Rock legend says he’s joined Noah’s ark
THE ‘‘Demon of Screamin’ ” is on his way to South Africa, and he’s packing his tightest leather pants.
Steven Tyler, the legendary Aerosmith frontman, says he’s leaving the snakeskin and leopard-print clothes behind.
“You can’t wear leopard print in leopard country,” said the 66-year-old during a brief telephonic interview.
Tyler joins the band of merry old rockers, the Kings of Chaos, who will perform at Sun City next weekend.
The band of original rock stars includes Guns N’ Roses musicians Matt Sorum (drummer), Gilby Clarke (guitarist) and Duff McKagan (bassist), guitarist Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Robin Zander from Cheap Trick and lead guitarist Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme.
This is the group’s second tour to South Africa but Tyler’s first visit. He promises some good old rock ’n’ roll.
‘‘You shan’t be disappointed, darlings. We have a great lineup with a bunch of old rock ’n’ roll songs.”
Tyler, notorious for his wild antics, overcame his struggle with drug addiction in the late ’80s and relaunched Aerosmith.
Now he brings the full Tyler experience to the Kings.
‘‘I like to do strange things. It’s like joining Noah and his ark. I’ve joined the ship,” he said.
Known for his tight leather pants and flowing mane of luxuriant hair, Tyler says he’s picked something special out of his closet for Africa. And the hair? ‘‘It’s the emu oil. It’s the best stuff. It keeps your hair shiny and beautiful.
‘‘I’ve got no secrets. I don’t wash my hair for weeks and weeks and it builds and builds and there’s all kinds of character and body. I love body.”
For more than 40 years, Tyler has belted out hits with his high screams and wide vocal range. But he started his musical career as a drummer.
And he says he might even show off his drumming skills during one of the Kings’ three shows in South Africa.
Recently certified as a scuba diver, Tyler says he might even brave Cape Town’s ocean to meet the sharks.
And if you’re lucky you could catch a glimpse of him at Sun City’s Valley of Waves, sunbathing in a thong.
The Kings of Chaos will perform two shows at Sun City’s Superbowl on Saturday and Sunday before their final South African performance at Grand West Arena in Cape Town on December 3.