Aerosmith: You Gotta Move [M]

Over the last three decades Aerosmith have been established as America’s Greatest Rock Band. Whilst touring in support of their critically acclaimed album, ‘Honkin’ on Bobo’, they put on an incredible live show that was filmed for a feature that aired on A&E. That program has since been expanded and made into Aerosmith’s first ever live concert DVD. 

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE AEROSMITH! I grew up listening to them because my parents are both admirers and true rockers, as I’m sure is the case for many teens and first-decade adults. To me, Aerosmith were and still are the ultimate rockers. I read Steven Tyler’s autobiography Does the Noise in My Head Bother You? and seriously it’s the most rock and roll piece of literature that I’ve come across. You just have to watch this show and see how the fans react as testament to what the band does, stands for, and means to people. You watch live shows and you sing along with the songs, admire/gawk/cringe at the fashions of your idols, but I’ve never seen a live show like this one. Quite seriously, I was not only singing along with the songs, I was dancing, I was reaching for Steven’s hand to take in mine and kiss, I was almost crying with love, devotion, and fandom. I’ve never seen a concert that’s made me react this way. This show is something else. 

Over the last three decades, Aerosmith have been established as America’s Greatest Rock Band. Whilst touring in support of their critically acclaimed album, ‘Honkin’ on Bobo’, they put on an incredible live show that was filmed for a feature that aired on A&E. That program has since been expanded and made into Aerosmith’s first ever live concert DVD. 

I should at this point specify that this is not just a recorded live concert. What this feature is is a balanced blend of on-the-bus footage, in-the-studio footage, especially recorded interviews with the band and their co-workers, as well as the live numbers. We get to hear Steven, Joe, Brad, Tom, and Joey talk about their chemistry, their experience, practically everything, and what I really love is how down-to-earth and comfortable the interviews feel. You know how some interviews can just feel structured and constricted, these ones don’t. The band members answer all questions with the greatest of casualness it’s really cool. 

Another thrill for me watching this show is getting the shots of the audience. In a theatre where the audience crowd the stage and can actually stroke Steven and Joe (oh man I am so jealous of some of the people in this crowd), this incredible exhibition of rock and roll and band worship is displayed. There isn’t just quick cut-to-crowd footage of people singing along and screaming, these people are dancing, they are singing along with every word, they are interacting with the camera; they are part of this show. And it’s not just a singular generation that makes up the crowd: we’ve got parents, teenagers, first-decade adults, tweens, and even kids asleep on their parents’ shoulders! The band talks about giving to their fans and their fans giving it right back and when you look at the multigenerational crowd of screaming and singing fans that are at this show, the irrepressible and immaculate power of Aerosmith cannot be denied! 

Featuring live performances of such classic Aerosmith hits as ‘Toys in the Attic’, ‘Love in an Elevator’, ‘Cryin’, ‘Back in the Saddle’, ‘Dream On’, ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing’, ‘Sweet Emotion’, and Walk This Way’, Aerosmith: You Gotta Move is a fantastic music DVD! I seriously cannot put into words how moved and amazed I was by this feature. It had an effect on me that I’ve never had with a music DVD.