Aerosmith Rocks Boston - Pollstar News

Promoting the release of its new album, Aerosmith returned to the band’s old 1970s digs and performed a free concert for thousands of fans, saw their old department become a historical landmark and left their handprints in cement.

Photo: Elise Amendola/AP Photo

Fans line up along Commonwealth Avenue in Boston’s Allston neighborhood.

Today is a great day to be an Aerosmith fan in Boston. Or, for that matter, to be a member of the bluesy rock band itself. Steven Tyler, along with Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer, set up shop just outside their early 1970s apartment at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue in the Boston neighborhood of Allston, and gave a noontime concert for the masses.

And Boston was ready for Aerosmith, with the city closing off streets and momentarily shutting off trolley service.

The party began early this morning when Boston Mayor Tom Menino designated the building a historical landmark and bestowed a plaque reading “Aerosmith Apartment.” The marker was presented by the Music Museum of Boston.

Photo: Elise Amendola/AP Photo

Gestures after climbing aboard a duck boat which transported the band to Boston’s Allston neighborhood.

Taking place one day before election day, the band urged everyone to be “freedom fighters. There were also more than a few mentions of the new album, Music From Another Dimension, which arrives in stores tomorrow.

Back to the concert. Aerosmith played eight songs, including “Movin’ Out” from the 1973 Aerosmith album and “Oh Yeah” and “Lover A Lot” from the new release. Closing with “Train Kept A Rollin” Aerosmith showered the audience with red, white and blue confetti.

Notables attending the concert included New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft along with Patriots Tom Brady and Jerod Mayo plus several of the team’s cheerleaders.

Photo: Elise Amendola/AP Photo

Outside the apartment building where the band lived in the early 1970s.

“To be living the dream in Aerosmith for all these years is beyond humbling,” Tyler said. But to return to where the dream was dreamt, is the dream come true full circle.

“To be honored at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue, to shut down the street, invite all our friends, receive a plaque from the Mayor of Boston and put our hands in cement … just think it could have been our feet! It’s the end and the beginning of a lifelong dream … dream on!”