It was only appropriate that the media event surrounding Aerosmith’s rock and roll tour announcement would take place at one of the West Coast’s most iconic venues on the Sunset Strip, the Whiskey a Go Go. As the official location to share their summer tour announcement, Aerosmith invited press and diehard fans to share the news. The “Let Rock Rule” tour is set to first visit Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York on July 10th before rocking out the rest of the US until September. Aerosmith will also be sharing the touring stage with Slash, featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators.
Decades have passed since the bad boys of Boston had first played such a small and intimate event, let alone at this location specifically. Three decades to be exact, as guitarist Joe Perry reminisced briefly about their first performance on December 4th, 1978 on that very stage. Those lucky enough to have won tickets on the radio were sprinkled amongst the bodies of press representatives after waiting outside in the April heat for up to several hours. Three decades beforehand, a young Slash was also at that show and history was made.
There at the Whiskey, the essence of pure rock and roll radiated off the walls from the classic concert fliers to the actual presence of rock and roll legends being in the building. Not too long into sneaking a close spot to the stage 100.3 FM’s “Uncle Joe” Benson’s booming voice roared through the speakers, pumping up the crowd. Everybody reciprocated with loud, excited screams as Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz’ “Get Low” bumped in the background as the men of Aerosmith descended from the stairs onto the stage.
Decked in snakeskin pants, dark shades and arms full of bracelets, Steven Tyler gripped his signature scarfed mic stand, welcoming the audience with electric flair. His charisma, sex appeal and electrifying stage presence was immediately flipped on and the crowd tuned in. Opening their set with their 1977 single, “Draw the Line,” everyone was propelled back in time to the golden era of classic rock. Tyler jived on stage with band mates. Tyler took their performance to another level by personally throwing his jewelry and harmonica to a young woman in the front row during “Pink.”
It was the combination of Tyler’s iconic two-step, two measure drum beat and Perry’s guitar riff that dove “Walk This Way” to cause a huge uproar under the Whiskey roof. With his hat tipped over his brow, Perry made the guitar coo from underneath his fingers. As the set began to tick close to an end, the boys beckoned a special guest onto the stage to help solidify the transfixing afternoon performance. Sure enough, sporting the most recognizable jet black top hat and signature curls to go along with it, Slash joined Aerosmith on stage, already fired up on an electric red guitar. To visually witness legends Steven Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton, drummer Joey Kramer, guitarist Joe Perry and Slash all sharing a stage was a monumental sight for rock fans. After flashing his “Ma Kin” tattoo to the crowd with a devilish grin, Tyler still hit every note and belted each verse as powerful as the next right after. The crowd interaction was completely on point as Tyler continuously shared the mic stand with the crowd below.
Keeping the good vibes turning, the last song was the 1974 classic “Train Kept A Rollin’.” The guitar lead switched off between Slash and Perry, who were both on fire as they traded. Huddled around the classic gypsy-scarved mic, the trio sang into the mic in unison. Just like that, the rock stars waved and wooed the crowd, reminding them to keep rocking out before slinking back up into the stairway from which they had descended.
Set List:
Draw The Line
Same Old Song And Dance
Pink
Walk
This Way
Encore, Featuring Slash:
Mama Kin
Train Kept a Rollin’
“Let Rock Rule” Tour With Aerosmith and Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators:
July 10 — Wantagh, NY (Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre)
July 13 — Kitchener, ON (McLennan Park)
July 16 — Mansfield, MA (Xfinity Center)
July 19 — Cadott, WI (Rock Fest)
July 22 — Cincinnati, OH (Riverbend Music Center)
July 25 — Tinley Park, IL (First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre)
July 30 — Inglewood, CA (The Forum)
August 2 — Las Vegas, NV (MGM Grand Garden Arena)
August 8 — Stateline, NV (Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena At Harveys)
August 13 — Concord, CA (Sleep Train Pavilion)
August 16 — George, WA (The Gorge Amphitheatre)
August 19 — Denver, CO (Pepsi Center)
August 22 — Dallas, TX (American Airlines Center)
August 25 — The Woodlands, TX (The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion)
August 28 — Atlanta, GA (Phillips Arena)
August 31 — Atlantic City, NJ (Boardwalk Hall)
September 3 — Newark, NJ (Prudential Center)
September 6 — Bristow, VA (Jiffy Lube Live)
September 9 — Clarkston, MI (DTE Energy Music Theatre)
September 12 — Sydney, NS, Canada (Open Hearth Park)
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