Crain’s New York Business.com
August 5, 2008

Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins, has won an auction to publish the autobiography of rock legend Steven Tyler, according to publishing sources.

Terms of the deal could not be learned.

Aerosmith’s lead singer is only the latest aging icon of rock ‘n’ roll to agree to tell his story. Last summer, the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards signed a $7 million world rights deal with Little, Brown to write an autobiography — a deal that was concluded shortly before Eric Clapton’s autobiography came out.

Clapton went on to become one of the Doubleday Publishing Group’s bestselling titles of 2007.

Mr. Tyler is a prize catch for the HarperCollins imprint. In addition to being the driving force behind one of the music industry’s top bands for nearly 40 years, the singer and songwriter has a personal comeback story to tell, having overcome a heroin addiction.

The Queen Literary Agency, which handled the sale, declined to comment. An Ecco spokesperson could not be reached.