Beginning with one of AEROSMITH’s first lengthy interviews in 1973 and spanning the legendary hard rock quintet’s 35-plus years, AEROSMITH: ESSENTIAL INTERVIEWS lets “America’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band” tell its own inspirational story. From its explosive, drug and sex-steered early heyday and the propulsion of mid-70’s classics Toys In The Attic and Rocks, to its fall from grace and initial disintegration as a result of those vices, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford not only survived these experiences, but learned from them and ultimately forged one of the greatest rock comebacks ever.

(more…)

Amazon.com
Drug addiction couldn’t stop them, nor could the ascension of alterna-rock and the process of aging. Not only are Aerosmith still together, but they’re still recording hit singles. Since their formation in the early ’70s, the band has scored a multitude of platinum albums and Top 40 hits. Moreover, Aerosmith remain a flamboyant, energized live band capable of recapturing that magical, sexual endorphin rush of youthful rock & roll abandon. Yup, on a good night, seeing Aerosmith is like experiencing your first time all over again. So it comes as no surprise that this band’s double live disc is no mere trip down memory lane. Vocalist Steven Tyler still sounds raw, untamed, and on-key, shrieking as passionately as ever and reaching notes Robert Plant and Ozzy Osbourne would sell their kidneys for. And guitarist Joe Perry’s bluesy, blustery rhythms and piercing solos still echo with passion and hunger. The first disc is a bit bogged down with ’90s material, but the b (more…)

Amazon.com
More than three decades after coming on the rock scene and being dismissed as Rolling Stones wannabes, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and the rest of Aerosmith are still going strong–a good deal stronger, in fact, than Mick and the boys, if You Gotta Move, Aerosmith’s first live DVD, is any indication. Throughout this 162-minute concert documentary (including the 90-minute program that first aired on the A&E channel), the musicians talk about being “in the zone,” and there’s no denying that they’re at the top of their game, playing even their oldest hits with genuine fire and conviction. Along with “Dream On,” “Back in the Saddle,” “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” and other classic rock faves, a good portion of the show (as well as a 30-minute bonus documentary) is devoted to Honkin’ on Bobo, their 2004 blues/roots CD. But unlike the Stones or the Yardbirds (another obvious Aerosmith inspiration), whose blues and R&B covers formed the bulk of their early output, Aer (more…)

Amazon.com
More than three decades after coming on the rock scene and being dismissed as Rolling Stones wannabes, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and the rest of Aerosmith are still going strong–a good deal stronger, in fact, than Mick and the boys, if You Gotta Move, Aerosmith’s first live DVD, is any indication. Throughout this 162-minute concert documentary (including the 90-minute program that first aired on the A&E channel), the musicians talk about being “in the zone,” and there’s no denying that they’re at the top of their game, playing even their oldest hits with genuine fire and conviction. Along with “Dream On,” “Back in the Saddle,” “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” and other classic rock faves, a good portion of the show (as well as a 30-minute bonus documentary) is devoted to Honkin’ on Bobo, their 2004 blues/roots CD. But unlike the Stones or the Yardbirds (another obvious Aerosmith inspiration), whose blues and R&B covers formed the bulk of their early output, Aer (more…)

The injury that Steven Tyler suffered earlier this month has unfortunately forced Aerosmith to cancel the rest of the summer tour.

Aerosmith made the announcement nine days after Steven fell off the stage in South Dakota.  He broke his shoulder and received a nasty gash to his head.

Aerosmith’s much anticipated summer tour has been plagued by several health issues to different members of the band from the start.

BELOW IS THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE BAND

It is with great regret that AEROSMITH are canceling the remainder of their summer tour, it was announced today.

Due to injuries STEVEN TYLER sustained last week when he fell from the stage during a concert in Sturgis, SD, doctors have advised the lead singer to take the time to properly recuperate from the accident that resulted in a broken shoulder and stitches to his head.  In his current condition, TYLER is unable to tour and the band wants to give him time to get healthy.

Ticket refunds for the rest of the tour dates with special guests ZZ Top will be available at point of purchase.

TYLER fell from the stage during the August 5 show that was part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Western South Dakota. The mishap occurred while he was dancing during the band’s “Love in an Elevator.” TYLER was subsequently airlifted to a hospital and then returned to Boston to consult with his own doctors.

AEROSMITH–STEVEN TYLER (vocals), JOE PERRY (guitar), BRAD WHITFORD (guitar), TOM HAMILTON (bass) and JOEY KRAMER (drums)–want to thank all their fans for their incredible ongoing support and understanding at this time.

“Words can’t express the sadness I feel for having to cancel this tour,” says JOE PERRY. “I would like to thank our loyal fans for sticking by us through thick and thin and all the good energy they are sending our way.  We hope we can get the Aerosmith machine up and running again as soon as possible.  I sure am going to miss playing with ZZ Top just as I’m sure the fans are going to miss seeing them playing with us as well. Hope to see you sooner than later.” JOE adds, ” My hat’s off to our crew for putting up with this crazy stop and start tour. In my estimation, it was one of the best looking and best run tours we’ve ever had. Us road dawgs will meet again. May your wheels keep turning and your load in’s stay smooth.”

“All of us here in the AEROSMITH organization and all of the people who contribute to making our shows possible are in a state of shock,”

BRAD WHITFORD says. “We never anticipated this tour coming to such a swift and unfortunate ending. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steven for a speedy recovery and return to good health.”

At about 12:15 A.M., Joe Perry told the crowd that Steven was en route to hospital which meant that the show would be cut short.

Reports from the spokesperson for the Buffalo Chip had Steven in good spirits after the incident.

Steven Tyler suffered minor head and neck injuries as well as a shoulder injury.

Aerosmith had already cancelled seven previous concert dates due to health and will undoubtedly cancel a few more after yesterday’s incident.  We can only hope that Steven Tyler isn’t hurt too badly, and that he makes a quick return to the stage.

The video begins with Steven Tyler riding in on a yellow motorcycle while singing “There’s something right with the world today”, and ends with a tour of Joe Perry’s recording studio.

This is a must watch for any Aerosmith fan.

Enjoy!

In late March of 2001, Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Their induction put Aerosmith into the history books by becoming the only band to be inducted into the Hall with a song still active on the music charts.  Later that same year, Aerosmith participated in a benefit concert for the victims of 911.  When the concert had ended, the band flew back  to Indianapolis to continue their “Just Push Play” concert tour.

The “Just Push Play” concert tour ended in early 2002 which allowed the band to commence  recording  segments for a Behind the Music special which was set to air on VH1.

The “Aerosmith Behind the Music special” was one of very few to have a two hour time slot.  The special  chronicled the long history and current activities of the band.

Aerosmith released  O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits in July of 2002.  The album sent the band on tour with Kid Rock and Run-D-M-C.  Run D-M-C was the opening band.

In 2003, Aerosmith co-headlined with Kiss on the Rocksimus Maximus Tour, which was a pretext to their much anticipated blues album, and in September 4th of that same year, Aerosmith performed at the NFL kickoff in Washington, DC.

The much anticipated blues album which Aerosmith fans had been waiting years for, was released in 2004.  Honkin’ on Bobo was recorded in live sessions with the help of former producer, Jack Douglas.

Steven Tyler appeared in a cameo role in the movie, Be Cool starring John Travolta in 2005 and around that same time,Joe Perry released a solo album.  In October of 2005, Aerosmith released a CD/DVD called Rockin’ the Joint and the band subsequently went on tour  with Lenny Kravitz in support of Rockin’ the Joint.

2006 was not a very good year for Aerosmith on the health front.  Steven Tyler had throat surgery which kept him from performing for awhile, but the band did commence recording on the Armed Forces Day 2006.  On August 24, Aerosmith announced that Tom Hamilton had throat cancer and was undergoing treatment.  Hamilton was substituted by David Hull until his complete recovery.  One month later, Aerosmith began their “Route of All Evil Tour with hard rock band Motley Crue in Columbus Ohio.  Hamilton sat out most of that tour.

The compilation album “Devil’s Got a New Disguise” was released in October 17, 2006.

In 1986, Tim Collins held a meeting with all band members.  The plan was to pressure Steven into a drug rehab program.  The years of heroin addiction had taken a hard grasp of Aerosmith’s lead singer, but he finally agreed to get clean, and soon after that meeting, Steven Tyler entered a rehab center where he successfully completed the program.  The rest of the band members individually checked themselves into rehab clinics during the mid to late 80’s where they too  successfully completed their programs.

Years later, while giving an interview in his hotel suite, Steven Tyler recalled the days of heavy drug addiction.

“Of course I did way too many drugs”, says Tyler. “I spent a lost week in a hotel room with Roger Taylor from Queen, and he wasn’t the only guy. The highs were incredible but the lows made you feel like someone was sucking the blood from your jugular with a straw. I sunk to my knees and lost everything, but I’m part Italian and my good old-fashioned guilt came up and I had to check in to rehab.

When I was doing heroin it gave me a gravelly voice and I just couldn’t hit the notes, but I’m clean now of course. I take great pride in not chickening out of the big notes.”

Steven Tyler was finally free from the clutches of drug addiction.  This new found freedom would set the stage for what would become a rejuvenation of Aerosmith, and their acceptance by mainstream, non hard rock fans.

Aerosmith’s next studio album in 1987 would be a rebirth into super- stardom for the band.  “Permanent Vacation” was released in the fall of 1987, and it would be a major success for Aerosmith.

Permanent Vacation was Aerosmith’s best selling album in over ten years.  It quickly went platinum, and produced such hits as “Dude, Looks Like A Lady”, Rag Doll and Angel”.

The album’s success sprouted a new found fame for Aerosmith, only this time around, the band was sober to really enjoy the fruits of their labor.

When Joe Perry left Aerosmith, the album “Night in the Ruts” fell off the charts.  The album would only produce one single to hit the charts, and that was a cover of “The Shangri-Las” Remember (Walking in the sand), which only reached #67 on the charts. Although this album was a disappointment to it’s fans when released, it did eventually go platinum several years later.

Joe Perry was replaced by Richard Supa, and then by Jimmy Crespo, formerly of the band “Flame”

During this time, Aerosmith continued to tour with new band member Jimmy Crespo, but the bands popularity began to slip.  A combination of drug induced antics, and what their fans felt was less than Aerosmith music left the band in an era of turmoil.

In early 1980, Steven Tyler collapsed on stage in Portland Maine.  In the fall of that same year, Steven Tyler had a serious motorcycle accident which left him in  hospital for two months.  Steven’s accident kept him out of the studio until 1981 was well underway.

1980 wasn’t all bad for Aerosmith however.  It was during this year that Aerosmith released their Greatest Hits album which went on to become the band’s best selling album of all time, with over 11 million copies sold.

In 1981, Aerosmith again was in turmoil after Brad Whitford decided to also leave the band.  He was replaced by Rick Dufay.  After the departure of Whitford, Aerosmith recorded “Rock in a Hard Place” in 1982.  The album however, failed to produce a major hit single and was considered a complete bust.  By this time, many Aerosmith fans ceased to exist, but Aerosmith continued to tour in support of the album.  During this tour, Steven Tyler once again collapsed while on stage after reportedly doing drugs backstage with former band member, Joe Perry.

In February of 1984, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford were present for one of Aeorsmith’s concerts.  The band members got together after the concert, and two months later, Perry and Whitford were officially welcomed back to Aerosmith.  Steven Tyler was quoted as saying that “You should have felt the buzz the moment all five of us got together in the same room for the first time again. We all started laughin’—it was like the five years had never passed. We knew we’d made the right move.”

Next Post:  Getting Clean