Aerosmith—Raw Rock!

Aerosmith doesn’t try to conform, and they make no apologies. Even though the band members are older now, they are still the original “Bad Boys from Boston,” and they are still badass! And to this day, the band still puts on a take-no-prisoners performance.

Here is some Backstage Access inside info that most of you probably don’t know. Aerosmith didn’t have the easiest time breaking through when they first got started. They were so loud, so raunchy, and known for just out and out bad behavior that most of the gatekeepers in charge of the radio and the press didn’t get it, and didn’t want to.

When the band’s first self-titled album came out in 1973 I was the local album promotion man for Columbia Records in Los Angeles. Upon receiving it I quickly got in my car and drove right over to KMET the prevailing rock station in Los Angeles at the time. They heard songs like “Dream On” and “Mama Kin” and told me that the lead singer was too raunchy and that the band was too loud and over the top—they would not be playing this record! Admittedly, the band members could be a bit disorderly at any gatherings or listening parties we had for them, so that didn’t help. The attitude was, “Hey, this is who we are and the music we make, and if you don’t like it, f*ck off!” But that was them then—not being particularly mean spirited on purpose—just raw and rockin’–kind of like The Clash when they first arrived on the scene. My take was, you don’t have to like them, but you better be paying attention, because this kind of raw energy on stage is going to mean something. As time went on I made friends with Joe Perry and started hanging out with him because we liked talking about guitars.

My next stop was a rock station a bit out of town in Long Beach, CA., known as KNAC. These guys were a little more freewheeling and took more chances with music. They began to play a couple tracks off the album and the band began to tour. Honestly, it was the touring and word of mouth that eventually broke the band. As the band played out and KNAC played the album a bit more we began to see some real substantial album sales in Southern California. So, I went back to KMET and pointed out that with all due respect this band was really building up momentum. They were forced to deal with this reality and began giving the band some token spins on the station. But, they still didn’t like Aerosmith and kept them at arm’s length. It was largely the same with the press—if this band was going to make it, it was going to be the hard way. Get out, play for the people and see if you can get make some fans.

And that’s exactly what they did. Aerosmith toured relentlessly and it was the public who fell in love with them and began to tell their friends. It wasn’t until their third album, Toys In The Attic, that the band finally got the respect that they deserved, by both radio and the press.

Believe it or not, this is the familiar story for a lot of superstar artists that you may be a fan of today. Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Rush just to name a few. When an artist is unique and is cutting their own groove it takes people a while to soak it in. Often radio and the press are conservative by nature and both can sometimes have that “prove it to me” attitude. Aerosmith proved it, and in spades.

Aerosmith’s rock and roll history is well documented and the band has been though some very tough times. Those kinds of times will either kill you or bring you some wisdom and perspective. I am happy to report that if you meet the guys today you will meet some very nice and caring people. And,…they will still rock your socks off!

Happy beginning Fall to everyone!

Rap~

P.S. Rock and roll life continues. Sharon and I are going to see David Gilmour live in Orange, France and then off to old buddy Bob Geldof’s wedding. I will report on all when I return.

Aerosmith’s new concert film, Aerosmith Rocks Donington, is available now on DVD and Blu-Ray.