Aerosmith Biography

Written by The Rock Radio staff, April 2005 © The Rock Radio

The Early Days
One of the world's most popular bands, even more so in the US where it's at the top six of all-time best-selling bands, Aerosmith was formed in 1970 in Boston by Steve Tyler (vocals and drums), Joe Perry (guitar) and Tom Hamilton (bass guitar). Second guitarist Ray Tabano was soon added only to find himself quickly replaced by Brad Whitford. With the addition of drummer Joey Kramer, Tyler became the full-time singer by the end of the year.


After some initial success with live performances in local clubs the band was signed to Columbia records in 1972. Their debut self-titled album "Aerosmith" was released in 1973 together with the unsuccessful - but now classic - single "Dream On". Their next album "Get Your Wings" did considerably better in the charts benefiting from extensive touring around the country.

Breakthrough, Decline and Resurrection
Their third album "Toys In The Attic" together with the single "Sweet Emotion" proved to be their breakthrough, peaking at number 3 in the US charts. 1976's "Rocks" and 1977's "Draw The Line" quickly went platinum whereas 1978's "Live! Bootleg" was the bands first live album which included the major radio hit of the 70's "Come Together".

In 1979 "Night In The Ruts" went gold (the least successful Aerosmith album to date), however, shortly after Joe Perry and Brad Whitford left the band and as their replacements Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay came in, the band released "Greatest Hits" that although did badly initially it eventually sold over six million copies. The new lineup's first album was "Rock In A Hard Place" released in 1982 performing average in the charts. With two consecutive low performing albums Aerosmith was eventually dropped from Columbia.

Perry and Whitford rejoined Aerosmith in 1984 and during their reunion tour Tyler collapsed on stage due to drug problems. After the release of "Done With Mirrors" in 1985 with Geffen Records Tyler and Perry followed rehabilitation programs. As the band struggled to match their 70's successes, the 1987 album "Permanent Vacation" with hit songs such as "Walk This Way", "Rag Doll", "Angel" and "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" shaped the way for the band's amazing comeback album "Pump" released in 1989 that included hits "Janie's Got A Gun" and "Love In An Elevator".

Superstar Status

© Thomas Zeidler for The Rock Radio

Despite owing Geffen Records two more albums the band rejoined forces with Columbia. The 1993's release "Get A Grip" was their first ever number 1 album in the US. Featuring songs such as "Livin' On The Edge", "Cryin" and "Amazing", the 12 million selling album won two Grammies and set the stage for a massive worldwide tour including an appearance at Woodstock '94. In 1994 the band released the double-platinum "Big Ones", a "best of" compilation album of their Geffen era that completed their contract with Geffen.

Following a number of problems with managers, producers and songwriters their first album with Columbia "Nine Lives" was eventually released in 1997 and although it went straight to number 1 it received mixed reviews and quickly fell though the charts. "A Little South Of Sanity" followed rather quietly in 1998. In September 1998 the band achieved their first ever number 1 US single with "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" written for the soundtrack of the movie "Armageddon".

The band entered the new millenium with "Just Push Play" that charted very well and at the same month of its release in March 2001 Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Their latest album "Honkin' On Bobo" is a celebration of the resurgence of blues music around US and Europe.

"We weren't too ambitious when we started out. We just wanted to be the biggest thing that ever walked the planet, the greatest rock band that ever was. We just wanted everything. We just wanted it all..." Steven Tyler

Source : http://www.therockradio.com/aerosmith/biography.html