{"id":126915,"date":"2026-01-21T21:17:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/126915\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T21:17:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:17:48","slug":"ahead-of-largo-show-aerosmiths-tom-hamilton-recalls-the-best-gigs-he-ever-saw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/126915\/","title":{"rendered":"Ahead of Largo show, Aerosmith\u2019s Tom Hamilton recalls the best gigs he ever saw"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AClose Enemies, which plays Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo, Florida on Jan. 23, 2026. Credit: Photo by Eduardo Andrade<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not banking on there being another Aerosmith gig in Tampa Bay, but after this Friday, three-fifths of the main band will have been to town over the course of the last year.<\/a><\/p>\n

Founding bassist Tom Hamilton and his new band Close Enemies\u2014featuring members of The Babys and Sheryl Crow\u2019s band respectively\u2014are set to release their self-titled debut album in March. While much of this Largo gig will lean on new material, if you can indulge in that first, there have been some \u2018Aero cuts played near the end of the show. Consider it an electric build-up to what longtime Blue Army members are really there for, and remember that \u201cLove In An Elevator\u201d was brand-new once upon a time. Local twin-brother rock band Kamenar opens.<\/p>\n

Before his arrival, Hamilton told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about the best gig he ever saw. Read his full comment below.<\/p>\n

Man, I\u2019m finding it really hard to think of one concert that propelled me into a lifetime of rock. Joe and I used to meet at a club in Boston called The Boston Tea Party when we were teenagers. Our favorite band was Fleetwood Mac. They were a much different band than the one that later became huge. Back then, they were a rockin\u2019 blues band. They totally tore the place apart.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another time, I was by myself, and I went to a club to see Cream. When I got there, I was amazed to see there were fewer than 50 or so people there. I sat down on the floor and leaned against a post and had a perfect view of the stage, which was only about thirty feet away. It was the first time I saw Marshall amps. I couldn\u2019t believe how big they were. The guys in the band had to reach up to use the controls! That was an amazing show, but they did something a lot of bands did back then. Instead of playing the songs pretty much the way they were on the record, they would jam on and on. It was considered very uncool to play your songs like they were on the record. You had to make a show of how well you could improvise. Fine, but after about 15 minutes, I was bored and ready for the next song.<\/p>\n

Another time, at the Tea Party, I saw a band called Spirit. They were one of my favorite bands. They had a hit song called \u2018I Got a Line on You.\u2019 I remember watching them and noticing their bass player who was kind of tall and thin, and had cool red velvet pants. But I distinctly remember watching them and thinking \u2018I could do that.\u2019 -Tom Hamilton, Aerosmith\/Close Enemies<\/p>\n

Tickets to see Close Enemies featuring Tom Hamilton at Largo\u2019s Central Park Performing Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 23 are still available and start at $25.<\/a><\/p>\n

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This article appears in Jan. 15 \u2013 21, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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