The JOE PERRY PROJECT Part One 1979-1980

Описание: Intro to a series I'm doing about the JOE PERRY PROJECT. Guitar lessons and some basic history of the Project.

The Joe Perry Project is an American rock band formed by Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry shortly before his departure from Aerosmith in 1979. They almost immediately signed a record deal with Aerosmith's label, Columbia Records, who were disappointed with the chaos in the Aerosmith camp and hoping to maneuver Perry back into Aerosmith. The Project, with its debut album, Let the Music Do the Talking, played in smaller venues mostly around the Boston area. After several line-up changes over the next few years and two more albums with dismal sales the band dissolved in 1984 when Perry, and guitarist Brad Whitford, agreed to reunite with Aerosmith, bringing the band back to its original line-up. Joe Perry has reformed the Joe Perry Project several times since as a side project to stay busy during downtime with Aerosmith.

History
The original band line-up consisted of Joe Perry on guitar and sometimes lead vocal, Ralph Morman, on lead vocals, bassist David Hull, and drummer Ronnie Stewart. This line-up recorded the band's 1980 debut album, Let the Music Do the Talking, which was produced by long-time Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas. The album was well-received and sold 250,000 copies in America within its first six months of release.

In June 1980, while on tour in support of the album, Ralph Morman was fired from the band due to issues with alcohol and his undependable and unpredictable behavior. He was temporarily replaced by singer Joey Mala, of the New York-based act Revolver, in order for Perry to fulfill concert obligations until a permanent vocalist could be brought in. A permanent replacement was eventually found in singer and rhythm guitarist Charlie Farren. Perry, Farren, Stewart, and Hull recorded one album, I've Got the Rock'n'Rolls Again, which proved to be less successful than the group's debut effort. Columbia Records executives were reluctant to promote the album, which some believe was due solely on the fact that they were much more interested in a reunited Aerosmith, than a Perry solo project. This resistance from the label, combined with Perry's ongoing drug and financial problems, led to the entire band quitting 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 less than 50,000 copies. Despite the poor sales, The Project went out on a final tour in support of the album, adding then-former Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford to the line-up.