[Rock Music Plays]
[Captioning by YT user thebestdayeversong]
This is Riley McIlwain. My oldest and best friend.
And here he is playing Guitar Hero.
On stage at the Comcast Center, opening up for the band, Aerosmith.
But how did Riley get there?
Well, let's back up a bit, and I'll explain.
[Film projector shut off]
It all started in 2007, when Riley and I filmed an impromptu homemade music video,
For Areosmith's rock classic, ''Livin' on the Edge.''
Months later, I would edit and post this video to YouTube.
Fast forward to fifteen months to May 2009,
When our favorite radio station here in Boston, 100.7, WZLX.
Launched a radio contest.
The rules were simple.
Make a video of your best air guitar or Guitar Hero performance to any Aerosmith song, and upload it to YouTube.
The person with the most votes would win.
The grand prize? A backstage meet and greet with Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith,
Free tickets to their June 16th concert,
A copy of the game, Aerosmith Guitar Hero,
And a chance to open for the band, performing Guitar Hero live on stage before the show.
And you can figure out the rest. We entered that contest, and thanks in part to your generous votes,
We won, with over 60% of the votes.
When June 16th came around,
We made our way to the concert venue, and we were both under the impression that because Riley was under 18,
I would be the one claiming the grand price, and going on stage to perform.
Here's what I had to say about the experience.
Opening for Aerosmith.
That's one of those dreams that you don't have, because it's just not feasible.
I'd dreamed I'd be a YouTube star someday, I didn't dream I'd open for Areosmith!
What kind of dream is that? I'm not even a rock star. But today I have that one moment, where I can pretend to be a rockstar.
I am going to do my best and hopefully we'll get video of it so your guys can see it right after this.
After entering the Comcast Center,
And retrieving our backstage pass.
We took some photo's of the runners up from the contest.
As well as Heather McNamara, a 15 year old from Brockton, who one an identical contest on Aerosmith's fan website.
It was around this time that we realized that no one would really be checking I.D., so I gave Riley my backstage pass,
And told him ''Good Luck, pretend your me for the next 20 minutes.''
Sadly no cameras were allowed backstage,
But we do have these photo's hanging out with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Courtesy aeroforceone.com.
(Jon in car) What was it like to meet the band?
It was really cool to me Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
They are very little guys, they're short. I mean Steven Tyler fits between my shoulder. Seriously.
I walked in and as soon as he gets up ''Whoa! Easy there, muscles! You're going to poke an eye out with those!''
It was cool. It happened for like one minute, but I had him sign a poster, and Steven Tyler is very flurty with the girls.
Joey was kind of like [mumbling with little words].
They were both cool guys.
After taking his pictures with Aerosmith, it was time for Riley's big concert debut.
(Backstage Manager) ...And then I'll say go. I'll tell you guys when to go.
(Riley) What song are we playing?
(Manager) Rag Doll.
(Riley) Oh beautiful.
(Jon Narrating) Now unfortunately, the song Rag Doll is copyrighted by Universal Music Group.
So we're not allowed to use audio in this video. But here's Riley and Heather rocking out to some royalty free music.
[Royalty Free Classic Rock]
After Mr. Guitar Hero himself finished his Guitar Hero performance,
He joined my in our free seats, and we watched a real rock show unfold for the next three hours.
The Drop Kick Murphy's opened up the show and put on a great set for over an hour.
And of course the main event, Aerosmith themself's.
They put on a great set, they put on a great show, and rocked it hard for over three hours.
Me and Riley both fully enjoyed ourselfs.
[Rock music]
And when it was over, it was unlikely that Riley would open for Aerosmith ever again,
But I don't think he will be soon forgetting that event.
Okay Riley, we just finished the concert, and we're on our way home, tell the folks at home, what is was like to be onstage playing Guitar Hero?
Onstage was awesome! I mean, we waited backstage, it was like getting pumped up for a game, butterflies in your stomach.
I know it wasn't people who really cared, I have sung in front of my school,
But this was different, cause it was like a really rock show!
I played onstage at the Comcast Center.
So did you feel like a rock star?
I did. I know I was hopping around, missing some notes on Guitar Hero, but hey, it was a blast.
Definitely putting it on my resume!
[Rock music playing] [Captioning by YT user thebestdayeversong]