News From The Road

Columbus Ohio: The guys are now running on all cylinders. The set is now exactly where they want to be and before each show I bring the set list to each guy and for the first time in recent memory they all look at it up and down and say “fuck yeah” that’s a great set. When you talk to people they say, “ I like the set but I’m a little tired of Edge and Ragdoll,” but I gotta tell ya folks there are 15,000 people screaming and dancing to those songs every night of this tour.

Toronto: The guys were given Gold plaques in Toronto from Sony. I’m sure it’s the first of many for “Music From Another Dimension.”  I love Canada! It’s in my blood. It’s the second time around this tour and they are still packing them in. The Air Canada Center was a little somber backstage. I felt bad for all the people working there as with the NHL lockout, the great people of Toronto have very little to cheer about these days. Not on this night however. Again the engine is primed and it seemed like the Krame-Dog put a little extra additive to his bombastic drum solo. Tyler’s feet were kept firmly on the stage and he seemed to be wearing those glasses where he can see if anyone is coming up from behind him. Joe has a ritual of walking around the city we are in the day before the show and we have been filming it and putting it on the big screen during “Boogie Man.” This time he walked around Bloor and Yonge and all the way to the CNN Tower. It’s pretty funny seeing people’s faces when they see the Admiral walking down the street with an acoustic guitar and even funnier when he sits on a park bench and starts playing “Hangman Jury.” Beware Nashville you’re next!

Gold Album Awards in Toronto.  Photo by John Bionelli

Vegas: I love this city for about a day and a half, and then it’s time to get out. I once gambled away my car in Las Vegas. The people at Enterprise were absolutely furious. But seriously folks you got to pace yourself in the City of Sin.

Joe with Friend in the City of Sin!  Photo by John Bionelli

The night before the show I got to see Alice Cooper and a great band from Arizona called “Metal King” with my buddy Craig Gass. He’s the guy from Howard Stern that does the Sam Kinison and Gene Simmons impressions. How funny was it to see Craig talking to Gene the next night at the show. It got weird didn’t it? Craig kept Steven and Joe in stitches backstage. If you get a chance go on youtube and check him out. Better yet see him in a city near you.

Family Jewels with Joe Perry.  Photo by Gene Kirkland

John and Gene in LA.  Photo by Gene Kirkland

Yours Truly with "Metal King" at the Palms Hotel

The great photographer Robert Knight who actually lives in Las Vegas was also there that night and got some great shots.

Robert Knight and the Great Donny Wightman in Vegas.  Photo by John Bionelli

Los Angeles:  The backstage in LA always makes you do a double take when walking down the dressing room hallway. This stop was no different. Johnny Depp, Jim Carey, Izzy Stradlin, Perry Farrell and Gene Simmons to name a few were all in attendance.  Joe spent some time with Gene, Sophie and Nick prior to the show and Joe told Gene he recently filled out his ballot for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and wrote in “KISS.” Slash was supposed to be there and jam with Izzy on Mama Kin but a prior commitment to Rockline prevented that of happening. Johnny Depp came up and jammed on “Stop Messin’ and “Come Together” and brought the already frenzied crowd up to fever pitch. This guy can play! Before coming to LA he played in bands in his home state of Florida and while he took the Tom Petty route of coming to LA to become a star he got bit by the acting bug and the rest is history. Izzy came up solo next and played Mama Kin. Of course you have heard “Gun’s” version of the song, so he was quite familiar with the chord changes. It was a great night!

Joe and Johnny.  Photo by Zack Whitford

Steven Tyler.  Photo by Amanda Ayre

Joey Kramer.  Photo by Amanda Ayre

Next week I’ll recap the final 4 shows of this tour. 2013 should be pretty interesting as the band intend to take this Global Warming tour global.

Employees of the Week!

This is the first time in recent memory that 2 people share the honor. First up is young gun hot shot, Sarah Fenlaw. The spectacled wonder is a new comer to the world of rock having previously toured with Lenny Kravitz. She is a spit fire with Army precision. She has the backstage dressing rooms in ship shape by the time the band walk through the venue doors. Hailing from the great country of Brooklyn she takes no shit but does it in the most polite way ever. Bonnie Flesland hails from “parts unknown.”  She is a veteran of the road having been on tour with Cher, Brittney, Tina Turner, Madonna and Mariah Carey to name a few. Her life has been a non stop Grammy appearance and can sew better than Betsy Ross could ever dream. We are lucky and grateful to have them in the “Blue Army”.

Sarah and Bonnie backstage.  Photo by John Bionelli

See You on the Road!
John B.

PS. Check out “Metal King” on Youtube!!!!!