Throughout his lengthy tenure in Aerosmith, bassist Tom Hamilton remains incredibly proud of the band and all they have achieved. “There’s no book on how to be in a band like this,” he revealed to BP. “It’s just something you have to learn, and I’ve been lucky enough to have done it for a long time.”
The band’s extensive catalog boasts plenty of hits, but Hamilton insists on a strict practice schedule to continually develop his bass playing. Even the classics like Walk This Way and Sweet Emotion are subject to his dedication to pushing the boundaries of his bass playing.
Hamilton explained, “When I’m playing, it’s easy to brush off a small element, but that can often be the basis of a whole song. This was the case with Sweet Emotion – the bass intro was the first thing that came along.”
Originally released on 1973’s Toys in the Attic, Sweet Emotion showcases one of the greatest bass licks of all time. Hamilton’s iconic opening figure proves his mastery of the instrument and his creative vision.
From slide transitions to his preferred fingering of certain notes, Hamilton embellished, “The droning thing is my favorite part of the tune.”
Despite seeming straightforward, the heavy interlude riff is nuanced and complex, a product of Hamilton’s undying commitment to developing his style. “That middle riff between the verses was inspired by Jeff Beck’s Rough and Ready,” Hamilton revealed to BP.
