Aerosmith Kick Off Farewell Tour with Unforgettable Performance
Aerosmith, the iconic rock band hailing from Boston, kicked off their highly anticipated farewell tour, aptly titled Peace Out, with an epic set in Philadelphia. For five decades, this quintet has delighted the world with their classic rock anthems, including timeless hits such as Dream On, Walk This Way, and Sweet Emotion.
The band, consisting of singer Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, and bassist Tom Hamilton, took to the stage wearing their trademark black cowboy hats. As a giant Aerosmith logo descended from the rafters, accompanied by monumental wings, they launched into their opening song, Back In The Saddle, captivating the crowd right from the start.
Despite their age, with Steven Tyler being 75 years old, the members of Aerosmith proved that they still had what it takes to deliver a phenomenal performance. Tyler and Perry recreated their iconic pose, standing on either side of a microphone stand draped with Tyler’s trademark scarves. Tyler’s flawless execution of the extreme high note at the end of the song silenced any doubts about his vocal prowess.
The band treated the audience to a journey through their extensive catalog, performing beloved radio hits like Love In an Elevator and Cryin’, along with more obscure gems such as No More, No More, Adam’s Apple, Seasons Of Wither, and Hangman Jury. With such a rich repertoire, it was challenging for Aerosmith to fit all their biggest hits into a two-hour show, resulting in the omission of songs like Dude (Looks Like A Lady) and Train Kept A-Rollin’.
The choice to perform in Philadelphia was remarkable, considering the band’s turbulent history with their fans in the city. In past shows, Aerosmith band members endured physical injuries caused by unruly fans. However, on this night, the 40th time Aerosmith has performed in the City of Brotherly Love, the concert ended without any incidents requiring medical attention.
Although there were some minor technical hiccups typical of opening nights, such as Tyler starting the chorus of Dream On too early and Perry’s guitar momentarily failing during the iconic riff of Walk This Way, the concert was an overwhelming success. Perry’s exceptional performance on vocals and guitar during a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Stop Messin’ Round showcased his musical brilliance, and Tyler’s harmonica solo on Hangman Jury was nothing short of masterful.
While drummer Joey Kramer chose to opt out of the farewell tour to focus on his family and health, John Douglas stepped in seamlessly to fill the position. Bassist Tom Hamilton received a thunderous ovation as he played the iconic bass intro to Sweet Emotion, solidifying its status as one of the most recognizable bass lines in rock history. Adding to the spectacle, large props, including an elephant, frog, gnome, and teddy bear, descended from the ceiling during the performance of Toys In The Attic.
One cannot discuss Aerosmith’s legacy without mentioning their groundbreaking collaboration with rap group Run-D.M.C. on the hit song Walk This Way in 1986. This collaboration is widely regarded as instrumental in bridging the gap between rock and rap music, symbolized in the music video where the two acts literally demolish a wall between them while performing together. The performance of Walk This Way during the farewell tour’s opening night was marked by a shower of confetti and streamers, ending with Tyler playfully grabbing a piece of confetti and eating it.
As the opening act, The Black Crowes delivered an hour-long set, dominated by Rich Robinson’s powerful guitar playing, at times overpowering his brother Chris’ vocals. Adjustments in sound mixing would have allowed for a more balanced performance.
Aerosmith’s farewell tour started with a bang, reinforcing their status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Fans eagerly await the remaining shows, cherishing one last chance to experience the magic of Aerosmith before they become a cherished memory in the annals of music history.
