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November 12, 2009
Steven Tyler: I’m Not Leaving Aerosmith
After weeks of speculation about the future of Aerosmith, Steven Tyler took to the stage with the the Joe Perry Project on Tuesday night at New York City’s Fillmore. As Perry was wrapping up his set with his band, Tyler surprised the crowd by appearing for a rendition of Aerosmith favorite “Walk This Way.”
Before cutting lose with the legendary hit, Tyler took a few seconds to address the audience and announce that he is not planning to leave Aerosmith. “New York I want you to know I am not leaving Aerosmith,” Tyler proclaimed. He then went on to refer to Joe Perry as “a man of many colors,” and to himself as a “rainbow.” I suppose it’s left to fans to figure out the meaning behind those words.
Perhaps Tyler is simply planning on some side projects, just as Joe Perry has been doing with his Joe Perry Project. Whatever his future plans are, the recent proliferation of rumors about his departure from Aerosmith seems to have prompted him to reassure fans that he plans to continue as a member of the group.
What actually went on behind the scenes between Tyler and the rest of the group is not known, but it apparently all came to a head following Tyler’s infamous fall from the stage during Aerosmith’s tour with ZZ Top this past summer. Speculation surfaced questioning Tyler’s sobriety, and was further fueled by a fan photograph of him inside a Massachusetts liquor store.
With the tour scrubbed due to Tyler’s injuries, other members – particularly Perry – spoke publicly about their disappointment over the cancellation of the tour, and hinted at disappointment with Tyler himself. Recent comments attributed to Tyler about his next project being all about “Brand Tyler” made it appear that he was further distancing himself from his Aerosmith band mates.
As of Tuesday night, all appears to be well in the world of Aerosmith again. Perhaps this will allow them to resume work on the new album that was planned for release next year, and who knows? Maybe another tour will follow and help patch things up a bit with disappointed fans.
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November 6, 2009
Fresh Doubts Surface Regarding Future of Aerosmith
All accounts indicate that the “Bad Boys From Boston” have been wowing crowds at shows in Hawaii and at the Gran Prix in Abu Dhabi in recent weeks. No doubt under close scrutiny after persistent rumors of a rift between frontman Steven Tyler and the rest of the band, their on-stage interactions provided no indication that the boys were not getting along.
Behind the scenes, however, there is some evidence that the end of Aerosmith, as we have known it for nearly four decades, may be at hand. According to Classic Rock Magazine, relations between Tyler and the rest of the group show signs of strain. Tyler has pulled the plug on a South American tour that was on tap for the end of the year and has expressed his desire to dedicate more of his time to solo projects.
It’s hard not to suspect that the personal conflicts within the group are a major factor in Tyler’s desire to focus more on his own career. It appears that he has had little or no contact with the other members of the group lately, except for the time they have spent on stage. It is also being reported that Tyler has put some additional distance between himself and the rest of the group by having his dressing room located further away from the others than would normally be expected.
It also seems that some of the group’s other members are beginning to have doubts about their continued relationship with Tyler. Guitarist Joe Perry seems to have been the most vocal of the group lately, and has been pretty forthcoming about his feelings regarding the situation.
Guitarist Brad Whitford is also opening up a bit now and revealing his uncertainty about the future. Talking about the possibility of an Aerosmith without Tyler, Whitford said: “Nobody could replace Steven or imitate him – he’s one of a kind. But if somebody was willing to do it and the chemistry was right, why not?”
As for Tyler, if one were to read between the lines a bit, one might get the impression that he has some pent-up resentment towards the other members of the band. “I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but it’s definitely going to be something Steven Tyler: working on the brand of myself – Brand Tyler,” he was quoted as saying.
That surely doesn’t make it sound like he’s anxious to get back together again with Aerosmith again soon. What comes next for Aerosmith is anyone’s guess, but it seems likely that the group – in its current form – is on pretty shaky ground unless Tyler and whomever else it is in the group he is not getting along with decide to bury the hatchet and move on.
