Sunday, April 1, 2012

A is for Aerosmith


Long before he ever made it to prime time television, Stephen Tyler was my idol.

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way. Without knowing Jessica's list, I can tell you our choices will be vastly different. Expect a lot of 80s cheese from me.

Perhaps more than any other decade, the 80s is imprinted on my memory - high school, first loves, and hairbands.

And then there was AEROSMITH. To this day, I don't have even a fraction of the band's impressive discography on my iPod. I don't even go out of my way to listen to them, though there's a number of songs that take me back to my youth and are still relevant to me today.

But I have been to seven Aerosmith concerts.

Yes, SEVEN.

Back in high school, I went to a lot of concerts. A lot. I've only seen a couple of artists more than once - and next to Aerosmith, nobody else comes close.

So what is it about Aerosmith? Maybe it's an impressive stage show. Or the way Stephen glides across the stage. I have no idea, but I bet when the band announces their 2013 tour dates, I'll be finding a gig close to home.

I like a whole bunch of Aerosmith songs (which I often forget until I hear them again) but I'll leave you with one of my favorites, Dream On.



Of course, I'd be remiss in not mentioning a more recent "A" influence. Much can be learned from the awesomeness that is ADELE. Including the power of song. Singing has helped her crawl from the darkness of a broken relationship, and allowed her the freedom to heal. Her lyrics are brilliant, her voice mesmorizing. And the power of each melody mind-boggling.

Each of Adele's songs evoke emotion, and have affected me in some way. But Set Fire to the Rain is the current track my iPod has on repeat.



So tell me, what "A" musician or song has affected you?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books (and giving away a copy of SPIRITED), and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn


The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

27 comments:

  1. I kinda guessed it would be Aerosmith today :) xxx

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    1. I think EVERYONE will have guessed Aerosmith for me today. LOL xoxo

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  2. Oooooh, I love Aerosmith and Adele and almost all musciains. No real favorites. But I do abhore new wrap but love the old school stuff.

    Doing A to Z over at http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/

    Shelly

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    1. Shelly, I'm not a big fan of new rap, either! But at leats one modern rapper has made my A-Z list this year :-)

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  3. I freaking LOVE Aerosmith! Steven Tyler's voice is so sexy!

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  4. I'm an Adele fan. Most of music selections recently are aimed at soothing a toddler to sleep. Wow you are really rocking the A to Z with all your posts. Good luck.

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    1. Adele has such an amazing voice - and she just seems to...humble and genuine. I suspect most of my choices won't be songs that can sooth your toddler to sleep :-)

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  5. I love Adele and Duffy and Francesca Battacelli and many more. Aerosmith is hotter today than ever.

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    1. I agree - Stephen did a great thing by joining IDOL. He's rejuvenated an old fan base, and found some new fans. Smart.

      I popped over to your blog. LOVE your Grim A-Z theme.

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  6. Adele's song is my favourite! I march across the vineyards with it pumping in my ears. I have lost weight with this song! Great A post.

    *air punching*...let it burn...whoops, sorry got carried away!

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    1. Glynis! You are brilliant. I don't have a vineyard to cross (damn) but I DO have a large field :-) I'm going to march on to Adel...and of course, Aerosmith. Let it burn, indeed!

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  7. Who could ever forget Dream On? Man, I wish I saw them when I was in high school!

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    1. Jack - Aersosmith are consistent performers. They rock EVERY show. I love that I saw them in high school, but I'd recommend seeing them ANY time. So awesome.

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  8. I have a on and off relationship with Aerosmith but I just LOVE Adele all the time.

    New follower :)

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    1. Yeah, I know what you mean. I forget how much I like them until I see them on stage. And I love Stephen on Idol, but I think that's about his outrageous personality. And yes, ADELE is amazing.

      Thanks for the follow!

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  9. I wish I had seen them in concert. I bet that was AWESOME!!

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  10. I love love LOVE Aerosmith. It's my running music. And Adele, well she's just an incredible artist. Great post! Happy A-Z challenge!

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  11. Thanks for reminding me of Aerosmith; I love their songs. I"m looking forward to reading about other music artists; I'm sure I'll learn something. I love music; it fills my soul but it's difficult for me to recount who the artists are (unless they're the older artists). Happy a to Z Challenge!

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  12. 1974's 'Dream On' is also my absolute favorite.

    I saw Aerosmith and Motley Crue in Dallas, Texas in 2008, I think it was. I was 3 rows back from the stage and it was a great show.

    I am looking forward to seeing some of those 80's bands you post on.

    I'll be back!

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  13. *checks iTunes*

    Adam Ant! Adam Ant!

    Looking forward to more A to Z madness.

    A-Z @ Elizabeth Twist

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  14. Two of my favorite artists! But I have to say Adele tops Aerosmith anytime. just love her voice!
    Great start to the A-Z!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  15. I'm not very up to date with music, but I really like that Adele song. Thanks for introducing it to me! :)

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  16. I can't believe I wasn't already following your blog, but I am your newest follower and so glad I found you. I linked over from Jessica's blog. I like your choices for the letter A. I love Areosmith. I grew up in the 80's so they are attached to many of my best memories. I am also a new(er) fan of Adele, especially the song you selected. I can so relate to the lyrics, especially-"A side to you I never knew-never knew"

    I will back often this month. I love thrillers. That is my genre of choice for reading and it is what I write.

    Nice to meet you.

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  17. I flipping lover Aerosmith!!! :D

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  18. A great theme for your challenge. Aerosmith are a band I liked for a bit then just got bored of. They are about to release a new album I believe, but I dont think it'll blow me away. Adele on the other hand is an extremely talented young lady and has a voice that I will put in the same box as Mama Cass, I think shes that good. Set Fire To The Rain is one of my favourite ongs from the 21 album.

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