Aerosmith Nine Lives
May 8th, 2009
In 1991, Aerosmith went back to Columbia Records/Sony Music by signing a whopping 30 million dollar contract, however their contractual obligations to their previous record label, Geffen Records, was not yet fulfilled. The contract that Aerosmith signed with Geffen Records stipulated that the band needed to record six albums. Done with Mirrors, Permanent Vacation, Pump, Get a Grip and Big Ones were all recorded under Geffen Records, but that meant that there still was one missing album before Aerosmith could begin recording under their new record label, Columbia Records/Sony Music. Soon after the release of Big Ones, the band released a live compilation for Geffen. This live compilation fulfilled Aerosmith’s contractual obligations, which meant that they could commence work for Columbia Records.
Before the production of their next album, Aerosmith took some time off to be with their families. Their next album, “Nine Lives” was released in March of 1997. During the production of the album, Aerosmith fired their manager, Tim Collins, and changed their album’s producer from Glen Ballard to Kevin Shirley.
Nine Lives was not the big hit album that many fans were waiting for, but it did go on to sell over 2 million copies in the United States alone. The album also produced Aerosmith’s fourth Grammy award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1999 with the smash hit, Pink.
Soon after the release of Nine Lives, Aerosmith commenced a concert tour that lasted two years. During this two year period, the band experienced many problems, including a bizarre accident involving Joey Kramer. Kramer suffered second degree burns after his car caught fire at a gas station. Steven Tyler also injured his leg while performing at one of the concerts.
In 1998, a highly marketed film by the name of Armageddon and starring Steven Tyler’s daughter, Liv, was released. Aerosmith produced the love theme for the movie. “I don’t want to miss a thing” was a big hit and went on to be Aerosmith’s only number one single to date. It remained at the top of the record charts for four weeks, and was later nominated for an Academy Award.
Aerosmith also released a double live album in 1998. “A Little South of Sanity” was the product of performances from the Get a Grip and Nines Lives concert tours. The album went platinum soon after it’s release.
The band continued touring to promote the Nine Lives album and their smash hit single, I don’t want to miss a thing.
Aerosmith was featured in the Disney Hollywood Studios, at Walt Disney World and later at Disneyland in Paris in 1999. The Rock ‘n Roller Coaster in Paris had an Aerosmith soundtrack and theme. In the fall of 1999, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were joined by Run D.M.C and Kid Rock for a live performance of “Walk this Way, at the MTV music awards.