Maintenance workers at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre uncovered a surprising find in a freight elevator during the Christmas season. While dismantling a bumper that shields the elevator walls, they stumbled upon an immaculate autograph belonging to Steven Tyler, the frontman of the renowned rock band Aerosmith.
Aerosmith, known for hits like “Love in an Elevator” and “Sweet Emotion,” had performed at least twice at the Halifax rink, with their last concert on Dec. 28, 1993, when tickets were priced at $32.50. Adria Young, a representative for Events East, the organization overseeing the Scotiabank Centre and Halifax Convention Centre, expressed excitement over the unexpected discovery, calling it a valuable piece of rock history.
The band, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and having sold over 150 million albums worldwide, left their mark on the elevator wall during the late 1980s when artists and bands occasionally used the freight elevator. Over time, signatures from various musicians such as Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses and Bryan Adams adorned the walls alongside those from Neil Young, Billy Idol, and Alice Cooper.
Although most signatures were painted over in the late 1990s to address the growing clutter, Steven Tyler’s autograph remained preserved. The recent unearthing of his signature, concealed for about two decades, surprised many within the building, reflecting the Scotiabank Centre’s rich legacy as a hub for sports and entertainment in the Atlantic region for nearly 50 years.
Unfortunately, visitors hoping to view the autograph in person will be disappointed as the maintenance work has since shielded it once more. In a separate incident related to the 1993 Aerosmith concert, bootleggers selling counterfeit band T-shirts were fined for violating copyright laws, with some repeat offenders caught selling fake merchandise at subsequent events in Halifax.
The significance of finding Steven Tyler’s autograph underscores the potential for more hidden treasures within the facility, hinting at a repository of memories from past artists, athletes, and public figures waiting to be uncovered.
