Aerosmith finished up the European part of their tour in grand fashion. Russia was awesome! I always wanted to go there. I remember being a kid and being in total shock about the way people lived there. Well folks it has all changed. The world has gotten so small now. It didn’t seem as dangerous as people have made it out to be. The people were really friendly. The promoter took us out to dinner at a restaurant on a boat the night before the St. Petersburg show. The food was unbelievable and the vodka was top shelf. St. Petersburg is a great city. Our hotel was right across the street from St. Issacs Cathedral. The show in St. Pete rocked too.
Press conference in Saint Petersburg (Photo: John B)
(Photo: Randle Feagin)
It seems Ross Halfin and Russ Irwin have buried the hatchet. No Folks, not in Ross's head. The guys were seen nestled in a corner at the Hotel bar in St. Petersburg. No snacks were in sight.
Moscow was next. We got in around 6 at night and immediately went to Red Square. Everyone seemed really excited to get over there. I went with Ross Halfin and we met half of our crew there. For the first time on tour I felt like a real tourist. As you walked into Red Square you could see on one side of Saint Basil’s Cathedral a Cartier store as well as a Christian Dior. This gave me an idea of opening a donut shop there and calling it Krispy Kremlin’s. It could go right next to Lenin’s tomb. Good foot traffic. As you walked down to the Eternal Flame you could see guys dressed as Putin, Lenin and Stalin. You can get your picture taken with them for about 100 Rubles. You could also get your picture taken with a ratty Mickey Mouse as well as Shrek and Sponge Bob. I am not making this stuff up.
Joe and John (Photo: Ross Halfin)
The next day Joe and his family strolled around Red Square and Joe picked up the hat he has been wearing on stage at a souvenir store. I bought a CCCP T-Shirt and asked our interpreter if it would offend people to wear it. He assured me it wouldn’t as he called it a retro shirt.
The Moscow show was great as it was one of the longest of the tour. The next day we headed back to Boston. The guys had a couple of days off before it was right back on the World tour. A couple of Canadian dates were next. Sarnia and PEI.
The Sarnia show was completely jammed and the crowd was amazing. NHL superstar Joe Thornton came to the show and hung out with the guys before hand.
Joe Thorton and friends (Photo by Melissa Mahoney)
PEI was next and the band’s catering was a little different on this night. The salmon and steaks were replaced with Oysters and Lobsters. Cheap Trick were on the bill and it was great seeing the 2 band’s catch up.
Rick talks Gibsons with Joe (Photo: John B)
We are in California right now. There are 2 shows here and then a month off. The September shows should be pretty wild as it will be the last time you will see the guys for a while. They are planning on going back in the studio in October.
See You on the Road!
John B.
From MaGee:
Hey everyone, MaGee here writing in from Russia. I had the honor of choosing the employee of the week and had to go with Sir John Bionelli. He was recently knighted but managed to keep it out of the papers. John has been working with Aerosmith for over 16 years and his tireless efforts may sometimes go unnoticed so that's why I nominated and voted him in personally (I have that kind of pull if you were wondering). Whether its making sure Joe Perry and the boys get to meet and greets on time or spending an hour running from dressing room to dressing room (on a still healing broken leg) to finalize a set list, he is always on top of his game. The guys also take his choices on songs to add to the set list as well. When the Boys have some down time John has also worked with Velvet Revolver and Black Sabbath to keep his chops up. Next time you see him out on the road ask him to do his Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley impersonation. He will gladly drop what he's doing to bust out a line or two. In his spare time he likes to knit quilts and plant flowers in public parks. I am proud to call him a fellow Bostonian. Cheers to John B
John B and Magee (Photo: Ross Halfin)
