Aerosmith Cancels Summer Tour
Aerosmith is the latest big name act to cancel the rest of its summer tour this summer, just a week after frontman Steven Tyler fell from the stage during a concert in Sturgis, SD.
According to a statement sent out by the band’s representatives, “Doctors have advised the lead singer to take the time to properly recuperate from the accident that resulted in a broken shoulder and stitches to his head. In his current condition, Tyler is unable to tour and the band wants to give him time to get healthy.”
Tyler was injured on Aug. 5 after he lost his footing while the band was performing “Love In An Elevator” at a Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Western South Dakota.
“Words can’t express the sadness I feel for having to cancel this tour,” said guitarist Joe Perry. “I would like to thank our loyal fans for sticking by us through thick and thin and all the good energy they are sending our way. We hope we can get the Aerosmith machine up and running again as soon as possible.”
He added, “I sure am going to miss playing with ZZ Top just as I’m sure the fans are going to miss seeing them playing with us as well. Hope to see you sooner than later. My hat’s off to our crew for putting up with this crazy stop and start tour. In my estimation, it was one of the best looking and best run tours we’ve ever had.”
The World Has Lost Les Paul Passes
New York, NY…August 13, 2009…Les Paul, acclaimed guitar player, entertainer and inventor, passed away today from complications of severe pneumonia at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York, surrounded by family and loved ones. He had been receiving the best available treatment through this final battle and in keeping with his persona, he showed incredible strength, tenacity and courage. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the thoughts and prayers from his dear friends and fans. Les Paul was 94.
Guitar maker Gibson announced his death, detailing that the legend was surrounded by family and loved ones at the time.
Credited with pioneering the development of the solid-body electric guitar and “the sound of rock ‘n’ roll”, Les Paul was also considered the father of multi-track recording recording and the eight track and is the only person to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
One of the foremost influences on 20th century sound and responsible for the world’s most famous guitar, the Les Paul model, Les Paul’s prestigious career in music and invention spans from the 1930s to the present. Though he’s indisputably one of America’s most popular, influential, and accomplished electric guitarists, Les Paul is best known as an early innovator in the development of the solid body guitar. His groundbreaking design would become the template for Gibson’s best-selling electric, the Les Paul model, introduced in 1952. Today, countless musical legends still consider Paul’s iconic guitar unmatched in sound and prowess. Among Paul’s most enduring contributions are those in the technological realm, including ingenious developments in multi-track recording, guitar effects, and the mechanics of sound in general.