Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer has released the following statement in response to a judge denying his request to allow him to return to playing with the band.
“Although I’m extremely disappointed by the Judge’s ruling…I respect it. I knew filing a lawsuit was a bit of an uphill battle considering that the corporate documents don’t reference any process for a band member returning from an injury or illness. However, the band waited until January 15th to tell me that they weren’t letting me play at the awards ceremonies this week. I can hold my head high knowing that I did the right thing — to fight for my right to celebrate the band’s success that I have dedicated the better part of my life to helping build.
The truth speaks for itself. Ever since I injured my foot last August and went through many hours of physical therapy to heal, not once did the band in its entirety offer to rehearse with me. That is a fact. I was also sent the full rehearsal schedule on January 18th and flew to LA the next day to rehearse and have many texts and emails stating the band can’t wait for my return. That’s also a fact. When I showed up to rehearse, I was greeted by two security guards who prohibited me from entering.
The band’s offer to allow me to participate in this week’s MusiCares and Grammy celebrations for red carpet photo ops only, is appreciated; however, with a fill-in drummer playing on stage at two events honoring our collective musical contributions, it is extremely hurtful to me. I am a professional musician who is eager to return to my rightful place with Aerosmith.
I want to thank my fans for the incredible outpouring of support and for sharing my goal of taking my place on stage as one of the five founding members of Aerosmith and continuing to play the music I love.”
TMZ has obtained video (see below) from over the weekend showing Kramer arrive at an Aerosmith Grammy rehearsal in Los Angeles, only to be turned away by two security guards. The guards make it clear that they were given the orders to refuse his entry by the other four members of the band.
Aerosmith’s official statement regarding Kramer’s lawsuit reads,
Aerosmith’s read, “We would be doing a disservice to Joey, to ourselves and to our fans to have him play without adequate time to prepare and rehearse. Compounding this, he chose to file a lawsuit on the Friday night of the holiday weekend preceding the Grammys with total disregard for what is our limited window to prepare to perform these important events.”
The statement continues, “Given his decisions he is unfortunately unable to perform, but of course we have invited him to be with us for both the Grammys and our MusiCares honor. We are bonded together by much more than our time on stage.”
See video here: https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/22/aerosmith-drummer-joey-kramer-denied-judge-grammy-performance-lawsuit/
14 Responses
WTF??? What the f–k was that all about??? Are you kidding us??? How the hell can you treat your bandmate, your friend, your “brother” like that? I don’t know what to say. What the hell is really going on here? Security guards?? ……
I am not even a fan, but watching that video made my heart break. I felt so bad for Mr. Kramer, that was completely unnecessary. Aerosmith are acting like a group of mean girls.
I felt so bad for Joey, I can’t believe they could treat him like that, like a common criminal. 50 years of traveling together, living together, working together, and you get greeted by security guards at a rehearsal that you were invited to? To quote 1 of your own songs Mr. Tyler, SHAME ON YOU!
Agree Dana – Kramer was a gentleman about it. If on the other foot, Tyler would have been a screaming baby.
Eff you Aerosmith
Aerosmith’s response sounded like complete BS – security guards barring a 60 plus year old musician from entering his own bands rehearsal Jesus Christ what they they did is the definition of a punk move – Joey you did all you could Eddie can you get him on the air before these shows happen so he can publicly shame these backstabbing douche bags …..?
69, to be exact. Did you see the look on Kramer’s face? I swear, as a lifelong fan of Kramer, and Aerosmith, I could feel his pain from that expression. I wasn’t planning on watching the Grammys anyway, but now I really, really hope it’s the lowest rated show ever!
The expression on his face, is what broke my heart, and despite how disgraceful he was being treated, he did not make a scene. He walked away like a mature man, and their cowardice, made the rest appear like immature brats.
F–k those guys..
Kramer is King.
Technically he is the best musician in the band…no contest.
Perry, Whitford and Hamilton are all second-rate, bar band level musicians…but Kramer is amazing.
F–k those guys…
Musically, they’re all great musicians, with the Kramedog being the greatest, but personally after this bullsh-t, I agree, f–k those guys! Never thought I would ever say that about my all time favorite band, that just goes to show how disappointed and disgusted I am with Tyler, Perry, Whitford, and Hamilton for turning their backs on Kramer. Now, I’m turning my back on them.
Team Kramer
Shame on you Steve and Joe
Just waiting to go to work here, seen the video and it is sad and oddly comical at the same time like something out of Spinal Tap.
These guys that he’s known for fifty years couldn’t have worked something out? To not even meet face to face with the guy who played on every Aerosmith release, kinda sad and really pathetic being these men are near 70 years of age, not teenagers.
It shouldn’t be a surprise though as I have seen the Kansas doc. Miracles out of Nowhere which tells a story about how these guys, well more actually Steven Tyler could be egocentric divas.
I’ve heard of similar tales from Geddy Lee and in the Kiss book Nothing to Lose.