My 1975 summer was spent with the Rolling Stones. When I think of Summer 1976, I think mostly of Aerosmith. Draw your own conclusions.

I kept returning to Aerosmith probably because, as always, they don't do anything wrong. I think they were the only band whose concert I could bear to sit through more than once during this anti-climactic summer.

NEW ORLEANS: It's four in the afternoon and Steve Tyler is awake. He leans over his balcony and shouts to me (I'm at the pool) to come on up. I wanted to dry my hair first, but as I figured it's not too often that Tyler is in such a mood, I go. Julia orders Dom Perignon on the phone; "Wait a minute," Steven says to his lady, "What year do they have?"

Later, Elissa Perry calls. "Do you want to talk to Joe now?" What? This cooperation from Aerosmith, the band with that arrogant reputation?