How many bands can say they've legitimately inspired a whole sub-genre of imitators in this thing we call rock 'n' roll? A sound that is so recognizable and unique that merely mentioning the band's name becomes musical shorthand for a sound that every rocker instantly understands? The list is short: Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Van Halen, the Beatles, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd... and AC/DC. Of course, all of the aforementioned bands sounds were rooted in their inspirations (Angus Young has described AC/DC's sound as nothing more than Chuck Berry riffs on steroids), but what each band on "the list" did was take those early inspirations and develop a whole new and distinct sound from them. The AC/DC sound is a stripped down, primal experience delivered with punishing volume and precision. A sound that instantly elicits uncontrollable fist pumping, head nodding and devilish grins. Add in wildly unique innovations such as making the guitarist essentially the front man, hero and comic relief all rolled into one, it's a sound and approach that is inextricably linked to their legacy. This past Friday night at the United Center, AC/DC delivered a master class in front of another rabid, sold out crowd with the Loop. Better with each tour, they were simply awe inspiring.

(See AC/DC perform "Rock 'N' Roll Train" live at the United Center here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y8BfJCyR3s)

(See AC/DC perform "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" live at the United Center here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMaGp9WGWdE)

(See AC/DC perform "Shoot To Thrill" live at the United Center here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z46LN3L6vUI)

(See AC/DC perform "Whole Lotta Rosie" live at the United Center here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRJl5lEfbxk)

(See AC/DC perform "Back In Black" live at the United Center here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x_e8vk8Tgo)

Opening for AC/DC's latest tour is a baby band out of Belfast, Ireland who show a great deal of promise. Called The Answer, the Loop was the very first station in the US to play their music, debuting on my show several years ago. Although the band didn't even have a American record deal at the time, they have made impressive strides since then. After winning over crowds at the three AC/DC shows in Chicago on this tour, the Answer performed their first ever headline gig in town Saturday night at the Beat Kitchen. Packed to the brim with enthusiastic Loyal Loopers, the guys put on a show that will become legendary years from now. "You saw the Answer at that tiny club?!? Wow!" Yup, you can say you were there.

(See The Answer perform "Under The Sky" live at the Beat Kitchen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lpp4FV1ewg)

(See The Answer's latest video for "On And On" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6FSenxt9LA)

Joe Perry of Aerosmith's visit with me last week to give the scoop on Steven Tyler's condition after injuring himself falling off stage caused quite a stir. Press coverage of the event went worldwide, including CNN, USA Today, MSNBC, Huffington Post, Forbes, NY Times, People magazine and approximately 2,500 other TV, radio and newspaper outlets.

(See the Associated Press article on my interview with Joe Perry of Aerosmith here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jQ52qaLSvIACj_E2JpA6uMr0012AD99UBT000)


(See the People magazine article on my interview with Joe Perry of Aerosmith here: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20297512,00.html)

(Hear my interview with Joe Perry of Aerosmith here: http://www.wlup.com/checkitout/byrdJoePerry.aspx)

This week on my show from 10am -3pm on 97.9 the Loop in Chicago or www.wlup.com, win Creed tickets at 10:05am and 2:05pm daily as well as Dream Theatre tickets. Guests this week include Tony Iommi of Heaven & Hell this Tuesday at 12:30pm and George Thorogood on Thursday at 1:30pm. First listens to new music from KISS, Creed and George Thorogood, too!

I've always enjoyed spending some time having a few laughs with Joe Perry of Aerosmith when he swings through town, but this time was for a rather unfortunate and concerning reason that he found himself in Chicago nearly a month earlier than he had anticipated. Friday afternoon, Joe stopped by on my show to hang out and give me the scoop on Steven Tyler's condition and the tour.

AEROSMITH GUITARIST: TYLER BROKE SHOULDER IN FALL

By Carla K. Johnson (AP)

CHICAGO — Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler has a broken shoulder and stitches in his head after falling from the stage during a South Dakota concert, and the band plans to discuss what that means for the future of its current tour, guitarist Joe Perry said Friday.

Perry told The Associated Press after a stop at a Chicago radio station that Tyler has been flown to Boston and was meeting with his own doctor. Perry did not have further details on Tyler's condition and calls to representatives went unanswered Friday.

Tyler, 61, fell several feet while dancing around as the sound crew replaced a fuse that blew during the song "Love in an Elevator" at the Buffalo Chip Campground, which hosted the Wednesday night concert during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in western South Dakota. An amateur video showed him spinning around before falling off the stage.

Perry said Friday that his back was turned when Tyler fell, so he didn't see the lead singer go down. Perry said he hadn't had a chance to talk with Tyler yet and wasn't sure what made him lose his balance.

"I've seen it a thousand times, him dancing or just twirling around, doing a somersault, he's really agile, so I don't know," Perry said. "We're like kinda still in shock. What can you say? It's stuff that could happen to anybody."

The guitarist says band members planned to talk Friday about the tour. A show in Winnipeg, Canada, already was postponed but Perry said he wasn't sure what would happen with the remaining 18 tour dates. The band's Web site didn't mention other cancellations Friday evening.

"After we get on the phone call ... there will be some announcement that will give us some kind of idea what the future's gonna hold," Perry said during his interview on Chicago radio station WLUP-FM.

Perry said the band had to cancel only a couple of concerts during its first 25 years but has had a run of bad luck the last three years.

On June 28, Tyler hurt his leg at a concert in Uncasville, Conn., and the band had to postpone seven shows in July. Tyler also battled pneumonia before the tour began in June, while Perry fought a knee infection.

Associated Press Writer Carson Walker contributed to this report from Sturgis, S.D.

At least for now, the Loop's Aerosmith/ZZ Top show at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre August 28th is still scheduled to go ahead as planned. Keep it locked on 97.9 The Loop for developing details.

(See video of Steven Tyler of Aerosmith's accident here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoi97-Gljao)

(Hear my conversation with Joe Perry of Aerosmith here: http://www.wlup.com/checkitout/byrdJoePerry.aspx)

Joe has a new solo record called "Have Guitar, Will Travel" coming out in the fall (no pun intended) which he previewed during his visit. Titled by fans, he may want to consider re-titling his forthcoming solo album "When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade!" Indeed Joe did just that over the weekend, showing up at both Lollapalooza and the Jimmy Buffett show to jam as he mentioned he might during our conversation.

(See Joe Perry of Aerosmith guest with Jane's Addiction live at Lollapalooza in Grant Park here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_giKjrG4to)

(See Joe Perry of Aerosmith guest with Jimmy Buffett live at Toyota Park here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBkDXOFH6CM)

The super group/super friends Chickenfoot pulled out all the stops in a blazing Loop show Friday night at the Chicago Theatre before an enraptured, sold-out crowd of Loyal Loopers. Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony gave the Loop and myself copious props on-stage that night for our support of their debut disc. It was hardly a difficult decision to make... the album is downright fantastic!

(See Chickenfoot perform "Sexy Little Thing" live at the Chicago Theatre here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NhcoKgXmJI)

Coming up this week on my show from 10am-3pm on 97.9 FM The Loop in Chicago, a replay of the highlights of Joe Perry of Aerosmith's visit Monday at 12:30pm and a conversation with AC/DC this Thursday at 2:30pm. All this week, your chance to win tickets to see a Cubs game from the Wrigley Done Right rooftop at 10:05am and 2:05pm daily as well as Heaven & Hell tickets complete with backstage passes to meet the band when they play next Wednesday at Charter One Pavilion!

BULLETIN!!!

Joe Perry of Aerosmith will be stopping by my show at 2:30pm on Friday, and I will have the last 3 pairs of Chickenfoot tickets left available (including a pair in the 4th row!) to their sold-out show Friday night, plus AC/DC tickets at 10:05am and 2:05pm to give away!!!

Is it August already? As the saying goes "time sure flies when you're having fun", the sheer number and relentless frequency of great concerts, parties and events have made the months fly by. With many more still on the way, I suspect in the not too distant future we may look back on this summer/fall with a grin of wistful fondness.

Speaking of nostalgia, here's a couple links to some iconic Chicago party spots of yore. Fortunately, the Kinetic Playground has been resurrected... still waiting on the Thirsty Whale.

http://thirstywhale.com/

http://www.thekineticplayground.com/

Keeping with the nostalgia vibe, Twisted Sister has just released their first new original song in 22 years called "30." Part of the newly expanded, remixed and remastered 25th anniversary edition of their "Stay Hungry" disc, it captures the feeling incisively... and humorously.

(See Twisted Sister's video for their new song "30" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Vv3wBsVjE)

This week on my show from 10am-3pm, win AC/DC tickets at 10:05am and 2:05pm daily, and tickets to see The Answer's solo gig next weekend as well. Guests this week include Dee Snider and J.J. French of Twisted Sister on Tuesday at 1:30pm, and Chickenfoot this Thursday at 11:30am.