Aerosmith Joey Blocked from Band Rehearsal by Security Guards
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4:19 PM PT -- We've obtained video from over the weekend showing Joey arrive at an Aerosmith Grammy rehearsal in L.A. only to be turned away by two security guards. The guards make it clear, they were given the orders to refuse Joey's entry by the other 4 members of the band.
Joey says he was given a rehearsal schedule from the band on January 18 and flew to L.A. the next day ... that's where the video picks up.
Joey tells TMZ, "The band waited until January 15th to tell me that they weren’t letting me play at the awards ceremonies this week. I can hold my head high knowing that I did the right thing – to fight for my right to celebrate the band’s success that I have dedicated the better part of my life to helping build."
He continues, "The band’s offer to allow me to participate in this week’s MusiCares and Grammy celebrations for red carpet photo ops only, is appreciated; however, with a fill-in drummer playing on stage at two events honoring our collective musical contributions, it is extremely hurtful to me. I am a professional musician who is eager to return to my rightful place with Aerosmith."
2:36 PM PT -- A rep for Aerosmith tells us the band won't be commenting as they consider it a family matter.
Aerosmith's drummer, Joey Kramer, got shut down in court ... after a judge ruled against him rejoining the band for its upcoming Grammy performance.
The judge said Joey didn't make a convincing enough case for playing with bandmates when they take the stage for Sunday's award show, and also for Saturday night's MusiCares gala.
In his ruling, the judge seemed to agree with Aerosmith's stance that Joey's just too rusty for a live performance at this point. He said, "Given that Kramer has not played with the band in 6 months and the dearth of available rehearsal time before the upcoming performances, Kramer has not shown a realistic alternative course of action sufficient to protect the band's business interests."
Aerosmith We Still Want Joey at Grammys ... He Just Can't Perform
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3:38 PM PT -- We just obtained a statement from Aerosmith, saying, "We would be doing a disservice to Joey, to ourselves and to our fans to have him play without adequate time to prepare and rehearse. Compounding this, he chose to file a lawsuit on the Friday night of the holiday weekend preceding the Grammys with total disregard for what is our limited window to prepare to perform these important events."
The statement continues, "Given his decisions he is unfortunately unable to perform but of course we have invited him to be with us for both the Grammys and our MusiCares honor. We are bonded together by much more than our time on stage."
12:09 PM PT -- Our Aerosmith sources say the group tried actively for months to get Joey back -- and would have loved to have had him join the Grammy performance -- but he just couldn't get it together in time and left the band with no other choice.
10:54 AM PT -- Joey tells TMZ, "Being prohibited from playing with a band that I have given 50 years of my life to supporting, is beyond devastating. This is not about money. I am being deprived of the opportunity to be recognized along with my peers, for our collective, lifetime contributions to the music industry. Neither the MusiCares’ Person of the Year Award nor the Grammys’ Lifetime Achievement honors can ever be repeated."
He continues, "I hope our fans can understand that all I’m trying to do is get back to playing with the band that they love – and that’s Aerosmith with all five original members. The greatest magic and success of Aerosmith happens when all the band’s founding members are together in the house."
Finally, Joey says, "To be removed from my rightful place on stage to celebrate our success – a success that acknowledges my own life’s work, is just plain wrong."
9:48 AM PT -- Sources close to the band tell TMZ, Kramer was given multiple opportunities to rejoin the group over the last several months, but always backed out. We're told Joey finally recorded a tape for Steven, Joe, Tom and Brad to hear earlier this month, but they didn't feel his drumming was up to par.
Our sources say it's no coincidence Joey filed the suit against the band now ... they're scheduled to play the Grammys, and Joey clearly wanted some TV time.
Even though there's conflict, we're told the group -- including Joey -- is a brotherhood, and the door is still open for him to rejoin in the coming months ... as long as his drumming skills return to full potential.
Joey's legal team made a request Monday to get a judge to allow him to rehearse with Aerosmith, but no final decision was made ... the case will be heard again Tuesday.
Aerosmith's drummer Joey Kramer -- who's been with the band since it formed in 1970 -- is being kicked around like a rag doll by the other members, who are unfairly blocking him from rejoining the band before some once-in-a-lifetime events ... according to a new lawsuit.
Joe Perry Back In the Saddle After Medical Emergency
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Joe Perry is back in the saddle again ... because we've learned the famed Aerosmith guitarist is finally home after being hospitalized following a scary scene at a concert.
Sources close to Joe tell TMZ ... Perry was released from the hospital Thursday and is now home resting.
We broke the story ... Joe collapsed backstage last weekend after a guest gig with Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden, and paramedics wheeled Joe out on a stretcher.
We're told doctors ran a series of tests and determined the 68-year-old was suffering from a combo of allergies and fatigue. We're told Joe's had breathing issues his whole life.
It's great news for Aerosmith fans ... with Joe on the mend, the band's upcoming Vegas residency is still a go.
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Joe Perry Rushed to Hospital After Performing with Billy Joel at MSG
9:50 AM PT -- Sources connected to Joe tell TMZ, he's been having "breathing issues for the last few weeks and it came to a head last night." We're told it involves congestion in the lungs.
Our sources say Joe is still in the hospital but "he's awake, doing well and could be released as early as Sunday afternoon."
Joe Perry was wheeled out of Madison Square Garden on a stretcher Saturday night after performing with Billy Joel.
Eyewitnesses tell TMZ, Joe had just finished "Walk This Way" with Billy Joel onstage and went back to his dressing room. A source connected with the concert tells TMZ, Joe collapsed and "looked terrible."
Paramedics rushed to the scene and worked on the 68-year-old for around 40 minutes in his dressing room. We're told they put a tracheal tube down his throat to clear the airway. There was panic in the dressing room, and one eyewitness says "Joe did not look good."
Paramedics put the famed Aerosmith guitarist on a stretcher, gave him oxygen and rushed him to a hospital.
We're told Billy Joel was still on stage in the final minutes of his concert and was unaware of the emergency. Paramedics and security had to clear a path to get out of MSG because there were so many people around.
We do not know Joe's condition.
We got Joe out back in August and he was in good spirits.
Aerosmith has been planning a Las Vegas residency for 2019. Joe and Steven Tyler have had a volcanic relationship, but they have been good lately and have been looking forward to their Sin City concerts.
Story developing.
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Steven Tyler Hey Trump, You're Really Livin' on the Edge ... Stop or Else!!!
Steven Tyler is done giving Donald Trump chances ... the Prez better stop using Aerosmith's songs at campaign rallies ... and that means now!
We got Steven and his GF Aimee Friday in Bev Hills, going into Optometrix, when our photog asked about his repeated demands that Trump stop using songs like "Livin' on the Edge" and "Dream On" at various campaign rallies.
Trump has ignored the demands, and clearly Steven has had it up to here. His lawyers fired off 2 cease and desist letters during the 2016 Presidential campaign as well.
Tyler's lawyers fired off a letter to Trump Wednesday, telling the Prez to cut the crap .. this after "Livin' on the Edge" was played Tuesday at a West Virginia rally.
Tyler tweeted ...
THIS IS NOT ABOUT DEMS VS. REPUB. I DO NOT LET ANYONE USE MY SONGS WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. MY MUSIC IS FOR CAUSES NOT FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS OR RALLIES. PROTECTING COPYRIGHT AND SONGWRITERS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR EVEN BEFORE THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TOOK OFFICE.
@IamStevenT
The scene in WV before Trump’s rally. Aerosmith’s “Livin’ on the edge” playing. pic.twitter.com/HW1qr9TBgE
@Acosta
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Aerosmith Closing Out 2018 MTV VMAs ... Sneak Peak of Vegas?
Aerosmith will be the closing act for the 2018 VMAs this week -- and it might very well give us a glimpse of what's to come in Vegas.
Sources close to the band tell us Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and co. are taking the stage Monday night at Radio City Music Hall in NYC to close out MTV's award show. We're told they're going to be performing their smash hit "Walk This Way."
We got the band out in NYC Monday ... and each member seemed to drop hints at a possible collab for their performance.
Considering the size of the venue, it'll be the perfect warm-up for Aerosmith ... the band's got a Vegas residency coming up. As we reported ... the band announced they'll be hitting the strip next Spring and putting on 18 shows at the MGM Grand Park Theater ... which seats 5,200 people.
RCMH seats more people -- a skosh over 6,000 -- but is significantly smaller in square footage. All in all ... we're guessing it'll be good practice for the Boys from Boston on a smaller stage than what they're normally used to. Might as well get it in early and often.
Also noteworthy ... Aerosmith had a pretty epic opening performance at the VMAs in 1999, where they also played "Walk This Way" ... but had some help from Kid Rock and Run-D.M.C.
Funny how history repeats itself sometimes ... in reverse.
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Steven Tyler Fans Go Crazy As Aerosmith Announces Vegas Residency
If you're wondering if people will flock to see Aerosmith in Vegas, look no further than exhibit A on the "Today" show ... where fans literally couldn't keep their hands off the band.
Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and co. were making their way onto the NBC morning show set Wednesday to talk about the residency with a sea of people around them begging for high fives and cheering them on. One daring spectator actually crossed the barricade to bum-rush Steven for a selfie.
Gotta say, he handled it like a pro ... sloughing him off with ease and keeping it moving without incident. If this dude thought he could get away with that ... Steven pretty much told him to dream on. He basically said as much on Twitter, anyway.
No time, bro-this is LIVE TELEVISION! Come to the show if you want an intimate experience 🖐🏼👍🏼 #AerosmithToday https://t.co/t01QU5RwOu
@IamStevenT
As for the big news ... Aerosmith is dubbing their Vegas show, Deuces Are Wild, with concerts beginning on April 6, 2019 at the Park Theater at the Park MGM on the strip and scheduled to run through July.
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Steven Tyler Big Prayers for Aretha
Aretha Franklin has just about everyone praying for her -- and that includes Steven Tyler, who's got a sweet message for the Queen of Soul.
We got Aerosmith's frontman and his girlfriend, Aimee, on the streets of NYC Monday and it seems our camera guy broke the news that Aretha was gravely ill from cancer and not expected to last the day. Although shocked ... he was eloquent and heartfelt.
Steven -- who's about to officially announce a Vegas residency with his band that starts next Spring -- offers out a sick rendition of Aretha's most famous song.
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'Walking Dead' Star Aerosmith Is My Karaoke Jam ... Dream On???
Jesus wants to rock and who's gonna tell him he can't?
Thomas Payne, aka Jesus on "The Walking Dead," busted out a surprise performance last weekend of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." Thomas and a bunch of other 'Dead' stars were in Iselin, NJ for a fan convention.
We're told TP was drinking at the hotel bar when he decided to jump on stage with the local faves, Chapter 2 Band, and did his best Steven Tyler impression. We'll say this -- he went for it.
Thomas was on a roll -- he also belted R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly."
He did all this singing while complaing about a stomach ache. Not that you can tell. Much.
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Steven Tyler Ric Flair's Totally 'Full of Sh*t' Didn't Bang 10,000 Chicks!!
Steven Tyler's banged an astronomical amount of groupies over the years -- but even he's calling B.S. on Ric Flair's claim that he got 10,000 chicks to ride "Space Mountain."
We got the Aerosmith legend leaving LAX ... and you can tell he thought The Nature Boy's number was comical -- joking he had him beat before comparing him to rockstar Gene Simmons (who says he slept with 5,000 chicks himself).
But Tyler hit Naitch with a low blow before he rode off into the night, telling TMZ Sports how he really feels -- "that guy's full of sh*t."
As for Steven's number ... sorry, guys -- he was "too busy getting high" to count.
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Benjamin Netanyahu Meets Aerosmith, Lays On the Jokes! 'You Don't Wanna Miss This'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Aerosmith this week, and the man's got jokes.
Steven Tyler and co. got to meet the PM after performing in Tel Aviv Wednesday night, and Netanyahu was quick to point out he's more Bostonian than them. Most of the band's from New York ... Bibi went to MIT and worked in Beantown for 2 years.
Netanyahu went on to show the guys some cool memorabilia in his office ... and, of course, got back in the saddle to lay on some Aerosmith jokes.
Watch what happens when someone asks the guys to sing for him. Sorry, Ben ... dream on.
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Steven Tyler If I Read Joe Perry's Book It's Gonna Be War
Steven Tyler's not trying to derail the gravy train that is Aerosmith ... which is why he doesn't want to know if he gets slammed in guitarist Joe Perry's new autobiography.
We asked Steven outside Bar Louie in Nashville Wednesday night ... if he's gonna read the book, and his answer was pretty simple -- "HELL NO!"
Check out the clip though -- his explanation kinda explains how he and Joe have kept the band together for 44 years.
On the other hand -- Steven also said he loves bossing around his band mates ... which should go over well during their next tour.
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Corey Feldman Sorry, Steven Tyler ... This Is Gonna Hurt [VIDEO]
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears ... is exactly what Corey Feldman did during a recent karaoke sesh in Hollywood -- and we got the painful footage.
Corey hit up Whiskey Blu Wednesday, where anyone -- even Corey -- can sing karaoke with a live band. He opted to jam out on the Aerosmith classic, "Dream On."
We'll say this for Feldman ... he brought some energy to the stage -- and even dared to attempt Steven Tyler's legendary scream.
Attempt.
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Aerosmith Drummer Joey Kramer Heart Problems Band Cancels Tour Dates
Joey Kramer -- the drummer for Aerosmith -- had heart complications Tuesday and the band has cancelled some upcoming shows ... TMZ has learned.
A source close to the band tells us ... Kramer has had heart issues in the past.
A member of the crew told us ... the 64-year-old will undergo heart surgery, but we could not confirm that.
The group has now cancelled the Concord, CA concert scheduled for Wednesday night.
We're also told members of the crew have been told the Washington show -- scheduled for Saturday -- will also be cancelled.
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Joe Perry Vandalizes Wall Dude Looks Like a Tagger
Our street art sources tell us Perry contacted a local graffiti artist named RISK to scout locations where they could plaster the Aerosmith logo and "Let Rock Rule" ... the name of their upcoming tour.
Problem is it caused a major issue for the owner of the building -- who tells TMZ they were slated to do a photo shoot on the wall Perry defaced.
The owner says he's a big Aerosmith fan so he's not pressing charges -- but he had no idea about Perry's tagging mission ... and was forced to push back their client's shoot so they could paint over the wall ASAP (below).
Law enforcement sources tell us if Perry is caught in the act -- marketing or not -- he will be arrested for vandalism.
We reached out to Perry ... and in true rockstar fashion he said, "let the music do the talking."
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Steven Tyler Topless Hawaii Joyride How Many Naked Chicks Can You Count?
BOOB ALERT -- if you didn't already know it was Steven Tyler in this video ... you might think there were two topless chicks cruising around in the back of a Jeep Wrangler like drunk high schoolers.
The person who shot the footage tells TMZ, he honestly believed he was being tailed by a car with two topless women -- until the Jeep got close enough for him to see ... it was actually Steven.
It's unbelievable. You can even hear Steven singing at the top of his lungs.
We've said it before ... but this time, dude really looked like a lady.