by Nicholas Tristan, Features Editor
The internet is full of amazing, uplifting stories, and we here at Psiphon Sessions believe in amplifying these awesome stories. We’ve compiled the stories of five awesome guys, just out there living their lives, who all happen to be in the American rock and roll band Aerosmith. Wow. Amazing.
1. Brad Whitford
Brad Whitford, in many ways, seems like an ordinary guy. But peel away that cool, collected facade and you’ll quickly find: Brad Whitford is anything but ordinary.
Brad Whitford doesn’t spend most of his days in an office, or out on a job site. No, Brad spends his days doing something much more special: playing rhythm guitar with the American rock and roll band Aerosmith. I know -- we can’t believe it either!
Brad joined the band in 1971, replacing original rhythm guitarist Ray Tabano. Uh -- talk about inspiring! Brad really exemplifies #goals! Since then, Brad has been an active member of the band, both playing the guitar and co-writing some songs.
Wow. Life can really surprise you sometimes.
2. Joe Perry
When you’re walking down the street, you probably pass a ton of guys who look like Joe Perry. But Joe Perry is different than your average joe. For one thing, Joe is a lifelong Republican who loves the music of Fleetwood Mac. For another thing, Joe is the lead guitarist with...get this, Aerosmith.
Yes, Aerosmith. The band that came up with such classics as “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”. That Aerosmith.
And it gets better! While Perry has been acclaimed as one of modern rock’s best lead guitarists, he also has a booming solo career? We all know Joe Perry’s Merry Christmas, right? The classic, timeless Christmas record?? Well, turns out that Joe Perry...recorded it.
Did we just blow your minds?
3. Joey Kramer
Joseph Michael "Joey" Kramer (born June 21, 1950) is the American drummer for the hard rock band Aerosmith.
4. Tom Hamilton
Playing the bass isn’t easy. Everyone know that! We’ve all walked down a street in a bustling urban metropolis to be met with tens, if not hundreds, of destitute bass players hawking their wares on the streets. It’s become a cliche.
So when se meet a bass player who’s been able to claw himself out of the muck and actually make it? Did someone turn on an oven, because our hearts are melting.
Tom Hamilton did more than just make it, though. He has his own apartment now, and by all accounts he’s able to keep up with rent payments and buying food for him and his family. The reason? He plays in a band, but not just any band -- he plays with Aerosmith.
You heard me. Aerosmith. The band. The real deal. Congratulations, Tom!
5. Zippy The Talking Squirrel
Well, it’s come to this: obviously, you know this lil’ guy in in Aerosmith. I mean, he’s their dang mascot! All Aerosmith gear, all their album covers, all their public appearances are just wall-to-wall Zippy! And can you blame the band for putting their best foot forward? Zippy is charismatic, handsome, and always has the best one-liners! For instance, remember when the band performed with Run DMC? And then at the end of the music video, Zippy ran out, threw a bunch of nuts at the rappers in Run DMC and said “Nuts to this crossover?” That was hysterical.
But Zippy is part of a trend in rock music we’re seeing less and less of: the adorable, animated squirrel mascot. In the good ol’ days, plenty of bands were fronted by an adorable talking squirrel with a lisp and an English accent: Pink Floyd, Poison, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. But now, it seems that only Aerosmith is carrying this torch. Another reason to support this up and coming rock sensation!
Rock on, Aerosmith.
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Nicholas Tristan is a Toronto-based writer, producer, composer, and podcaster. He is the Board Chair for Over Easy Airwaves, a digital broadcasting networking specializing in the weird and the wacky.