Brad Whitford in Boston: Aerosmith's Roots & The Allston House | Life in Six Strings
Brad Whitford in Boston
Aerosmith's Roots & The Allston House | Life in Six Strings
Join Kylie Olsson in Boston as Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford and his son Graham revisit the legendary Allston house, Berklee College of Music, and the Wang Theater. Watch the full episode on Life in Six Strings.
Episode Overview
In this special Boston-based episode of Life in Six Strings, host Kylie Olsson sits down with legendary Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford and his son, Graham Whitford. The episode takes viewers on a deep dive into the geographical and musical roots of one of America's greatest rock bands.
From performing at the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame at the Wang Theater to walking the halls of Berklee College of Music, Brad shares untold stories about Aerosmith's early days, their songwriting process, and the blues influences that shaped their signature sound.
Explore Boston's Rock History
This episode traces Aerosmith's footsteps through some of Boston, Massachusetts' most iconic musical landmarks:
- ■ The Wang Theater (Boch Center): Home to the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame (FARHOF). Brad and Graham discuss the unmatched acoustics of historic American theaters and perform an acoustic rendition of the classic Aerosmith track "Last Child."
- ■ The Allston House: The legendary second-floor apartment where Aerosmith lived in their formative years. Brad recounts the cramped quarters, fighting for the best bedroom, parking their gear truck out front, and how the band survived before fame.
- ■ Berklee College of Music: Both Brad and Graham reflect on their brief tenures at this prestigious Boston institution, sharing the running joke that the ultimate goal at Berklee is to get a gig so you don't have to graduate.
- ■ The Fenway Theater: The venue where Aerosmith scored their first real rehearsal space by impressing the tough-as-nails theater manager, ultimately leading to their discovery by legendary Boston promoter Frank Connelly.
Episode Highlights
- The Origin of "Last Child" Brad breaks down the organic writing process behind the funk-infused rock hit, demonstrating the isolated guitar parts and detailing how Joe Perry's stabs and Steven Tyler's drumming brought the track to life.
- Blues & The British Invasion A discussion on how American Roots and Blues music filtered through English rock bands (like The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds) to heavily influence Aerosmith's foundational sound.
- The Secret Jeff Beck Riff Brad reveals a long-held secret: the iconic guitar riff in Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" was directly inspired by Jeff Beck's "Rice Pudding."
- The Father-Son Dynamic An intimate look at Graham Whitford following in his father's footsteps, including an exclusive acoustic jam session and performance between the two guitarists.
