News From the Road 9-17-06
I have no idea why Elmo was at the Hartford show! Photo Credit-Frank Zamboni
Hey everybody! It’s been a while since I checked in but I see Joey is picking up some of the slack for me. He now keeps a diary online kinda like Ross Halfin but he only concentrates on reviewing the show from his point of view. He seems really excited about it and loves getting feedback.
Welcome to Pittsburgh Photo Credit-John Bionelli
The shows have been going really well. The set because of either the weather or building curfews has been clocking in at around 80 minutes. Even though it is a more compact set it’s great to be able to get out there and play some of these cool outdoor venues. Back in March if you told me the guys would be back on the road by the end of the year I would have thought you were crazy. Dream On was dropped for a few nights, which ruffled the feathers of a few die-hard fans some of which were not out in freezing rain at Darien Lake but monitoring the set list from their toasty warm home computers. I can’t figure that one out.
Motley Crue has tons more pyro than KISS did. But unlike KISS they leave a majority of it on the stage after they finish which takes a little extra time to clean up. But you can see both Crews are kicking it up a notch to make the change over a little quicker and should have Aerosmith on the stage within a half hour. You guys would be amazed if you saw how much work goes into getting a show like this on. That’s why it may be better to sit back and relax between sets and pay no attention to the men behind the curtain.
The guys rehearsed in beautiful Columbus Ohio for 6 days before the first show. I have unofficially named Worcester, Mass Columbus's sister city!
Happy Birthday Joe! Photo Credit-John Bionelli
Photo Credit-John Bionelli
After the Pittsburgh show Joe and family stayed behind and spent his birthday going to see Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. All of these guys are approaching 60 but that didn’t stop them from putting on an amazing show. Before hand Joe and his family spent some time with Neil Young on his tour bus. This tour bus is the most incredible thing I have ever seen. They have to do some kind of show on it and may have already. It’s very classy old west looking with 2 Studebakers on top of it and fine wooden sculptured benches throughout the inside. The bunks are on the bottom of the bus 4 inches from the ground to make the ride as smooth as can be. I am kicking myself for not taking a picture of it while we were on it. Maybe someone out there has a picture of it and can put it up. Joe spent some time with each of the guys and even did a little interview backstage with a camera crew that was following them around. Stephen Stills even wished Joe Happy Birthday from the stage, which I thought was a classy thing to do.
View from my hotel balcony Photo Credit-John Bionelli
After the show it was on to Niagara Falls, Canada. The Perry’s decided to skip downtown Buffalo. (Think Springfield, Mass with chicken wings). On Monday they spent the afternoon on a Whirlpool Jet boat on Niagara Gorge. If you ever spend some time in Niagara Falls in either New York or the Canadian side be sure to check this out. It was a blast. A powerful Jet Boat speeds upriver, making it’s way into the breathtaking stonewalled canyon that is the Niagara Gorge. The anticipation builds as the boat splashes into the whitewater of Devil’s Hole rapids. After that it was on to the Hard Rock Café for a little dinner set up by Fifty Dollar Don Bernstein. The staff was great and hopefully we will be seeing some of them in Toronto next month. All Friendly!
The Darien Lake show was pretty wild. The weather was awful but the people are pretty used to it and stayed to the bitter and I mean bitter end. After the show it was off to New York City where all the guys except for Joey are based.
Joe visits Jeff Beck after his show in Atlantic City PhotoCredit-John Bionelli
Joey heads back to Boston on the off days. He went to see Jeff Beck and Santana on Friday night at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield, Ma. While Joe took a two and a half hour ride on Saturday to Atlantic City to see JB at the House of Blues. What a show Jimmy Page once told Joe that there is everybody else and then there is Jeff Beck and he wasn’t kidding. It is one thing to hear this guy on records but seeing him do things live makes you want to shake your head and say that what he just did is impossible. Again Joe got props from the stage and went back after the show and spent some time with his idol.
Steven has been seen bopping around the city. This is definitely his town and he enjoys every minute of it. One minute he will be around Central Park and then the next minute spending time with Liv down in SoHo. He comes (even more) alive here and it should be evident on stage at Jones Beach.
As of this writing the guys plan on doing a piece for Access Hollywood and Joe and Steven are going to be interviewed by a film crew for Led Zep being inducted into the UK Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Next time I will give you the lowdown on the NYC show and the Hard Rock Party.
Next stop Brad’s home away from home Charlotte!
Stay Classy!
See you on the Road!
John B.
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