Maine

Aerosmith Puts Spotlight on Young Maine Guitarist

Allivia Lorusso says the reason she rocks is Aerosmith.

The 20-year-old musician from Ogunquit, Maine, says it was Joe Perry who inspired her to pick up an electric guitar at age 16.

"I just think Aerosmith is the pure essence of rock n' roll," she said. "They introduced me to my passion."

As she forms her own band and forges a professional music career, it's Joe Perry and Steve Tyler who continue to inspire her. So when her rock idols put out a call on social media, asking artists to post their Aerosmith covers, Lorusso knew she had to respond.

Playing Perry's solo from "Walk This Way," she posted a minute-long clip on YouTube and other social media channels, tagging the official Aersomith account. Two weeks went by, and she assumed nothing would come of it. But clearly, her performance struck a chord.

"I was at work [Wednesday] and my phone started blowing up," she said. "It all happened so fast."

On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Aerosmith's social media accounts re-posted Lorusso's performance with the caption, "Check out @AlliviaLorusso rocking this way!" In two days, the video has had more than 100,000 views.

"I honestly freaked out, I was so excited," she said. She re-posted Aerosmith's shout-out, writing on social media, "WHAT?! This is unreal! You have no idea how much this band means to me."

She calls this social media moment a dream come true – but she admits she has one more dream: to be called on stage and play guitar alongside Perry.

Lorusso has tickets to see Joe Perry and Friends perform at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire next month, and would be thrilled to meet the band and thank them for changing her life – twice.

"I can't possibly explain how much this band has inspired me," she said.

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