Hit Hard

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by Joey Kramer


  In March of 1997 the album Nine Lives debuted at #1. We started touring like mad all over again, and word of my troubles got out into the press. Even though it was recommended to me that I play it down, to describe my experience as just this big blue funk, I wanted to be completely open about it. I felt strongly that someone might benefit from my willingness to reveal the truth, and more than that, I believed it was important to make the statement that depression and other mental-health issues were nothing to be ashamed of. Sharing my experience, strength, and hope openly and honestly, an essential part of my healing process, is a way for me to give back and help others who might be dealing with the same kinds of issues. It’s that belief that motivated me to write this book and tell my story.

  Thanks to all the love from our fans and everyone along the way for helping me accept, embrace, and truly feel the world around me. After all, I’m a feel player and right about now, I feel pretty good.

  Courtesy of Ross Halfin.

  Courtesy of Jim Survix.

  EPILOGUE: FROM TEN ’TIL NOW

  The road to peace and sanity is always under construction and the challenges of life on life’s terms keep rolling my way…I’ve been keeping notes. The ride continues on JoeyKramer.com.

  COLOR INSERT:

  Photographs on page 3 (left) and page 6 (left) appear by courtesy of George Chin.

  Photographs on page 4, page 6 (right), page 8 (left), and page 9 appear by courtesy of Ross Halfin.

  The photograph on page 5 (left) appears by courtesy of Todd Kaplan.

  The photograph on page 7 (bottom left) appears by courtesy of Rob Shanahan.

  Photographs on page 3 (right) and page 5 (right) appear by courtesy of Timothy White.

  The photograph on page 7 (top left) appears by courtesy of Elliott Marks.

  The photograph on page 7 (top right) appears by courtesy of Gene Kirkland.

  All other photographs appear by courtesy of Doris or Joey Kramer.

  SPECIAL THANKS:

  David Hinkelman

  Linda Pappan

  Sandy Jossen

  Donny and Debbie Wightman

  Jimi Ricci

  David and Tori Brega

  Carmen

  Bob Henry

  De De lasandro

  Artie De lasandro

  Phil Hannegan

  John Good at DW

  Scott Garrison at DW

  John DeChristopher at Zildjian

  Stephan Adelson

  Kevin “Chappy” Chapman

  Dennis Chambers

  Keith Garde

  Liz Liao

  Joe and Billie Perry

  Tom and Terry Hamilton

  Brad and Kim Whitford

  Steven T and Erin Brady

  Doris and Mickey Kramer

  Amy and Bill Olin

  Annabelle London

  Suzy and Michael Sammarco

  Nancy Sobel and Robert Acio

  Scott Sobel

  Frank Gangi

  Jesse Sky Kramer

  Asia, Tom, Sophie, and August Tenkoff

  Jack Scarengella

  Trudy Green

  Howard Kaufman

  Todd Sadow

  Greg Read

  Karen Whitford

  John and Julie Rota

  Jerry Elliot

  Frank Cimler

  Nikki Sixx

  Mike and Gail Milian

  Dr. A.C. and the Girls

  The Mann Family

  Rick and Judy Chasin

  The Gonzalez Family

  Rusty and Dena Pedersen

  Dr. Rau

  Richie Supa

  Rich Guberti

  Richie Dandry

  Bill Patrick

  Brad Allen

  Charlie Nichols

  John Nichols

  Diane Dreibelbis

  Don Bernstine

  Gary Walsh

  Skip Portney

  John Bionelli

  Paul Santo

  Gianluca Siciliano

  Rick Dufey

  Jim and Sandy Schumacher

  Scott and Mindy Gordon

  Marti Frederiksen

  MaGee

  Patty Bourdon

  Mitch Weinberg

  Nicholas Brown

  Peppy Castro

  Ray and Lorraine Tabano

  The Gang at Corvette Mike’s

  New England

  Saul Shockett

  Steve Chatoff

  Steve Stein

  Mel Bucholtz

  Bill Hultberg

  Mark DiRico

  Howie Brooks

  Ralph and Florence Simon

  Ralph Simon Jr.

  Mark “Marco” Hudson

  Paul Householder

  Jill Kneerim

  Teresa T.

  Jim Survis

  The Gang at Champion Porsche

  Ike Williams

  Michelle Munday

  Rich and Greg Rotman and the

  Gang at PAID

  Danielle Friedman

  Kelly Franke

  John Kalodner John Kalodner

  Darryl “DMC” McDaniels

  Andy Gilman

  Eric Rothenberg

  Karen Langford

  Steve Weinstein

  Jack Douglas

  Gene Kirkland

  Dr. Lou Cox

  Jimmy Eyers

  Marty Callner

  Russ Irwin

  Ross Halfin

  John Branca

  Kazuyo Horie

  Casey Tebo

  Dr. Alan Curtis

  About the Author

  JOEY KRAMER is the legendary drummer with the most successful band in American history—Aerosmith. Since 1970 he and his partners have sold over 150 million albums, and today their multigenerational, global audience is bigger than ever. In addition to the Grammys and the twenty-one multiplatinum albums, Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and they are the subject of several documentaries, including a film dedicated to Joey and his lasting influence, called It’s About Time. Joey lives south of Boston, Massachusetts. Visit the author online at www.joeykramer.com. For Aerosmith news, visit www.aerosmith.com and www.aeroforceone.com.

  Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

  Credits

  Chapter opening illustrations are by courtesy of Joey Kramer.

  Jacket design: The DesignWorks Group, Charles Brock

  Back panel photograph: Ron Pownall

  Copyright

  HIT HARD: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top. Copyright © 2009 by Joey Kramer. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  Adobe Digital Edition May 2009 ISBN 978-0-06-188794-9

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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