Carly Simon or Steven Tyler?Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, besides being number two on the list of “Ten Proofs That Heavy Heroin Use Works Better Than Facelifts, Botox and Clinique” (number one Keith Richards, number three bandmate Joe Perry), is about 2.5 acts of chesed away from getting his own tree at Yad Vashem.

Not only did he play a set at the bat mitzvah of that super-rich New York girl who probably wasn’t entirely aware who he was, he’s now dedicated a New York performance of early Aerosmith hit “Dream On” to kidnapped Israeli soldier and Aerosmith fan Ehud Goldwasser, at the request of Goldwasser’s wife Karnit.

Prepare for the inevitable boycott of Aerosmith by all the usual parties (there go the sales of Joe Perry’s Rock Your World Hot Sauce) and the deluge of “STEVEN TYLER IS A ZIONIST!!!!!11!” posts in the anti-Semitic anti-Zionist pro-peace blogosphere, and listen hard for the combined rustling sound of thousands of Windows Recycle Bins as thousands of Aerosmith/Run DMC “Walk This Way” MP3s get deleted in a fit of pique.

This is the second major rock star act of support for Israeli soldiers in recent weeks – last month, a nice Israeli boy by the name of Chaim Witz, who I understand fronts a rock ‘n roll band of some renown, sent a video greeting to a fan paralyzed in a tank during fighting with Hizbullah in Lebanon.

My only issue is that no musician that I listen to has come out with a statement of support (because we all know that we should take our political orders from musicians, right, Bono?). So wake me up when Willi Williams takes up a position on Israel – until then, I’ll be keeping myself young the Steven Tyler way.

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  • “Dream On” is a classic, no doubt. But I am given pause by the end, where Tyler yells “Dreaaaam Oooon…” over and over again. One might be tempted to apply the phrase to the hope that the soldiers will ever be returned, and wonder if it’s just us dreaming on and denying reality…

    Still, a better choice than “Ehud’s Got a Gun,” or the cheesefestiness of “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing.”

  • My only issue is that no musician that I listen to has come out with a statement of support (because we all know that we should take our political orders from musicians, right, Bono?).

    because clearly it’s a bad thing when people who can reach millions actually try to do something to make the world better, right Michael?

  • Didn’t the Miami Boys Choir come out in support of Israel? Let’s just hope they don’t suffer from a boycott by the peace movement.

  • Wow. The clear implication of this post is that Steven Tyler is still alive.

  • My only issue is that no musician that I listen to has come out with a statement of support
    What about Avraham Fried?
    Seriously, Mike, I am going to try to call you before RH, but, if I don’t, have a great year, with all the blessings, and stay safe!

  • because clearly it’s a bad thing when people who can reach millions actually try to do something to make the world better, right Michael?

    Almost definitely!

    Mr. Friend: I wasn’t aware Mr. Fried had come out with a statement, but I worry that you may publicize my secret love for shiny-shoe music, which would utterly destroy my carefully cultivated musical credibility. Ixnay on the Iay adhay innerday ithway vrumaay riedfay. And I of course anticipate your call, but if I don’t get, have a shana tovah.

  • Welllll, isn’t that special!

    I will now make a difference in that meaningful way that we Americans always make a difference… and download a shitload of Aerosmith from iTunes. “Big Ten Inch Record,” indeed!

  • Clearly, you haven’t heard from your favorites because the artists who say something are doing it by request and Israelis have terrible taste in music.