Aerosmith, Born in America
The Boston area’s two local bands merged to form Aerosmith in 1970. Ray Tabano, a rhythm guitarist and boyhood buddy of Chain Reaction’s original drummer Steven Tyler, joined as the band’s lead singer. Tom Hamilton, the lead guitarist and innovator of The Jam Band, Joey Kramer, the band’s drummer, and Joe Perry all assumed comparable roles in Aerosmith.
After less than a year, Brad Whitford, another seasoned player in the nearby Beantown band scene, took up Tabano’s duties. This lineup was in force until Perry and Whitford left in 1979 and 1981, respectively.
Steven Tyler
Net Worth: $140 million
Singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and former television personality from the United States. The Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, keyboard, and percussion, is best recognized for having him on lead vocals.
Joe Perry
Net Worth: $120 million
The founding member, lead guitarist, backup singer, and occasionally the lead vocalist of the American rock band Aerosmith is an American musician and songwriter.
Joey Kramer
Net Worth: $100 million
Joseph Michael Kramer is an American drummer and is the drummer for the hard rock band Aerosmith.
Tom Hamilton
Net Worth: $100 million
The bassist for the hard rock band Aerosmith, an American musician. He frequently collaborated with Aerosmith on their songs, including two of their biggest singles, “Sweet Emotion” and “Janie’s Got a Gun”
Brad Whitford
Net Worth: $40 million
American musician who is best known for serving as the rhythm and co-lead guitarist for the hard rock band Aerosmith.
Obstacles to Aerosmith’s Success
Early on, the band had to overcome two big obstacles. Due to drug use and personality issues, Whitford and Perry left. Aerosmith also had to overcome the perception that they were merely imitations of the American Rolling Stones. Tyler’s uncanny likeness to Mick Jagger didn’t help either; both bands played with two guitars and had strong blues influences.
Despite the difficulties and internal tensions that never really seemed to be entirely resolved, Aerosmith didn’t take long to build their own identity and go on to become one of the most popular rock bands of all time, with worldwide album sales exceeding 150 million.
Rise, Fall, Resurrection by Aerosmith
Their first two albums, Aerosmith (1973) and Get Your Wings, garnered a mixed reception (1974). Toys in the Attic, their seminal album that was released in 1975, is still their best-selling record in the US. The trend was continued with the multi-Platinum selling albums Rocks (1976) and Draw the Line (1977).
When Perry abruptly departed the band in the middle of recording Night in the Ruts in 1979 due to the most recent in a series of fights with his bandmates, things started to fall apart. Numerous guitarists were employed to complete Perry’s passages; one of them, Jimmy Crespo, eventually filled Perry’s role. The album earned positive reviews from critics, however it dropped off the charts right away.
Rick Dufay replaced Whitford after he had only recorded one track for Rock in a Hard Place in 1981. When the album was released in 1982, it generally garnered negative reviews and had weak sales.
Perry and Whitford returned in 1984, but the highly anticipated “reunion” album, Done With Mirrors, underwhelmed critics. The entire band had to go to drug treatment in order for Aerosmith to truly make a comeback with Permanent Vacation, their best-selling album since Toys in the Attic, released in 1987. They also had to reach out to other songwriters. The top five songs on the Billboard 200 chart included Pump in 1989, Get a Grip in 1993, Nine Lives in 1997, Just Push Play in 2001, and Honkin’ on Bobo in 2004. They have had similar success on their several trips since 1973—more than two dozen in total.
The contemporary Aerosmith
In order to usher in the new millennium, the band performed the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXV in 2001. However, towards the conclusion of the first decade of the 2000s, their future was once more in doubt.
Along with injuries and medical issues, there were ongoing disputes and drug problems. Tyler underwent vocal chord surgery in addition to hepatitis therapy. Hamilton received treatment for throat cancer. Tyler, who is still in and out of drug rehab, was twice hospitalized to the hospital after getting hurt while performing, and Whitford missed time due to a brain injury.
Tyler was set on going solo, releasing an autobiography and a new song, and joining the American Idol judging panel before the end of 2009. However, Aerosmith (with Tyler included) resumed touring between 2010 and 2013 after initially claiming they were looking for a successor. Since they had a tour from 2014 to 2018 and have a residency in Las Vegas right now.
