Aerosmith’s back in the saddle again

By John Katsilometes (contact)

Friday, July 24, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Chris Morris

Aerosmith is on one of those extended tours that serve no purpose other than to bring the band once more to the masses. Its most recent album of studio originals, “Just Push Play,” was released eight years ago.

Determined not to leave anything on the court, the twilight-entering “Bad Boys From Boston” return to Las Vegas on Saturday night for a one-off show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Those sharp-dressed men from ZZ Top open.

Toxicity

Especially during its original heyday, in the mid-1970s when “Dream On” and “Walk This Way” were hits, Aerosmith was derided as a “poor-man’s Rolling Stones.” Indeed, the band has always had the same number of members as the Stones, five. Frontman Steven Tyler (whose original name was also a fine stage name, Steven Victor Tallarico) looked quite like Mick Jagger and even borrowed from Jagger’s preening, rooster-like dance moves. The band even emulated the Stones’ wild, abusive offstage lifestyle, as Tyler and lead guitarist Joe Perry for years were known as the “Toxic Twins” for their drug abuse. The entire band entered drug and alcohol treatment facilities in the mid-1980s, a move credited with reenergizing their career (reports of Perry reentering a treatment facility in May 2008 for substance abuse have not been substantiated, as he has stated he entered a rehabilitation clinic to recover from multiple leg and foot surgeries).

Don’t want to miss a thing

As a band, Aerosmith has pulled itself off the mat more times than Rocky Balboa in his two fights with Apollo Creed. The most notable comeback was the creative brainstorm with Run-DMC in 1986, which resulted in a terrific recording and video of the then decade-old “Walk This Way.” The album “Permanent Vacation” went No. 11, which led to the quadruple-platinum “Pump,” released just as the roller coaster 1980s drew to a close.

Three things to know about Joe Perry

The 59-year-old lead guitarist is left-handed, but plays right-handed. He played on Gene Simmons’ solo album in 1978 (every member of Kiss embarked on these unique, mixed-bag projects). A lifelong Republican, he endorsed the John McCain/Sarah Palin presidential ticket in 2008.

Same old song and dance

The band took root in 1964, when Tyler formed a band called the Stranguers. The band soon changed its name to Chain Reaction. Tyler played drums and began writing songs. Covers of the Beatles, Stones, Animals and Yardbirds formed the core of the set list.

Today’s Aerosmith

Since its mid-1980s comeback, Aerosmith has built a reputation as one of the best live acts among veteran rock bands. But there have been complaints of sluggish performances on the current tour, and the relatively skimpy hourlong performance (especially for a band with stacks of hits) has left fans wanting. At one point in the show, Perry has “competed” against himself as depicted in “Guitar Hero.” But when the band tears into “Draw the Line,” all is forgiven.