1970 to 1971

More so than any other Rock n' Roll band internationally AEROSMITH has defined the meaning of excess. Over a thirty year career AEROSMITH has gained a reputation second to none, lost it all in the full media glare of public attention only to recapture past glories and surpass them beyond all expectations.

The Rock And Roll legend that is AEROSMITH began in The Anchorage ice cream parlour in the New Hampshire town of Sunapee in 1970 where budding guitarist Anthony Joseph Perry was employed washing dishes.

Having learnt to play from copying BEATLES and ROY ORBISON songs, Perry had hooked up with a bassist by the name of Tom Hamilton and began playing in a covers band called PIPE DREAM. The pair subsequently played in PLASTIC GLASS and THE JAM BAND. It was in The Anchorage that Perry met one Steven Tallarico, a drummer cum vocalist with local outfit WILLIAM PROUD.

Tallarico, originally from New York, was something of a local Rock hero. Boasting erstwhile membership of bands like early 60s outfits THE MANIACS and THE YAKS and THE STRANGEURS, gigs opening for the YARDBIRDS, the BYRDS and the BEACH BOYS plus a couple of singles ('The Sun' and 'You Should've Been There' with his then outfit CHAIN REACTION). Tallarico was already something of a veteran even before he'd hit 18.

Wise to Tallarico's reputation, Perry invited him to come down to check out the guitarists own group, THE JAM BAND, which Tallarico duly did. Around 1969 THE JAM BAND recorded a proposed album. Unreleased a mere handful of copies were pressed up for the band members.

Tallarico meantime was now a member of FOXCHASE with keyboard player Don Soloman. When this act folded Tallarico and Solomon created WILLIAM PROUD together with ex CHAIN REACTION man Ray Tabano on bass and Charles Farren on guitar. WILLIAM PROUD duly collapsed following an onstage fight between Farren and Tallarico.

Steven invited Perry and Tom Hamilton to help him form a brand new band with Tabano. The latter owned a leather goods store in Boston and persuaded his new band mates to relocate to the city, by which time Tallarico had given up the drums in favour of concentrating on a frontman's role.

Having auditioned for a drummer with no success an old school friend of Tabano's, Ex KING BEES man Joey Kramer, walked into his store and, finding the position still vacant, duly applied and got the gig. Kramer had in fact been a member of power trio STRAWBERRY RIPPLE, a band nearly titled after one of the drummer's name suggestions AEROSMITH.

Bronx born Kramer already knew Steven Tallarico, having first met the singer in CHAIN REACTION back in 1965 when he'd cheekily asked the then drummer whether he could borrow his kit while he raised enough dollars for a set-up of his own.

Kramer had played in a host of Blues and R&B bands previously. His credits included The TURNPIKES (in actuality a Soul band that would become TAVARES and enjoy hit single status in the 70s with singles like 'Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel' and 'More Than A Woman'), UNIQUE 4 and the KING BEES. Kramer attended Boston's Berkeley School Of Music before the fateful day he walked into Ray Tabano's store.

Operating from an apartment in Commonwealth Avenue, number 1325 to be exact, the fledgling band toyed with the names THE HOOKERS and SPIKE JONES before Kramer suggested AEROSMITH. At the second time of promoting this idea the drummer finally had a band that took his title.

The newly named group played their very first show together at Nimpuc Regional High School before 'touring' the local high school and fraternity party events for the rest of the year.

In early 1971 Ray Tabano was unceremoniously fired from the band on the eve of a show. AEROSMITH already had JUSTIN THYME guitarist Brad Whitford waiting in the wings. Whitford's previous acts include THE MORLOCKS, EARTH INCORPORATED, THE TEAPOT DOME and THE CYMBALS OF RESISTANCE.

moved to Mexico but would actually return to the AEROSMITH family some three years later, albeit as a member of the road crew. He subsequently became the band's marketing director and was responsible for designing the band's famous winged logo, which first appeared on 1975's 'Toys In The Attic' album after a tentative version had graced the aptly titled 'Get Your Wings' album a year earlier.

Hooking up with local promoter Frank Connelly as a manager led to contact with the more influential Leber / Krebs organisation after Connelly realised his experience lay in promoting rather than full blown management. Connelly thus formed a partnership with the high profile, New York based team of David Krebs and Steve Leber and they managed the group as a trio until Connelly passed away in 1975.

 

AEROSMITH got their first decent break supporting HUMBLE PIE in New York during December of 1971. Opening up the show was EDGAR WINTER'S WHITE TRASH.

1971 to 1973

With the might of Leber / Krebs behind them AEROSMITH showcased for Atlantic and Columbia at Max's Kansas City in New York in 1972. Columbia duly signed the group for $125, 000 and the quintet immediately set to work on their debut album at Boston's Intermedia Studios with producer Francis Barber. It was during this period that Steven Tallarico adopted the name that he would achieve far, far more than a Warholian fifteen minutes of fame with: Steven Tyler!

Prior to signing with Columbia Tyler had been working in a bakery and Perry had eked out a living as a part-time caretaker of a synagogue. In order to push the band into the eyes of the American Rock buying public, the day jobs went to the wind. AEROSMITH hit the road soon after their eponymous debut album hit the racks in January 1973, playing clubs, colleges and gaining support slots to THE KINKS, HAWKWIND, MOTT THE HOOPLE and even, very bizarrely, the MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA.

Album sales were slow, however and the reviews in the press were quite fierce claiming that the Boston quintet was merely a poor copy of the ROLLING STONES, Tyler taking the role of Mick Jagger with Perry as his Keith Richards sidekick. (This criticism was to dog the band until their global success of the 90's).

 

their second album in October 1973, AEROSMITH were placed in the charge of producer Bob Ezrin and engineer Jack Douglas in order to put 'Get Your Wings' together. The album featured a storming cover of the old R&B chestnut 'Train Kept-A-Rollin', which would quickly become a live favourite.

1974 to 1976

Released in February 1974 the band toured the 'Get Your Wings' album across America with BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE, KISS, MOTT THE HOOPLE, SLADE, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT and ARGENT prior to a co-headline jaunt with THE NEW YORK DOLLS but made little impression outside of their native North East locale. AEROSMITH's big break was only a matter of time though and the band's work ethic had pushed sales of 'Get Your Wings' to gold status in spite of all three singles culled from the record failing to break the charts.

In early 1975 they engaged Jack Douglas to produce third album 'Toys In The Attic', a record that would swiftly become an absolute classic and recognised world-wide as one of the greatest American Hard Rock albums in the history of the genre.

Containing the likes of 'Walk This Way' (named after Gene Wilder's line from the hunchback character in the cult comedy 'Young Frankenstein') and 'Sweet Emotion', 'Toys In The Attic' reached platinum status in America and provided a much needed push for the band's back catalogue with the previous two records achieving Gold.

As a result of this new found fame AEROSMITH, after a batch of arena dates guesting for ROD STEWART, were able to undertake their first headlining tour of America (including many shows with fellow Leber / Krebs signing TED NUGENT). Demand for the band was sent into overdrive when Columbia re-issued the band's first ever single, 'Dream On' from the first album and it hit number 6 in America in January 1976, three years after the label first issued the song as a 45.

Rather than hit the road in the wake of the success of 'Dream On' AEROSMITH had already begun work on the successor to 'Toys In The Attic', again with Jack Douglas in charge.

The album, titled 'Rocks', was released in May and had no trouble in shifting two million copies and propelling the band toward another riotous American tour of arenas. This included their first show at the prestigious New York Madison Square Garden opening for BLACK SABBATH, and later an 80'000 sold out show at the Pontiac Stadium in Detroit in the same month 'Rocks' was released.

 

Further afield, AEROSMITH played their first European shows in October 1976, including four British dates to mixed reaction.

1977 to 1978

1977 had AEROSMITH opening up the year heading to Japan in January for seven sold out shows with support act BOW WOW followed by pre production work in Hawaii. Later in the year, in order to record a brand new album, the band moved themselves and Douglas into an old monastery in Armonk, New York, but, rather than swiftly set to work on the record the band's time was spent indulging in the worse excesses of drug addiction. The band's misery was compounded by both Perry and Kramer being involved in near fatal car crashes. AEROSMITH ventured out to visit Europe for festival dates in Belgium, Germany and England (the latter at The Reading Festival) that failed to convince cynical audiences as to just why the band were so huge an attraction in America. Indeed, so burned out were the band that Tyler collapsed onstage at the Lorelei festival in Germany.

The band had a further lucky escape that year when one of AEROSMITH's crew objected to the perceived dangerous condition of a plane chartered to fly the group. Although the band's management insisted the band take the plane they refused. Three months later the very same plane crashed killing members of LYNYRD SKYNYRD.

AEROSMITH continued life in the road and in the hot seat. A show in Philadelphia saw the craze of throwing firecrackers onstage going to extremes when an explosion damaged Tyler's eye and forcing cancellation of the remaining shows.

Returning home to finish the 'Draw The Line' album, upon release in December 1977 it became the fastest selling album in the band's career thus far, easily reaching platinum status. The band were given the opportunity to headline the second California Jam event at Ontario Speedway on the same bill as HEART, TED NUGENT, MAHOGANY RUSH and SANTANA on March 18 1978. A double album commemorating the event was released by Columbia later in the year. It features three AEROSMITH live tracks; namely 'Same Old Song And Dance', 'Draw The Line' and the Rich Supa composition 'Chip Away The Stone'.

In between this show and a further headlining show at the Texas Jam in Dallas' Cotton Bowl Stadium on July 4 AEROSMITH took part in filming for Robert Stigwood's flop BEATLES based movie 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. AEROSMITH contributed a cover of the fab four's 'Come Together' for the soundtrack album and appeared in the movie itself as THE FUTURE VILLIAN BAND.

Getting back to basics the band put in a low key club show as DR JONES AND THE INTERNS at the Starwood in Los Angeles before going back into the arenas with AC/DC opening. Fights between Tyler and Perry often marred the tour, as the band's drug problems grew ever worse. The band also returned to Philadelphia, scene of the onstage explosion that curtailed the last tour, and fate repeated itself with Tyler being hit in the face with a beer bottle. The band pulled the show.

 

In November 1978 Columbia released AEROSMITH's first live album, the double packaged 'Live! Bootleg', ostensibly an album designed to beat the bootleggers at their own game but also to release new AEROSMITH product in order to cover the anticipated delay before a new studio album was ready, given the mounting problems the band were experiencing.

1979 to 1980

Having returned to the studio in early 1979, this time with Gary Lyons producing, AEROSMITH was in an even worse state than previous, Steven Tyler was later to admit he was so out of it that he was often incapable of working on anything, the result being that expensive studio time was wasted. Under these pressures, Tyler's relationship with Perry had also deteriorated.

Prompted to go out on tour again, Perry, allegedly attracted by the prospect of recording a solo album in order to pay off his personal debts to the band of some $100'000, finally quit after a huge row backstage at a show in Cleveland, Ohio. The band was headlining the 'World series of rock' festival with guests TED NUGENT and THIN LIZZY and a fracas between band members wives and girlfriends resulted in Perry walking out. Planned dates in Europe and Japan were cancelled and the rumour machine got into full gear.

Without the departed guitarist the remaining members of AEROSMITH returned to New York to finish what would become the 'Night In The Ruts' album and attempt to find a replacement. Ex-SCORPIONS and UFO guitarist MICHAEL SCHENKER was briefly lined up by Leber / Krebs, but upon visiting the band in the studio it became obvious the planned union would never work. BLACKFOOT and AXIS guitarist DANNY JOHNSON was also auditioned but lost the job because his hair was too short! Eventually, former FLAME six-stringer Jimmy Crespo joined to fill Perry's shoes.

Having played in a band called ANACONDA, Crespo had recorded on both of the Marge Raymond fronted FLAME's Columbia issued albums, 1977's 'Queen Of The Neighbourhood' and 1978's eponymously titled release. He had also guested on ex-STORIES frontman IAN LLOYD's 'Goosebumps' album, released in 1979, and one-time JOURNEY vocalist ROBERT FLEISHMAN's 'Perfect Stranger' album, also of 1979 vintage.

The 'Night In The Ruts' album, that included Perry's initial guitar parts alongside tracks laid down by Crespo and Richie Supa, was finally issued by Columbia in November 1979. AEROSMITH hit the road for a meagre number of gigs before Steven Tyler collapsed during a show in New England forcing the cancellation of rest of the tour.

Tyler, his drug dependency increasing, suffered a further blow when he was involved in an accident whilst taking his babysitter home on a motorcycle, crashing the bike ripping one of his heels off in the process. Steven would take months to recover from the injury, forcing Columbia to release the compilation album 'Greatest Hits' during 1980 to cover the loss of a new studio album.

In the meantime, Joe Perry had finished work on his debut JOE PERRY PROJECT album, 'Let The Music Do The Talking'. He immediately hit the road in support of it with a backing band comprised former BUX vocalist Ralph Morman, ex DIRTY ANGEL bassist David Hull with Ronnie Stewart on drums.

1981

A year later, with AEROSMITH still inactive, Perry hit back with his second effort, 'I've Got The Rock n' Rolls Again'. Having parted company with the increasingly erratic Morman (who later wound up in an incarnation of SAVOY BROWN), Perry had enticed BALLOON vocalist / guitarist Charlie Farren to the fray after things hadn't worked out with the guitarist's original choice, REVOLVER's Joey Mala.

The rest of AEROSMITH had considered defecting to put together a brand new group with former FOREIGNER keyboard player Bobby Mayo fronted by FLAME's Marge Raymond to be titled RENEGADE, but AEROSMITH prevailed. Perry's former AEROSMITH guitar compadre Brad Whitford was now beginning to get itchy feet. With AEROSMITH seemingly in disarray Whitford, having helped out Jack Douglas with one of the producer's more recent clients, 1994, on the Karen Lawrence (ex LA JETS) fronted group's debut album and had played live with the band on occasion.

Hooking up with his friend Derek St Holmes, an associate of TED NUGENT who had, more recently, recorded an album with TED NUGENT bassist Rob Grange and ex MONTROSE drummer Denny Carmassi under the ST. PARADISE umbrella, Whitford agreed to make an album in partnership with the singer/guitarist. The album was finished in a mere two weeks, prompting Whitford to announce that he was quitting AEROSMITH to pursue the WHITFORD ST. HOLMES project.

Columbia released Brad and Derek's self-titled debut in the summer of 1981. An underrated affair boosted by St. Holmes' smooth but rich vocal the band (rounded out by bassist David Hewitt and drummer Steve Pace) toured briefly but soon parted after St. Holmes decided to re-join TED NUGENT. Whitford moved to Los Angeles with a view to working with ex REX frontman Rex Smith (recording an album that remains unreleased) eventually joining Joe Perry's band for touring purposes a year later, whilst Pace ended up in Swiss outfit KROKUS.

 

By December AEROSMITH had announced Whitford's successor, one Rick Dufay. Dufay had previously recorded a solo album, 'Loving Tender Abuse', for Polydor in 1979, which Jack Douglas had produced.

1982 to 1983

In January 1982 AEROSMITH were holed up in Miami's Criteria Studios, although with Tyler not particularly being in much of a condition to record an album. The record, costing $1.5 million and titled 'Rock In A Hard Place', was completed at Power Station in New York utilising Tony Bongiovi in the role of co-producer with Jack Douglas

released in August 1982 'Rock In A Hard Place' has long been considered an extremely strong release for AEROSMITH, but, strangely, the album failed to do much at retail. The single 'Lightning Strikes' also failed to hit the charts.

A full year after beginning work on 'Rock In A Hard Place', AEROSMITH kicked off their latest tour in New Hampshire, which lasted for the next twelve months. Notably the group took out DIO as support act throughout July and August of 1983, this band's debut showing on US soil certainly giving a flagging AEROSMITH more than a run for their money. Bobby Mayo was now included for live keyboards and the support came from PAT TRAVERS. The tour included a date in Florida playing on a bill headlined by JOURNEY at the 'Superbowl Of Rock' in Miami.

AEROSMITH were back on track, albeit not quite enjoying the same of status they had previously enjoyed, Joe Perry was at an all-time low.

Having been dropped by Columbia, Perry had signed a deal with MCA Records and would record a brand new album, 'Once A Rocker Always A Rocker' (released in January 1984) with a substantially revised band. The line-up featuring vocalist Mach Bell (formerly with budding 70's Glamsters THUNDERTRAIN), bassist Danny Hargrove and drummer Joe Pet (Perry's former associates Farren and Hull would stick together and record an album under the FARRENHEIT banner for Warner Bros. in 1987). Despite this activity the guitarist was so destitute that he wound up living with his manager Tim Collins and sleeping on the sofa.

1984 to 1986

Things were about to change drastically for both Perry and AEROSMITH. A homecoming show at Boston's Orpheum Theater on Valentine's Day 1984 found Perry and Brad Whitford backstage offering encouragement. Tyler then turned up at a JOE PERRY PROJECT show in New York. By April Rick Dufay and Jimmy Crespo were unemployed. The latter would journey through many acts winding up in ROUGH CUTT during 2000.

AEROSMITH had reunited, but not before Perry (reportedly on the point of taking up an offer to join ALICE COOPER's ever star studded touring band) had insisted the band part company with long-time managers Leber / Krebs in order to bring in Tim Collins.

The rejuvenated original line-up of AEROSMITH hit the road in the summer for a Stateside tour dubbed the 'Back In The Saddle' tour. By the conclusion of the 70-date extravaganza AEROSMITH had bagged a brand new record deal, John Kalodner moving to secure their services for Geffen.

Ted Templeman, best known for his sterling work with VAN HALEN, was engaged to produce the comeback album, 'Done With Mirrors', which finally arrived in the stores during November 1985. Despite a re-working of the JOE PERRY PROJECT track 'Let The Music Do The Talking' (Steven Tyler had been a fan of the song ever since he'd heard the original) the album was regarded by many observers as lacking dynamics. To make matters worse the extremely ill conceived packaging built around the album title resulted in the album cover basically being printed backwards, which meant it could only be read correctly with the use of a mirror.

The 'Done With Mirrors' tour commenced in early 1986, TED NUGENT playing support, but the tour only ran until May when Tyler's health began to cause problems.

Columbia also proved to be a thorn in the band's side. Determined to milk every penny from the band's renewed profile Columbia released a compilation album, 'Classics Live' in collaboration with Leber / Krebs and, allegedly, with guitar parts overdubbed by Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay. In the meantime, Collins, understanding that the band could not continue the way it was, persuading the group to check in to a rehabilitation programme.

Upon checking out of rehab, AEROSMITH was approached by producer Rick Rubin with an idea he had for the rap band RUN DMC to cover the legendary AEROSMITH hit 'Walk This Way'. It proved to be a godsend for the band. With both Tyler and Perry featured in an amusing promotion video for the track the collaboration became a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic, raising AEROSMITH's profile to the kind of level not seen since the 70s.

 

A little known fact regarding the video is that only Tyler and Perry appear representing AEROSMITH, the other band 'members' who appear are in fact the New York group SMASHED GLADYS.

1987 to 1988

Although Rick Rubin was originally tapped to produce AEROSMITH's new album, the fact that he was otherwise booked elsewhere proved to be something of a blessing in disguise for the band. They chose to follow in the footsteps of BON JOVI and arrange to travel to Little Mountain studios in Vancouver, Canada to work with producer Bruce Fairbairn. AEROSMITH had also chosen to work with BON JOVI collaborator Desmond Child on new material upon the advice of John Kalodner, who also tapped Holly Knight and BRYAN ADAMS collaborator Jim Vallance to write with the band.

Prior to the release of the record, titled 'Permanent Vacation', in late summer, Columbia had been watching through their vaults in order to come up with 'Classics Live II' album. The band had jumped at the chance to get a taste of renewed live action by appearing second only to BOSTON at the 1987 Texas Jam on a Hard Rock dream ticket that also included WHITESNAKE, POISON (who were joined on stage come the encore by KISS' Paul Stanley) and TESLA.

The 'Permanent Vacation' album, when released, was an instant hit, spawning the hit single both in America and Britain with 'Dude (Looks Like A Lady)'. The track in it's early form was titled 'Cruizin' For A Lady', AEROSMITH changed the name of the song after meeting M?TLEY CRÜE, a band famous for calling everybody 'Dude'! The video for 'Dude (Looks Like A Lady)' featured a cameo by John Kalodner dressed in a wedding gown and gave the band massive MTV coverage. Stateside smashes with the ballad 'Angel' and 'Rag Doll' followed in its wake.

The band's latest tour moved into gear once the new hotshots of Hard Rock GUNS N' ROSES, who had released their monumental 'Appetite For Destruction' album through Geffen the previous year, were added as openers in July 1988, DOKKEN and WHITE LION having both supported AEROSMITH on the earlier dates.

 

By the tour's end 'Permanent Vacation' had sold something in the region of four million copies. Columbia, still intent on getting their slice of the renewed enthusiasm for the band weighed in with a compilation album, 'Gems', in late '88.

1989 to 1991

Deciding, naturally, to stick with a winning formula, AEROSMITH retreated back to Bruce Fairbairn at Little Mountain to record the follow-up to 'Permanent Vacation' in January 1989. Having again collaborated on songs with Desmond Child the results were finally made public in the form of 'Pump' the following September. giving birth to another huge hit single in the form of 'Love In An Elevator' and the later 'Janie's Got A Gun'. The latter, with a Tyler lyric concerning child abuse, embroiled the band in media controversy over it's hard hitting video and obvious message.

Having cancelled a previously arranged European tour in 1987 due to demands placed on them to tour America, AEROSMITH finally returned to the continent in October 1989, opening their account in Cologne, Germany with THE CULT as special guests. Following further dates in Britain, including sell out shows at London's Wembley Arena, the group returned to the America where the 'Pump' tour continued, SKID ROW joining the trek as the latest opening act.

The BLACK CROWES replaced SKID ROW in the 'Pump' support slot from April 'til July 1990, after which AEROSMITH had been lined up to play in the special guest slot to WHITESNAKE at the Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' festival in central England. They were joined onstage by former LED ZEPPELIN guitarist JIMMY PAGE for an encore of long time live favourite 'Train Kept-A-Rollin''. Page was to enjoy the 'SMITH's company a couple of days later when the band appeared at London's legendary Marquee Club for a one-off show, not leaving the stage until they'd played a grand total of five songs at the encores!

 

Following in 'Permanent Vacation's glory 'Pump' gave the band another quadruple platinum album.

1992 to 1996

Returning home to concentrate on the recording of yet another new record, it was revealed during 1991 that AEROSMITH had negotiated a brand new recording contract with their former label Columbia, having only two more records to deliver to Geffen. In the interim, Columbia were set to make more moolah from the AEROSMITH legacy thanks to the release of the aptly titled 'Pandora's Box', a boxed compilation of hits, bits and obscurities.

AEROSMITH's 'Get A Grip' album was finally completed in late 1992 and scheduled for release in early '93, a record that featured even more co-writes than ever. The rumours that John Kalodner had forced the band to re-write the album after turning down the original material presented to him seemed to be true.

Aside from the inevitable collaborations with Desmond Child, Jim Vallance's name appeared in the credits once more, as did Lenny Kravitz and even the DAMN YANKEES pairing of Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades. Whilst the reviews of the album upon its release were fairly lukewarm, the record continued the sales momentum begun with 'Permanent Vacation' and enjoyed by 'Pump'. A limited edition version of the album was issued wrapped in an imitation cowhide package.

The 'Get A Grip' tour was once more a successful experience for the quintet, initially taking out label mates JACKYL for the ride before MEGADETH replaced the Atlanta rockers in Texas. The Dave Mustaine fronted outfit lasted a mere three dates before they were unceremoniously dumped and JACKYL re-instated. For UK shows during October the honours of opening act were granted to STEVE VAI prior to a three night stand at London's Webley Arena supported by MR. BIG.

The 'Get A Grip' tour continued through 1994. Having returned to Europe in late '93 for arena shows AEROSMITH then put in their first South American shows co-headlining with ROBERT PLANT. A Japanese tour found the band with stand in guitarist THE NEIGHBORHOOD's David Minehan as Whitford had to return home with his father seriously ill. Whitford returned in time for the Tokyo dates. The band were confirmed as headliners for a series of 'Monsters Of Rock' festivals the following summer, including a headlining spot at Castle Donington. In March the band had ventured down to South America for the first time in order to perform at the Rio Rocks festival and had also finally made it back to Japan.

In addition to all this activity Tyler & Co had also made an appearance in the 'Wayne's World II' movie.

'Get A Grip' had easily become AEROSMITH's biggest album, going to the top of Billboard's chart in the States and settling for the Number 2 spot in Britain. The record also housed hit singles in 'Livin' On The Edge', 'Eat The Rich', 'Cryin'' and 'Amazing'.

Further touring that year found the band playing festivals in far-flung Finland and Israel before headlining the massive Woodstock festival before an audience of 350'000.

 

The 1994 compilation 'Big Ones' included two new tracks in 'Blind Man' and 'Walk On Water'.

1997 to 2007

AEROSMITH's next album 'Nine Lives' saw song-writing collaborations with Marty Frederickson on 'Something's Gotta Give' as well as the now established Richie Supa, Desmond Child and Mark Hudson. However, during pre-production Kramer fell ill and the band pulled in Englishman Steve Ferrone for demoing tracks. The album was to be produced by ALANIS MORRISETTE's producer Glenn Ballard but this union floundered, the band eventually opting for Kevin Shirley behind the desk. Kramer returned in time for the album and their first effort new label Columbia Records, 'Nine Lives', duly hit the number 1 spot in early 1997.

Typically, controversy still followed the band when Columbia was sued by the Hare Krishna religious organisation claiming that the album cover (a cat headed female goddess) was in fact copyrighted by themselves. Despite shipping out four million copies to retail the band changed the cover later.

AEROSMITH forced themselves into the Top 40 Stateside with the first single, 'Falling In Love (Is Hard On Your Knees)' and toured extensively across in Europe in the spring. Despite this continued success, Steven Tyler was perhaps starting to become better known in the media for being the father of aspiring actress Liv Tyler than for fronting one of America's Rock legends. Liv had appeared in AEROSMITH videos from the "Get A Grip' era with another budding starlet, Alicia Silverstone. Indeed, Liv Tyler would very soon advance herself to the ranks of the Hollywood elite with her starring role in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy.

Shows confirmed for Europe during mid '98 were scrapped when Tyler sustained major ligament damage to his knee at a show in Anchorage, Alaska. However, the group's profile was kept high with tracks on the soundtrack to the blockbuster movie 'Armageddon' starring Bruce Willis and Tyler's daughter Liv. The group contributed four tracks (plus another featuring Tyler's vocals) including the radio hit 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' written by Diane Warren and 'What Kind Of Love Are You On' a song recorded for 'Nine Lives' but cut from the final running order.

A new AEROSMITH live album, masterminded by Jack Douglas was released by Geffen thanks to an agreement made with the label upon their return to Columbia.

AEROSMITH's status was confirmed in the autumn of 1998 when their single 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' went straight into the Billboard charts at number 1. As their profile hit an all time high, backed up with constant touring and a welter of tracks on the hit soundtrack album 'Armageddon' it was revealed that Hollywood was planning a major movie based on the band's career.

Kramer meantime had yet another car scare when his Ferrari was engulfed in flames as he was filling it with petrol. The drummer escaped with second degree burns.

1999 found AEROSMITH subject to the tribute album fad with the release of 'Not The Same Old Song And Dance'. Contributions came from a whole host of luminaries including M?TLEY CRÜE's Vince Neil, the motorcity madman TED NUGENT, Ronnie James Dio, GREAT WHITE's Jack Russell, RATT's Stephen Pearcy, TESLA's Jeff Keith and WARRANT's Jani Lane.

2001's much anticipated 'Just Push Play' album narrowly missed out on the coveted number one position in the Billboard album charts. Besides regular touring appearances Tyler turned up singing at the 85th Indianapolis 500 motor racing event lending his rendition of the opening 'Stat Spangled Banner'. By 2001 AEROSMITH's record based on pure sales stood proud. In America alone the band had sold over 60 million albums with their 'Greatest Hits' package attaining double figures at 10 million. Comparisons illustrated fully AEROSMITH's remarkable 90's comeback with 'Permanent Vacation' claiming 5 million sales, 'Pump' 7 million, 'Get A Grip' another 7 million and the 'Big Ones' collection 4 million.

Interestingly a further tribute outing emerged with strong FOREIGNER connections. It was revealed that the Blues based AEROSMITH homage 'Sweet Emotion - Songs Of Aerosmith' featured LOU GRAMM on vocals on for 'Back In The Saddle' and FOREIGNER drummers Mark Schulman and Brian Tichy laying down percussion on most tracks. The entire affair was to cap it all produced by FOREIGNER keyboard player Jeff Jacobs.

It was learned in August that Joe Perry would be aiding ROLLING STONES vocalist MICK JAGGER on his latest solo effort. 2002 looked set to see no decline in AEROSMITH's activities with a late summer American tour projected, the inclusion of a new song entitled 'Bad Enough' on the 'Spider-Man' movie soundtrack album and plans for a lavish career retrospective compilation album in the works.

Steven Tyler showed up unexpectedly with the ex GUNS N' ROSES collective of Slash, McKagan and Matt Sorum in union with BUCKCHERRY members Josh Todd and Keith Nelson for a set at the Los Angeles Key club on April 29th as a part of tribute concert for the late OZZY OSBOURNE / M?TLEY CRÜE drummer Randy Castillo. Tyler joined the ad hoc band onstage for an encore of 'Mama Kin'.

Yet another AEROSMITH compilation would be announced for the summer months although at least including the benefit of two brand new tracks 'Girls Of Summer' and 'Lay It Down'. 'O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits' charted high and soon racked up a further million sales. (By 2004 it had surpassed the two million marker) The band would be kept in the media as rumours brewed that certain sectors of the band were deeply unhappy with AEROSMITH's liaisons with Pop artists. Whatever, Tyler would grace the stage at the 'All American Wango Tango 2002' in mid June at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California alongside an array of Hip Hop and Pop stars.

As the band's classic 1975 album, Toys In The Attic', cruised past the eight million sales mark in America AEROSMITH geared up for global touring once more, announcing dates in Japan toward the end of June upfront of North American gigs, supported by KID ROCK and RUN DMC. Joe Perry had recently undergone surgery on his knee so would wear a three quarter, carbon fibre knee brace for the first batch of shows. The guitarist would also be making a media splash in the culinary world, following on from famous figures such as actor Paul Newman by marketing his own sauce- 'Joe Perry's Rock Your World Boneyard Brew'!

As Pollstar revealed the band's 2002 North American dates had grossed a healthy 41 million dollars in ticket receipts reports surfaced that AEROSMITH were planning a traditional Blues album as their next studio project. This project would take on the working title 'Honkin' On Bobo' and would be set to include MUDDY WATERS 'I'm Ready', BO DIDDLEY's 'Road Runner', BLIND WILLIE McTELL's 'Broke Down Engine' (subsequently not included), LITTLE WALTER's 'Temperature', MISSISSIPPI FRED McDOWELL's 'You Gotta Move' and the blues staple 'Baby Please Don't Go'. Joe Perry took lead vocals on versions of FLEETWOOD MAC's 'Stop Messin' Round' and MISSISSIPPI FRED McDOWELL's 'Back Back Train'. TRACY BONHAM would guest as a co-lead vocalist on 'Jesus Is On The Main Line', also featuring Tyler's daughter Chelsea, and 'Back Back Train'.

Rumours, at first dismissed, of a combined arena tour with KISS for late 2003, would be confirmed in January. Performing at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City in March to mark their inauguration into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame AC/DC were joined onstage by none other than AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler for a performance of 'You Shook Me All Night Long'. Joe Perry too had outside ventures in hand although not of a musical nature with the guitarist launching his very own 'Rock Your World Boneyard Brew' sauce!

Reinforcing AEROSMITH's return to the very roots of their music a previously undisclosed 1987 track, 'One Time Too Many', written by Tyler for none other than WILLIE NELSON, finally surfaced on the elder statesman's 'The Essential Willie Nelson' compilation issued in April.

Playing to mostly capacity arena crowds and re-visiting many cities due to high ticket demand, he mammoth KISS / AEROSMITH package proved to be a blockbuster event. One interruption came on 15th August when a scheduled sold out gig at the Detroit, Michigan Comerica Stadium was cancelled due to the East Coast power outtage. By early October, still with two months to run until its 20th December close in Fresno, California, the 'Rocksimus Maximus' dates had grossed over $31 million dollars. The tour, playing to over one million fans, went on to sell out ninety percent of its shows and Rolling Stone magazine estimated the dates had netted each band more than $400,000 a night.

Before the year closed out both Brad Whitford and Steven Tyler put made appearances on outside projects, the guitarist donating his services to Walt Disney album 'A World Of Happiness' whilst Tyler lent his narrative tones to a charitable children's recording of 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' for the ReadBoston Literacy initiative. The singer would also grace the debut album 'Naked Truth' for SARAH HUDSON, daughter of AEROSMITH collaborator Mark Hudson, vocalising on the track 'Girl On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown'.

Maintaining their road presence the band united with CHEAP TRICK for a gargantuan US tour commencing in Lubbock, Texas on 11th March of 2004. 'Honkin' On Bobo' shifted over 160,500 copies in its first week of US sale to land at no. 5 in the Billboard charts. By June the album had attained Gold sales status. The group also garnered local recognition too when the record scored the "Album of the Year" honors at the 17th annual Boston Music Awards.

On 14th December Steven Tyler became a grandfather when 27 year old daughter Liv Tyler gave birth to a baby boy. Both Tyler and Joe Perry would confirm solo album releases for 2005. That June the Recording Industry Association of America revealed AEROSMITH had sold over 65 million albums in the USA. Worldwide sales had surpassed the 100 million mark.

Upfront of a 2005 live album, 'Rockin' The Joint' at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas in January 2002, AEROSMITH announced they would be teaming up with LENNY KRAVITZ for a U.S. tour beginning in October. 'Rockin' The Joint' notably included the seldom performed 1974 classic 'Seasons Of Wither' plus a cover of FLEETWOOD MAC's 'Rattlesnake Shake'. Back in the charts, Tyler fronted the opening single, 'Just Feel Better', from SANTANA's new album. A further diversion found the singer featuring on trumpet player CHRIS BOTTI's album 'To Love Again' on the track 'Smile'.

Steven Tyler was back in the charts in December, guesting on the SANTANA single 'Just feel better', a track written by SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM guitarist Damon Johnson. AEROSMITH announced a US arena tour packaged with CHEAP TRICK for spring 2006. Unfortunately concerts in Pensacola in Florida, Lexington in Kentucky and Manchester, New Hampshire were cancelled at short notice apparently due to Steven Tyler's ill health. Further gigs in succession were pulled at short notice as doctors ordered Tyler to take rest due to influenza and "severely strained vocal cords". Before long the entire tour had been cancelled as Tyler was forced to undergo surgery. These shows were followed up by dates with M?TLEY CRÜE.

AEROSMITH and producer Steve Lillywhite set to work on a new album on May 20th. US dates alongside M?TLEY CRÜE would be scheduled for September. Tom Hamilton missed the first set of shows, the bassist recuperating after radiation treatment to combat throat cancer. In his stead the band pulled in David Hull, previously of the JOE PERRY PROJECT. The 'Route Of All Evil' tour kicked off at the Germain Amphitheatre in Columbus, Ohio on September 5th. In the midst of the dates Columbia Records released yet another compilation, 'Devil's Got A New Disguise', this set containing two new songs.

In September Steven Tyler appeared as a guest actor on the CBS television comedy 'Two And A Half Men' starring Charlie Sheen. The singer fittingly played the character of Sheen's loud Rock star neighbour. That same month Tyler revealed that although he had been many years clean of drugs, his wayward past had left its legacy in the form of the viral infection hepatitis C. The singer endured 11 months of interferon therapy chemotherapy.

October found AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry joiningg Rock n' Roll legend CHUCK BERRY onstage for his 80th birthday celebrations held at Blueberry Hill nightclub in St. Louis. Meantime, 'Devil's Got A New Disguise' sold almost 23,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at number 33 on the Billboard album chart.

AEROSMITH signed on to play a private show for holders of Citibank credit cards for an acoustic performance on December 3rd at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Meantime, the MÖTLEY CRÜE 'Route Of All Evil' partnership proved so successful that further concerts were added into December.

Just prior to the Christmas break the members of AEROSMITH entered the studio to cut tracks for tribute albums with the West African band THE REFUGEE ALL STARS to record a version of JOHN LENNON & THE PLASTIC ONO BAND's 'Give Peace A Chance'. Joe Perry also joined the THE REFUGEE ALL STARS on a cover version of the U2 track 'Seconds'.

Steven Tyler joined actor Joaquin Phoenix, Democratic U.S. Representive Dennis Kucinich and other members of Congress at Lisner Auditorium in Washington D.C. on February 5th 2007 to lobby for the creation of a Department of Peace to advise the president on peaceful solutions to domestic and international violence. After a speech Tyler, who was accompanied by pianist and guitarist Russ Irwin, sang 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing', 'Pink' and 'Dream On'.

It was revealed in February that the band had recorded a brand new version of 'Back In The Saddle' for the theme song for NASCAR racing on ESPN television. 'Walk This Way' was back on top of the UK charts in March courtesy of SUGABABES VS GIRLS ALOUD, the two all girl Pop bands having joined forces to cover the AEROSMITH classic for the national Red Nose Day charity.

AEROSMITH tackled a long overdue world tour throughout 2007. VELVET REVOLVER lent support in South America during April. A run of Pacific dates, including Australia and New Zealand, was planned for but did not eventuate. The following year it was learned Joey Kramer had sessioned on the track 'Who You Gonna Love' on recordings for a new album by the reformed BALANCE.

AEROSMITH launched into the Guitar Hero sponsored 'Aerosmith Presents Aerosmith' tour, with special guests ZZ TOP, in the summer of 2009. During this tour set the group performed the entire classic 1975 'Toys In The Attic' album. Brad Whitford was forced to sit out these dates as the bassist was recuperating from surgery to tackle throat cancer. In his stead the band drafted the SLASH, WEEZER and GREEN DAY credited Bobby Schneck.

On June 10th AEROSMITH postponed a concert at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Missouri for about an hour due to an intense lightning storm. The tour then ran smoothly until 29th June in Connecticut, when Steven Tyler strained leg muscles, forcing several concert cancellations. Further mishap curtailed the tour completely when Steven Tyler fell offstage when he accidentally stepped backward off a catwalk, breaking his shoulder, during a 5th August concert at Buffalo Chip Campground in Sturgis, South Dakota. He subsequently received stitches in his head and back.

Steven Tyler's much-anticipated autobiography, 'Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?', was published on 27th October 2009. That same month fans were dismayed to learn that Tyler was seemingly opting out of AEROSMITH to pursue a solo project.

Garry Sharpe-Young