Maintenance workers at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre stumbled upon a notable discovery in a freight elevator during the Christmas break. While replacing a protective panel called a bumper in the frequently used elevator that transports equipment and goods within the facility, the workers uncovered an intact signature of Steven Tyler, the lead vocalist of the renowned rock band Aerosmith.
Aerosmith, known for hits like “Love in an Elevator” and “Sweet Emotion,” has performed at least two concerts at the Halifax rink, with the latest one occurring on December 28, 1993, at the then Halifax Metro Centre, where tickets were priced at $32.50.
Adria Young, a representative for Events East, the Crown corporation overseeing the Scotiabank Centre and Halifax Convention Centre, expressed excitement about having Steven Tyler’s autograph within their venue, calling it a fascinating piece of rock history. Aerosmith, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has sold over 150 million albums worldwide.
The news of the discovery spread through an internal email when the signature was found, and some staff members even took pictures with it. Young mentioned that starting in the late 1980s, performers and bands occasionally used this particular freight elevator to move from the loading bay to the arena, and over time, people began leaving their signatures on the walls as a quirky tradition.
Apart from Steven Tyler, other notable signatures that had adorned the walls included those of Axl Rose from Guns N’ Roses and Canadian rocker Bryan Adams. However, as the walls became cluttered with signatures from various artists and staff members, they were eventually painted over in the late 1990s, with Steven Tyler’s autograph being one of the few preserved.
Despite the passage of about two decades since the Tyler signature was last seen, its recent rediscovery surprised many individuals in the building. Young highlighted the significance of this finding as a testament to the Scotiabank Centre’s long-standing role as a hub for sports and entertainment in the Atlantic region over nearly five decades, hinting at potentially more hidden treasures from past artists and figures within the facility.
Unfortunately, those eager to view the autograph in person will be disappointed as the maintenance work has been completed, and the signature is now safeguarded behind the protective panel.
In a related incident, the Aerosmith concert on December 28, 1993, attracted attention due to the presence of counterfeit band T-shirts being sold by bootleggers at the venue for $10 to $15, while official merchandise ranged from $28 to $40. Subsequently, three individuals from Montreal were fined in Halifax provincial court for violating the federal Copyright Act by vending the counterfeit shirts. One of them was caught selling fake shirts at a 1995 Bon Jovi concert in Halifax, indicating a recurring issue with counterfeit merchandise at events.