Aerosmith Show in South Florida Exceeds Expectations
2009 was a year of woes for Aero-heads who had the rug pulled out from under them with the cancellation of the band's North American tour.
Tyler’s fall from the stage during their South Dakota show sent a bummed-out wave across thousands of fans who received the unfortunate news: “We regret to inform you the remainder of the Aerosmith tour has been cancelled indefinitely.”
Then as we barely recovered from the shock of Tyler’s injury, hospitalization and rehab stint, riff master Joe Perry took to the net with a series of rants that forecasted the end of the greatest era in rock and roll was quickly approaching.
Talks and rumors about a new Aerosmith front man taking Tyler’s place had hard core followers yelling “Blasphemy!” and those who never saw the crazy quintet live were left with an unaccomplished goal in their rock 'n' roll bucket list.
But the Aerosmith apocalypse went as quickly as it came as the band announced their Cocked Locked and Ready to Rock 2010 Tour earlier this year.
On Monday, the epitome of rock and roll, nail polish, scarves and drama, took the stage at a packed Bank Atlantic Center in South Florida.
The energy in the venue was vibrant and alive – mainly because the majority of those who attended were unsure if this day would ever come.
When the time came for the main show, a black sheet with a red Aerosmith emblem dropped to reveal the five most awesome individuals in rock music history.
For Aerosmith, time seems to stand still. Tyler still yowls like he did 20 years ago and his moves are a nonstop revving, spontaneous, choreography that puts modern day artists to shame.
He is a visual and audio spectacle as he uses his scarf-ed microphone stand as an extension of his body. His eccentric expressions ooze through his notes, and his warm interaction with the lucky souls fortunate to stand in the front are traits that have propelled Aerosmith to become the rock gods they are today.
As far as chemistry?
It was palpable among the members as Tyler graciously allowed each member to have his own moment in the spotlight. Joey Kramer’s drum solo momentarily was sans-sticks as he used his head, bassist Tom Hamilton brought the crowd to its feet with an extended intro to “Sweet Emotion” and even the modest Brad Whitford ripped out a solo.
As far as the guitar enigma that is Joe Perry, his blues tribute to Jimi Hendrix had Tyler in the background on his harmonica as Perry blared and sang front and center to “Red House.”
Despite whatever frustrations Perry aired about his Toxic Twin Tyler last year, all issues were put aside. Perry and Tyler, casually mingled between songs, shared a microphone on several occasions and introduced each other before the final bow.
The two hour explosion of sounds, lights, and a glittery Tyler was every Aerosmith’s fan “compilation dream” come true, including “Dream On,” “Love In An Elevator,” “Cryin’,” “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” “Last Child,” “Falling In Love” and “Pink,” among others.
Part of Aerosmith's longevity comes from the band’s inner turmoil that fuels the gossip columns every so often. The other is the fact that they have seamlessly spanned across generations, states and audiences with timeless hits, fist-pumping sounds and one very charming lead man.