Joey Kramer Of Aerosmith Barred From Grammys Rehearsal
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Aerosmith Hires Security Guards to Bar Joey Kramer During Grammys Rehearsal Amid Lawsuit Drama
Aerosmith Gives Insightful Response to Drummer Joey Kramer's Lawsuit
Walk the Other Way
Joey Kramer, the drummer for the rock band Aerosmith, has been barred from a rehearsal by the band as the Grammy Awards near.
Aerosmith and rappers Run-D.M.C. are scheduled to perform their classic genre-bending 1986 hit "Walk This Way" during the Grammys, but it sounds like a substitute drummer will take his place.
A wedge was driven between the group after they asked Kramer to audition for the band, after an injury he suffered in the fall sidelined him for months. According to the band, Kramer had to prove he's "able to play at an appropriate level.”
Kramer, understandably, took issue with basically having to try out for the band after being a member with them for years.
Fox News cites TMZ, saying that Kramer filed a lawsuit against the band after they said he couldn't perform with them.
And when Kramer arrived in Los Angeles to prep for the Grammys, he was blocked from entering by security that Aerosmith hired.
Here's What Aerosmith Has To Say
The members of Aerosmith released a lengthy statement explaining their stance, while reiterating that Kramer still a member of the band and a "brother."
“Joey Kramer is our brother; his wellbeing is of paramount importance to us. However he has not been emotionally and physically able to perform with the band, by his own admission, for the last 6 months. We have missed him and have encouraged him to rejoin us to play many times but apparently he has not felt ready to do so.”
The band explained their side of things.
“Joey has now waited until the last moment to accept our invitation, when we unfortunately have no time for necessary rehearsals during Grammys week. We would be doing a disservice to him, 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. 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.”
'Extremely Hurtful'
Kramer told TMZ that he deserves to be on the stage performing with the rest of the band. He adds that appearing just for photos with the group, while a fill-in drummer plays with the band, is like a slap in the face.
“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."
