the socks off fans (who’ve been waiting to see them since an
unexpected cancellation last fall) by opening with old favorites like
“Back in the Saddle” and “Same Old Song and Dance.” And, without a full
studio album to promote on this tour, aside from the single “Girls of Summer,”
the band’s set seemed very much unpredictable. Inclusions like “F.I.N.E.,” second in the set, and “Monkey
on My Back” later on, where testimony to that fact.
With last summer’s show in their memory, fans knew what to expect from that small stage positioned in
the center of the lawn seating, and after waiting countless hours to get an up
close glimpse, Aerosmith finally moved from the main stage through the crowd.
Their mission: to jam like they’d done back in
the club days. While some may argue that a song with the impact of “Dream On”
should be performed with the full stage sound, other favorites like “Big Ten Inch
Record” and “Mama Kin” offered a glimpse of what it would have been like to see
the beginnings of such a huge band with an intimate atmosphere and raw sound (despite this sold
out crowd).
 Newer material included the
expected new single, as well as "Jaded," however, other recent mainstays in the
band's set like "Pink" and "Just Push Play" were left out to make room for even
more of the classics like "Draw the Line" and "Sweet Emotion."
But, the band did include a b-side from the "Get a Grip" album, featuring
guitarist Joe Perry on vocals. As is often the case, when Perry takes
center stage, the band's blues influences soar and "Can't Stop Messin" was no
exception.
As expected, Aerosmith was joined not just by
Run DMC but also by Kid Rock for an explosive 2002 version of "Walk This Way,"
but that was only the beginning of the encore. Aerosmith continued on with
their classic jam on "Train Kept A Rollin," however, the length of the song was
kept to a minimum. Perhaps the band had already played into their curfew.
For more
information on Aerosmith tour dates and the new O Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits
release, visit
www.aerosmith.com.
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