Man Down! Three out of five Aerosmith members miss gigs

Band returns to road today after two weeks of postponed shows

By Melinda NewmanWednesday, Jul 15, 2009 5:03 PM

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in Maryland Heights, Mo.

Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Sheesh! The tour is barely a month old and three out of five members of Aerosmith have already missed concert dates because of injury or minor (thankfully) surgery. These guys may need to connect with Springsteen's trainer to whip them into shape.

The body count starts with guitarist Brad Whitford, who missed the opening dates of the tour because of unspecified recent surgery. Filling in has been Bobby Schneck, who's played with the likes of Green Day and Slash.

Then, because there's no show if he's not healthy, Aerosmith postposed two weeks of dates, July 1-13, after vocalist Steven Tyler hurt his leg during a June 28 show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

Now comes word that Tom Hamilton will be off the tour for several dates as he recuperates from surgery. David Hull will fill in for the bassist. The good news is that Whitford rejoins the band tonight as it resumes its tour after the unplanned two-week hiatus in Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta.

No update yet on when the postponed dates will be rescheduled.