Original Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer won't be playing with them at the band's two high-profile L.A. performances this week, the Grammy Awards on Sunday and the MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony on Friday.
A Massachusetts judge yesterday denied Kramer's request for an injunction to allow him to perform at those shows, stating, "Given that Kramer has not played with the band in six months and the dearth of available rehearsal time before the upcoming performances, Kramer has not shown a realistic alternative course of action sufficient to protect the band's business interests."
The band had issued a statement Tuesday outlining their objection to Kramer performing with them. They contended that they had asked him to rejoin the band a number of times since he took a leave of absence while physical and emotional issues left him unable to perform.
They say that when he finally accepted their invitation it was too late for him to adequately prepare and rehearse, and that when he "chose to file a lawsuit on the Friday night of the holiday weekend preceding the Grammys," it was with "total disregard" for the limited window they had to prepare to perform at the two events.
They added that they "of course...have invited him" to be with them for both the Grammys and their MusiCares honor," because they "are bonded together by much more than our time on stage."
reports that Kramer explained his beef with Aerosmith this way. "The band waited until January 15th to tell me that they weren’t letting me play at the awards ceremonies this week. I can hold my head high knowing that I did the right thing – to fight for my right to celebrate the band’s success that I have dedicated the better part of my life to helping build."
As for the offer to allow him to participate in both celebrations, Kramer told TMZ he appreciates it, but that it would "be only for red carpet photo ops." He calls their playing the events "honoring our collective musical contributions" with a fill-in drummer "extremely hurtful" to him.
TMZ also posted video of Kramer attempting to join the band in a rehearsal studio, but he's kept up by two hired security guys.
Source: TMZ and Premiere