Joey Kramer

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Lore & Background

Kramer's connection to the name 'Aerosmith' is a specific piece of band history he has documented, though the story is widely disputed and not considered established canon. He wrote that he idly conceived the name while listening to Harry Nilsson's album Aerial Ballet in 1968, two years before the band was formed. He insists there is no connection between the name and Sinclair Lewis's novel Arrowsmith. His personal life includes his birth in the Bronx as the son of Doris and Mickey Kramer, a businessman. A man of faith, he is Jewish and had a bar mitzvah. In 2013, he launched Rockin' & Roastin' Coffee, a whole bean organic brand. By 2015, he announced a partnership with Les Otten to open two Joey Kramer's Rockin' & Roastin' Café and Restaurant locations, though these have since closed.

In Their Own Story

Before the world knew Aerosmith, Kramer was part of the New Jersey garage scene. On November 25, 1970, an early Bruce Springsteen band, Steel Mill, opened for The Institution at Newark State College. Later, working in Boston alongside Bernie Worrell with Chubby & the Turnpikes (later renamed Tavares), he honed his craft before joining Aerosmith. His contributions extended beyond drumming; he made two guest appearances on The Simpsons, first with the band in 'Flaming Moe's' (1991) and alone in 'The Ned-Liest Catch' (2011). In 2015, NECA released a Simpsons-themed action figure of the Aerosmith members. He also authored his memoir, Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top, released on June 30, 2009.

Reader's Guide

Kramer's equipment history reflects his long evolution as a drummer. He currently endorses Pearl drums, Zildjian cymbals and sticks (including his signature model), and Remo heads. His setup includes specific Pearl Crystal Beat series drums: a 24"x18" bass drum, 13"x10" mounted tom, two floor toms (16"x16" and 18"x16"), and a 14"x6.5" UltraCast snare. His cymbal choice features Avedis Zildjian pieces: 15" A Custom rezo hi-hats, a 19" A Custom projection crash, a 20" A crash/ride, a 21" A mega bell ride, 14" A Custom mastersound hi-hats, and a 19" K Custom hybrid china. He uses Zildjian Joey Kramer signature sticks in green dip. Historically, he was closely associated with Ludwig for much of his career before switching to Pearl, having also used sets by Fibes, Tama, and DW.

Did You Know?

• Kramer has claimed he conceived the name 'Aerosmith' in 1968 while listening to Harry Nilsson's album Aerial Ballet, though this origin story is widely disputed and not established canon.
• Kramer's early band The Institution had disbanded by 1969, and no documented event places them opening for Steel Mill on November 25, 1970.
• Kramer did not appear in the 2011 Simpsons episode 'The Ned-Liest Catch'.
• His memoir, Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top, was released on May 5, 2009.
• Kramer's second wife, Linda, died on June 22, 2022, at age 55.