Aerosmith concert movie to hit theaters Feb. 26

What better way to kick off something called a “Classic Music Series” than with an Aerosmith concert?

“Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014” will blast across movie theater screens nationwide at 7 p.m. Thursday.

It’s part of the Fathom Events special event showings, but this “Classic Music Series” will be a monthly event with additional artists to be named soon.

First on the docket are the boys from Beantown. Last week, Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford and Tom Hamilton chatted pleasantly with reporters about their memories of the concert, which features 19 of their hits, as well as some future plans for the band.

Q: How did the film come about?

A: (Hamilton) We had a film that came out a few years ago called "Rock for the Rising Sun" (from the band's 2011 tour of Japan following the earthquake and tsunami). We had never been on tour there and were very anxious to get over there and bring something for our fans after that horrible, major disaster that they had there. We filmed it. We were there with our fans. We made a DVD out of it. It was pretty successful, very encouraging in terms of finding out that kind of stuff that our fans would love to hear, shows that we think are really classic Aerosmith shows.

That was about a short tour. This was about one show. It’s great. People who liked “Rock for the Rising Sun” will love this one.

Q: Could you elaborate on some of the elements that made the particular performance at Donington so magical?

A: (Hamilton) It's the set list that we played there, right, Brad?

A: (Whitford) Yeah.

A: (Hamilton) It was just a night where everything just really set in for the band. The band was so tight that night, yet we could relax and just have fun. Get off on the insane crowd there. Man, remember that, Brad? Finish us up.

A: (Whitford) Donington always held a special place for bands of all types. Just to be invited at Donington has always been special. It just had a magic about it. We were excited just to be there. … It didn't dawn on us right away or we didn't plan right away that we were going to be making a film out of it. It's just … to be able to capture that moment like we did was great because it does hold a special place for all us rock 'n' rollers.

A: (Hamilton) We should mention that we had planned to film the show and got one of the best rock video film directors around, named Dick Carruthers. He's from England. He does a great job from that English point of view about rock bands. It's a neat thing as far as our history goes. Anyway, that's another reason that makes it a special DVD. It's a night in the tour, but it's also something that's really filmed and interpreted beautifully. The sound is awesome. The band played really well that night.

Q: At this point in your career, how much of a priority is new music? Do you foresee any new music in the soon future?

A: (Whitford) Well, that's interesting. We're not currently in the studio or anything. We're not quite sure when we might get back in the studio. Right now, actually, Steven (Tyler) is working on a solo album that he's been wanting to do for the last 20 years. I think a good deal of inspiration may come out of that. He may want to continue to write. Maybe at some point this year, we might get into the studio and record some new music. Our plan right now is we're preparing for a tour this summer.