The Back-Burner: Aerosmith Outtakes & Demos

The elusive remix of “Just Push Play” featuring Kid Rock is a story which first surfaced on the old Aerosmith Fan Club (AF1) forum around 2005, is a blend of rock history, fan intrigue, and a touch of the unknown.

It all began with a post from a new AF1 user who claimed to have discovered a CD in a store containing a remix of “Just Push Play” featuring none other than Kid Rock. According to the user, this remix was an incredibly rare find, and he was looking to sell it for about $80. To prove his claim, he shared a short Mp3 sample of the bridge, featuring a vocal exchange between Kid Rock and Steven Tyler. The snippet had Kid Rock belting out, “I’m gonna grow my hair right down to my feet,” followed by Steven, and then back to Kid Rock.

The post in AF1 received heavy traffic. Fans wanted to hear more of this unexpected collaboration. But the excitement soon turned into frustration as many users demanded the entire Mp3 be posted for free. The original poster, annoyed by the persistent requests, eventually stopped responding, and the mysterious CD vanished from the forum, never to be heard from again. Speculation say it could have been purchased by the bands management to take it out of the market.

Theories about the remix’s origin and authenticity abounded. One plausible scenario suggested the remix was intended to be released as a single in December 2001. However, due to the album’s underwhelming performance, the plan was scrapped. The sample clearly featured Aerosmith’s track with Kid Rock’s vocals, indicating a genuine collaboration rather than a fan-made mix.

Adding credence to this theory is the fact that Steven Tyler and Joe Perry had collaborated with Eminem and Dr. Dre in mid-July 2001 for “Sing For the Moment.” Additionally, Aerosmith’s return to Detroit in late October 2001 for a show at the Palace of Auburn Hills could have provided an opportunity for Kid Rock to lay down his vocal tracks.

Interestingly, the Guitar Hero Aerosmith game included a tidbit about the collaboration in a loading screen reading: “After the Hall of Fame Ceremony, Steven went to recut ‘Just Push Play’ with additional vocals from Kid Rock.” This serves as further evidence supporting the remix’s existence, dating the recording collab in late March 2001. The source of this tidbit was likely a casual conversation between the games producers and the band or management.

Indeed, Kid Rock’s official collaborations with Aerosmith are limited to performances of “Sweet Emotion” at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and “Walk This Way” at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1999 and during the 2002 tour with Aerosmith.

Another twist in the tale comes from the cancellation of several Aerosmith shows around that time, officially attributed to Steven Tyler being sick. Some fans believe this was a cover story, and the band actually took time off to re-record “Just Push Play.” When they reappeared on MTV’s TRL Live in New York City, they were promoting the song as their new single after their United We Stand performance of the song was used as a videoclip, adding weight to the re-recording theory.

Despite the passage of time, the “Just Push Play” remix featuring Kid Rock remains an enigma. Whether it was a rare demo CD, an employee copy, or a studio mix review copy not meant for release, its existence has never been confirmed. This story has faded into the realm of fan folklore, becoming a tantalizing ghost memory for those who remember the excitement and speculation it generated. Since then, the original sample mp3 posted on the forums seems to simply have been “lost in time”.

As we continue to celebrate Aerosmith’s legacy, stories like these remind us of the band’s enduring impact and the passionate community that keeps their spirit alive. Whether the remix is ever found or remains a tantalizing mystery, it will always be a part of the rich tapestry of Aerosmith’s history.

If you have any information or memories related to this remix, we’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts and keep the conversation going, because in the world of Aerosmith, the legend never dies.