It was a very Perry Tuesday at the Viper Room last night as Aerosmith‘s six-string slinger took the stage as The Joe Perry Project to mark the release of his new solo record, Have Guitar, Will Travel; his first since 1983*. It was like Guitar Hero:Viper Room as legends of rock began to stream in the Larrabee door for the show. Decked out in bales of hay and cow skulls, the downstairs lounge carried the album’s western theme and became the VIP area where an open bar of “Admiral Perry’s Mojitos**” flowed throughout the night. As guests lined the sidewalks waiting to get into the SOLD OUT show they were treated to the arrivals of rock royals Slash, Perry (Jane’s Addiction) & Etty Farrell, Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) & Kat Von D, Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, The Nightwatchman) and a slightly creepy Steven Tyler look-alike who gave the fans a quick cheer… and a disappointed “aaaaaawgh”. Read the rest of this entry »

Whoever it was that said ‘Lightning doesn’t strike twice’ obviously doesn’t live on The Sunset Strip.

Lately, The Viper Room has become a hotbed of guitar action! A couple weeks ago, Steve Stevens stopped by to jam with Ginger Wildheart and Billy Morrison on some “Rebel Yell”. A couple nights later Slash joined former Guns ‘N Roses drummer Steven Adler for “It’s So Easy” and “Mama Kin”. (Read About It Here.) And then last Saturday as the dust of the Sunset Strip Music Festival was just beginning to settle, Rock and Roll legend Ace Frehley took the Viper stage by storm with his show of KISS Classics, New Fan Favorites from ANOMALY and his signature model Les Pauls on Fire! And as an added bonus the spaceman even closed his set with 1974′s “Cold Gin” featuring Slash once again as special guest! Really, where else are you going to see a duo THAT HUGE in such an intimate setting. To say that we, as an audience felt privileged would be a gross understatement.

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Living in LA provides the advantageous opportunity to see some pretty big stars jump onstage unexpectedly and play a couple songs with their friends. Last night’s show at The Viper Room (AliUptown’s Bday! 8-29-2009) was one of these occasions when not 1 but 2 of the original 5 members of Guns ‘N Roses joined the band Aces ‘N’ Eights to play “It’s So Easy” and “Mama Kin” at the end of their set. Slash appeared amiable but a bit withdrawn onstage. Of course he shredded ass like only he can. Adler seemed elated to be playing again with the guitar god and did a good job on the old songs.

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With the unfortunate loss of this, or maybe any generations’ best live performer, there is the feeling that there is a lack of magic in the universe that the minor stars of today are, hard as they try, sadly unable to produce. But on the horizon are the next generation of prodigies, just like a 5 year old Michael Jackson once was.

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