Could Aerosmith follow in the footsteps of Journey, Van Halen, and Styx to become the latest American rock band to lose its lead singer? Last Wednesday, Tyler gave an interview to Classic Rock magazine, saying he was pulling out of the group’s upcoming South American tour, deciding to focus on solo projects instead. On Friday, the group’s guitarist, Joe Perry, told the Las Vegas Sun that Tyler had quit returning his phone calls. If Tyler does in fact leave (to develop “Brand Tyler,” as he put it to Classic Rock), the band is said to be considering whether to carry on with a new lead vocalist. It’s a risky move, since Tyler’s voice is certainly one of a kind. But then again, so is Steve Perry’s, and Journey managed to find an uncanny soundalike on YouTube. But which entity is likely to have the more viable post-split career? For the Aerosmith fans out there, would you be more likely to remain a bigger fan of the band (assuming a new singer had the necessary chops), or would you join Team Tyler instead? Or should we all hold out hope that they’ll reconcile? It’s clear that their off-stage strife hasn’t ruined their live shows…yet.
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Comments (1-30) of 77 Add your comment
Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is like a PB&J Sandwich without bread.
It just doesn’t work. It really seems a little late in the game for Steven to leave the band now. I am dumbfounded, to say the least.
I agree that Aerosmith doesn’t work without Tyler, but they shouldn’t force them to work together. Joe Perry should start a new project with awesome people of his caliber, like STP and GnR did with Velvet Revolver.
Now this is an interesting concept I might be able to like.
Ditto
I think they’d both slowly die out… Aerosmith is coming close to its end as it is, and I’m a huge fan… It’s way too late in the game to try anything new.
Or peanut butter. Or jelly.
This won’t happen. Who’d want to hear Aerosmith with a different singer after 35 years?
After all the stuff Joe Perry has been saying about Tyler in the press I’m not surprised. I like early Aerosmith (back when they could really rock) so it doesn’t make much difference to me if he leaves or stays. Perhaps Tyler might try another stint in rehab before he falls off a stage and really hurts himself.
Nobody is going to listen to Aerosmith with a new lead singer. Also Steven Tyler isn’t going to get far solo either. It’s just over. Aerosmith will always be but the band is done. It is sad.
Karla,
Thanks for saying exactly what I wanted to say! Neither are interesting to me if they aren’t together.
Eek. I hope this doesn’t happen. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler wouldn’t be Aerosmith to me. And Steven Tyler solo would be…well, I don’t know what that would be. If they do split, I guess I would just base it on the quality of the music. But I hope it doesn’t come to that.
I haven’t liked anything they’ve done for 20 years anyways. They should retire the Aerosmith name and do their own projects. There will never be another Aerosmith.
steven tyler’s still alive?
Really. Keith Richards walked up to Steven Tyler and said, “Man, you look rough.” I love the guy but I did not think largemouth bass could survive out of the water.
Aerosmith has not been musically relevant for over 20 years so who cares.
Thank you!
No, they’re not the Jonas Brothers or Carrie Underwood so they’re probably not relevant to you ‘drewatco’ and ‘Richard’, but any of the bands you like would probably not exist if not for Aerosmith. So show some respect, #*@!
Show some respect for this band. They have brought the best music to our ears for many years!!!!
oh you must be thirteen years old isn’t it past your bedtime?
No! No! No!
Steven Tyler leaving would suck, but they would move on. For some reason, the name that pops up the most for a replacement for the time being is Adam Lambert. hahaha. call me crazy, but i could see it.
What, you didn’t like Danny Gokey’s “Dream On”?
LOL Jill. That was funny. Ryan you suck!
Who else is sick of people thinking adam lambert is the answer to any musical problem?
THANK YOU! However, his crazy fans will attack you… get ready.
I agree Brad. Why would Adam Lambert give up his current career to resurrect an old rock band?
@Ryan, Hey I am a Glambert, leave Adam out of his topic PLEASE!!!!! NO MORE!!! REALLY!! This is about Steven Tyler and Aerosmith. If they want Adam they will announce it so don’t go making any stupid assumptions here OK?
No Aerosmith without Tyler OR Perry. No Journey without Perry no matter how many replacement singers they find. No Van Halen without Diamond Dave( or Eddie), but for some reason, life goes on for Styx, lol.
Trying to find another lead singer for Aerosmith would be an excersize in futility. It would like the Stones trying to replace Mick Jagger.
And the new lead singer for Journey makes them sound like a Journey cover band rather than the “real” Journey.
I’ve not truly listened to Aerosmith since I was in high school, and their 1998 single for the movie ARMAGEDDON put me off them for good. They were great in the ’70s and their mid-’80s comeback, but they’ve made enough money. Let it go if they can’t get along.
This may have been news 20 years ago
These other bands try hard to make it work without their original singers and they do o.k. No Steven Tyler? no way…life goes on, but it sure isn’t the same. Aerosmith, don’t do it, you are the last of the bands who have kept it together. Love you guys!
Ummm…Rolling Stones, anyone?
Ummm… I don’t remember the Stones ever having replaced their lead singer.
As a long time Aerosmith fan (who is still waiting 2 months later for my refund for a concert that was never to be), I hate to point out the obvious… Tyler seems to have lost what little of his mind he had left after the 70’s. The most recent interview I read with him was nonsensical and rambling. He sounded either drugged, or senile, which seems to be the reason he is not only avoiding his bandmates (who surely know him better than anyone) but avoiding the responsibility of a tour. It makes me sad, but what makes Aerosmith great is 5 guys who have weathered everything a 30 year music career throws at a band- good and bad, and still stand together. I fear that recent events may spell the real end of this iconic band, and worse, I’m not sure it matters.
i think a lot of what you are saying about tyler is true. i think his last divorce has him down a path he has gotten too old to take at this point. i hope he pulls it together in time to realize what “they” have that is so special as a band
I really think that Aerosmith is on its last legs. I believe that Steven Tyler has really lost it since he fell off that stage in that summer concert this year. What makes him think that he should leave the band that made him a huge star? I still like “Pump” which came out 20 years ago in fall 1989 and rivaled even their best ’70s efforts. They’ve made some good albums afterwards, but none have really topped that one to me.
they have fought like brothers all these years so this is nothing different for perry & tyler to fight like this only difference this is more public than recently bouts so shame on tyler for saying what he did in the interview without talking to the guys first and shame on perry for tweeting about it just yet. this will be resolved. they are too close to nearing the end of an epic run to stop like this. and a quick word to those taking this opportunity to slam these guys here – you try staying revelant after 35 years people. they have crossed over into pop the last few years to stay revelant on the radio – but what you didn’t hear was them in concert rocking better than ever and you also missed their recent album “honkin’ on bobo” that rocked harder than anything they have done since “pump”.
Yes, you said it. I love all these know it alls. How many bands can do what Aerosmith has done for 35 years; and those guys can still rock. I saw them two years ago and Steven’s vocals were incredible and Joe was amazing. It is sad that Steven has fallen off the wagon and the others are sober. I don’t think he will do anything – he is too messed up. Glad I saw them when I did. Name another current group like this one! Bobo was great – those guys are talented. It would be worth it if they never did another thing and we just enjoyed their shows. Hope they work it out.
you people saying its irrelevant are either very young or very musically retarded.
yessss.
These “old” rock bands are only relevant when it comes to touring. Radio has long put veteran artists out to pasture. While they still make millions on the road, these older acts are being relegated to classic rock or AC radio stations Look at how people over 35 are treated by the tv networks.
This is ridiculous talk here, do you think that classic rock stations are not radio? It’s really about target markets and buying power. Relevance is all about perspective and every perspective has a commercial application.
Aerosmith has toured and toured over the last 5 years i think these guys just need to take a break from each other take some time off then get back together and do a record
Steven Tyler is who belongs in Aerosmith and nobody else! Why would he walk away from the band to do a solo career? Does he want Marti Fredriksen to produce his album alone and not the band? I think that because it’s been over a decade since their last multiplatinum hit album Get A Grip from the ’90s, Steven wants to leave the band.
No Steven Tyler = No Aerosmith, period.
A lot of whiny little BlTCHES in the EW threads today.
Joe Perry should recruit the remaining members of Aerosmith, find a good new vocalist, and launch a new Joe Perry Project. Perry seems like the one who really wants to keep making music. Tyler seems like the one who doesn’t have his head on straight.
I think Steven’s new girlfriend is causing the problems….those that do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.
Aerosmith hasn’t done anything relevant in many, many years. Who cares if Tyler leaves?
Who determine’s relevancy – 12 year olds?! This band is iconic – their body of work deserves respect.
But what will happen to the ride in Disney World? That’s all I care about.
Aerosmith hasn’t been good or even a true rock band since the late 70’s. They’ve been recording the pop songs and the exact same ballad for the past 20 years or so and just coasting off their reputation. Tyler should do whatever he wants as should the rest of the band, but as for the entity Aerosmith…just hang it up fellas.
I’m available
I like Aerosmith’s music as much as the next person, but let’s be realistic here. Aerosmith’s rock fans are long gone because they quit rocking awhile ago. Aerosmith’s pop fans are long gone because they quit… popping… after Armageddon. In fact, I couldn’t tell you what they’ve been doing the past few years. When was their last hit single? Album?
Even if they still liked each other, it was probably time to end Aerosmith anyway unless they wanted to be an oldies act forever.
Let me backstep. I know they still have fans. Their concerts still sell out. They make millions. But they should either make more new (and GOOD music) or call it quits.