Aerosmith: Overview

Introduction

Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970, widely regarded as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Often called “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band,” the group consists of Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar). With their blues-based hard rock sound, powerful live performances, and the iconic pairing of Tyler’s soaring vocals with Perry’s guitar work, Aerosmith has sold over 150 million records worldwide and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Formation and Early Years

Aerosmith formed when Steven Tyler joined forces with guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton, who had been playing together in the Jam Band. Drummer Joey Kramer and guitarist Ray Tabano (soon replaced by Brad Whitford) completed the original lineup.

The band’s name came from Joey Kramer, who had written it in a notebook years earlier. The combination of Tyler’s powerful voice and Perry’s guitar playing quickly earned them the nickname “The Toxic Twins.”

1970s Success

Their self-titled debut in 1973 featured “Dream On.” The 1970s saw classic albums: - “Get Your Wings” (1974) - “Toys in the Attic” (1975) - Featuring “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way” - “Rocks” (1976) - “Draw the Line” (1977)

The Decline and Reunion

Drug abuse impacted the band by the late 1970s. Joe Perry left in 1979, Brad Whitford in 1981. They reunited in 1984 and achieved massive comeback success with “Permanent Vacation” (1987) and “Pump” (1989).

Legacy

Aerosmith’s career spans over five decades with multiple comebacks. They influenced countless rock bands and remain active performers with their Las Vegas residency “Deuces Are Wild.”

Aerosmith: Early Life and Formation

Steven Tyler (Born 1948)

Childhood

• Born Steven Victor Tallarico in New York
• Musical family background
• Classical music training
• Moved to New Hampshire

Early Musical Experience

• Played drums in bands
• Developed powerful voice
• Influenced by Rolling Stones, Beatles

Joe Perry (Born 1950)

Background

• Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts
• Musical family
• Guitar influences: Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton

Early Bands

• Played in various local bands
• Developed blues-based style
• Met Tom Hamilton

Tom Hamilton (Born 1951)

Background

• Born in Colorado Springs
• Moved to Massachusetts
• Started on guitar, switched to bass

Joey Kramer (Born 1950)

Background

• Born in The Bronx, New York
• Moved to Massachusetts
• Named band “Aerosmith” from notebook

Formation (1970)

Meeting

• Tyler joined Perry and Hamilton’s Jam Band
• Kramer on drums
• Ray Tabano on guitar (soon replaced by Brad Whitford)

Name Origin

• From Kramer’s notebook
• Sounded like “arrow through the heart”

Early Years (1970-1972)

• Played Boston clubs
• Built local following
• Columbia Records signed them 1972
• Debut album 1973

Summary

Aerosmith formed from Boston area musicians with shared love of blues-based rock. Early struggles and lineup changes led to classic lineup that would define their sound.

Aerosmith: Career Trajectory and Milestones

1970s Success (1973-1979)

Debut and Rise

• Aerosmith (1973) - “Dream On” became first hit
• Get Your Wings (1974) - Established sound
• Toys in the Attic (1975) - Breakthrough with “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way”
• Rocks (1976) - Considered their best by many
• Draw the Line (1977) - Continued success
• Live! Bootleg (1978)

Peak Popularity

• Massive arena tours
• Drug abuse increasing
• Internal tensions rising

The Decline (1979-1984)

Night in the Ruts (1979)

• Joe Perry left during recording

Rock in a Hard Place (1982)

• Brad Whitford departed
• Replacement guitarists used

Commercial Failure

• Albums underperformed
• Band seemed finished
• Drug problems severe

The Reunion (1984-1990)

Reformation

• Perry and Whitford returned 1984
• Classic lineup restored
• Still struggling with addiction

Run-DMC Collaboration (1986)

• “Walk This Way” rap-rock version
• Pioneered genre fusion
• Introduced band to new generation

Permanent Vacation (1987)

• Major comeback
• “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”
• “Angel”
• Clean and sober

Pump (1989)

• Grammy wins
• “Love in an Elevator”
• “Janie’s Got a Gun”

1990s Dominance

Get a Grip (1993)

• Massive commercial success
• Alicia Silverstone videos
• “Livin’ on the Edge”
• “Cryin’”

Nine Lives (1997)

• Internal conflicts
• “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
• First #1 single

2000s-Present

Continued touring and albums with periodic health-related interruptions. Las Vegas residency “Deuces Are Wild” ongoing.

Aerosmith: Discography

Studio Albums

• Aerosmith (1973)
• Get Your Wings (1974)
• Toys in the Attic (1975)
• Rocks (1976)
• Draw the Line (1977)
• Night in the Ruts (1979)
• Rock in a Hard Place (1982)
• Done with Mirrors (1985)
• Permanent Vacation (1987)
• Pump (1989)
• Get a Grip (1993)
• Nine Lives (1997)
• Just Push Play (2001)
• Honkin’ on Bobo (2004)
• Music from Another Dimension! (2012)

Key Singles

• Dream On
• Same Old Song and Dance
• Sweet Emotion
• Walk This Way
• Last Child
• Back in the Saddle
• Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
• Angel
• Rag Doll
• Love in an Elevator
• Janie’s Got a Gun
• Livin’ on the Edge
• Cryin’
• Amazing
• Crazy
• I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
• Jaded

Major Awards

• 4 Grammy Awards
• 10 MTV Video Music Awards
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2001)

Over 150 million records sold worldwide.

Aerosmith: Awards and Achievements

Grammy Awards

Wins: - Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group (1990) - “Janie’s Got a Gun” - Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group (1993) - “Livin’ on the Edge” - Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (1994) - “Crazy” - Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (2001) - “Shut Up and Dance”

MTV Video Music Awards

• 10 wins including Best Video for “Cryin’” (1994)
• Viewer’s Choice awards
• Best Group Video

American Music Awards

• Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist multiple times
• Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

• Inducted 2001

Other Honors

• Hollywood Walk of Fame star
• ASCAP Pop Music Awards
• Boston Music Awards

Sales Records

• Over 150 million records sold
• Multiple diamond albums
• Consistent chart success across decades

Summary

Aerosmith is one of rock’s most decorated and commercially successful bands, with awards spanning their entire career.

Aerosmith: Personal Life

Addiction and Recovery

Drug Abuse Era

• Heavy cocaine and heroin use in 1970s-80s
• Affected performances and relationships
• Band nearly broke up

Recovery

• All members eventually got clean
• Maintained sobriety for decades
• Used experience to help others

Relationships

Steven Tyler

• Multiple marriages
• Four children including actress Liv Tyler
• High-profile relationships

Joe Perry

• Married to Billie Paulette Montgomery
• Children from previous relationships
• Stable family life

Other Members

• Generally private personal lives
• Long-term marriages
• Family-focused

Health Issues

Steven Tyler

• Hepatitis C treatment
• Various injuries from stage falls
• Vocal cord issues

Joe Perry

• Health scares on tour
• Cardiac events
• Full recovery

Summary

Aerosmith members have navigated addiction, recovery, health issues, and family life while maintaining one of rock’s longest-running bands.

Aerosmith: Legacy and Impact

Comeback Story

Aerosmith’s greatest achievement may be their recovery from: - Drug addiction - Band breakup - Commercial irrelevance - To become bigger than ever

Musical Influence

Influenced countless rock bands: - Guns N’ Roses - Metallica - Hard rock and metal genres

Rap-Rock Pioneer

Run-DMC collaboration: - Created rap-rock genre - Revitalized both acts - Influenced genre-blending

Longevity

• Over 50 years together
• Multiple generations of fans
• Consistent touring
• Las Vegas residency success

Cultural Impact

• “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band”
• Video era pioneers
• Guitar Hero/Rock Band presence
• Pop culture ubiquity

Summary

Aerosmith represents rock and roll resilience: surviving addiction, evolving with the times, and maintaining relevance across five decades.