From the vaults

This concert review was written for Wissahickon High School's student newspaper, the Trojan Times, in 2002.

Aerosmith rocks the Tweeter

With one of the most tumultuous careers in rock music history, it is simply amazing that Aerosmith even managed to take the stage on Saturday, September 7th at Camden’s Tweeter Center.

The band of Boston natives, recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, released their self-titled debut album in 1973. They stumbled along the road to fame in the early 80’s, but have since made a startling comeback - sparked by Run-DMC’s hip-hop rendition of the classic “Walk This Way” in 1987.

Not only have they become rock icons in their own right; the boys of Aerosmith, all over fifty years old, can still stomp out the jams with the best of them. From the raucous set opener “Toys In The Attic” to the immortal “Sweet Emotion;” from the power ballad “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (the band’s biggest hit to date) to the crowd favorite “Dude (Looks Like A Lady),” Aerosmith has cemented their status as one of the greatest American rock bands of the last thirty years.

Steven Tyler sang with abandon, a feat that is rare for a performer of his age. He swaggered and strutted across the stage, at times riding his trademark tasseled microphone stand like a horse. Most importantly, you could tell he was having fun up there.



Guitarist Joe Perry was in equally fine form that night. Perry was especially impressive during his many extended solos throughout the show, and once took a turn in front of the mic with the Eric Clapton-esque “Stop Messin’ Around.” He and Tyler shared a chemistry that exuded energy for the sweaty crowd of thousands.

There were many surprising highlights during the show. In the middle of their set, Steven Tyler shouted to all the fans on the lawn, “We’re coming to you!” The house lights went down, and the band soon appeared on a small stage in the middle of the Tweeter’s lawn seating area to perform three of their best, including the anthemic “Dream On.”

An unprecedented encore closed out the already unforgettable concert. A set list full of variety and energy culminated in one of the greatest finales I have ever seen. Opening acts Kid Rock and Run-DMC joined Aerosmith onstage for a truly rocking performance of “Walk This Way,” a perfect blend of rock and rap that will never be matched by the likes of Korn or Limp Bizkit.

For all the positives of the night, however, one thing remains constant: Steven Tyler is still as hideous as he was thirty years ago, and years of drugs and a life on the road have not been kind. But the music remains ageless.