To start this week, I learned that Steven Tyler has left Aerosmith and even more amazingly the band actually thinks they can go on without him after reading this in Rolling Stone. Apparently their break up is messy- their has been tension it the band since their summer tour disaster when Tyler fell and broke his shoulder on stage. During their last several stops (which Tyler only played in because of contractual obligations) he traveled separately, refused to rehearse and left November 1st after their concert in Abu Dhabi without talking to anyone in the band planning on launching a new solo "Brand Tyler". Now, the band has split before- in 1979 and 1981 guitatists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford left the band and were replaced (but the band was completely unproductive during this time), but returned in 1983. To me, this is very different. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler would be like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger (which no one would want to see!)- his voice is the heart and soul of the band (combined with other things of course) and very distinct. Joe Perry has compared this to Led Zeppelin continuing after the tragic loss of John Bohnam. However, Bonham was the drummer, not the lead singer. Their have been some bands that have successfully endured a lead singer change (Pink Floyd twice, Alice in Chains, Deep Purple, Styx, Van Halen, Genesis, AC/DC) but there also have been lots that haven't- The Doors actually released 2 albums and toured following Jim Morrison's death (but neither album has even been re-released on CD and getting air play is completely out of the question if that tells you anything about their success....). Given their success (best-selling American hard rock band of all time with more than 150 million albums worldwide, hold the record for the most gold and multi-platinum albums by an American group, 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, nine #1 Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards) I have a hard time believing they will stay spilt- but if they do- please follow the path of the Foo Fighters (formed by former Nirvana members after Cobain's death) instead of Journey... Besides is anyone else sick of bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Marshall Tucker Band that tour around with no original members??
So, I was kinda suprised by the strong reaction of Marat Safin who angrily asserted that Andre Agassi should forfeit his career titles and prize money after confessing he used crystal meth during his early playing days. Agassi tested positive for crystal meth is 1997 and avoided a 3 month suspension by duping the ATP into believing his story that he accidently drank one of his assistant's spiked colas. While I find the ATP's acceptance of his BS story and willingness to sweep it under the rug disgusting, I have to say I think Safin is a moron who is bitter Agassi's career was far better than his (Agassi won 8 grand slams including the career grand slam and over $31 mil in prize money which is 3rd all time; Safin won 2 grand slams) even though Safan was a very good player and ranked #1 in the world at one point. My reasoning is this, while taking crystal meth is a big deal the fact of the matter is it is not a performance enhancing drug (and it does a hell of a lot of harm) like Barry Bonds took. Agassi was known as an arrogant, wild, brat during his early playing days but matured into a different person as he aged. There are plenty of professional athletes that have been linked to recreational drug use, none more decorated that Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, who justified his pot use as a way to control his migraine headaches (and I have never heard someone say that Kareem needs to return his 6 NBA championship and 3 NCAA championship rings!).What about the Pittsburg drug trials and the cocaine use that plagues baseball in the 1980s (Tim Rains admittied to keeping a GRAM of cocaine in his back pocket during games!!!)? Dave Parker was one of the players suspended for the season, only to have it dropped when he agreed to do community service, and believe it or not he got to keep his 2 world series rings and 1978 NL MVP award. So, by following this precedent- Agassi has done more than enough to clear his name by now and show he has changed since his earlier days. Roy Johnson thinks Agassi is the most charitable athlete of this generation, Agassi has founded a K-12 school for disadvantaged youth which has a 100% college acceptance rate, raised over $60 million for disadvantaged youth through his foundation, founded the Cottage for Medically Fragile Children, dounded Athletes for Hope and has been awarded the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award- I would say that qualifies as community service. Let's blame the ATP too for this- if they bought Agassi's excuse so easily, how many other players could have been taking other drugs and getting away with it?? And what's equally disturbing is that the ATP recently dropped a cocaine related suspension of Richard Gasquet, who won his argument that his positive test was due to kissing a woman in a nightclub in Miami. Apparently, in this case, history repeats itself when it comes to the ATPs ability to enforce its drug related policies. And I got to give props to Gasquet for his creativity in coming up with his excuse...Jay-Z will be in Nashville, TN on Friday (Nov 13) performing at Vandy....
Blues legend B.B. King has announced the whole schedule for his 2009/2010 tour. B.B. is 84 years old this year and still going strong, amazing...
In NFL action, the Pats and the Colts renew their rivalry on Sunday with the Colts undefeated record on the line. These teams have had so many memorable regular season and playoff games over the past few years (including my favorite: the 21-6 New England playoff win when the fans started a "Cut than meat" chant that lasted the entire 4th quarter in response to Peyton's mastercard commercial) and it is always a treat to watch the 2 best QBs in the game square off...
Alabama and Florida both try to stay focused on their current opponents with the SEC championship looming... Should be a great game with a national championship berth on the line, be sure to check out us for tickets if you are going...
As always be sure to post any good upcoming shows and events you know of, and be sure to check out the "Near You" Tab on our homepage, http://www.roosterfly.com/, for tickets to upcoming events in your area.
Till next time,
MN
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