The boys rock Rosemont.Story and Photos by Rob Grabowski
Aerosmith made their way back to the Chicago area for a sold out show at the Allstate Arena last night. With a completely revamped stage that had a catwalk snaking 25 rows down the center and into the adoring audiences laps. The stage was set-up this way to get intimate with their fans. After witnessing quite a few Aerosmith shows lately, this was by far the most energetic and connected audience yet.Emerging triumphantly on stage, the boys from Boston opened with the energetically charged "Beyond Beautiful" from their latest CD Just Push Play. Looking the part of elder statesman rock star, was the cunning linguist Steven Tyler. His partner-in-crime Joe Perry was always by his side. Next up the ever popular, "Love In An Elevator" followed up by their sexy new hit "Jaded." They continued their barrage of hits, old and new, with songs such as "Big Ten Inch Record," "Pink," "Mama Kin," "Chip Away At The Stone" and the timeless "Dream On." On "Eat the Rich" Joe Perry took the neck of his guitar and bent it against the stage making the shrieking chords sing with a newfound urgency.
He didn't forget to remind the audience to tune into ABC television on November 1st for "United We Stand" in which they will be performing among many other artists. Taking his shirt off, he lit the frets on his guitar and started to sing the chorus to the infectious "Drop Dead Gorgeous." "Draw The Line" got the female members of the audience in a hot and sweaty lather.
The band spat out hard-assed, slap-you-in-the-face rock n' roll on "Sunshine" and the classic video favorite "Cryin'." They let the syrup slowly drip on the radio friendly "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" which keeps increasing the emotional level of it's listeners each time this feathery ballad is played. The recent tragedies in New York and Washington have only made it's message clearer. No Aerosmith show would be complete with out the legendary "Walk This Way" strutting it's way onto the the dance floor. The crowds' cheers deafened the chorus until sanity reemerged for the dangerous "Livin' On The Edge" and the adventurous "What It Takes." The band had more tricks up their sleeves and brought out the legendary Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick to play an electrifying version of the Beatles classic "I'm Down" and finished the night off with a 15 minute rendition of "Train Kept A Rollin'."
Aerosmith are true entertainers that genuinely enjoy playing their music and taking their audience with them at the same time. The connection Tyler has with his fans usually finds them eating out of his hands almost every night. He is genuine and exudes confidence on stage and in his lyrics. Batman had Robin. The Lone Ranger had Tonto. Tyler has Joe Perry. He wields his six string with an angst and power that has not diminished over the years. Like baseball and apple pie Aerosmith is becoming a real part of Americana. As long as their train keeps rollin' cross your fingers that it makes a stop in your town.
