Blue Army (Aerosmith)
Encyclopedia
Blue Army is a term that refers to American
hard rock
band Aerosmith
's loyal fanbase.
, the term first came into fruition around 1975. The term "blue" generally refers to the habit of hard rock fans in the 1970s wearing blue denim jeans
and jean jackets as well as their often blue collar
demographic. The term "army" referred to their loyalty, youthfulness, and tough demeanor. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry
describes the Blue Army: "We drove up to the gig and the line went around the building, long-haired teenage boys wearing blue denim jackets and jeans. An army of blue jeans. Our people." He also describes them as being predominantly male: "Aerosmith back then was definitely a guy thing. It used to be the only girls at Aerosmith shows were the ones hoping to blow us on the bus."
The "army" characteristic of Aerosmith fans (and hard rock fans in general) in the 1970s was also often alluded to in the press. A Rolling Stone magazine review described fans arriving at an Aerosmith concert in Pontiac, Michigan
as "a boozy army of hard hats coming to dismantle the place. They looked like hell. Nobody dresses up for concerts anymore."
The band and their fans still often use the term, more informally however, to describe Aerosmith's fan base. Aerosmith's official fan club is actually called Aero Force One
.
is used to refer to Kiss
's fan base and fan club, another prominent rock band of the 1970s with similar fan demographics. It is unclear which term came first, since they both originated in the year 1975.
Fans of the Grateful Dead
are called Deadhead
s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
's loyal fanbase.
Overview
The term was originally coined by the band. According to Aerosmith's autobiography Walk This Way: The Autobiography of AerosmithWalk This Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith
Walk This Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith was written by Stephen Davis, published by HarperCollins and released in October 1997. The book was co-written with the members of Aerosmith themselves. This biography contains the story of the band's life, legends, women, drugs and partying that...
, the term first came into fruition around 1975. The term "blue" generally refers to the habit of hard rock fans in the 1970s wearing blue denim jeans
Blue Jeans
"Blue Jeans" is a sentimental popular song written by Harry D. Kerr and Lou Traveller in 1920. In the song, the singer is reminiscing about a long-ago young love that happened somewhere in the "hills of the old Cumberland." The chorus echoes the singer's longing:* The Parlor Songs Collection.* by...
and jean jackets as well as their often blue collar
Blue collar
Blue collar can refer to:*Blue-collar worker, a traditional designation of the working class*Blue-collar crime, the types of crimes typically associated with the working class*A census designation...
demographic. The term "army" referred to their loyalty, youthfulness, and tough demeanor. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry
Joe Perry (musician)
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Perry is the lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith. He is influenced by many rock artists especially The Rolling Stones and The Beatles...
describes the Blue Army: "We drove up to the gig and the line went around the building, long-haired teenage boys wearing blue denim jackets and jeans. An army of blue jeans. Our people." He also describes them as being predominantly male: "Aerosmith back then was definitely a guy thing. It used to be the only girls at Aerosmith shows were the ones hoping to blow us on the bus."
The "army" characteristic of Aerosmith fans (and hard rock fans in general) in the 1970s was also often alluded to in the press. A Rolling Stone magazine review described fans arriving at an Aerosmith concert in Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
as "a boozy army of hard hats coming to dismantle the place. They looked like hell. Nobody dresses up for concerts anymore."
The band and their fans still often use the term, more informally however, to describe Aerosmith's fan base. Aerosmith's official fan club is actually called Aero Force One
Aero Force One
Aero Force One is the name of the fan club for American hard rock band Aerosmith.-Background:The origins of the fan club were rooted in the mid 1970s, when the band first broke through with their album Toys in the Attic. The band became a popular act with a loyal following of fans, often referred...
.
Other examples
The term Kiss ArmyKiss Army
The KISS Army is the official fan club for the American rock band KISS, as well as the unofficial name used to refer to KISS fans in general. It was started unofficially in 1975, by fans Bill Starkey and Jay Evans.-History:...
is used to refer to Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
's fan base and fan club, another prominent rock band of the 1970s with similar fan demographics. It is unclear which term came first, since they both originated in the year 1975.
Fans of the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
are called Deadhead
Deadhead
Deadhead or Dead Head is a name given to fans of the American jam band, the Grateful Dead. In the 1970s, a number of fans began travelling to see the band in as many shows or festival venues as they could. With large numbers of people thus attending strings of shows, a community developed...
s.