COCKED, LOCKED, READY TO ROCK

September 16, 2010

Celebrating 40 years as mainstays in rock, the Bad Boys of Boston hit up Vancouver on Thursday night capping their Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock tour.

The stadium grew dark, lights started to flash and music vibrated through the foundation as Steven Tyler in all his eccentric glory got down to business with "Same Old Song and Dance".

It may be routine for America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band, but for the thousands of dedicated fans packed into Rogers Arena it was a night to remember.

Clad in a glittering trench coat, silver bell bottoms, sunglasses, and a top hat, Tyler hit the stage running. He did most of the jumping and dancing while his bandmates Joe Perry, Brad, Whitford, Tom Hamilton, and Joey Kramer stuck with what they do best.

Having survived their debauchery-filled early years, the now legendary rockers continue to set a high precedent for live hard rock shows. Bounding around the stage like an aerobics instructor on Prozac, Tyler's signature wail carried favourites such as "Love in an Elevator" and "Jaded".

The group's timeless hits and limitless energy filled the arena with young and old fans alike.

"Cryin'" enticed a stadium-wide singalong that was followed by Kramer's drum solo during which he threw his sticks into the chaos of the floor crowd and proceeded to finish drumming with his arms and forehead.

Giving fans a chance to appreciate the band's undeniable talents that have sold over 150 albums, Perry followed with a solo of his own. A rare breed of guitarist and prolific musician, Perry is truly in a league of his own.

Of course a night full of Aerosmith classics had to include "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", which is surprisingly the group's only number one single to date. Out came the lighters and memories of young love in the late 90's as clips from Armageddon flashed across the screen.

Wrapping up the evening, the band paid homage to the Beatles with a brilliant tribute, covering "Come Together". Cheered back for an encore the band hit it out of the stadium, capping a night of highlights with "Chip Away at the Stone" and "Dream On".

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts hit all the right chords with with an hour opening set that included "Bad Reputation" and "I Love Rock n' Roll", which caused the stadium to erupt like a packed bar on a Saturday night when the local band throws out the classic hit.

The veteran rocker, in her trademark black ensemble was every bit the young rebel who first broke out with The Runaways, paving the way for women in a male dominated genre.

Both acts have stood the test of time and are still rocking well into their fifth and sixth decades. Fans left the arena buzzing, the finale "Walk This Way" playing in a continuous loop in their heads.

It's unclear what the future holds for Aerosmith as rumours of rifts and splits swirl. Regardless of whether they continue to rock long past senior citizenship, tonight's Vancouver show was certainly one for the record books.