| The Joe Perry Project | |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Genres | Hard rock, Blues rock |
| Years active | 1979–1984, 2009–present |
| Labels | Roman Records, Columbia Records, MCA Records |
| Associated acts | Aerosmith, BUX, Savoy Brown, Angel |
| Website | www.joeperrymusic.com |
| Members | |
| Hagen Grohe Joe Perry David Hull Paul Santo Marty Richards |
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| Past members | |
| Ralph Mormon Ronnie Stewart Charlie Farren Joey Mala Cowboy Mach Bell Danny Hargrove Joe Pet Brad Whitford |
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The Joe Perry Project is an American rock band formed by Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry. Perry started working on forming the band shortly before his departure from Aerosmith in 1979. The Joe Perry Project signed a record deal almost immediately after Perry's exit from the band with Aerosmith's label, Columbia Records, who were disappointed with the chaos in the Aerosmith camp and hoping to maneuver Perry back into Aerosmith.
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The original band line-up consisted of Perry, singer Ralph Morman, bassist David Hull and drummer Ronnie Stewart. This line-up recorded The Project's 1980 debut album, Let the Music Do the Talking, which was produced by long-time Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas. The album was fairly well received and sold a respectable 250,000 copies in the US.
During the tour in support of the album, Morman was fired and replaced by Joey Mala, who lasted until the end of the tour, when he in turn was replaced by singer and rhythm guitarist Charlie Farren. This line-up recorded one album, I've Got the Rock'n'Rolls Again, which was released to little attention in 1981. Columbia's reluctance to promote the album combined with Perry's continuing drug problems led to Perry's firing the entire band in 1982.
Equipped with a new record label (MCA Records) and three new band members in singer Cowboy Mach Bell, bassist Danny Hargrove and drummer Joe Pet, the band released Once a Rocker, Always a Rocker in 1983. The album met the same fate as its predecessor, selling a meager 40,000 copies without any promotion whatsoever. Despite the poor sales, The Project went out on a final tour in support of the album, adding then ex-Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford to the line-up.
During this tour, The Project performed in a series of co-bills with Huey Lewis and the News in Texas promoted by veteran concert producers Tom Young and Terrell Braly. It was during this tour that Joe formed a strong friendship with Huey Lewis. The News was booked by Fred Bohlander of Monterey Peninsula Artists and Huey felt that Joe should be with the same agency in a reformed Aerosmith. Fred Bohlander agreed and arranged a meeting between Joe and Steven Tyler. Monterey Penn Artist would arrange for a tour of the reformed legendary act should the principals agree.
The following year, both Perry and Whitford would rejoin Aerosmith for a very successful reunion and began a two decade relationship with Monterey Peninsula Artists which in turn helped make the small agency the industry powerhouse it is today.
A compilation album, The Music Still Does the Talking: The Best of the Joe Perry Project, was released by an Australian Indie Record label in 1999.
On October 6, 2009 Joe Perry released a solo album entitled Have Guitar, Will Travel. The first single from the album was called "Long Way to Go."[1] Although the record was released as a Perry solo album, the touring band included original bassist David Hull and they are being billed as The Joe Perry Project. Also participating in the band were guitarist/keyboardist Paul Santo, drummer Marty Richards and German vocalist Hagen Grohe who was discovered by Perry's wife on YouTube. The new Joe Perry Project also backed Joe on his latest album which makes it a de facto JPP album.
On September 20, 2009, the new Joe Perry Project played the first public concert of the Have Guitar, Will Travel Tour at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The show was announced just days before the event. Fans who attended the show were the first to hear some of the new songs from the upcoming album "Joe Perry...Have Guitar, Will Travel", as well as a handful of classic Aerosmith hits including: "Let the Music Do the Talking" (alternate JPP version), "Walkin' The Dog", "Dream On", "Combination" and "Walk This Way". The final song of the night was a cover of Neil Young's "Keep On Rockin' in the Free World."
On November 10, 2009 Steven Tyler joined The Joe Perry Project on stage at the Fillmore New York to sing "Walk This Way." His appearance with Joe Perry marked the end of intense speculation, as well as recent confirmation from Perry, that he had quit Aerosmith.
Joe Perry Project toured 2010 in support of bands such as Bad Company [2] and Mötley Crüe.[3]
1979 - 1980 |
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1980 |
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1980 - 1982 |
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1982 - 1983 |
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1983 - 1984 |
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1984 - 2009 |
Band Split; Joe Perry and Brad Whitford rejoin Aerosmith. |
2009–Present |
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