Curtains for a Steven Tyler-led Aerosmith?

Classic rock band Aerosmith may be calling it a day.

Comments made to the media from Aerosmith principals Steven Tyler and Joe Perry cast doubt on the band's future, and the act's official camp is mum on providing any sort of clarification.

At this point, however, it doesn't sound as if the band knows much more than us down here at Pop & Hiss HQ. “Steven quit, as far as I can tell,” Perry told the Las Vegas Sun in an article posted online Friday. “I don’t know any more than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band. I don’t know for how long, indefinitely, or whatever. Other than that, I don’t know.”

The online comments referenced by Perry are a recent Tyler interview with British magazine Classic Rock, in which the frontman discussed his previously announced solo project. Said Tyler, “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.”

Not exactly a damning declaration that Aerosmith is no more, but Perry's interview with the Las Vegas Sun sounds rather definite. He told the paper that Tyler hadn't returned his phone calls, and hinted at tension in the band over the numerous canceled gigs after Tyler fell off a stage and broke his shoulder at a concert in South Dakota.

The act recently performed in Abu Dhabi, but other planned tour dates have been canceled. "I don’t want him canceling any more gigs," Perry told the Sun, later adding, "I got off the plane and saw this online. That’s how I know about it.”

Aerosmith has had a rocky year and a half. Even before Tyler's fall, the band had canceled and postponed numerous gigs due to various injuries. In May 2008, Tyler checked himself into rehab, with a statement to the press saying he needed a "safe environment" in which to heal from numerous surgeries to his foot.

"Make no mistake, Aerosmith has no plans to stop rocking," read a statement attributed to Tyler. "There’s a new album to record, then another tour.”

Aerosmith has not released a studio album since 2004's "Honkin' on Bobo." 

As recently as November, Perry dismissed rumors of an Aerosmith breakup. Earlier, Tyler spoke with Rolling Stone about wanting to embark on a solo career, and seeking out new management representation apart from the band. 

"I can’t tell you for sure, but I think there’s a little animosity that I went with another management agency," he  told Rolling Stone. "Which is for me to know and you to find out. I’m certainly not on the outs with the guys. But look, I do what I do. The easiest thing in the world is to say he’s drunk or stoned. But what are you gonna do?"

Perry, for his part, seems ready to move on. He even spoke to the Las Vegas Sun about the possibility of replacing Tyler. " We’ll probably find somebody else that will sing in those spots where we need a singer and then we’ll be able to move the Aerosmith up a notch, move the vibe up a notch," he said.

-- Todd Martens

Photo: Getty Images

Comments

[decrepitude]

Where's the frikkin twitter post that Joe's talking about? Sounds like a complete publicity sham to me.

If you read it closely, Joe says: "Steven quit AS FAR AS I CAN TELL. I dont know any more than you do about it." He also says, "I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band. I dont know for how long, indefinitely or whatever. Other than that, I dont know."

This is so open ended it isn't even funny. Money can't buy publicity like this! The Aerosmith marketing team is laughing to the bank.

[Ariel]

Its about time Tyler - you should grab the other dinosaurs like Jagger, Richards, and the whole vineyard of prune-faced, granny-rock, detox, rehab graduate geezers and check into the give-it-a-rest home. Aerosmith was a classic rock band and a great one. Leave it that way.

[aerosmithsux]

Quite frankly, it wouldn't break my heart if they did split up. They haven't done anything really meaningful since the early 1980s.

[Dean]

They have been around too long. Good riddance.

[roy]

The guy is washed up anyways. They need to come out with some new songs.

[YAwn So What]

Whos Aerosmith?

[John]

C'mon Steve.... Really? Aerosmith is the epitome of the expression: "sum of the parts is greater than the whole". Individually, you guys are good, but together you're great.

If Roger Waters and Rob Thomas couldn't pull it off, how are you going to do it?

Go ahead and do your solo thing but don't burn your bridges.

[ChunkyRed]

Get Adam Lambert for their new front man. They need somebody to bring them into the 21st century anyways.

[Smookey]

Is Areosmith a band or something? I've never heard of them.

[Love in an Elevator]

JOE PERRY PREDICTS THE BREAKUP IN THIS VIDEO FROM A RADIO STATION FROM LAST MONTH -- say it ain't so Joe! from radio station 94 HJY: http://www.mydamnchannel.com/RAMP/RAMP/JoePerrySpeaks_3121.aspx

[Please Update Your Music]

Aerosmith ... totally cool and hot in the 1980's. But so antiquated today. I cannot name one song of Aerosmith - recorded in this millenium - that I listen to. It's all 70's and 80's dudes.

[daniel]

one of the most overrated bands ever!

[Valerie Kuehn]

I am absolutely horrified at the thought of steven tyler quitting Aerosmith! This was one of 10 concerts I saw at jones beach before getting married! I was hoping the rumors were not true! I don't see how Aerosmith could ever go on with out tyler! HE IS AEROSMITH! I think it would byte big time if he quit! I also think he is betraying his fellow bandmates who have been there for him thru all his and the bands ups and downs in their professional and personal lives. Don't get me wrong, I think it is great that he wants a solo part to his career, why not have both?? Just do your mini projects and stay with aerosmith, STEVEN YOU OWE IT TO ALL YOUR LOYAL FANS! please don't quit the band!!

Mrs Valerie Kuehn

[Majenta]

Anyone saying they haven't heard of Aerosmith is from another planet and not too hip. They are one of the best classic bands ever. Everything doesn't have to be new, some of the best s--- is old and far superior to the computerized techno crap of today. That's why it's called "classic rock".

[Elise]

I have an idea! They could hire Sammy Hagar and rename the band Chickenneck!

Seriously. They're a bunch of corpses. It's way past time to hang it up.

[K]

decrepitude:
I suggest you read the article again: "The online comments referenced by Perry are a recent Tyler interview with British magazine Classic Rock, in which the frontman discussed his previously announced solo project."
I follow Joe on Twitter (AdmiralPerry) and he has said numerous times that the band is not breaking up, and Steven has not spoken to Joe about it.

I'm deeply upset by this. I wasn't yet born when Aerosmith was in their heyday, but I have been listening to their music all my life. They may be getting up there in years, but their shows are three of the best concerts I have EVER seen (and I average 5-10 a year). All five guys are so talented and have such amazing energy.

/\/\(A)/\/\

[marx]

If it weren't for a massive marketing and PR budget, Aerosmith would have fizzled out two decades ago.

[Dave T]

Aerosmith was a great band. They created some great music. Time to let it go (or past time). Anything they do at this point is only going to further dilute their contribution. They will become just another band with a few good albums and lots (and lots) of mediocre albums.

[Nic Padio]

My name is Nic Padio and I will be the new singer for Aerosmith.

I've got lots of notch to take up!!!!

See ya at the show!

[KDL]

America's greatest band and an amazing live act to this day.

Most of you people are silly.

[namewithheld]

Wow. Someone actually got paid to spend fifteen minutes writing about this? God bless America!

[DONALD McCREA]

"find somebody else to sing in those spots where we need a singer".......so, Joe, you mean those spots that make up 95% of Aerosmith music (except for your guitar solos)?.....

[RenoDavid]

Sounds to me that Aerosmith will be back, but not until Perry and Tyler kiss and make up. They've been sniping at each other behind each other's back so it's led to some bad feelings. That last quote from Perry is pretty brutal though. Maybe Tyler has more problems than we're privy to. Hard to believe Aerosmith would be much without Tyler leading them. He's simply one of the great rock voices.

[El Guapo de la cuidad de los angeles]

No Tyler, No Aerosmith.

[El Guapo de la cuidad de los angeles]

Ariel prefers Lady Gaga.