ClassicRockMagazine.com
November 4, 2009

Classic Rock exclusive: Steven to work on ‘Brand Tyler’ as band members ponder a future without him…

Words: Peter Makowski

“Once the band hit the final note and I walk off stage – then I’ll tell you the whole story,” an exuberant Steven Tyler announced to Classic Rock minutes before Aerosmith played a triumphant set to a crowd of over 50,000 adrenalized punters at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The future of Aerosmith looks uncertain at moment as they approach their 40th anniversary in 2010.

Since falling off stage whilst the band were on tour with ZZ Top, Tyler has decided to pull out of a planned South American tour at the end of the year and seems intent on pursuing solo projects, as he revealed to Classic Rock.

“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.”

Guitarist Joe Perry also took advantage of the recent break by recording and releasing a new solo album – Have Guitar, Will Travel – and will be touring in the States over the next couple of months with talks of doing some dates in Japan and the UK early next year.

Even with all the internal politics the band managed to pull out all stops by playing what Perry described as “one of the best shows of the year”. There will be a full live review in the January issue of Classic Rock.

“You know on a good night I believe that Aerosmith can top any band in the world,” said the granite-jawed axeman, “but the Grand Prix is a tough act to follow.”

On stage there was no sign of any acrimony – just the smiles, banter and the general bonhomie that is associated with Boston’s premier good-time band.

But off stage the story is much different.

As with the last three shows, none of the band see Tyler until the opening number and his dressing room is located quite a distance from the rest of the group.

At the moment Aerosmith’s future is an open book and over the next couple of weeks the band will reconvene (probably sans Tyler) to discuss future plans, which could be either the announcement of a long hiatus – or even possibly include carrying on with a new lead vocalist.

Guitarist Brad Whitford revealed:

“I’m not sure how good that would look, it would largely depend on who we could get and who would want to do it. That’s big shoes to fill.

“Nobody could replace Steven or imitate him – he’s one of a kind. But if somebody was willing to do it and the chemistry was right, why not?”

For future developments keep your eye on this website and February’s issue of Classic Rock, which will have a full story – and a very, very special surprise for Aerosmith fans.