Just Push Play Tour Explained

Concert Tour Name:Just Push Play Tour
Artist:Aerosmith
Album:Just Push Play
Number Of Legs:5
Number Of Shows:70 in North America
6 in Asia
76 total
Last Tour:Roar of the Dragon Tour
(1999–2000)
This Tour:Just Push Play Tour
(2001–2002)
Next Tour:Girls of Summer Tour
(2002)

The Just Push Play Tour was a concert tour by Aerosmith that took the band across North America and Japan. Supporting their 2001 album Just Push Play, it ran from June 2001 to February 2002.

The tour was successful, despite several cancellations due in part to the September 11 terrorist attacks. The tour earned $46.5 million from 56 shows in North America.[1]

Background

The tour came on the heels of the band's platinum album Just Push Play.[2] Aerosmith was riding a wave of popularity, having played the Super Bowl XXXV Halftime Show,[3] been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,[4] and scored a Top 10 hit,[5] all within the first half of the year.

Just prior to the start of the tour, the band performed a brief promo tour in Germany.[6] They also performed at many radio festivals in the United States, including: "River Rave",[7] "Zootopia"[8] and the "Kiss Concert".[9]

Tyler sang the National Anthem at the Indianapolis 500, and the team sponsored a car in the race.[10]

As a result, many shows sold out and the band added arena dates through the fall and winter, even after a successful summer amphitheater tour. "If we couldn't get an audience[...]having made a record we truly believe in, then I guess we probably would turn around and say, 'It's been fun, but see ya.' But I tell you this: we wouldn't go without a big fucking fight."[11]

United We Stand

The band played the benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 2001, alongside Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and other pop stars.[12] The band had been uncertain whether to play the show due to scheduling conflicts and made the decision almost at the last minute. They took the stage in the afternoon, played four songs, then flew to Indianapolis for a concert that same night.

Cancellations

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the band canceled the three shows after that (Virginia Beach, Camden, New Jersey, and Columbia, Maryland); all on the Eastern Seaboard, where the attacks had occurred. These shows were rescheduled. The band canceled a second show at Irvine, California earlier in the tour, due to a scheduling conflict with the filming of the video for "Sunshine."

Stage setup

The stage for the tour had a modern look, reflecting the aesthetic of Just Push Play and its cover. Most striking were the silver and white colors, as well as two curving staircases that met at a platform at the top. There, some of the most exciting moments took place, including the entrance of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry at the beginning of the show, as well as Tyler singing the eerie lyrics that open "Seasons of Wither"

The band set up a second smaller stage in the rear of outdoor pavilions to play for those in the lawn section. During the middle of the show, the band members would walk under heavy security to this stage to do a three-song set.

Tyler jokingly referred to this tour as the "Back on the Grass Tour": a reference to this auxiliary stage and a jab at those who claimed Aerosmith was using drugs again. Tyler especially targeted former manager Tim Collins, who had accused Aerosmith of relapsing before the band fired him in 1996. However, "Back On The Grass" was not an official name for the tour – just a joke Tyler repeated in interviews.

Song selection

The setlist featured as many as 25 songs. It varied show to show, as most Aerosmith setlists do, but usually included about half a dozen songs from Just Push Play as well a fair balance between their 70s classics and 80s and 90s hits.

Broadcasts and recordings

See main article: Rockin' the Joint. In January 2002, the band played The Joint, a 2,000 seat venue within the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. This show was recorded and parts of it were released as the band's fifth live album, a Dual Disc CD/DVD entitled Rockin' the Joint, released in 2005.

Opening acts

Setlist

The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on June 26, 2001, at the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts in Mansfield, Massachusetts.[15] It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.

  1. "Beyond Beautiful"
  2. "Love in an Elevator"
  3. "Jaded"
  4. "Just Push Play"
  5. "Big Ten Inch Record"
  6. "Fly Away from Here"
  7. "Pink"
  8. "Mama Kin"
  9. "Same Old Song and Dance"
  10. "Dream On"
  11. "Toys in the Attic"
  12. "Angel's Eye"
  13. "Draw the Line"
  14. "Under My Skin"
  15. "Seasons of Wither"
  16. "Cryin'"
  17. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
  18. "Walk This Way"
  19. "Sweet Emotion"

Encore

  1. "Livin' on the Edge"
  2. "What It Takes"
  3. "Train Kept A-Rollin'"

Tour dates

List of 2001 concerts
Date[16] CityCountryVenue
June 6, 2001HartfordUnited Statesctnow.com Meadows Music Theatre
June 8, 2001Saratoga SpringsSaratoga Performing Arts Center
June 10, 2001Holmdel TownshipPNC Bank Arts Center
June 12, 2001
June 16, 2001WantaghJones Beach Theater
June 17, 2001Los AngelesDodger Stadium
June 18, 2001WantaghJones Beach Theater
June 20, 2001
June 22, 2001HersheyHersheypark Stadium
June 24, 2001BristowNissan Pavilion
June 26, 2001MansfieldTweeter Center for the Performing Arts
June 28, 2001
June 30, 2001BurgettstownPost-Gazette Pavilion
July 2, 2001TorontoCanadaMolson Amphitheatre
July 5, 2001Tinley ParkUnited StatesTweeter Center
July 7, 2001East TroyAlpine Valley Music Theatre
July 9, 2001NoblesvilleVerizon Wireless Music Center
July 11, 2001ColumbusPolaris Amphitheater
July 13, 2001ClarkstonDTE Energy Music Theatre
July 15, 2001DarienDarien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 17, 2001Cuyahoga FallsBlossom Music Center
July 19. 2001Maryland HeightsRiverport Amphitheatre
July 21, 2001Bonner SpringsSandstone Amphitheater
July 23, 2001Greenwood VillageCoors Amphitheatre
August 8, 2001Mountain ViewShoreline Amphitheatre
August 10, 2001GeorgeThe Gorge Amphitheatre
August 12, 2001SacramentoSacramento Valley Amphitheatre
August 14. 2001ConcordChronicle Pavilion
August 16, 2001Chula VistaCoors Amphitheatre
August 18, 2001Las VegasMGM Grand Garden Arena
August 20, 2001IrvineVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre
August 24, 2001San BernardinoBlockbuster Pavilion
August 26, 2001PhoenixCricket Pavilion
August 28, 2001SelmaVerizon Wireless Amphitheater
August 30, 2001The WoodlandsCynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
September 1, 2001DallasSmirnoff Music Centre
September 3, 2001New OrleansNew Orleans Arena
September 5, 2001MemphisPyramid Arena
September 7, 2001CincinnatiRiverbend Music Center
September 9, 2001CharlotteVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre
September 17, 2001AtlantaHiFi Buys Amphitheatre
September 19, 2001NashvilleAmSouth Amphitheatre
September 21, 2001RaleighAlltel Pavilion
September 23, 2001West Palm BeachMars Music Amphitheatre
September 25, 2001BristowNissan Pavilion
September 27, 2001CamdenTweeter Center
October 11, 2001CalgaryCanadaPengrowth Saddledome
October 13, 2001EdmontonSkyreach Centre
October 15, 2001MinneapolisUnited StatesTarget Center
October 17, 2001Grand ForksAlerus Center
October 19, 2001AmesHilton Coliseum
October 21, 2001IndianapolisConseco Fieldhouse
October 23, 2001RosemontAllstate Arena
October 25, 2001Auburn HillsThe Palace of Auburn Hills
October 31, 2001Montreal, CanadaMolson Centre
November 12, 2001New York CityMadison Square Garden
November 15, 2001East RutherfordContinental Airlines Arena
November 17, 2001ManchesterVerizon Wireless Arena
November 19, 2001UncasvilleMohegan Sun Arena
November 27, 2001TampaIce Palace
November 29, 2001SunriseNational Car Rental Center
December 3, 2001ChampaignAssembly Hall
December 5, 2001DallasReunion Arena
December 7, 2001North Little RockAlltel Arena
December 9, 2001Oklahoma CityMyriad Convention Center Arena
List of 2002 concerts
DateCityCountryVenue
January 5, 2002DenverUnited StatesPepsi Center
January 7, 2002Salt Lake CityDelta Center
January 9, 2002San JoseCompaq Center
January 11, 2002Las VegasThe Joint
January 13, 2002InglewoodGreat Western Forum
January 15, 2002FresnoSelland Arena
January 17, 2002San DiegoSan Diego Sports Arena
January 25, 2002OsakaJapanOsaka Dome
January 27, 2002
January 29, 2002FukuokaFukuoka Dome
January 31, 2002NagoyaNagoya Dome
February 2, 2002TokyoTokyo Dome
February 3, 2002
Festivals and other miscellaneous performances
  • This concert was a part of "Wango Tango"[17]
    Cancellations and rescheduled shows
    <--Date--><--Location--><--Venue--><--Reason/Additional Info-->
    June 20, 2001Camden, New JerseyTweeter CenterRescheduled to July 15, 2001
    July 2, 2001Cincinnati, OhioRiverbend Music CenterRescheduled to September 7, 2001
    July 15, 2001Camden, New JerseyTweeter CenterRescheduled to September 13, 2001
    August 8, 2001Bend, OregonLes Schwab AmphitheaterCancelled
    August 22, 2001Irvine, CaliforniaVerizon Wireless AmphitheatreCancelled
    September 11, 2001Virginia Beach, VirginiaGTE Virginia Beach AmphitheaterSeptember 11 attacks
    September 13, 2001Camden, New JerseyTweeter CenterRescheduled to September 27, 2001
    September 15, 2001Columbia, MarylandMerriweather Post PavilionRescheduled to September 25, 2001, and moved to the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia
    October 9, 2001Vancouver, CanadaGeneral Motors PlaceCancelled
    October 27, 2001Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaMellon ArenaCancelled[18]
    October 29, 2001Toronto, CanadaAir Canada CentreCancelled
    November 2, 2001Columbus, OhioNationwide ArenaMoved to the Nutter Center in Fairborn, Ohio
    November 2, 2001Fairborn, OhioNutter CenterCancelled[19]
    November 4, 2001Boston, MassachusettsFleetCenterCancelled[20]
    November 6, 2001Providence, Rhode IslandDunkin' Donuts CenterCancelled
    November 8, 2001Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaFirst Union CenterCancelled
    November 10, 2001Lexington, KentuckyRupp ArenaCancelled
    November 25, 2001Greensboro, North CarolinaGreensboro ColiseumCancelled
    December 1, 2001Birmingham, AlabamaBJCC ArenaCancelled[21]
    December 11, 2001St. Louis, MissouriSavvis CenterCancelled
    December 13, 2001Kansas City, MissouriKemper ArenaCancelled
    December 15, 2001Moline, IllinoisThe Mark of the Quad CitiesCancelled
    December 17, 2001Cleveland, OhioGund ArenaCancelled

    Box office score data

    VenueCityTickets sold / AvailableGross revenue
    PNC Bank Arts CenterHolmdel Township29,727 / 33,665 (88%)$1,599,348[22]
    Hersheypark StadiumHershey28,871 / 29,208 (99%)$1,328,204
    Nissan PavilionBristow36,302 / 45,067 (81%)$1,657,585
    Post-Gazette PavilionBurgettstown23,050 / 23,188 (99%)$851,196[23]
    Tweeter CenterTinley Park24,216 / 28,589 (85%)$1,118,793[24]
    The Gorge AmphitheatreGeorge20,000 / 20,000 (100%)$942,010[25]
    MGM Grand Garden ArenaLas Vegas13,235 / 13,235 (100%)$921,155[26]
    New Orleans ArenaNew Orleans14,983 / 16,434 (91%)$850,570
    Riverbend Music CenterCincinnati20,479 / 20,500 $764,470[27]
    AmSouth AmphitheatreNashville15,720 / 17,209 (91%)$732,567[28]
    Alltel PavilionRaleigh17,542 / 20,000 (88%)$788,536
    Mars Music AmphitheatreWest Palm Beach18,645 / 19,706 (95%)$770,940
    Tweeter CenterCamden23,497 / 24,930 (94%)$890,921
    Skyreach CentreEdmonton12,031 / 16,778 (72%)$742,569[29]
    The Palace of Auburn HillsAuburn Hills16,309 / 16,309 (100%)$855,069[30]
    Ice PalaceTampa15,086 / 16,299 (93%)$855,577[31]
    Reunion ArenaDallas11,520 / 12,427 (93%)$674,425[32]
    Pepsi CenterDenver11,476 / 20,441 (56%)$603,936[33]
    Delta CenterSalt Lake City11,798 / 18,168 (65%)$562,515[34]
    Compaq CenterSan Jose12,502 / 17,116 (73%)$700,515
    The JointLas Vegas1,933 / 1,933 (100%)$369,525
    Great Western ForumInglewood14,668 / 17,116 (86%)$821,342
    Selland ArenaFresno10,103 / 10,103 (100%)$528,129
    San Diego Sports ArenaSan Diego9,069 / 15,059 (60%)$432,420
    TOTAL412,762 / 473,480 (87%)$20,362,317

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. December 29, 2001. Top 25 Tours. Billboard. 113. 52. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. YT-4.
    2. . Columbia Records To Release O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits . New York City, New York . Columbia Records . PRNewswire . June 10, 2002 . December 8, 2019 . https://archive.today/20191208065704/https://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-entertainment/2002/columbia-records-to-release-o-yeah-ultimate-aerosmith-hits.html . December 8, 2019 . live .
    3. Web site: Super Bowl XXXVthe Numbers . . January 25, 2001 . . December 8, 2019 . https://archive.today/20191208070113/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/01/25/super-bowl-xxxvthe-numbers/86bfc9fb-1afa-4aeb-bad6-6800cd5cacef/ . December 8, 2019 . live .
    4. Web site: Aerosmith: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2001 . . January 1, 2012 . . December 8, 2019. https://archive.today/20191208070401/https://www.cleveland.com/rockhall/2012/01/aerosmith_rock_and_roll_hall_o.html . December 8, 2019.
    5. Web site: Just Push Play, Aerosmith Columbia Records . Hoard . Christian . April 9, 2001 . . . December 8, 2019. https://archive.today/20191208070652/https://www.michigandaily.com/content/just-push-play-aerosmith-columbia-records . December 8, 2019.
    6. Web site: Triumph of the Toxic Twins . Perry . Andrew . April 5, 2001 . . December 8, 2019. https://archive.today/20191209101744/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4722657/Triumph-of-the-Toxic-Twins.html . December 9, 2019.
    7. Web site: The Darkness is a bright spot at River Rave . Morse . Steve . June 1, 2004 . . December 8, 2019 . https://archive.today/20191208060414/http://archive.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2004/06/01/the_darkness_is_a_bright_spot_at_river_rave/ . December 8, 2019 . live .
    8. Web site: Aerosmith, Shaggy Top 'Zootopia' Concert Bill . . April 24, 2001 . Billboard . Billboard Music Group . December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20140921033132/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80027/aerosmith-shaggy-top-zootopia-concert-bill . September 21, 2014.
    9. Web site: It's an all-day KISS . Merolla . James A. . May 31, 2001 . . December 8, 2019. https://archive.today/20191208062036/https://www.thesunchronicle.com/it-s-an-all-day-kiss/article_d339014f-f2f9-578e-9ea9-bf8f53884b3b.html . December 8, 2019.
    10. Web site: Aerosmith teams up with Heritage for Indy . McLaren . Peter . May 24, 2001 . Crash . December 8, 2019 . https://archive.today/20191208055130/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/12887/1/aerosmith-teams-up-with-heritage-for-indy . December 8, 2019 . live .
    11. Chris. Ingham. Play for today. Classic Rock #28. June 2001. 53.
    12. Web site: Jacko, Aerosmith: D.C. "United" . Armstrong . Mark . October 21, 2001 . . December 8, 2019. https://archive.today/20191208070952/https://www.eonline.com/news/42346/jacko-aerosmith-d-c-united . December 8, 2019.
    13. Brodginski . Todd . Wang . Maggie . September 25, 2001 . FUEL ALBUM 'SOMETHING LIKE HUMAN' HITS DOUBLE PLATINUM MARK; CD AT #58 AFTER ONE YEAR ON CHART; TOUR INFO . The Mitch Schneider Organization . December 8, 2019 . https://archive.today/20191208063422/http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/fuel-album-something-like-human-hits-double-platinum-mark-cd-at-58-after-one-year-on-chart-tour-info/ . December 8, 2019 . live .
    14. Web site: Farm boy at heart? Steven Tyler of Aerosmith gets back to nature in Gore, OK . Triplett . Gene . December 7, 2001 . . December 8, 2019 . https://archive.today/20191208064555/https://oklahoman.com/article/2770469/farm-boy-at-heart-steven-tyler-of-aerosmith-gets-back-to-nature-in-gore-ok . December 8, 2019 . live .
    15. Web site: Review: Aerosmith at the Tweeter Center, Massachusetts . Zahlaway . Jon . June 27, 2001 . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. . December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20010803214130/http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/3278.html . August 3, 2001.
    16. Sources for tour dates in North America:
      • Web site: Aerosmith Line Up North American Tour . D'Angelo . Joe . April 17, 2001 . . . November 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20010811093741/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1442881/20010417/aerosmith.jhtml?paid=1028 . August 11, 2001.
      • Web site: Aerosmith Add Dates To Just Push Play Tour . D'Angelo . Joe . April 25, 2001 . MTV News . MTV Networks . November 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20010811083057/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1443147/20010425/aerosmith.jhtml?paid=1028 . August 11, 2001.
      • Web site: Aerosmith Just Push On, Add Dates To Tour . Moss . Corey . September 10, 2001 . MTV News . MTV Networks . November 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20011004145758/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448801/20010910/story.jhtml . October 4, 2001.
      • Web site: Aerosmith Tour Keeps A-Rollin' With More Dates . Wiederhorn . Jon . September 24, 2001 . MTV News . MTV Networks . November 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20011202091403/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449125/20010924/story.jhtml . December 2, 2001.
      • Web site: Aerosmith adds more dates, offers pre-sale tickets. Zahlaway . Jon . April 24, 2001 . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. . November 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20010609100025/http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/2986.html . June 9, 2001.
      • Web site: Aerosmith postpones concert due to mishap. Zahlaway . Jon . December 3, 2001 . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. . November 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20030217104650/http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/4032.html. February 17, 2003.
      • Web site: Aerosmith adds new dates, drops Boston and Philly. Zahlaway . Jon . November 16, 2001 . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. . November 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20030217104213/http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/3968.html. February 17, 2003.
      • Web site: Cheap Trick sets headlining tour, opening run for Aerosmith . Fuoco . Christina . December 14, 2001 . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. . November 18, 2019.
    17. Web site: Wango Tango, Day Two . Augusto . Troy J. . June 18, 2001 . . . December 8, 2019 . https://archive.today/20191208074759/https://variety.com/2001/music/reviews/wango-tango-day-two-1200468730/ . December 8, 2019 . live .
    18. Web site: Tyler On Tylenol Causes Aerosmith To Scrap Shows . Wiederhorn . Jon . October 31, 2001 . MTV News . MTV Networks . December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20011203183528/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450444/20011031/story.jhtml . December 3, 2001.
    19. Web site: Aerosmith scraps more shows due to Tyler's illness. Zahlaway . Jon . November 7, 2001 . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. . December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20030217111658/http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/3912.html . February 17, 2003.
    20. Web site: Aerosmith Axe More Shows . Wiederhorn . Jon . November 6, 2001 . MTV News . MTV Networks . December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20011202090924/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450548/20011106/story.jhtml . December 2, 2001.
    21. Web site: Aerosmith cancels three shows due to illness . Evans . Rob . December 14, 2001 . LiveDaily . Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. . December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20020208204823/http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/4109.html . February 8, 2002.
    22. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. July 14, 2001. 113. 28. 18.
    23. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. July 21, 2001. 113. 29. 17.
    24. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. August 4, 2001. 113. 31. 16.
    25. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. September 29, 2001. 113. 39. 14.
    26. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. September 8, 2001. 113. 36. 16.
    27. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. October 6, 2001. 113. 40. 14.
    28. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. October 20, 2001. 113. 42. 17.
    29. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. November 10, 2001. 113. 45. 20.
    30. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. November 17, 2001. 113. 46. 18.
    31. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. December 22, 2001. 113. 51. 14.
    32. Amusement Business®: Boxscore - Top 10 Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Music Group. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. December 29, 2001. 113. 52. 22.
    33. Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. VNU Business Media, Inc.. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. February 23, 2002. 114. 8. 19.
    34. Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. VNU Business Media, Inc.. 0006-2510. December 7, 2019. February 9, 2002. 114. 6. 21.