Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 29, 1993 TAG: 9309290077
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sorry, Axl. You just haven't earned it yet. Probably never will.
For sheer energy, stamina, wildness and stage presence, Tyler is peerless.
(That isn't counting Mick Jagger across the big pond.)
Then, of course, there is that cavernous mouth and those unbelievable howls. Together, the howls, the mouth, the energy make Tyler the consummate hard-rock bantam rooster.
"This is not MTV. This is in your face kicka-- rock 'n' roll," he told the audience of 9,750 Tuesday night at the Roanoke Civic Center.
Behind him, the rest of Aerosmith pounded out the jams like a freight train - the consummate American hard-rock band.
Tyler and company opened full throttle with "Eat the Rich" and never let up. From "Eat the Rich," the band mixed things up between new songs like "Love in an Elevator" and "F.I.N.E." and old standbys like "Back in the Saddle."
Unlike that of so many veteran bands, Aerosmith's new material, for the most part, was equally as strong as its signature songs, such as "Back in the Saddle" and others.
That is a tribute to the group's endurance. Aerosmith has been at it now for 20-plus years. In fact, the highlight from early in Tuesday's show was a new song, "Cryin'," and it received the most enthusiastic reception.
The two-hour set really took off, though, with "Janie's Got a Gun." From there "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)," "Dream On" and "Walk This Way" followed. The encore included "Living on the Edge," "Sweet Emotion" and "Train Kept a Rollin'."
Throughout, Tyler's dancing and prancing antics were anchored by Joe Perry's ferocious lead guitar work. Arguably, there isn't a better hard-rock axeman in America than Perry, either.
Sorry, Slash.
Sorry, Guns N' Roses. Roanoke has seen both the Guns N' Roses and Aerosmith shows this year. Head-to-head, Aerosmith was the clear winner.
4 Non Blondes opened Tuesday night's show.
Mostly because of lead singer Linda Perry, the four-member band seemed an oddly appropriate match with Aerosmith.
Although her vocal style differs considerably from Aerosmith's Tyler, Perry shares the same ability to seemingly stress her vocals cords to the brink of ripping apart.
It is astounding that either singer can go out night after night and come back for more.
Perry's throat didn't appear any the worse for wear. She stretched every note until it curdled.
Say this about Perry, her singing is distinctive, almost indescribable. Somewhere between beautiful and a wounded wildebeest. Certainly an acquired taste.
Her singing was best on the group's best-known song, "What's Up," and on another number, "Spaceman."
But a little of Perry goes a long way. Fortunately, 4 Non Blondes played only 30 minutes. There wasn't a peep from the audience to bring the band back for an encore.
by CNB