Aerosmith Retires From Touring, Cancels Farewell Tour; I'm Devastated

All good things must come to an end. Father Time is undefeated. Both statements are clichés and both are true.

Aerosmith dropped a surprise statement to their socials last night that they collectively decided to pack it in from touring. There will be no more tours. Steven Tyler's voice just hasn't recovered from his vocal chord injury. There's a lot of credit due here: Aerosmith could have limped along, using extra singers and back-up tapes and avatars like other bands to keep the money train flowing. Instead the band members decided to keep their legacy intact.

Aerosmith is the greatest American rock band, period. They enjoyed two successful careers - first in the 70s and then again in the late 80s through the new millennium.

As someone born in 1979 (end of the road GenX!), I missed the original success. I came to Aerosmith by way of MTV and became obsessed with the 1993 Get A Grip album. Hell, the success of that album probably shocked the band, too!

Thanks to Get A Grip, I became a fast fan and quickly devoured the band's entire catalog. It wasn't long before I decided Rocks was the best album ever - it is still my favorite today. The first time I saw Aerosmith was on the Nine Lives tour. I was in high school and I went with a girlfriend. My parents dropped us off and we had a blast! The was one of the best nights of my life. I saw them again in college on the Just Push Play tour and again during the "Let Rock Rule" tour in 2014. Incidentally, that show was in July and definitely the single hottest day of that entire year. Crazy brutal heat for that show.

I had no way of knowing at the time that I would never see Aerosmith live again. I bought tickets to the band's Las Vegas residency called Deuces Are Wild for one of the first April 2019 shows. Of the four of us supposed to go, one of my friends severely injured herself and another shockingly died in her sleep a week before the show. Obviously I canceled that trip.

Then Aerosmith announced a big show in Boston for their 50th anniversary, so of course I bought tickets. A little thing called the global coronavirus pandemic canceled that gig. Then the world opened back up, bands rescheduled and planned tours and Aerosmith officially announced their "Peace Out" Farewell tour. So of course I immediately bought tickets, only to watch in horror as reports surfaced online about Steven's massive vocal chord injury and eventual postponement of all shows. I let Ticketmaster hold my money (interest free of course) and waited for the new show dates. They finally came and I was set to see my favorite band one last time this October. Alas, it was not meant to be. I am so grateful I got to see Aerosmith three times live. Still, knowing the band will never tour again feels like a gut punch. Sort of like a chapter of my life is permanently closed.

All that said, the guys in Aerosmith deserve a happy retirement. They gave us more than 50 years of memories and some killer tunes. Just the other day, guitarist Joe Perry made a comment that Aerosmith might record a new album. I don't see that happening, but Steven probably has a one-off song in him - maybe.

Lots of musicians have taken to social media to give props to Aerosmith and deliver eulogies of sorts to the band. A retirement from the road does not equal death, but I do understand the sentiments. If you're looking for something to crank on this hot August weekend, might I suggest a playlist featuring tracks like "Nobody's Fault," "Draw The Line," "Last Child," "Lord Of The Thighs," "Love In An Elevator" and "Livin' On the Edge?" There's so much great stuff in the band's catalog, but that will get you going at least.

Stephen Pearcy Announces 40th Anniversary Of RATT Solo Shows

The other day, Stephen Pearcy shared a nice post on his Facebook, looking back on his 40 years as the singer of RATT. He talks about album sales, Robbin Crosby, and a new single called "Reach for the Sky" written during the Out of the Cellar days!

Here's the post: 

“Backstage Blast”, “Reach for the Sky”! In 1984 with heavy touring with Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Squire, festivals with Iron Maiden, ZZ Top, Twisted Sister, to name a few, to headlining our own
shows everyday of the week touring the world, I receive my first gold and platinum records for our debut album, RATT “Out of the Cellar”.

 
With our first single “Round and Round”, that is still played today and in the main stream of tv, movies and commercials is insane really. The album sold 2 1/2 million records in the US alone by the end of the year 1984. To date well over 5 million records, probably more worldwide. The album was top ten, but took months to get there, entering the Billboard top 200 at #146, if correct. Eventually peaking at #7. Thank you everybody, and a new program called MTV.

Btw, the band was just happy to be signed to major label, and that was Atlantic Records. As Robbin and I use to say, “Good enough for The Stones and Zeppelin, good enough for RATT”. To think back then in 1984 we were just happy to get a full length record out as the Sunset Strip scene was exploding. That we were founding members, the OG’s of the Sunset Strip Experience, and we did.
Decades later as I celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the “OOTC” album, I’m playing the record in its entirety at certain events. The first time ever done by myself or the band RATT through out our career.

Now forty years (40 Fkn Years!) later 2024, RATT will be releasing a New single included in the New Anniversary RATT Vinyl Boxset to be released before years end. The new song? The new RATT single is titled “Reach for Sky”.
It’s important to note that the new single was a song written and recorded in 1983, when recording the debut album “Out of the Cellar”. It was just never included on the record or ever released.
After much searching, the song was found, remixed and now four decades later will be released as a new RATT single on the New 40th Anniversary Ratt Boxset 2024 from BMG. “Reach for the Sky”!

“It’s crazy to think now, no mater how many platinum albums year after year to date I’m still awarded, these “OOTC” awards mean the most to me. We accomplished something that most groups or artists then, or these days will ever be able to do, unless very very lucky. It’s all about the million single downloads now. Not the full album and that sucks. I’m totally appreciative of our accomplishments and success to this day. But how long I’ll continue to carry the RATT banner I can’t say. It has been a hell of a party these past forty plus years. I still love hanging with the ratt n’ rollers to this day and love hearing about it at my meet n’ greets. I only wish Robbin “King” Crosby were here to see the impact his band RATT has had with people for so many years. But I think he knows, he keeps reminding me to tell the world.

Carrie Underwood To Host 'American Idol'

Ok this isn't the type of music news we usually talk about here but you know I love me some American Idol and Carrie Underwood has some real glam bona fides. Carrie will apparently replace Katy Perry as one of the hosts of AI next season and I think that is a major win for the show.

Carrie won season 5 and is probably the most successful Idol - or tied for that title with Kelly Clarkson - and I hope this means more rock on the show. Yes, Carrie is a country artist but she is also a glam and metal fan and does have a huge crossover appeal.

'Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)' - Mr. Big Live

Mr. Big is promoting their upcoming live album and film The Big Finish Live. It is available for pre-order now and the band has shared a clip of "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)," from Budokan to get fans hyped. The video was shot in 4K during 2023. It does look beautiful.

The Big Finish Live is due September 6. The live album is available on vinyl, too  but it's like $60 right now. 

Singer Nate Peck Shares Nice Post About His Journey To FireHouse

Overnight, singer Nate Peck shared a post on his Facebook about his singing journey and his eventual road to FireHouse. There's details on how he met Great White legend Jack Russell and CJ Snare of FireHouse. I found it interesting and you might too.

Text of the full post below:

I just want to take the time to thank some people who have helped me on this rock ‘n’ roll journey that i have experienced! I want to thank kafig for introducing me to Tracy Lee of ARM Entertainment which had then led me to meet Bill Richard (Personal Assistant of Jack Russell) Bill Richard was the first to introduce me to my idol Jack Russell (legendary voice of Great White) Fast forward to early 2023 where i had built my relationship personally with Jack talking a lot over the phone and sharing the stage with him occasionally guest singing on the song “Save your Love” during that time i had also bonded with Robby Lochner, Ken Mary And Tony of Jack russells great white. Then came late September early October, my life completely changed when Robby Lochner had contacted Bill Leverty of Firehouse when they needed someone to fill in For Cj Snare. Just a few days after Robby had called me about the proposition Bill Leverty had called me offering me the spot to fill In For Cj and i gladly accepted it to help them out with whatever they needed at the time! I then spent the next 6 months creating an amazing relationship with Cj Snare, Bill Leverty, Michael Foster, Allen McKenzie, joey arias and Tony Avitar! During that period i spent a considerable amount of time talking to Cj over the phone listening to him give me advice on singing, working the crowd, and most importantly pacing yourself on stage! April 5th we got the News that Cj Had unfortunately passed away. That hit me extremely hard as it did to fans and his bandmates. I treasure the short friendship that me and him shared and i will forever be grateful that i had the chance to be coached by such a fabulous singer! After his untimely passing i was then offered to pursue the position of replacing him which was not easy for me to do due to how fast things has changed. As lead singer of this amazing band FireHouse i will do my best to continue Cj’s legacy and honor the songs they have written! Again thank you to everyone who has helped me make my childhood dreams come true and continue to! Thank you

15 Years Of 'Feel The Steel'

It's International Tiger Day so we'll celebrate by talking about a type of cat... band.

It's hard to believe that Steel Panther's Feel the Steel is 15 years old already. The album features "Death To All But Metal" and "Community Property" which are probably my fave tracks from the Panther, period. There is a special 15th anniversary release coming featuring two new songs not previously available in the American market. The album is available for pre-order on the band's website.

Vinnie Vincent Posts Cryptic Facebook Message

Guitarist Vinnie Vincent is "vaguebooking" again. He (or someone on his behalf) posted this message yesterday... I don't believe a revamped band is happening, let alone releasing new music, but who knows. We live in the upside down now, so anything is possible. By the way, Faysal Scott mentioned below is a singer. He announced himself as fronting Vinnie's band last year.