Earlier this month it was announced that Boston-born band mega band Aerosmith planned to put on a free performance “somewhere in the city” Monday at noon, with plans not to reveal the location until that morning.
But that all changed thanks to traffic and MBTA advisories warning commuters of a “special event” happening on Commonwealth Avenue – between Harvard Avenue and Allston Street. And if that wasn’t enough to help melt the ice fans were kept on, the band went ahead and told Matt Lauer on the Today Show.
“They’ve been wanting to turn our apartment where we started the band into a landmark or something, so they’re going to put a plaque up there, at 1325 Comm. Ave in Boston,” Joe Perry said Friday on The Today Show. “We’re going to show up and wave and all that, and we may actually pick up our guitars and play a couple of songs.”
Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s Press Secretary Dot Joyce confirmed that the address will be immortalized tomorrow.
“They’ll be a plaque unveiling that Mayor Menino will attend,” she said, and when asked about the location of the surprise show leaking days ahead of time, Joyce said, “It’s a little bit more of a challenge these days, but that’s okay. It’s all about celebrating Boston’s own bad boys.”
There are also reports that the band members will stick their hand prints in cement on the sidewalk.
In addition to the dedication of the band’s first apartment, the show will also promote Aerosmith’s 15th studio album and encourage people to vote in this week’s elections.
The band’s message: “Get out and vote! For whomever you like.”
Perry said in a press release announcing the show that, “Anyone who votes is a Freedom Fighter,” a nod to Aerosmith’s new album, “Music From Another Dimension!” which features a track called “Freedom Fighter.”
Despite its patriotism, Monday’s performance may cause a headache for commuters.
The Green Line B-Branch will be suspended between Washington Street and Packard’s Corner from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., and Commonwealth Avenue will be closed to traffic between Harvard Avenue and Allston Street between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
