Desperate Times AI Music
The time is right for Alex Van Halen to join Aerosmith for a tour.
Guitarist Joe Perry recently talked about 50th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. In a new interview with Joe Rock of Long Island, New York’s 102.3 WBAB, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry was asked if he and his bandmates are planning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. Perry’s response was (as transcribed by Blabbermouth):
“Yeah, I think that… I don’t know if I’m not supposed to announce it or not, but we are gonna announce the tour, and it’s gonna start in September and will go into next year. And being one of the guys who votes on this kind of thing, it looks like we’re gonna do it. [Laughs]”
Drummer Joey Kramer recently announced in March of last year that he would sit out Aerosmith’s live activities in order to “focus his full attention on his family during these uncertain times.” Satriani was asked if Kramer will rejoin the band on the upcoming tour and he said:
“That’s probably one of the hardest things. I’ve gotta say drumming is probably one of the most athletic parts of playing in a band. So it’s really hard. It’s been mostly because he just physically [has been] just beating himself up over the last 50 years. So I don’t know. I mean, he’s still officially a member of the band, but I don’t think he’s gonna be sitting behind the drums, at least for this next run. Other than that, I really can’t say.”
With Joey Kramer temporarily departing the band, Alex Van Halen would be a great choice to step into his shoes as the live drummer as he isn’t playing with any band currently. However, there is a concern as Alex hasn’t performed live since Van Halen’s last tour in 2015.
Plans of Van Halen Tribute Tour were discussed with Alex Van Halen
Previously, there were talks of Van Halen’s Tribute concert and/or tour where Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth had talks with Joe Satriani. Satriani had confirmed that talks with Alex and David but that never materialized.
The news comes after former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted revealed that he’d been involved in the discussions, but had elected not to take part. Speaking to the Palm Beach Post, Newsted revealed that he’d flown to Los Angeles to jam with the other musicians, but that the project’s momentum had faltered.
“How could you?” Newsted asked. “There’s nobody that can top it, so how do you show it honour? I didn’t want it to be viewed as a money grab. And then it kind of just all fizzled.”
Satriani has reacted to Newsted’s revelations by confirming that talks did take place, and that the tour could still happen, during an interview with the Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen podcast to promote solo album The Elephants Of Mars.
“I’ve been talking with Alex and Dave for about a year about doing something,” he said. “A tour, something like that, that was gonna be a true tribute to Eddie and the Van Halen legacy.
“For me, it was a terrifying prospect of doing something like that, but I realised that it was something that would be a real labor of love for me. I was just so honoured to take on the challenge.
“And all I can really say about it is that if it does happen, I know we’ll make it the greatest thing ever for the fans and we’ll all celebrate together not only the great Eddie Van Halen but the legacy that that band created, the amazing amount of music and the goodwill and good vibes they created as a band.
“If it ever does happen, it will be a great honour and a terrifying challenge. Eddie, you can’t reproduce what he did. You can’t. You can learn the notes and you can be taught all the fingerings and get the gear and everything, but there was only one Eddie and he was the epitome of an original genius. But if it does happen, I know that Alex will make sure that it’s the right way to do it.”
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With Alex Van Halen having no plans solidified with a Van Halen tribute act, he’d be a perfect fit to play with Aerosmith. Do you agree?
