Knowing when to shut it down is a skill that not every rock singer has. While some call it a day before their time is up, others wait too long and end up damaging their reputation. That's why last week's announcement that Aerosmith will retire from touring for good due to 76-year-old singer Steven Tyler's ongoing vocal problems hit Sammy Hagar so hard.
During a show on Hagar's Best of All Worlds tour with drummer Jason Bonham, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and guitar god Joe Satriani at Michigan's Pine Knob Music Theater on Friday, Hagar, 76, take a moment to acknowledge the then-new information and give Aerosmith props for their longevity and spirit.
“We had some crazy news today. We got here this afternoon sometime and we're all sitting backstage and a friend of ours who works for Aerosmith came over and said, “Yeah, Aerosmith called the office today. They gave up. They stopped.” God bless them,” Hagar said according to fan video of the moment. “It's a horrible thing. What a f–king big loss.”
Hagar recalled the time in 1973 when Montrose's band opened for Aerosmith at Detroit's Cobo Hall (now Huntington Place) at a time when the redneck rocker had no idea who Boston's Dream On was. “They sold Kobo, and I'll be like, 'Who are these guys?'” Hagar recalled saying. So we did our show, did an encore and played “Helter Skelter” for our encore. And Aerosmith come in and they open with 'Helter Skelter'. Steven and I have been friends ever since.”
In summary, Hagar added, “we love these guys. We all grew up with these guys. You grew up with them, we grew up with them, Mike and I. They've been our Van Halen competitors for 10 years. Do you know what I'm saying? “F-those kids.” No, no, no, but we really like them. We're just mad at them. But anyway, what a shame.”
Three months after rescheduling the remaining dates of their Peace Out farewell tour, Aerosmith announced their official departure from the tour on Friday due to frontman Steven Tyler's ongoing vocal cord injury. “It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith. Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark was ignited and has been burning for over five decades. Some of you have been with us since the beginning and all of you are the reason we made rock 'n' roll history,” the statement began. “It was the honor of our lives that our music became a part of yours. In every club, on every massive tour and in moments both grand and private, you have given us a place on the soundtrack of your life.”
The Walk This Way team said Tyler has spent “months of tirelessly working to get his voice back to where it was before his injury,” but said it became clear a full recovery wasn't going to happen. “We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as brothers – to retire from the touring scene,” they wrote.
Hagar said the tough call for a permanent stop on the road was honorable and rare. “It's sad, but honest to God, my hat's off to one of the greatest rock and roll singers of all time, Mr. Steven Tyler, for saying, 'I can't sing anymore. I gave up,” Hagar said before taking a veiled swing at other, unnamed, aging rockers who continued to tour past their prime while making a bold prediction about himself.
“F–k yes! Listen, this is honorable – this is a worthy king. The day I can't sing anymore, I'll do the same thing. And that's what many other mothers should have done a long time ago,” Hagar said. Sammy and the band then, naturally, launched into the Beatles' “Helter Skelter,” which Hagar screamed with his signature stitched-up vigour.
Aerosmith only got three dates into their swan song outing last year before being forced to reschedule the tour due to Tyler's larynx injury.
Watch a video of Agar's comments below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/sammy-hagar-props-aerosmith-steven-tyler-retirement-1235746677/