AEROSMITH THOUGHTS VERY MUCH WITH TOM HAMILTON IN CANCER…

(VIDEO) Aerosmith is without bassist Tom Hamilton, but the band told us their thoughts are with him and that it’s not the same without him.

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton was diagnosed with throat cancer earlier in the summer, and he’s currently recovering from seven weeks of radiation treatment. The bassist insisted the band go on tour without him, and filling in on their jaunt with Motley Crue is David Hull, a longtime friend of the band. He played in the short-lived Joe Perry Project after the guitarist split from Aerosmith in the ’80s.

Vocalist Steven Tyler talked about the difficulty of playing without Hamilton, who the band cites as the voice of reason in the band.

“Yeah it is. It hurts. He’s hurting, but with everybody’s prayers and hopes and with the therapy he’s going through he’ll make it through. The only way out is through, and we’ve been through so much that this ain’t nuthin. He’ll be back.”

Drummer Joey Kramer was asked about the mindset of the band minus Hamilton.

“Well, with the guy that’s taking his place right now, we’re approaching it the same as if he was there. He’s a guy that’s been around the family for like… He was in Joe [Perry]’s band, and David, he’s a great bass player. I’m having fun playing with him. You gotta make it work. Tom is doing as good as he can be doing at the moment. It’s all a question of seeing what time…time will tell.”

Aerosmith and Motley Crue tour will span the whole fall, wrapping up November 24 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Tyler and Kramer were at the Ambassadors Of Rock concert at the Hard Rock Cafe on Monday night (September 18), and Tyler joined performers Motley Crue for a rendition of The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter.”