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A Thank You to Steven Tyler
Hi Friends,
Back in the early 1970s, REO Speedwagon was regularly booked to open for bigger bands who needed help selling tickets in the Midwest. We had no hits, but we were a pretty powerful band with plenty of loyal fans. It was not unusual for headliners to give us no monitors, maybe one spotlight, the dankest dressing rooms … they essentially sabotaged our performance. They wanted to draw our fans, they just didn’t like the competition.
Then in 1976, we were chosen to open for Aerosmith, and everything changed. On the first night of the tour, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry came to our dressing room, (which was stocked with beer and assorted munchies), introduced themselves and welcomed us to their tour. Perry and Richrath compared guitars. Steven invited us to join them after every show for a great meal, we were given all access to their party suite; they treated us with respect. Rather than mess with us, Steven and Joe wanted the best for us, as Aerosmith was not intimidated at all. They used the energy of the REO Speedwagon performance to lift them, they rocked extra hard as a result, and the audience was the ultimate winner.
The last time I saw Steven Tyler was a few years ago at the Sweden Rocks Festival. I was watching Aerosmith from the stage right wing, when he walked over during a guitar break and handed me a set of headphones with his monitor mix! That was cool.
I learned a lot from Steven Tyler. Any band who has opened for REO and been treated with love and respect has Steven to thank. As big a star as he is, whenever our paths have crossed there is always a good vibe and an acknowledgement of our long time connection. It seems impossible that the great Steven Tyler’s retirement will be permanent. He is such a force of nature. But if this is the time for him to hang up his scarves, then so be it and more power to him. He has given so much of himself, and left so much of himself on stages in venues all around the world. He has earned the right to take his final bow whenever he sees fit. I will be thinking of him as we rock his hometown of Boston tonight on our Summer Road Trip Tour. … kc
