The rock event of the summer is coming to Las Vegas when one of America’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands, Aerosmith, rejoins forces with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. Aerosmith has sold more than 150 million albums, won four Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The massive Aerosmith tour, presented by Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, will stop at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, July 25. The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. with special guests ZZ Top.
Aerosmith, featuring Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums), made history last year when Activision released Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. This marked the first music-based game built around the legendary music of Aerosmith. The groundbreaking partnership united “America’s greatest hard rock act” (Mojo, May ‘07) with the massively successful video game franchise. Sales exploded and broke records with Aerosmith reaching a new generation of fans.
This summer’s dates follow Aerosmith’s 2007 worldwide tour that encompassed 35 dates in 20 countries, including their first-ever concert in India. Highlights included the band headlining a crowd of 50,000 fans on the second night of Hard Rock Café’s London Calling event in Hyde Park. Known for its incomparable chemistry and trademark electrifying performances, Aerosmith also triumphantly performed in packed stadiums in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, and culminated their overseas domination with two unforgettable shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.
For more than 30 years Aerosmith has defined American rock ‘n’ roll. The band has earned countless awards including four Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Awards. The band has performed electrifying sold-out concerts around the world and has a worldwide fan-base numbering in the millions. The members of Aerosmith remain creatively vital and are the platinum standard for artistic and commercial success in the music business. Through it all, they have undeniably withstood the test of time. Aerosmith also is currently in studio working on a new album.
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, special guest ZZ Top features Billy F Gibbons (guitar/vocals), Dusty Hill (bass/vocals) and Frank Beard (drums). The band formed in 1969 and played its first show in February 1970 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont, Texas. The personnel line-up for “that little ole’ band from Texas” has not changed in the intervening years, a claim which no other major band can make. Along the way, the band has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2004), named Official Heroes of the State of Texas (1986) and cited for Best Group Video and Best Direction at the first MTV Video Music Awards. Texas Governor Ann Richards also declared May 4, 1991 as “ZZ Top Day” in their home state.
ZZ Top performed at the 1997 Super Bowl halftime show and their landmark album, Eliminator, was in the first group of recordings to achieve RIAA’s Diamond status in recognition of domestic sales in excess of 10 million units. Their latest album, Live From Texas, was released last year and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s music DVD chart.
The band members attribute their consistency to the fact that they are “the same three guys playing the same three chords.” Aerosmith’s Joe Perry also said, “I have always been a huge fan of ZZ Top. I toured with them with the Joe Perry Project and those shows were unforgettable. With ZZ Top on this bill, it will definitely kick us into overdrive.”
Tickets priced at $185.48, $95 and $55, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m. at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
