Charles and Kai Huang, creators of the cultural phenomenon known as Guitar Hero, had an inkling their video game might be a hit. But they never dreamed it'd be this big. Well, in the words of Steven Tyler, dream on. The brothers have sold over $1 billion in Guitar Hero games, and their latest product, featuring Boston rockers Aerosmith, figures to keep the gravy train rolling. "It's insane to think about how successful it's been," says Kai. Called Guitar Hero Aerosmith, the new game is the first in the franchise to be built around a single group. Why Aerosmith? "They've sold over 150 million albums in their career, and they've just got a ton of music that works great for Guitar Hero," said Charles. The game was released yesterday amid heavy-duty hype: Tyler touted the game at a press conference in New York Friday, and guitarist Brad Whitford was at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday, watching as NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson, Travis Kvapil, Casey Mears, and Dario Franchitti, among others, tried to shred like Joe Perry. (Good luck, guys.) The game traces the band from its inaugural gig at Nipmuc High School to sold-out stadium shows, and, yes, the animated Aerosmith looks a lot like the real thing. "We did two weeks with the band in a motion-capture studio, so when you see Steven dancing, those are really his moves," said Charles. The Huangs said they had a blast working with the band, but an even better time playing the game. "We're both pretty good," said Kai, "but Charles is probably a little better than me."

Lennon Drawing conjures up a fond memory

Faneuil Hall flack Charles Cohen stopped by the "Power to the People" exhibit of John Lennon's artwork at the new Hotel Indigo in Newton over the weekend. Cohen, who repped Lennon while the former Beatle was recording his "Double Fantasy" disc, was particularly struck by an ink drawing depicting John, Yoko Ono, and the couple's son, Sean. "Reminded me of the time I was discussing a European tour with Yoko at the Dakota in New York, and suddenly a huge rubber dinosaur comes flying out of another room followed by Sean and then John, both landing on the floor playing," said Cohen. Did he buy the picture? No. Priced at $1,350, Cohen said he couldn't afford it.

Kicking back at the Bigham fund-raiser

As fund-raisers go, yesterday's benefit for the Charlotte Saltonstall Bigham Memorial Fund was a good time. Not only was there a mechanical bull set up at host Nancy Adams's Chestnut Hill home, but a troupe of self-described "yummy mummies" did a humorous dance to "Baby Got Back." Kicking it old school were Arthur Winn's wife, Alicia; nightclub king Patrick Lyons's wife, Kristina; and Sukey Forbes Bigham. (The women, all wearing pink tank tops with "Yummy Mummy" written across the front, were later joined on the dance floor by their children.) Charlotte Saltonstall Bigham died in 2004 at the age of 6 from an episode of malignant hyperthermia triggered by a fever.

Beauty and the beachwear

Ed Kane can always find a reason to party. The owner of Shrine, the club at the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods, threw a swimwear fashion show Saturday and enlisted Maxim cover model Sonia Vera (left with Kane) to hostess. Seems the former "Deal or No Deal" beauty has her own line of bathing suits. Who knew? Vera was back at the beach last night. Sort of. She hosted another party at Kane's Quincy club, Marina Bay Beach Club. . . . Meanwhile, Roush Fenway Racing drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, and David Ragan took their feet off the gas long enough to kick back at Alibi over the weekend.

Party on

The Celts are still celebrating their NBA title. On Friday, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Sam Cassell were spotted hanging out at the Palms Pool & Bungalows in Las Vegas, and then Saturday they were sitting ringside, courtesy of Mandalay Bay, at the Manny Pacquiao/David Diaz fight. Turns out Pacquiao is a big C's fan, and after he knocked out Diaz, several Celts, including Rajon Rondo, Garnett, Pierce, Allen, and Cassell, went to his dressing room to congratulate him.

Manilow in the house

Celebrated songwriter Barry Manilow was in the audience for Saturday's Boston Pops show, featuring the late, great Judy Garland. Manilow, who is dear friends with Garland's daughter Lorna Luft, had tickets to last night's show as well. Both sold-out shows at Symphony Hall were introduced by Garland's son Joe Luft.

Second time's the charm

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Just ask Alicia Zitka, who was named Miss Massachusetts 2008 Saturday after finishing second runner-up at last year's scholarship pageant. The 22-year-old West Springfield native (at right, being crowned by '07 winner Valerie Amaral) will receive more than $7,500 in scholarships and one year's tuition at Bristol Community College. (She'll compete at the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas in January.) The runners-up were Amanda Lynn Teresa Kelly, a 22-year-old Brandeis grad from Braintree, and 18-year-old Marissa Louro of South Dartmouth, who'll be a freshman at Providence College in the fall.

Wanted: 'Bromance' wingman

A few cads showed up at this weekend's casting call for "Bromance" at Ned Devine's. The MTV reality show produced by Ryan Seacrest has a goofy premise: guys from around the country vying for the chance to be Brody Jenner's wingman. (Jenner, the son of Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner, is best known for his role on "The Hills.") At the end of each episode, one dude will be dismissed during a hot-tub elimination ceremony.

Names can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 617-929-8253.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jay-Z enraptures fans

Jay-Z responded to Noel Gallagher's diss by putting on a tour-de-force show (at right) at this weekend's Glastonbury Festival in England. Gallagher, the guitarist for the British band Oasis, complained in April that the rapper didn't fit with the festival's "tradition of guitar music," and should not have been chosen to headline the three-day concert. "I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance," said Gallagher. Jay-Z thrilled the massive crowd Saturday, walking out on stage with a guitar while singing Oasis's hit "Wonderwall." He then launched into his own hit "99 Problems," which he augmented with a few Led Zeppelin riffs to the delight of the crowd. That was followed by a cover of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab." Winehouse also performed, just days after being hospitalized with "pre-emphysema symptoms."

'WALL-E' rolls to No. 1

A lonely robot named "WALL-E" proved more appealing than Angelina Jolie at the box office. "WALL-E," the Pixar Animation tale of a robot toiling away on a long-abandoned Earth, was the No. 1 movie with $62.5 million in ticket sales, while Jolie's assassin thriller "Wanted" was No. 2 with $51.1 million, according to studio estimates yesterday. The two movies combined to keep Hollywood on a roll. The top 12 movies took in $179.2 million, up 22 percent from the same weekend last year. Observers say the poor economy and high gas prices are helping Hollywood's boom, making movies a cheap alternative to sporting events, concerts, and other outings. "Get Smart," last week's No. 1, slipped to third place with $20 million.

Norman, Evert marry