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Last week, Steven Tyler, vocalist for the big-name American rock group Aerosmith, was spotted wandering around Osaka without an escort. The band is currently in the midst of a world concert tour with stops in a few of Japan’s major cities.
Apparently, Tyler decided to spend some time out on the town between shows in Osaka. Not only did the rock star allow fans to approach him as he explored the city, he even joined a band of jazz musicians performing on the streets for an impromptu jam session.
Aerosmith is a rock legend all the world over, even in Japan, where I have yet to meet a single person who can’t wail their way through “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” at the karaoke parlor. The band members may be exponentially older than Japan’s popular teen idols, but they still have what it takes to run a very successful tour spanning Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, not to mention the rest of the world. With so much fame to their name, Aerosmith’s members may seem untouchable.
That’s why when Tyler appeared at a Don Quijote store in Osaka, the girl who encountered him didn’t quite believe he was real. Twitter user kachan4269 posted this picture at left on Aug 14, with the caption, “This appears to be the vocalist for Aerosmith, but I wonder if he’s just a fake?? Why would the real deal come alone to Donki??”
Responders confirmed that she had, indeed, met the one true rocker. Most expressed jealousy over her awesome luck and no small amount of surprise. In Japan, even if you encounter a famous person on the streets, it’s unlikely that they’ll let you take a picture, especially not one where you’re posed together. Exclusivity is an important characteristic of Japan’s idol industry. In other words, all public images of the celebrity in question are controlled by the person’s talent agency and fan interactions only ever happen at special events.
Oh, but Steven Tyler’s encounters with the people of Osaka didn’t stop with a shopping trip. In the evening on Aug 15, Tyler suddenly appeared at a street performance by a start-up jazz band playing on the sidewalk near Umeda Station. He even went so far as to join the group’s performance and invite them all to Aerosmith’s concert the following day.
In the end, the band of friends was able to not only attend the concert, they were invited backstage, where they relished another jam session with Tyler playing the ukulele (photo below). For a group that does not consider itself at all popular and is barely scraping by, being backstage with Aerosmith was like living a dream. “Steven Tyler praised our music and gave us all hugs. It brought me to tears,” one of the young musicians commented.
Many commenters pounced upon the news. Many, once again, were confused as to why Tyler would go out of his way to do such a thing. “Was he bored?” asked one person. “He came and went so fast!” cried another, though most were just impressed by the generous attitude he had toward his fans. “Of course, real stars are something special.” “He’s a genuine rocker.” “So easygoing.” “He’s like a regular, carefree sorta’ guy.”
Sources: Jin115, Itai News
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24 Comments
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T_rexmaxytime
COOL!
Bartholomew Harte
Unlike other countries, Japan has a safe & good reputation & He felt at ease to walk around He's paid his dues & enjoyed okaying with that street band! Rock On Aerosmith AND Japan!!
Sensato
Steven Tyler is one of the few rock stars whose appeal transcends many generations, cultures and types of people. Aside from his musical talent, he seems very approachable and down to earth.
Anyway, his unaccompanied stroll among the people in the shitamachi of Osaka reminds me of the stories I hear of David Lee Roth and his life of learning and adventure in Tokyo.
Enjoy your time in Japan Steven.
Abhorsenaube
That's awesome! Steven Tyler is in my opinion one of the greatest musicians of all time.
DudeDeuce
Cool, I wonder how many people actually recognized him. Especially if he was walking around Ebisu Bridge which is the most crowded point in Osaka.
nath
He is instantly recognisable. Probably out looking for some company.
Get Real
Don't get out much, then?
JeffLee
When I lived in central London, I often saw world-famous people "walking around" by themselves or with friends. Is Japan really that special?
m6bob
Love this guy, he's down-to-earth!
DudeDeuce
Give examples of what you consider world famous and in what parts of London were they able to walk around unscathed by paparazzi.
Dara Danh
Similar to j-rock L'arc~en~ciel. He reminds me of HYDE
Jimizo
@Alex That's not my opinion of the stones. It's what the posers say. I think they're a good band.
The_True
@ DudeDeuce, i once saw harrison ford in 7 ave in manhattan, Leonardo dicaprio in soho and Jack Nicholson in queens seating in front of a grocery store talking to anyone drinking whisky, what he was doing there, was too early for a fight and stop there to kill time, that's jack's way . lol
Moderator
Back on topic please. Posts that do not focus on Steven Tyler in Osaka will be removed.
TSRnow
It's funny how they can do that in Japan since just being a Gaijin attracts attention everywhere. Maybe not so much as it used to be...?
Thunderbird2
I saw him on "Top Gear" on the BBC a few weeks ago... and he looked weird! Clearly had his teeth done and he looked like he had botox as well as cosmetic surgery.
Now if that had been Alice Cooper there I would be more impressed. ^_^
Mirai Hayashi
Steven Tyler looks exactly the same as he did 30 years ago...Like his music, the dude never ages
Thunderbird2
Like I said, the botox and plastic surgery which were pretty well self evident... according to a Doctor Holcomb:
Maria
What a nice bloke - good for him, getting in photos and inviting those guys to his gig. It is indeed a lot more than most famous visitors do. To Cruise goes out of his way, but in an entirely publicized way, press as well as public.
Well done Steven Tyler!
nath
What a bro! This is why everyone likes them. Aerosmith... What I would give to go back and time and see them in their prime! Nice to hear about an American artist making the US look good for a change.
JoiceRojo
He's charismatic, I like his daughter better, but then I saw him in an episode of Two and a Half men, and he was very natural, I do not think he was acting (he played himself) so I guess his personality is that way, very easygoing.
The fan that took the picture with him was very lucky indeed, I hope the lives were full, Aerosmith is really a band that transcends many generations.
Serrano
Steven looks virtually the same in every photo ever taken of him.
Aaron Loki Brummett
I am so jealous! Move aside Japanese girls! I liked the last album.
Kimokekahuna Hawaii
Tyler likes those yummy Japanese girls..