News From The Road

Hey Folks, back again after a little, ok long break. I wanted to get some asphalt under the old bus tires before I rambled on about the tour. Comm Ave. Brighton/Allston was the scene of the first crime. The city of Boston has been trying to give the band a plaque commemorating their years of debauchery at 1325 Comm. Ave and it came to fruition on Monday November 5th. Little known fact is it was supposed to be a plaque ceremony with Mayor Menino and originally it’s was meant to be kept quiet until the day of. Joe had mentioned that his dream the past 30 years or so was to play on the steps of their old haunt, real stripped down to the 1000 or so people that showed up on such short notice. It moved from the steps to a duck boat to a small stage so everyone could see but while loose lips usually sinks ships word got out and it turned into 50,000 or so Aero fans jammed onto the old throughway that the band could be seen loading their truck of equipment with their old roadie Mark Lehman 40 years earlier. Hats off to Aero production Manager Chris Lamb and soundman John Shipp and also the city of Boston for pulling it together for what has turned out to be one of the most exciting moments in the bands career. It had everything from the band’s entrance on a now Boston tradition (Duck Boats) to a stellar speech by Jonathan Kraft (Patriots owner) to a streaming broadcast to the masses. Not to mention a set list (albeit condensed) that couldn’t have been better. A great mixture of old shit and new shit. Did I mention the great Tom Brady and Jerrod Mayo from the Patriots along with 20 or so Patriots cheerleaders? After the show was over we were on the bus and headed for OK City via Memphis.


Photo By: Melissa Mahoney


Photo By: Melissa Mahoney



Photo By: Melissa Mahoney




Photo By: Melissa Mahoney


Photo By: Melissa Mahoney



Photo By: Melissa Mahoney



Photo By: Melissa Mahoney




Photo By: Melissa Mahoney



Photo By: Melissa Mahoney

The Blue’s bus made a quick stop on election day to Memphis to catch the city’s vibe and also to stock up on some Fried Chicken from Gus’s and BBQ from Central Bbq before waddling over to pay some respect to the King. Joe brought along the newly released deluxe version of “Music from Another Dimension” for the King to hear. He also brought out the football that the Patriots made for the band for good luck for their march to the Super Bowl.


Joe at Church, Photo By: John Bionelli



Photo By: John Bionelli


Joe Perry Guitar Player


OK City: What better place to start a tour than smack dab in the middle of the US of A. The band did a rehearsal at the Chesapeake Energy Center. This place was aptly named; as the tension and excitement was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The day before we were told that our hotel was haunted. So what do you do? You put them on the guest list of course. After staying in OK City for almost a week we did a hit and run to the mid west’s version of Worcester - Wichita!  Wichita is a happening city for the 5 or 6 people who actually live downtown. The show was great but KC is the place to be and we made a bee line after the show to the countries BBQ belt stat. Kansas City has always been a destination that you immediately look for when handed the itinerary and this visit didn’t disappoint. The guys spent their non show days walking around the Plaza district taking in movies, shopping and of course getting some rest for the show at the Sprint Center. Joe made a pilgrimage to LC’s Bbq (actually 2) and set up shop for the better part of 2 hours. Of course they exchanged hot sauces.

The great photographer Rob Shanahan shot Joey for an upcoming cover of Modern Drummer. He also caught the guys prior to stepping on the stage in KC. Rob was polite and respectful unlike another photographer I can think of. He also bears a striking resemblance to Fabio, so he has that going for him.


Rob Shanahan politely shoots the band! Out of focus iphone shot by John "Shaky" Bionelli

Austin is a great city but with the F1 race in town we were forced to do another hit and run as the hotels had all been booked a year in advance. As you guys know Joe travels by bus so he got into town earlier in the day to do a little sightseeing downtown and grab a burger at Huts before heading into the venue for a sound check. Transplanted Austinite Joey Kramer got to sleep in his own bed for a few nights before playing to friends, family and neighbors for the first time since moving their 2 years ago. You could see how happy he was to be playing there that night by the extra charge in his drum solo that has been off the charts this tour.

Bands don’t usually change up their stages in the middle of a tour but the guys went for a bigger video screen and also altered their actual stage this leg. They went back to a stage similar to the Just Push Play tour, which allows the band to go to the top of the amp line just below the massive video screen. So far only Joe and Steven have ventured to the top.

New York City:

The guys headlined MSG for the 9th time on November 20th but counting special events they must be up to at least 12-14 times playing in the old barn. That’s about 13 times more excitement that the Rangers have provided to their fans since the building opened in 1968. I joke of course but on this night the bad boys were firing on all cylinders. Jack Douglas was in attendance, but then again it feels like he is every night since it is his voice that you hear just before the first chord of Mama Kin.

Also in attendance were the lovely Mia and Liv Tyler. Liv brought along to the show Sean Lennon. Steven asked Sean moments before the show if he would like to play “Come Together” with them and he said it would be an honor. Sean nailed it and it was definitely a highlight of the show. This guy can play.


Joe, Steven and Sean come together at MSG photo by Mark Weiss


Here come old flat top! Photo by Mark Weiss

Joe stopped by old friend Eddie Trunk’s radio show the night before MSG and what was supposed to be a 15-minute interview ending up being an hour and a half. Eddie is a true music historian and with that knowledge of music, and especially hard rock, made the visit that much better. In my mind Eddie is one of a handful of DJ’s flying the hard rock flag today. He is truly an attractive and powerful man!


Brad, Eddie and Joe Talk Turkey

Being in the NY area for Thanksgiving allowed most of the guys to spend the holiday with loved ones. Steven went to Philly, Joey and Brad stayed in NY and Joe and Tom went home to Boston.

Atlantic City:

If you ever get a chance to go see a show at the Ovation Hall Revel Resort do it. It is a 4,000 capacity venue that doesn’t have a bad seat in the house. The band met with 50 first responders to Hurricane Sandy before the show and got to hear from people first on the scene.

Theresa Caputo (Long Island Medium) was in attendance and watched the gig from the side of the stage. I asked her before the show if she would like to see the setlist and she told me that she already knew it and that I forgot to put “Train” at the end. She told me I needed to add it to the encore and then gave me a creepy wink!



Employee of the week!

Goes to Production Manager Chris Lamb.

Chris in my mind made the whole Boston event go off without a hitch. He is used to handling tough situations as he spent a dozen years or so working for Madonna keeping her happy. He isn’t some cowboy that is all hat and no cattle he is the real deal!

See you on the road!
John B.

PS. Rumors of gigs next year are starting to circulate so “keep it here to find out,” as Willard Scott would say, “what is going on in your neck of the woods.” Oh, and it may be time to update your passports.