Aerosmith
Combining the bluesy rock and bad boy image of the Rolling Stones with the flamboyant metal riffs of KISS, Aerosmith established themselves in the 1970s music scene with a string of platinum hard rock albums and the release of the ground-breaking power ballad "Dream On." But it was the group's remarkable comeback in the late '80s, after years of drug abuse and lagging record sales threatened to implode the band, that secured Aerosmith a place in the annals of rock history.
Aerosmith began in 1970 in Sunapee, N.H., where vocalist Steven Tyler first met guitarist Joe Perry. Along with bassist Tom Hamilton, guitarist Brad Whitford, and drummer Joey Kramer, the band relocated to Boston later that year, and soon became club favorites in the northeast. After signing with Columbia, the group released their eponymous debut album in late 1973. The album was a success, thanks to the chart single "Dream On." After touring during much of 1974 with groups such as Mott the Hoople and the Kinks, Aerosmith returned late that year with Get Your Wings, which stayed on the charts for over 85 weeks despite little airplay, thanks to the band's grass-roots following.
With their 1975 breakthrough album, Toys in the Attic, Aerosmith became a household name. The Top 40 singles "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way" pushed the album to No. 11 and became classic rock staples. Success of the album prompted the re-release of "Dream On," which reached the Top 10 in early 1976, and increased sales of the band's first two albums.
1976's Rocks reached No. 3 and quickly went platinum. Its late 1977 follow-up, Draw the Line, went platinum and peaked at No. 11. Following a 1978 U.S. tour, Aerosmith appeared in the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, performing a cover of "Come Together." Featured on their 1978 live album, Live! Bootleg,"Come Together" was the band's last major radio hit of the '70s. Following the release of the 1979 gold album Night in the Ruts, Joe Perry began working on a solo project, while guitarist Brad Whitford quit the group to form a new band with ex-Ted Nugent guitarist Derek St. Holmes. They were replaced with new guitarists Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay. Meanwhile Steven Tyler got into a serious motorcycle accident,which landed him in the hospital for months.
Following the release of a Greatest Hits album which sold over six million copies, the new incarnation of Aerosmith released the album Rock in a Hard Place in 1982. Shortly after its release, however, the band was dropped from Columbia Records. Perry and Whitford returned to the band for a 1984 reunion tour.
Signing a new record deal with Geffen, the band began a new phase in their career when they released 1986's Done With Mirrors, marking a return to the original lineup and the sound which made them a hit in the '70s. A guest appearance on Run-D.M.C.'s 1986 cover of "Walk This Way" returned the group to the spotlight when the single went to No. 4 and became an MTV hit. Aerosmith's management began carefully planning the group's comeback.
Working with the same team behind Bon Jovi's hit albums, professional songwriter Desmond Child and producer Bruce Fairburn, Aerosmith recorded their slick 1987 comeback album, Permanent Vacation, which spawned the Top 10 hits "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)," "Rag Doll" and "Angel." The album sold over three million copies and hit No. 11, setting the stage for their 1989 smash Pump. Featuring hits "Janie's Got a Gun" and "Love in an Elevator," the album sold four million copies and reached No. 5, solidifying possibly the most successful comeback in rock history. A massive world tour followed, and the band signed a new contract with Columbia (despite owing Geffen two more albums); a groundbreaking yet risky move by their old label, who had faith in the band's long-term potential.
1993's Get A Grip continued Aerosmith's winning streak, debuting at No. 1 and spinning off hit singles like "Livin' on the Edge," "Cryin'" and the power ballad "Amazing" -- a special accomplishment considering the sinking popularity of popmetal in general. The album eventually sold over 12 million copies worldwide and won the group two Grammys. The following year Aerosmith embarked on a world tour, including an appearance at Woodstock '94; meanwhile they released the double-platinum-selling compilation Big Ones, which completed their contract with Geffen.
Aerosmith's debut for Columbia Records, Nine Lives, was released in March 1997 and debuted on the album charts at No.1. Within four weeks of its release, Nine Lives went gold in six countries, platinum in one and double platinum in two countries. The band kicked off a successful worldwide tour in Newcastle, England in May 1997.
Just Push Play, the first Aerosmith album to be produced by Tyler and Perry, was released in March 2001, the same month Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Taken from
