Guitarist Joe Perry, initially scheduled to drop by the Gibson manufacturing facility earlier in the day, was unable to. Still, Perry and fellow axeman Brad Whitford wanted to express their appreciation to the people who build the Joe Perry Signature Les Paul guitar, so Perry and Whitford arranged a special pre-show "Meet and Greet," with passes and concert tickets raffled off to lucky employees of the Gibson plant.

As everyone was ushered into the backstage area, Perry and Whitford were waiting in a tent with "Sharpie" markers poised and ready.

"We just wanted everyone to know that [the guitars made by Gibson employees] are the ones we use every day. We're not just playing them tonight because you guys are here," Perry said in his thick Boston accent. "Now is there anything we can sign?"

Yours truly nabbed a pickguard from a Joe Perry Les Paul, signed by Perry and Whitford. But the duo lent their respective John Hancocks to T-shirts, posters and even bare skin (yuck).

The two hung out for a little while, but alas, had some work to do and disappeared into their dressing rooms.

Boston-based opening act Mary Me Jane featured a lead guitarist who made effect-laden magic alternating between a sunburst Les Paul Standard and a heritage cherry Les Paul DC Studio, plus bassist Kevin Augunas (who did make it by GMI for a quick photo session).

Aerosmith came out with both barrels, playing excellent renditions of "Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)" "Love In An Elevator" and "Rag Doll" and "Living On The Edge" and some selections from their older catalog. In other words, the concert was an onslaught of hit after hit, played with the polish and skin-tight groove of veteran musicians, but the looseness and raw energy of teenagers.

Among the numerous Gibsons seen included...

Whitford: Les Paul Catalina w/Bigsby, Les Paul Custom

Perry: Joe Perry Signature Les Paul, ES-335, Les Paul Custom outfitted with "MIDI pickup" for Roland VG-8.

And heard (from Perry): "It's an honor to play in the town that makes Gibson guitars."