Joey Kramer

“Having really good ideas comes from being able to listen to everybody else and see what their ideas are, because they're coming from a completely different place. That's always been important. It's part of being in a band.”

“I have been through a lot of ups and downs in life, both personally and professionally, and I discovered over the years that I have a lot of fortitude, and I got that from my dad.”

“And when it comes to the music, the fans are the most important thing because they get you and put you where you are. And so often - too often - that whole idea gets cast aside.”

“I've always been a coffee-lovin' fool, from the time I was a kid.”

“I was a big Pretty Purdie fan. I have heavy rhythm and blues influences, and that is what I bring to the table with Aerosmith.”

“My playing is all about feel. I'm completely self taught: I never took any lessons or anything.”

“I'm a street player, and all of my influences come from bands that I was listening to at the time when I was growing up. I was very impressed with guys like Mitch Mitchell. I liked rock and roll drummers, and I loved rhythm and blues guys like Clyde Stubblefield with James Brown. Man, that band blew me away all of the time.”

“I learned from my dad that there may come a time in life when you need to slow down and take a breath and deal with things, and that's OK, but whatever you do... Don't stop, and don't quit. Even if it's hard, you can't be lazy.”

“Good songs are what a good band is all about. When you have a good song that stands up to the test of the time, that is the most important thing.”

“Because of our excessive touring and not giving up, it wasn't until 'Toys' came out that 'Dream On' really caught on. And then, of course, 'Walk This Way' crept up after that. Things went our way after that.”

“I'm really into the love thing. When I relate to my guys in the band, I tell them where it's at, and if I feel like telling somebody that I love them, I do.”

“When you have fun doing something, it stops being work, really.”

“In my opinion, Slash is probably one of the last of the iconic guitar players carrying the torch of what it's really all about.”

“The roads in Boston suck. Highways included. There are potholes and bumps all over the place. It's not a fun place to drive.”

“Boston will always be home to me.”

“Problems and issues will always be there, and they'll never leave our side, so the object is to have a good time and make fun out of whatever we do.”

“I have memories of doing 'Toys In The Attic' and being on the floor next to my drums, on my back, laughing.”

“I'm not the kind of guy who hems and haws about how he feels.”

“I'm not one of those celebrities that will just put my name on something and expect to get a check.”

“Call it whatever you want, whether it's hip-hop or cult music or pop music, but to me, it's all pretty disposable. I don't think that the music of Nikki Minaj or Justin Beiber is going to be played on the radio twenty-five years from now.”