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
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