Latest Drum News
AEROSMITH drummer Joey Kramer has “regrettably made the decision to sit out the band’s concerts in 2022 so he can focus his full attention on his family during these uncertain times,” according to a statement from the legendary rockers. While Kramer “takes a temporary leave of absence” from AEROSMITH, he will once again be replaced by his drum tech, John Douglas.
Two years ago, Kramer rejoined his AEROSMITH bandmates on stage during the group’s residency in Las Vegas. A month earlier, he sued the rest of AEROSMITH in a bid to perform with them at two Grammy-related events. But a Massachusetts judge eventually ruled against him and the group played without Kramer.
After Kramer injured his shoulder in 2019, Douglas filled in for a few gigs during AEROSMITH’s residency. Kramer did, however, perform with the rest of AEROSMITH in July of that year at the Twin Cities Summer Jam in Shakopee.
In addition to drumming John is an airbrush artist, sculptor, and drum tech. These are the two passions that John Douglas has enjoyed, pursued, and juggled his entire life. Being an accomplished drummer and artist, he ultimately combined them and began painting and customizing drums and guitars for many of the biggest rock bands on the planet…Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Maná, Van Halen and ZZ Top to name just a few, all while writing music and performing with various bands himself.
He now works behind the scenes and tours with many of these bands. While on tour he paints on canvas in his hotel rooms, exercising his creativity and love of portraiture. Primarily black and white portraits of what else…rock & roll stars. And his work has been appreciated and collected by many of the performers for which he works. Joe Perry of Aerosmith used a painting done by Douglas for the cover of his solo album Have Guitar Will Travel. While working on the Bon Jovi tour in 2018 Douglas painted a portrait of Jon Bon Jovi who loved the painting so much, he offered limited edition prints of it to his fans.
The name John Douglas may not be familiar, but his work, featured on drums, guitars, album covers and concert stages, has been seen by literally hundreds of thousands of music fans. And his rock & roll portraits on canvas are in private collections and on display in Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos all over the world.
Learn more about John and see his art at www.johndouglas.com
Sources: https://johndouglas.com/about/ & https://blabbermouth.net/news/aerosmith-drummer-joey-kramer-to-sit-out-2022-concert-dates-temporary-replacement-announced/
