New York Dolls / Aerosmith / Bertha

Wigbomb Dec 01, 2023

Aerosmith did not play this show, though they were promoted on the bill. The announcement that they'd cancelled was made from the stage. Replacement acts were Sylvester & the Hot Band and Ann Arbor's Radio King and His Court of Rhythm. I believe Bertha did play as scheduled. The New York Dolls' PA system failed during the first song, requiring at least two 45-minute delays interspersed with further failed restarts including one desperate attempt to turn the stage monitors facing the theater and use those as vocal support. Eventually the crowd got surly, there was ugly name-calling between audience and band, and the Dolls stormed off, giving the crowd the finger on the way offstage. The most unforgettable show I've ever wished I'd never attended.