"We headlined, but he kicked our ass": Joe Perry and Brad Whitford on the support act who blew Aerosmith off the stage

Joe Perry and Brad Whitford in conversation with Rick Beato
(Image credit: Rick Beato)

Aerosmith guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford have become the latest musicians to appear on YouTuber Rick Beato's ongoing series In The Room.

Over the course of a conversation that lasts over an hour and a half, Perry and Whitford discuss Aerosmith's long recording career and what Beato refers to as "the riffs, tones, and chemistry" of their 55-year partnership.

The pair also recall the problems Aerosmith had in being accepted in New York City, long after centres like Detroit had embraced them. One particular show, at the Schaefer Music Festival in 1974, is remembered vividly.

Brad Whitford: "We played once with Rory Gallagher in Central Park."

Joe Perry: "I don't wanna hear about that."

Whitford: "It was before we were accepted in New York at all. Rory Gallagher probably had one of the most stunning shows of his entire career."

Perry: "He kicked our ass. We headlined. He went on first, and he kicked our ass."

Whitford: "He went off stage. They made him come out for an encore. He did this encore. Went off. They made him come out again. Another encore. They wouldn't stop. He came out for three encores. Oh my god.

"And then we got on the stage, and I just remember watching people walk away before we even started playing. It was like the show's over, and who are these guys? They didn't care. I swear, it had to be one of his best concerts."

Perry: "If you listen to his records now, which I do, you can see why he was a live guy, man."

Other acts to have appeared on Beato's In The Room series include The Doors' Robby Krieger and John Densmore, Pearl Jam's Mike McCready and Jeff Ament, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Devin Townsend and Krist Novolselic.

In the Room with Aerosmith's Joe Perry & Brad Whitford - YouTube In the Room with Aerosmith's Joe Perry & Brad Whitford - YouTube
Watch On
Fraser Lewry
Online Editor, Classic Rock

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 39 years in music industry, online for 26. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.