Aerosmith

Aerosmith (formed 1970)

Aerosmith is an American heavy rock band. The band broke into the public's consciousness with the release of their album Toys in the Attic. Aerosmith have continued to record and perform, well over 35 years since their inception.

Aerosmith: The Early Years

In 1969, Steven Tyler met Joe Perry, who was playing in a band alongside Tom Hamilton. Perry and Hamilton moved to Boston, Massachusetts later that year, where they met Joey Kramer. Kramer was from New York and had previously shown an interest in forming a band with Tyler. They met up with Tyler and Aerosmith was born. Ray Tabano was added to the original line-up, to play rhythm guitar. In 1971, however, Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford.

Aerosmith: Success

In 1971, Aerosmith began gigging and signed to the Ed Malhoit Agency. They also signed a management deal with David Krebs and Steve Leber, who invited the president of Columbia Records to watch Aerosmith at Max's Kansas City in New York.

The band's debut, eponymous album, reached 166 in the charts. The highest charting single from the album was 'Dream On'. Since its release, the album has gone on to sell over two million copies.

Aerosmith's second album, Get Your Wings, was released in 1974 and spawned tracks such as 'Same Old Song and Dance' and 'Lord of the Thighs'. The album has sold over three million copies.

In 1975, Aerosmith released Toys in the Attic, the album that truly propelled them to stardom. The single 'Sweet Emotion' became Aerosmith's first Top 40 hit and was followed-up by 'Dream On' and 'Walk This Way, which reached the Top 10 in 1977.

Aerosmith released their next album, Rocks, in 1976. The album quickly achieved platinum status and the album's highlights include the radio-friendly hits 'Back In the Saddle' and 'Last Child'. Rocks went on to sell over four million copies worldwide.

The title track from Aerosmith's next album, Draw the Line (1977) was a hit for the band. The rest of the album, though, did not fare so well. Aerosmith's cover of The Beatles 'Come Together' was featured in the screen version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It turned out to be their last Top 40 hit for almost 10 years. Throughout this era. Steve Tyler and Joe Perry earned the nickname 'The Toxic Twins', on account of their drug abuse, both on and off stage.

Aerosmith's sixth studio album, Night in the Ruts, was released in 1979. Shortly after recording the album, Joe Perry's departure from the band was made public. He was replaced by Jimmy Crespo. The band's position at the height of public adoration began to wane and in 1980, Tyler collapsed on stage. Later that year, the band released their Greatest Hits album, which is still their best selling album in the USA.

The band's seventh studio album, Rock In A Hard Place was released in 1982, a year after the departure of Brad Whitford. Whitford was replaced by Rick Dufay. In 1984, both Whitford and Perry re-joined the Aerosmith ranks. The reformed group embarked on the live tour that resulted in the Classic Live II LP.

1985 saw the release of Done with Mirrors, Aerosmith's first release for Geffen Records. The next year, Joe Perry and Steve Tyler appeared on the Run D.M.C. version of 'Walk this Way.' The track is cited with introducing Aerosmith to a younger audience.

In 1987, Aerosmith released Pretty Vacation. The album was an instant success and has sold over 5 million copies in the USA alone. It was this album that launched perhaps the most infamous Aerosmith song, 'Dude (Looks Like A Lady)'. Aerosmith toured with Guns N' Roses to promote the album.

The success of the next album improved on it predecessor. Pump (1989) spawned hits such as 'Love In An Elevator' and 'Janie's Got A Gun'. The next year, Aerosmith recorded a session for MTV Unplugged.

In 1993, Aerosmith released Get A Grip, their first album to debut at number one. The band's videos from this era all featured Alicia Silverstone, later to become a well-known actress, but known, at the time, as The Aerosmith Chick. In 1994, Geffen released a compilation entitled Big Ones.

Nine Lives was released in 1997, to mixed reviews. Eventually, singles such as 'Falling In Love (Is hard On The Knees) ensured lasting chart success for the album.

1998 saw the release of Aerosmith's only number one single, 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing', which was featured in the film Armageddon (starring Tyler's daughter, Liv).

Aerosmith's 13th studio album was released in 2001. Just Push Play soon achieved platinum status and launched the single 'Jaded'. In 2004, the band released a blues album entitled Honkin' on Bobo. In 2008, the makers of the Guitar Hero console game devised Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - an homage to the band's music.

Written by Contactmusic.com