AEROSMITH’s Lost 3D Concert and Video Clips 1982/83
Mar 21, 2024 22:48:18 GMT -5
tomhamilton, anaix3l, and 6 more like this
Post by gonzaloc on Mar 21, 2024 22:48:18 GMT -5
This came to mind recently and started doing some research. I think the books only mention these, but Google had a few more bits of info. It's amazing to see how many failed attempts this band had at being pioneers with different projects. I know it makes no sense to release anything from that era now, but it would have been so cool to see something like this have an actual release. Are there any more details available? aerosmithbackburner.com/2024/03/22/aerosmiths-lost-3d-concert-a-pioneering-journey-into-the-third-dimension/
In 1982, Aerosmith embarked on an ambitious project which was meant to be the first full 3D rock concert and a few 3D video clip – “Bolivian Ragamuffin,” “Bitches’ Brew,” and “Sweet Emotion.” The filming took place in Huntington, West Virginia, at the Huntington Civic Center, which Aerosmith rented for December 10th, 11th, and 12th of that year. The pre-production was meticulously planned out and occurred on December 10th.
The shoot’s centerpiece was on December 11th, a day filled with anticipation and mixed emotions. Despite the excitement surrounding the innovative 3D filming, many Aerosmith fans, known as the Blue Army, decided to abstain from attending the event. Their absence was a statement of loyalty towards the band’s original lineup, as Joe Perry and Brad Whitford were not part of this particular project, leaving Jimmy Crespo and Rick Duffy to fill their roles. Nevertheless, the show went on, with Rose Tattoo and Pat Travers as supporting acts. Aerosmith’s performance that day was notable not just for its pioneering 3D filming but also for the theatricality onstage, including Steven Tyler’s leap into the crowd and Rick Dufay’s daring climb during the performance.
This event also marked the debut of a new stage set for Aerosmith, highlighted by a giant, illuminated band logo. However, despite its initial spectacle, this stage set was deemed not roadworthy and was put into storage soon after, rarely making an appearance in subsequent shows.
The filming was led by Director Jonas McCord, with Bill Bukowski serving as the camera operator and director of photography. The shoot utilized Eastman Color film and Stereo Sound, with the innovative Optimax 111 system, marking a pioneering attempt at 3D concert filming. The filming used a new, 1982, process that put the 3D images onto a single strip of film. Instead of two cameras as used before.
Adding to the weekend’s activities, on December 12th, contest winners gathered at the Huntington Civic Center for additional filming. After a lengthy wait, the band arrived, completed the shoot within a few hours, and generously provided pizza and Dr. Pepper for everyone involved, a gesture that made local news headlines.
The main shot was during the concert, and day 2 was for close-ups and effect shots. They added a plank onto the front of the stage so Steven could crawl out on it over the crowd and into the camera .
Bukowski later revealed that the film found an audience in the Far East and special theater events in NYC and LA, despite never being released in America, suggesting a global interest in Aerosmith’s experimental endeavor. USA Nite Flite did show the clips of the show a couple of times in 1983, including “Lightning Strickes” as a promo for the upcoming 3D film.
The resulting videos premiered at the famed New York City nightclub Studio 54 in 1983, and parts of the footage were even used to introduce Aerosmith concerts that year. However, despite these efforts and the groundbreaking nature of the project, the videos faced technical limitations. Rumors suggested that the 3D technology did not translate well to the standard definition TVs of the time, leading to a lack of airplay and inclusion in mainstream media, such as the speculated trailers for “Jaws III.”
In a nod to Aerosmith’s history, a 39-second clip of “Sweet Emotion” from the concert was posted on the official Aerosmith website in 1997, purportedly sourced from their Vindaloo archives. The whereabouts of the other two videos remain a mystery, fueling speculation that current management is hesitant to release them due to the absence of original members Joe Perry and Brad Whitford.
The setlist for the December 11, 1982, show, now a piece of Aerosmith history, included hits such as “Back in the Saddle,” “Mama Kin,” and “Walk This Way,” among others, encapsulating a unique moment in the band’s storied career, even as it ventured into uncharted technological territories. Audio of “Sweet Emotion” from that 1982 show was included on Classics Live! I.
12/11/1982 setlist:
Back in the Saddle
Mama Kin
Big Ten Inch Record
Three Mile Smile
Reefer Head Woman
Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat)
Lord of the Thighs
Bitch’s Brew
Lick and a Promise
Jig Is Up
Sweet Emotion
Dream On
Lightning Strikes
Walk This Way
Milk Cow Blues
Toys in the Attic
The Train Kept A-Rollin’
In 1982, Aerosmith embarked on an ambitious project which was meant to be the first full 3D rock concert and a few 3D video clip – “Bolivian Ragamuffin,” “Bitches’ Brew,” and “Sweet Emotion.” The filming took place in Huntington, West Virginia, at the Huntington Civic Center, which Aerosmith rented for December 10th, 11th, and 12th of that year. The pre-production was meticulously planned out and occurred on December 10th.
The shoot’s centerpiece was on December 11th, a day filled with anticipation and mixed emotions. Despite the excitement surrounding the innovative 3D filming, many Aerosmith fans, known as the Blue Army, decided to abstain from attending the event. Their absence was a statement of loyalty towards the band’s original lineup, as Joe Perry and Brad Whitford were not part of this particular project, leaving Jimmy Crespo and Rick Duffy to fill their roles. Nevertheless, the show went on, with Rose Tattoo and Pat Travers as supporting acts. Aerosmith’s performance that day was notable not just for its pioneering 3D filming but also for the theatricality onstage, including Steven Tyler’s leap into the crowd and Rick Dufay’s daring climb during the performance.
This event also marked the debut of a new stage set for Aerosmith, highlighted by a giant, illuminated band logo. However, despite its initial spectacle, this stage set was deemed not roadworthy and was put into storage soon after, rarely making an appearance in subsequent shows.
The filming was led by Director Jonas McCord, with Bill Bukowski serving as the camera operator and director of photography. The shoot utilized Eastman Color film and Stereo Sound, with the innovative Optimax 111 system, marking a pioneering attempt at 3D concert filming. The filming used a new, 1982, process that put the 3D images onto a single strip of film. Instead of two cameras as used before.
Adding to the weekend’s activities, on December 12th, contest winners gathered at the Huntington Civic Center for additional filming. After a lengthy wait, the band arrived, completed the shoot within a few hours, and generously provided pizza and Dr. Pepper for everyone involved, a gesture that made local news headlines.
The main shot was during the concert, and day 2 was for close-ups and effect shots. They added a plank onto the front of the stage so Steven could crawl out on it over the crowd and into the camera .
Bukowski later revealed that the film found an audience in the Far East and special theater events in NYC and LA, despite never being released in America, suggesting a global interest in Aerosmith’s experimental endeavor. USA Nite Flite did show the clips of the show a couple of times in 1983, including “Lightning Strickes” as a promo for the upcoming 3D film.
The resulting videos premiered at the famed New York City nightclub Studio 54 in 1983, and parts of the footage were even used to introduce Aerosmith concerts that year. However, despite these efforts and the groundbreaking nature of the project, the videos faced technical limitations. Rumors suggested that the 3D technology did not translate well to the standard definition TVs of the time, leading to a lack of airplay and inclusion in mainstream media, such as the speculated trailers for “Jaws III.”
In a nod to Aerosmith’s history, a 39-second clip of “Sweet Emotion” from the concert was posted on the official Aerosmith website in 1997, purportedly sourced from their Vindaloo archives. The whereabouts of the other two videos remain a mystery, fueling speculation that current management is hesitant to release them due to the absence of original members Joe Perry and Brad Whitford.
The setlist for the December 11, 1982, show, now a piece of Aerosmith history, included hits such as “Back in the Saddle,” “Mama Kin,” and “Walk This Way,” among others, encapsulating a unique moment in the band’s storied career, even as it ventured into uncharted technological territories. Audio of “Sweet Emotion” from that 1982 show was included on Classics Live! I.
12/11/1982 setlist:
Back in the Saddle
Mama Kin
Big Ten Inch Record
Three Mile Smile
Reefer Head Woman
Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat)
Lord of the Thighs
Bitch’s Brew
Lick and a Promise
Jig Is Up
Sweet Emotion
Dream On
Lightning Strikes
Walk This Way
Milk Cow Blues
Toys in the Attic
The Train Kept A-Rollin’