Photos & review by David Sason
Forgive me for being terribly unhip, but Aerosmith is essential rock n’ roll. The Boston quintet’s first five albums from the ’70s and sporadic latter-day gems (“Cryin'”, the entire Pump album) hold up against the best of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Their dirty-blues-hard-rock style was in fine form on Saturday in Oakland, the kickoff of their Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock U.S. tour. Even with Joe Perry’s motorcycle accident just days before, quite simply, they destroyed. Newer and older sons sounded amazing, especially the raucous set-closers “Baby Please Don’t Go” (a Big Joe Williams cover) and 1977’s “Draw the Line”.
Despite his age and recent substance abuse struggles (which even prompted plans for his replacement), Steven Tyler was a dynamo. He was all twirls, scarves and still-formidable shrieks, with complete command over the audience for two hours straight. During a swaggering “Walk This Way”, Tyler took a red rose from a fan, chomped it off, then spit the pedals up in a shower of red. It was magnificent and a reminder that he may be the last rock god who wears leopard-skin tights and is NOT a joke.
Locals Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas opened the show with a tight, energetic & charming hour-long set that feature numbers from his solo years, Montrose, Van Halen (Van Hagar) and his new supergroup Chickenfoot (special guest Joe Satriani joined the band for “Sexy Little Thing”). The stars of this portion were the red rocker’s very successful Cabo Wabo brand of bars and tequila and the hot young waitresses serving him drinks between songs. This was an enjoyable reminder of the enduring success of party/carnival-themed rock shows. With uptempo feel-good songs and Hawaiian shirt sensibility, Hagar could be the next Jimmy Buffet. Mas tequila!—David Sason
Aerosmith setlist:Rats in the Cellar
Monkey on My Back
Love in an Elevator
Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)
Eat the Rich
Pink
Livin’ on the Edge
What It Takes
Janie’s Got a Gun
Last Child
Cryin’
Lord of the Thighs
Stop Messin’ Around
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
Sweet Emotion
Baby, Please Don’t Go
Draw the Line
Encore:
Dream On
Walk This Way
Toys in the Attic*
Sammy Hagar setlist
There’s Only One Way to Rock
I Can’t Drive 55
Why Can’t This Be Love
Space Station #5
Rock Candy
Bad Motor Scooter
Best Of Both Worlds
I’ve Done Everything for You
3 Lock Box
Whole Lotta Zep
Mas Tequila
Heavy Metal
Sexy Little Thing (with Joe Satriani)