On the road again. Set lists and road cases. The Doors, Aerosmith, Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver.

Sometimes you get bored with collecting. At least I do. Collecting what everyone else does. Chasing the same things. Bidding in the same auctions. This for me usually leads to frustration, which usually leads to focusing on an area of collecting that I haven’t had much interest in, and maybe others aren’t paying any attention to.

It also means opening my eyes to wonderful new pieces I have ignored in the past. It usually broadens my collection, and if I’m lucky, I end up with a few truly amazing items.

Like these.

Or this one.

A vintage Aerosmith Road Case from the Leber Krebs days, circa 70’s.

Not sure what it held. Center stage could mean anything. A monitor maybe? This is also one of those items you don’t need a roomful of, one will do.

Steven finding an additional use for a road case during one very hot night. Why not?

*The photo above was poster on Aerosmith’s website prior to the public sale of road cases that have been stored in their warehouse for many years. It was pickup only. Mine was part of this sale and lot.

Another case from the early 1980’s Tim Collins Management.

Set lists.

Another staple on the road. These highly collectible pieces of crumpled paper often show up on line and usually for pretty ridiculous prices.

This started when I saw Marc Canter’s incredible collection of set lists, Marc wrote the book on Guns N Roses, Reckless Road, I became obsessed. The different styles of writing, the various notes on them and the condition they were found in. These crumpled, torn, taped, beer and sweat stained, handwritten and copied concert gems often duck taped to the stage by guitar techs, were pieces I had to add to my collection.

Today they are printed off the computer in the hundreds it seems, depending on the band, tour and crew. Almost seems like everyone in the audience, every show, gets a set list as well!

Years ago, they were handwritten and copied. Maybe a dozen or so copies existed, and usually only one original.

Pictured above is a real rarity. A handwritten set list by Slash for the filming of the “Welcome to The Jungle” video. Front and back. You can see the marker bleeding through knowing that it’s the real deal.

Slash signing my set list for GNR’s very first Boston show.

This next one might not be “the rarest set list,” ever, but it’s certainly the longest set list. Used by Steven Tyler center stage for the Nine Lives tour in Cincinnati. Approx 30″ long, with various stage cues for flames and bombs, as well as the original black electrical tape. And yes, ripped right off the stage by that roadie and given to the guy I bought it from.

He got it for free.

Some are these are originals. Meaning the first hand written one. Usually done by a band member. A lot harder to find. Then copied for the other band members and various crew people like techs, roadies, etc….