Lisa Robinson Interviews Elissa Perry Interviews Lisa Robinson

I've often said that as far as rock and roll wives go, the ones you'd want to know, stay home. An exception is Elissa Perry, Joe Perry's wife. She has been a major part of my Aerosmith road experiences, and my admiration for her is no secret in rode circles.

We recently sat down in her Boston home and attempted to interview each other. What was printable follows.

Elissa: You know, Lisa, there are a lot of bad stories going around about you. Lisa: Yeah...tell me what.

Elissa: You know, like you're real bitchy and you hate girls,

Lisa: I know...why does that get around?

Elissa: I don't know. The same thing gets around about me, don't feel bad. Lisa: I don't feel bad. I'd just like to know why...

Elissa: You know, that you're real bitchy and it's good to get on the good side of you, but impossible to get on the good side of you.

Lisa: Did you hear this before we knew each other or since?

Elissa: Before and since. But you know, I was supposed to be a real asshole too, but you were a bigger asshole than me. Definitely.

Lisa: I'm trying to remember, when did we first meet?

Elissa: You remember, at the L.A. Forum, when you were getting kicked out of backstage...

Lisa: Just a minute, let's get this straight. I wasn't getting kicked out; they didn't know me there and they wouldn't let me in—it was a few years ago...

Elissa: They wouldn't let you in, same difference. I could relate to that though,; I could relate to getting pushed around by the guards. Those guards used to put me through so much shit. I mean, now they know me, but...

Lisa: Did they used to think you were just some groupie backstage? Didn't they treat you with any respect? Elissa: None.

Lisa: You know, it's the same with me sometimes—well, not anymore but it used to be and I'm just back there with my pink pad^:. n

Elissa: I'm there with my husband, give me a break. Anyway, Lisa, why do you write about all these insane people? Lisa: Well, I just always liked rock and roll...

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Elissa: Yeah, but they're fuckin' crazy! Lisa: Well who's not who's interesting? Elissa: But they're really sick. You're the Dorothy Kilgallen of the seventies...

Lisa: Oh, thanks alot. ..wandering around in a nightgown, taking pills and drinking?

Elissa: You know what I mean. You pick up on different stuff than what most of these writers do...

Lisa:'Well,I wanted to write about the clothes; rock and roll was supposed to be fun. I have no interest in analyzing the music, I never thought it was supposed to be so serious. It was sexy and frivolous and fun, and not a serious art form.

Elissa: Really. I mean, who cares whose guitar solo sounded better? Do you think I sit here and listen to that? I could care less. I listen to Joe because he plJys funny stuff, and he never plays the same twice.

Lisa: You really are unique in terms of rock and roll wives...they can be such drags. How come you go with the band all the time?

Elissa: Because he wants me there. Lisa: Do you like it? Don't you ever get bored? Go crazy?

Elissa: I don't like being on the road, but if I was away from him, and I didn't see him for two weeks...It's like we'd be together two weeks, away two weeks, and how would I relate to him? He feels that when I'm there his home is there. It makes him feel comfortable.

Lisa: How do you feel?

Elissa: I feel very comfortable.

Lisa: You don't feel you're missing anything?

Elissa: What am I going to miss? To go to the Star Market?

Lisa: Do you think you're frantic... nuts?

Elissa: Definitely. From being on the road so long. I'm definitely crazy but I'm maintaining well. You know, I go away, I come home, I push "3" for room service...

Lisa: How long have you been jon the road?

Elissa: I've been on the road with this band for four years.

Lisa: Does the rest of the band resent the fact that you're there?

Elissa: They used to flip out. But when I'm not around, he won't talk to anybody.

Lisa: Joe has such an image...I don't know, he seems so sweet. Don't you think he has a heart of gold underneath all that?

Elissa: No, he doesn't.

Photos by-Ron

Lisa: Oh, that'll read great—"No Heart Of Gold, Says Wife"...

Elissa: He doesn't, you know? He really doesn't. He's really like that. Everybody thinks it's an act.

Lisa: Do you feel that in this business you are identified primarily as his wife... I don't mean to get political here, but...

Elissa: Yeah, I suppose so. How else are they supposed to know who I am? I don't get a complex because I don't work. I fed him plenty. Before he fed me, I used to feed him. I mean, I'll never catch up to him now, but there you go. Too bad.

Lisa: Do you think being the wife of a guitarist in a successful rock band puts you in a position where there are pressures on you...like business pressures?

Elissa: I don't want to know about the business, let them do the business. Lisa: You know what I mean, though... making suggestions, who should open the show.

Elissa: I've seen girls with bands help them with the set lists. I don't care what songs they play. Whatever songs they play that makes them happy, let 'em play them, you know? Whatever band they want to open up for them, let 'em have them. Just as long as he goes out there and plays good and is happy when he gets off, that's all I care about. I don't care if he's got Dickie Doo and the Don'ts opening for him or if he's opening for them or whatever. It's nice if they have a good band there that I like.

Lisa: Do you care about stuff like how he looks or what he wears or all that stuff?

Elissa: Oh yeah, definitely.

Lisa: Does he rely on you for that kind of stuff?

Elissa: Yes.

Lisa: Does he admit it?

Elissa: Asks me a million times a night. "Should I wear this? Should I wear this?"

Lisa: Well you know, some of these guys who dress themselves, look what they look like. Do you like all this, do you like being on the road? What do you do...shop?

Elissa: Yeah...shopping. What do I like to do on the road? I like to eat. If I could find a good restaurant, I'm in heaven, cause you know what it's like to try and find food on the road.

Lisa: Ummmm...fresh frozen...

Elissa: If I get a good meal, it's like the major thing of the week. We'll talk about it for the rest of the week, like, "Wasn't that a great meal we had in Chicago?" "Yeah, shit, I wish we were there now"...I mean, we sit there and talk about it. Like when you're dying for a pizza and can't get one in Fort Wayne or something...And there's no way in the world...And even if you could, it's not the same, you know? I want to go to my place, you know what I'm saying? Lisa: Do the two of you get on each other's nerves, or fight?

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53.

Elissa: No, we're always together. We don't fight, we used to, but we don't anymore, we don't have time.

Lisa: What about the road problems, like if you're not ready and he has to get to the gig or something...

Elissa: Ummm...we're always the last people anyway. Always.

Lisa: I'll be down in five minutes. Elissa: I'll be down in five minutes, are you kidding?

Lisa: I'm almost packed.

Elissa: Bags in the hall.

Lisa: How long do you think this band is going to stay together? .

Elissa: You'll see them together for a long time.

Lisa: Because business is so good? Elissa: Because they've known each other for years and years, and they love to play. Joe loves to play, he really gets off on it.

Lisa: What about Steven?

Elissa: Steven loves it, you have to ask? He loves it when they grab his scarves. Are you kidding? He lives for that. He LOVES it, Lisa, why are you a speed freak?

Lisa: I'm not a speed freak, I just have a lot of energy.

Elissa: What about those little pills you take?

Lisa: Don't people think you're a speed freak?

Elissa: No. They think I'm on cocaine.