On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way

On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way

On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Wayoriginally appeared onParade. Sometimes the biggest dreams require the boldest risks, and 53 years ago today, five Boston musicians proved that betting everything on one night can change your life forever. On August 5, 1972,Aerosmithsecured their legendary $125,000 record deal with Columbia Records in a way that perfectly embodies rock and roll hustle. The unbelievable part? The band literally paid their own way to perform atMax's Kansas City, a small New York venue, knowing that music industry powerhouseClive Daviswould be in attendance. This wasn't a lucky break or accidental discovery – it was a calculated gamble that required incredible confidence and financial sacrifice from five young musicians who believed in their destiny. Davis, the legendary executive who also signedBruce Springsteen,Billy Joel, andPink Floyd, witnessed something special that night. Aerosmith's performance was so compelling that he offered them a deal on the spot, launching one of rock's most enduring careers. The band had strategically included "Mama Kin" in their setlist – a song so meaningful to Steven Tyler that he later tattooed "MA KIN" inside a heart on his bicep. What makes this story truly remarkable is how it demonstrates the power of creating your own opportunities. Rather than waiting to be discovered, Aerosmith invested their own money to put themselves in front of the right person at the right time. Their belief in their music was so strong that they were willing to risk everything for one performance. The strategy paid off spectacularly. Just five months later, in January 1973, their self-titled debut album was released, featuring future classics like "Dream On" and "Mama Kin." Eight days after the album release, "Mama Kin" became their first single – the very song that helped seal their record deal that fateful night at Max's Kansas City. Related: '80s Band Legend, 73, Nails Famous Power Ballad at Recent Concert: 'Sings Like an Angel' The band even immortalized this pivotal moment in their 1979 song "No Surprize" with the lyrics about how "at Max's Kansas City we won" and how "old Clive Davis said he's surely gonna make us a star." It became part of their rock and roll mythology, proving that sometimes the best stories are the true ones. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 This origin story perfectly captures the essence of what made Aerosmith special from the beginning – they weren't just talented musicians, they were strategic dreamers who understood that success requires both incredible music and incredible courage. Fifty-three years later, that one night of calculated risk-taking launched a career that would influence countless artists and cement their place in rock history. On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Wayfirst appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

byAlpha World

in

August 05, 2025

On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way

On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legenda...

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‘Midnight Rider’ Director Randall Miller Sues DGA to Overturn Lifetime Ban

'Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller Sues DGA to Overturn Lifetime Ban

Randall Miller, the director who served a year in a Georgia jail for a fatal accident on the set of "Midnight Rider," hassued the Directors Guild of Americain a bid to overturn his lifetime expulsion. Miller pleaded guilty in 2015 to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Sarah Jones, the camera assistant who was struck by a freight train while the crew was attempting to film a scene on a bridge without permission. More from Variety DGA Awards Set 2026 Ceremony Date, Early in Second Phase of Awards Season Randall Miller, 'Midnight Rider' Director, Completes Probation and Gets Manslaughter Conviction Cleared Hiring Rate of Female Episodic Helmers, TV Directors of Color Has Been Flat Over Past Three Years, DGA Reports Seven years later, the DGA expelled Miller for life, effectively prohibiting him from directing a signatory film. The expulsion came after Miller directed another film, "Coffee Wars," while on probation. Georgia prosecutors sought to revoke his probation, arguing that Miller had violated a term forbidding him from directing for 10 years. Miller maintained that he believed he could direct so long as someone else was responsible for safety on set. After a lengthy hearing in 2021, a judge let Miller off with a warning and did not order him back to jail. The DGA had previously suspended Miller for a year due to the "Midnight Rider" crash. Following the probation revocation hearing, the union launched a second proceeding in which it found that Miller had engaged in conduct "prejudicial to the welfare of the Guild." The 27-member Western Directors Council voted unanimously to expel him for life in May 2022, the lawsuit states. Miller sued the DGA on July 30, arguing that the expulsion violates the guild's constitution, and that the proceeding was "predetermined and initiated in bad faith." The complaint asserts that the DGA was facing pressure from its members and from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees to stop Miller from working. It quotes an email from Lesli Linka Glatter, the guild's president, complaining to other DGA leaders about Miller: "Would love to talk to you about how to deal with this. Can't believe this guy is directing again." The suit also argues that DGA leadership manipulated the vote of the Ethics Committee, the five-member panel that makes recommendations to the directors council on disciplinary matters. According to the complaint, Miller was told that the initial vote was 5-0 against expulsion, but that after leadership met with the committee members, the committee voted 4-1 in favor. Miller also accuses the DGA of interfering with the distribution of "Coffee Wars" (previously titled "Higher Grounds"). According to his complaint, while the expulsion was pending, Sky cancelled a deal to broadcast the film in the U.K. The cancellation cost the investors $500,000, undermined the global market for the film, and harmed Miller's ability to fund future projects, the suit alleges. "The harm caused by the DGA's actions toward Miller, marked by deceit and an abuse of process, has been catastrophic to his professional reputation and continues to hinder his job prospects," the lawsuit states. "Miller has not been able to direct any project since 'Coffee Wars.'" The Jones family publicly urged the DGA to expel Miller in 2020. In response to the suit, a DGA spokesperson said, "Ever since Randall Miller pled guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the tragic death of Sarah Jones on 'Midnight Rider,' he has sought to absolve himself of responsibility for his conduct." "This lawsuit is a baseless attempt to blame his union for the reputational damage he suffered as a result of his own actions," the spokesperson continued. "We look forward to addressing these misguided claims in court. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Jones family for the loss of their beloved daughter." Last year, Miller obtained a $1.5 million tax incentive from California to make a film called "Supercrip," though he is listed only as a writer and producer, not a director. Miller completed his probation in March and got his conviction expunged. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025 Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byAlpha World

in

August 05, 2025

‘Midnight Rider’ Director Randall Miller Sues DGA to Overturn Lifetime Ban

'Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller Sues DGA to Overturn Lifetime Ban Randall Miller, the director who served a year in a Georg...

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Funeral home owner who sent families fake ashes pleads guilty to fraud

Funeral home owner who sent families fake ashes pleads guilty to fraud

A Colorado funeral home owner accused of stashing nearly 200 decomposing bodies in a room-temperature building admitted in federal court Monday that shecheated customersanddefrauded the federal governmentout of nearly $900,000. Carie Hallford, who ran Return to Nature Funeral Home with her husband Jon Hallford, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Carie Hallford faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, though federal prosecutors agreed to ask for 15 years at a December sentencing hearing. Hallford already pleaded guilty once in federal court, but a judge last year rejected the agreement with prosecutors and still has to approve this one. Crystina Page's son David died in 2019, and his body was left in an inoperable refrigerator for four years. Standing outside the federal courthouse Monday, Page said she's disappointed about the possibility that neither Hallford goes on trial, something she hoped would have brought answers about what happened to her son and others entrusted to their care. "We still don't know the truth of what they've done to us," she said. The federal case brought against both Hallfords focused on two schemes: falsifying documents to siphon nearly $900,000 in COVID-19 pandemic-era financial aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration and deceiving customers by taking payments for cremations the Hallfords never did. Instead of cremating the nearly 200 bodies between 2019 and 2023, the Hallfords allegedly stored the bodies in a decrepit building and sent some customersdry concreteinstead of ashes. The Hallfords pocketed around $130,000 of their customers' payments meant for cremations or burial services and spent it, along with the federal funds, on luxury products — a GMC Yukon, laser body sculpting, vacations, jewelry and cryptocurrency. In a separate case in state court, both Hallfords have been charged with191 counts of corpse abuse, including for twice burying the wrong body and leaving others to decompose. Jon Hallford has already pleaded guilty to those 191 counts, as well as a fraud charge in the federal case for which he wassentenced to 20 yearsin prison. The building packed with bodies was discovered in 2023 in Penrose, Colorado, about a two-hour drive south of Denver. It shook already grieving families. Many learned that their loved ones' remains weren't in the ashes they spread or held tight but were instead decaying in a building. Investigators found bodies stacked atop each other, swarms of bugs and maggots, and so much liquid on the ground it had to be pumped out. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byAlpha World

in

August 05, 2025

Funeral home owner who sent families fake ashes pleads guilty to fraud

Funeral home owner who sent families fake ashes pleads guilty to fraud A Colorado funeral home owner accused of stashing nearly 200 decompos...

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Grand jury declines to indict former Atlanta police officer in church deacon’s death

Grand jury declines to indict former Atlanta police officer in church deacon's death

A grand jury on Monday declined to indict a former Atlanta police officer on manslaughter charges in thedeath of a churchdeacon who died in a struggle with the officer following a minor car crash. After hearing the case, Fulton County grand jurors rejected criminal charges against Kiran Kimbrough, said Jeff DiSantis, a spokesperson for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Johnny Hollman Sr. died in August 2023 after he refused to sign a citation following a wreck. Family members said the 62-year-old Hollman was driving home from Bible study at his daughter's house and taking dinner to his wife when he collided with another vehicle while turning across a busy street just west of downtown. Body camera video of Hollman's arrest shows Kimbrough repeatedly demanding that Hollman sign the citation, while Hollman insists he did nothing wrong. The two men tussled and Hollman ended up face down on the ground with Kimbrough over him, pressing him down. Holloman repeatedly says "I can't breathe," and Kimbrough uses a Taser to shock him repeatedly. The video also shows a tow truck driver helping Kimbrough. Hollman became unresponsive and was declared dead at a hospital. An autopsy determined the death was a homicide, with heart disease also a contributing factor. Lance LoRusso, who represents Kimbrough, said prosecutors sought to indict his client for one count of manslaughter, one count of simple battery and three counts of violating his oath of office. Kimbrough testified before the grand jury, as is an officer's right under state law, LoRusso said. "While Johnny Hollman's death was tragic, in no way did Kiran Kimbrough cause the death," LoRusso said in a statement Monday. "Johnny Hollman's death was caused by medical complications and his felonious, unlawful resistance of a uniformed officer performing his lawful duties." DiSantis said Willis is conferring with prosecutors and investigators about whether to ask a new grand jury to indict Kimbrough. Hollman's family members have repeatedly called for the former officer to be criminally charged. A statement from lawyers attributed to the family said they were "devastated" by the grand jury's decision not to indict. "The failure to hold this officer accountable is another painful reminder of how little value is placed on his life by some citizens," the statement said. "Our faith and our fight for justice will not waver." Atlanta officials fired Kimbrough, saying he should have agreed to Hollman's request to speak to a supervisor. A civil service board upheld the firing, and the Atlanta City Council agreed to settle a lawsuit by Hollman's family alleging excessive force for $3.8 million. The family also sued the tow truck driver and his employer, saying the driver straddled Hollman's head and neck for at least 20 seconds and appeared to "sit with his full body weight" on Hollman's head and neck while Kimbrough handcuffed Hollman. Atlanta and some other police departments have enacted policies saying that officers should no longer arrest people who refused to sign citations. State lawmakers passed a bill that would have enacted such a policy statewide earlier this year, but Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed it because he opposed a provision unrelated to collecting signatures from people named on citations. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byAlpha World

in

August 05, 2025

Grand jury declines to indict former Atlanta police officer in church deacon’s death

Grand jury declines to indict former Atlanta police officer in church deacon's death A grand jury on Monday declined to indict a former ...

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John Stamos Turns Heads With Dramatic New Look for Stage Performance

John Stamos Turns Heads With Dramatic New Look for Stage Performance

John Stamos Turns Heads With Dramatic New Look for Stage Performanceoriginally appeared onParade. Full HousealumJohn Stamoslanded an unexpected gig for the weekend that prompted a major transformation. Stamos took to social media to rave about the "unforgettable night" he experienced, and it seems he knocked it out of the park with his performance. On August 2, Stamos shared a handful of photoson his Instagram page. Just a few days earlier, he had revealed that he was temporarilystepping into Josh Gad's rolein the production ofJesus Christ Superstardue to an illness affecting Gad. After the performance, Stamos gushed over sharing the stage withAdam LambertandCynthia Erivo. He noted that the legendaryAndrew Lloyd Webberwas present to see that particular performance, and Stamos was thrilled to "step into the jeweled madness of King Herod" for a brief stint. Stamos embraced the role, looking nothing like hisFull Housecharacter of Uncle Jesse Katsopolis. He wore a curly wig and a gold suit, and the wig provided a massive transformation in the actor's look. View this post on Instagram A post shared by John Stamos (@johnstamos) "What an unforgettable night under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl," Stamos shared. He wrote that Erivo was "electrifying" and Lambert was "a total masterclass." He lauded, "Their voices shook the heavens." Stamos added, "To the cast, crew, and every single soul in that massive crowd — thank you. You lifted us up." TheFull Housestar raved, "This show is pure rock opera magic, and to do it in a venue like @thehollywoodbowl, for one of the greatest composers of our time, is something I'll never forget." He quipped about needing to take off his "Howard Sternwig" and "come down from the glitter high." Kristin Chenowethcommented, "You were wonderful! Didn't miss a beat!" Gad wrote, "Brilliant. As ever." Caitlin McHugh Stamos, who is married to theFull Housestar, added an extra bit of context.She commentedthat not only did her husband take on the role with "a short time to prepare," but he did it "the day after returning from a week touring with The Beach Boys in Spain." She added, "You're not just a King, you're a Super Human. Love you, so proud!!!" John Stamos Turns Heads With Dramatic New Look for Stage Performancefirst appeared on Parade on Aug 4, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.

byAlpha World

in

August 04, 2025

John Stamos Turns Heads With Dramatic New Look for Stage Performance

John Stamos Turns Heads With Dramatic New Look for Stage Performance John Stamos Turns Heads With Dramatic New Look for Stage Performanceori...

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