Many photos in the book have never before been seen publicly. The author also supplies unique insight on the stars’ music and careers and provides detailed and colourful accounts of the nuts and bolts of the business of rock and roll. A more recent chance meeting with Keith Richards results in an evening being treated to the wit and wisdom of an older but no less outrageous Stone alone. Chapters dedicated to AC/DC, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, YES, Jethro Tull and more offer unique snapshots of the artists at their peak. Centred on a year of living on the edge with a down and out Steven Tyler and Aerosmith, the ‘Band on the Rocks,’ you’ll also take side trips involving many other classic icons. The town is located just over a 100 miles west of Aerosmith’s home base of Boston. Praetorius’ adolescent infatuation with music and musicians evolves into an appreciation of performers as real people, featuring an intimate look at their foibles, failings and addictions to adoration and varied vices. He offers humorous and insightful reflections on the excitement and insanity of the era from the eyes and ears of a fan who hit the jackpot, leaping from the back row to backstage, promoting, pacifying and occasionally partying with some of the world's biggest names. Aerosmith’s van was recently sold for 25,000 to Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz of the History Channel’s American Pickers. He is one of the founding members of the band that was replaced by Brad Whitford back in 1971. The first Aerosmith album was a self-titled studio album released in 1973, although the band formed in 1970. They went through the long process of getting it truly authenticated, which included the help of Ray Tabano. Aerosmiths rusty, abandoned van was plucked from the boonies by hosts of the History Channels 'American Pickers,' who recovered the vehicle decades after it was put to rest in the woods in Massachusetts. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz first showed fans the iconic van on the show. Praetorius tells the story of a chaotic youth producing concerts during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the summit of rock god excess. ‘American Pickers’ and the Aerosmith Van.