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February 2, 2010
No End in Sight For Aerosmith Drama
With each passing day, the future of Aerosmith seems more uncertain. This rollercoaster ride for fans of the Bean Town rockers seems to have started when Steven Tyler took that much-publicized tumble from the stage during the group’s summer tour with ZZ Top.
Surely there had to be a lot going on behind the scenes well before the incident, but the fall seems to have been the turning point which opened the floodgates, and confirmed a lot of speculation regarding the status of the band and the relationship between Tyler and the rest of the group.
There were reports from inside the Aerosmith camp that Tyler’s behavior had taken a turn for the bizarre, and some recent public actions on the part of the iconic frontman seem to confirm the allegations.
Recently Tyler delivered an impromptu performance by singing over the P.A. system of a Home Depot store in Rancho Mirage, CA. He belted out versions of “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” while shoppers roamed the aisles, probably wondering what new classic rock radio station the store’s management had tuned in to.
A week or so prior to his Home Depot debut, Tyler took to the stage at a club called the Tilted Kilt in Palm Desert, and finished up a karaoke rendition of "I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing." The previous two performers had not been well-received by the audience, so Tyler apparently decided to show them how it was done – much to the surprise of the club’s other patrons no doubt!
Tyler is reportedly still in rehab for his pain-killer addiction, but is said to have earned privileges that allow him to take trips away from the facility after 30 days of treatment. Tyler’s management company says that the 61-year-old singer is still in rehab and is set to continue with the 90-day program.
As for the Home Depot performance, the same source says that Tyler just happened to be shopping there, and pointed out that Tyler is a performer 24/7, whether he’s on stage or at Home Depot. Who knows? Maybe the guy was just happy to be through his first 30 days of rehab and decided to share the joy with his fellow shoppers.
Unfortunately, more recent news developments may be putting a bit of a damper on Steven Tyler’s mood. The rest of the group is said to be continuing their efforts to find a replacement singer with names such as Billy Idol, Lenny Kravitz, Paul Rodgers, and Chris Cornell being bandied about.
As a result, it appears the relationship between Tyler and the rest of the group may deteriorate even further in light of news regarding possible legal action. Billboard reported that Tyler’s lawyer has contacted Aerosmith manager Howard Kaufman and advised the group to “…cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members.”
Tyler reportedly has every intention of returning to his post with Aerosmith and wants to release a new album and tour with the group in Europe and South America as originally planned.
The letter from Tyler’s attorney to Aerosmith’s management also states that, “Contrary to all common sense, you are seeing to bring about the replacement of Steven Tyler. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger, or U2 without Bono. While this management strategy may get the band on the road a few months sooner, it ultimately could destroy Aerosmith.”
Clearly the rest of the group is anxious to get back to the business of being a band, whether than includes Steven Tyler or not. Tyler’s ability to complete rehab successfully may be the deciding factor regarding the future of the group. It’s hard to imagine his band mates turning him away if he cleans up his act, but this could be his last chance to hold the group together and continue on as Aerosmith.
More recent details can be found in People magazine.
January 20, 2010
Aerosmith To Continue Work Without Steven Tyler?
It’s always a pretty uncertain thing when someone enters rehab. Will they stay long enough to complete the program and emerge with the ability to maintain their sobriety or will they wash out after a few weeks and return to their old habits? Anyone who was watched Intervention, or who has had personal experience with rehab knows there are no guarantees.
Regardless of any progress Steven Tyler’s has achieved in rehab, it looks like the former “toxic twin” is going to be laid up for a while due to other medical problems. Word is that he is due to undergo surgery on his leg and foot, and will reportedly be unable to perform on stage for about a year.
The rest of Aerosmith, having vented some frustration in recent months over Tyler’s strange behavior, seem ready to move on and resume working with a replacement for Tyler until he is well enough to return. Recent reports suggest that the group is actively seeking a stand-in.
It sounds perfectly plausible. As guitar man Joe Perry points out: “Just like when Tom was sick – we got David Hull to come in and play bass. When Brad was sick, we got somebody else to come in and play for him. That’s basically how I look at it; we need another singer to fill in.”
In contrast to how things appear to be working out between Jon Anderson and his former band mates from Yes, Aerosmith has indeed utilized replacement musicians in the past, and then returned them to their posts when they were up to the job. That should give fans confidence that Tyler’s spot will be waiting for him when he is ready.
One can’t help be a bit concerned about a guy who has struggled with an addiction to pain-killers going under the knife yet again, but perhaps doctors can patch up the energetic frontman sufficiently to alleviate, or at least reduce his pain for the long term.
It’s hard to imagine Aerosmith without their iconic frontman in the line-up, but it appears that is indeed something we may be seeing before long. In the meanwhile, I expect Tyler’s family, friends and fans will be pulling for him, and look forward to seeing him fronting those “Bad Boys From Boston” as soon as possible.
December 23, 2009
Cat’s out of The Bag: Steven Tyler Enters Rehab
The recent suspicions that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has been struggling with substance abuse problems seem to be confirmed by a report that says the 61-year-old rock legend has checked himself into a rehabilitation facility due to a dependence on painkillers.
Tyler’s decade-long series of injuries are said to have left him in chronic pain. His doctor reports that Tyler “…has suffered orthopedic injuries and has been in severe chronic pain which will require further surgeries on his knees and feet.”
Making matters that much worse, Tyler tumbled off the stage back in August during the group’s tour with ZZ Top and suffered a serious injury to his shoulder. An incident that is not quite so easy to shake off as it once may have been when he was a younger man.
The reports of Tyler’s recent odd behavior all makes more sense now. Although I do not personally have any experience with addiction, I know it is not something that should be taken lightly and it can cause people to do things they would not normally do. In light of the problems Tyler has reportedly had with chronic pain, it is not difficult to understand how he could end up where he is today.
Numerous others have found themselves caught in the same trap, and I dare say it is one that just about anyone could fall into. Pain sucks, and if you’ve got a pill that makes it go away, or at least more bearable, it makes sense that it might be a pill you have a hard time getting away from. Even conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh had his struggles with this kind of addiction. Tyler’s history of substance abuse probably made him even more susceptible.
Perhaps it was the talk from other members of Aerosmith about finding a replacement for him that prompted Tyler to take action. Maybe it was something he decided with help of his family.
Who knows? The important thing is that he seems to be taking the right steps to get his life back on track. He is quoted as saying he hopes to make a quick recovery and rejoin the band soon. He also added that the talk of a two-year hiatus from Aerosmith is not based on fact and that he “will enthusiastically be writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith as soon as things are handled.”
Sounds to me like the best possible outcome, and although it took him a while to accept his situation and make the decision to enter rehab, I think he deserves a lot of credit for doing the right thing for himself, his family and the fans.
Here’s hoping that Tyler makes a quick and complete recovery and is able to take his rightful place in front of Aerosmith again in the near future.
For more, visit the Los Angeles Times.
December 15, 2009
Aerosmith Drama Takes Another Turn
It’s beginning to look more and more like Steven Tyler is a man with a lot of turmoil in his life. In the latest development, Tyler has dumped his manager and friend Jason Flom of Union Entertainment Group. Flom and partner John Greenberg were the ones that Tyler hired after splitting with the management that handled Aerosmith as a whole.
Road manager Henry Smith is saying that Tyler hasn’t been free of substance abuse problems for the last 18 years. It is also being reported that Tyler is enduring a lot of pain due to shoulder and foot problems. Tyler injured his shoulder badly during a fall from the stage while performing at the Sturgis motorcycle rally in back in August.
Since then, the future of the group is uncertain at best. With conflicting statements coming from various sources about whether Tyler is taking a couple of years off from Aerosmith to work on some solo projects, or is just taking a little time off to work on his autobiography.
Since leaving UEG, Tyler has hired Allen Kovac of 10th Street Entertainment, who represents some other well-known classic rockers such as Motley Crue and Debbie Harry, formerly of Blondie.
If reports of the “tremendous pain” that is plaguing Tyler is true, it’s not too hard to imagine that someone with his background could easily become dependent on pain killers and lead him back down the path to abusing other drugs, if he’s not been doing so already.
There’s no arguing with the fact that Steven Tyler’s behavior has been a bit bizarre. Accounts from his Aerosmith band members have painted a picture of a man who has moved further away from the band and deeper into isolation; refusing to return phone calls, showing up suddenly at a Joe Perry gig to announce that he does not plan to leave Aerosmith, and disappearing just as quickly. He has also reported to have been keeping himself separate from the rest of the band – with the exception of stage time – during the group’s most recent performances.
Legal questions are also beginning to surface in light of all this uncertainty. If the remaining members of Aerosmith replace Tyler and continue as a group, can they use the name Aerosmith without Tyler?
Whatever it is that’s happening with Steven Tyler, we are surely not hearing the whole story. I suspect his band mates and fans just wish he would get whatever kind of help he needs to overcome the problems he is struggling with.
See Showbiz 411 for more.
December 9, 2009
Aerosmith Search For Frontman Continues As Kravitz Kills Rumor
I’m not sure it was ever really clear if the latest Aerosmith rumor regarding Lenny Kravitz was something that was actually being talked about within the group, or was just another crazy rumor that swept the classic rock world after a comment from retired A&R exec John Kalodner, who has worked with Aerosmith in the past.
During a conversation with Rolling Stone magazine, Kalodner commented that he thought Kravitz was the only guy that could make a go at replacing Steven Tyler. Whether that actually resulted in any talk between Kravitz and Aerosmith is unknown at this point, but apparently the rumors gained sufficient traction to prompt Kravitz into action, and he put the kibosh on them Monday.
Kravitz jumped on the internet and logged into his Twitter account to let the world know he will not be joining the ranks of Aerosmith.
“As much as I am flattered that Aerosmith’s camp would consider me to front the band, Steven Tyler is a family friend, and no voice could ever take the place of his. I hope the band stays together. They are classic. Lenny”
So another rumor bites the dust. It is kind of cool that Twitter seems to be evolving into the new press release channel for celebrities and rock stars. It’s great that they can go straight to the fans instantaneously and not have to rely on the media to communicate with fans. Does anyone even trust the media any more?
With this latest Aerosmith rumor in the trash and Steven Tyler staying mum on the details of his plans for the future, fans will just have to wait for the next rumor to surface. I’m betting they will not have to wait too long.
