Boston’s Hard Rock expands its reach
By JIM SULLIVAN | August 13, 2007
There were some heavy hitters on the red carpet at the opening celebration of Boston’s new, bigger Hard Rock Café last Tuesday. But the biggest cheese went unnoticed by the paparazzi. Hamish Dodds, the CEO/president of Hard Rock International, sat on the patio, admiring his latest venture. The Hard Rock moved from its Clarendon Street spot to Faneuil Hall last month — a move Dodds hopes will make it more than just a rock-oriented burger joint for tourists. “We are already a player in other cities,” he said, referring to the chain’s live-music programming. The new 600-capacity space with concert stage will allow the Hard Rock to bring in larger acts. “We have relationships with bands in other places, and we have the ability to tour people through. It’s part of our strategy. We’re stepping up the pace.”
Two local rockers were happy to give their stamp of approval. Damone’s Noelle LeBlanc complimented the chain for being “super-accommodating” on tour. And former Extreme/Van Halen singer Gary Cherone said, “I’ve been fortunate to do Hard Rocks with Extreme.”
Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton was also feeling the good vibes. He suggested that the Hard Rock does a great job of “connecting” different elements of rock culture, adding that the restaurant/club’s emphasis on classic rock fits the needs of both people his age and teenagers. Aerosmith are one of several Boston bands (the Pixies and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are two others) whose memorabilia festoons the walls of a special Boston room at the new joint.
Entertainment was provided by Staind’s Aaron Lewis, whose earnest, melancholic solo set contrasted with the festive mood but added gravitas. The Hard Rock was donating all bar proceeds to the Boston anti-violence charity Peace Games, as befits the chain’s motto: “Love All, Serve All.”
Related:
Air heads, Motley crews, The Big Hurt: The week in digital mishaps, More 
- Air heads
Long ridiculed and parodied, air guitar is in the ascendance right now.
- Motley crews
The history of Boston rock and roll begins with these immortal words: “Ding! Dong! Ding ding dong! Ka-ding dong, ding dong ding!”
- The Big Hurt: The week in digital mishaps
Say what you will about Kid Rock, but I will not allow you to deny that the man is a fucking artiste .
- Going on sale: June 23, 2006
Peaches and Eagles of Death Metal, Rick Springfield and Eddie Money, Ben Harper and Damian Marley, Aerosmith and Motley Crue
- Jimmy Reject, 1971-2006
James Harrington, a/k/a Jimmy Reject, former drummer for the shoulda-been-legendary Boston glam/trash punks the Dimestore Haloes, published novelist, passionate rock critic, former ice-cream shop employee, and through-and-through punk rocker, died suddenly last Monday at age 35.
- Sigur sounds
Sigur Rós’s albums have always sounded like film soundtracks, so downloading the music sans video from their upcoming EP/DVD Sæglópur isn’t much of a stretch.
- Rumble final
This year, the WBCN Rock ’n’ Roll Rumble, which moved from the Paradise to the Middle East back in the ’90s, waited until the final to move from the upstairs where the preliminaries were held to the larger downstairs room.
- The Interpreter
Emo blows. You know that. But what are you doing about it?
- Springtime for Darwin
There are two stories, and two stories only.
- Esther’s Mixtape Collective
Congress Street was empty of people, and the White Heart had but a half-dozen patrons at 8:30 on Sunday. Perhaps these few were pondering the same question: who is Esther, and what’s up with this mixtape business?
- The 40 greatest concerts in Boston history
The Phoenix picks the shows that have defined the scene
- Less
Topics:
Live Reviews
, Entertainment, Staind, Music, More
, Entertainment, Staind, Music, Pop and Rock Music, Aerosmith, Tom Hamilton, Van Halen, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Aaron Lewis, Gary Cherone, Less
