Steven Tyler rocks Artpark in June
Steven Tyler’s last trip to Niagara made worldwide news. Will his next visit in June follow suit?
The iconic Aerosmith singer will kick off a summer solo tour June 12 at Artpark in Lewiston, N.Y. And just like last time, he’ll be backed by Nashville’s Loving Mary Band, doing a mix of classics and new songs from his recent solo album “We’re All Somebody From Somewhere.”
Tyler was last in Niagara for a pair of shows at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in March 2016, and it was the second night that caused a stir. Earlier that day, he had a chance encounter in a Montrose Road store with Welland’s Anthony Yorfido, a huge Aerosmith fan who was born with Down syndrome. When he told Tyler he was unable to score tickets for the soldout show, Tyler gave him backstage passes.
It got even better: Opening the show with “Sweet Emotion,” Tyler called Yorfido on stage to play maracas. Newspapers and websites quickly shared the story, and it was briefly the top trending story on Facebook.
“He woke up this morning going ‘Oh my God, mom,’” recalled Yorfido’s mom Diane the next day. “He showed me the set list, he was crying. He was so excited. He said, ‘This is the best thing that ever happened to me in my life.’”
Both mom and son plan to cut short a trip to Nashville in June to hit the Artpark show.
Tickets are US$17 general admission lawn, US$37 general admission bowl, and US$77 front of stage. Tickets are on sale Friday, 10 a.m., at www.artpark.net or by phoning 1-888-223-6000.
The show is part of Artpark’s Tuesday in the Park concert series. Previously announced shows include Steve Miller with Peter Frampton (July 3) and Tedeschi Trucks band with Drive-By Truckers
(July 17).