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Aerosmith to Reunite
Aerosmith to Reunite for Performance at Steven Tyler’s Grammy Party
The gig will mark the band’s first since retiring from touring due to Tyler’s vocal injury
Aerosmith will perform for the first time since retiring from touring in August of last year. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band will take the stage at singer Steven Tyler’s upcoming 6th Annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party.
The benefit will take place February 2nd at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, and also feature such artists as Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Linda Perry, Matt Sorum, and Nuno Bettencourt joining forces for a jam session. Actor-comedian Tiffany Haddish will host the festivities.
In addition to Tyler, a press release specifically mentions Aerosmith members Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton, perhaps indicating that rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford will not be present. As it was, drummer Joey Kramer had not been performing with the band in recent years.
Along with raising money for Janie’s Fund, Tyler’s initiative created to help young girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect, proceeds from the evening will also aid the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighter’s Fund.
“What the Los Angeles community has endured with these wildfires is unthinkable,” stated Tyler. “Music has healing powers and we hope to bring a moment of joy and levity to our first-responder firefighters and those most affected by the fires. The trauma experienced by the girls we work with is also unthinkable and we will continue to shed light and support the amazing work of Janie’s Fund.”
Aerosmith announced their immediate retirement from touring on August 2nd of last year, citing Tyler’s vocal injury he sustained three shows into the band’s farewell tour the prior year. The legendary rock act was hoping to relaunch the tour in September, but canceled all dates. Their last performance was September 9th, 2023 at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, the show where Tyler apparently sustained his vocal injury.
Aerosmith’s 10 Best Songs
Ranking the greatest tracks by the highly influential hard rock band
It’s been a wild ride for Aerosmith. The rock legends emerged in 1970s with a string of hit songs that remain staples on classic rock radio stations across the globe. Now, the legendary band is ready to say goodbye.
Having formed in Boston in 1970, and led by “Toxic Twins” Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Aerosmith have been going strong for more than 50 years. The band — also featuring Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, and Joey Kramer — truly took off with 1975’s Toys in the Attic featuring the infectious “Sweet Emotion” (their first Top 40 placement) and the riffy strutter “Walk This Way.”
Aerosmith’s brand of hard rock was just a bit looser and perhaps a little more risqué than what contemporaries like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, or Journey were putting out, so it’s no wonder that many of the hard rock and glam metal bands of the 1980s — the Mötley Crües and Poisons of the world — cited the Massachusetts act as a major influence.
Despite a down spell in the late ’70s/early ’80s when Perry briefly left the band, Aerosmith have maintained commercial relevance over the years by surfing the shifting trends of the decades — if not downright embracing them (i.e. the pioneering rap-rock collab with Run-DMC on their “Walk This Way” cover). Perry and Tyler always seemed to have a radio-ready tunes up their sleeve, and whenever it seemed like Aerosmith were on the verge of fading from the cultural consciousness, they’d drop an inescapable song like “Janie’s Got a Gun” or “Jaded.”
01. “Dream On”
While it took a few years for “Dream On” to break into the mainstream spotlight, it inarguably ranks alongside gems such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” as one of classic rock’s truest masterpieces. From the purity of Tyler’s voice and poeticism of his songwriting, to the eloquently stirring guitarwork, tender piano chords, anthemic rhythms, and dynamic production, it’s a tour-de-force of craftsmanship and execution. Of course, Tyler’s closing screeches are the iconic icing on the cake, and although Aerosmith have continued to be great, they’ve never been better. — J.B.
02. “Sweet Emotion”
Much of Aerosmith’s early commercial success can be traced back to “Sweet Emotion.” Released as a single in support of Toys in the Attic, the song became the band’s first Top 40 hit, leading them to re-release their self-titled debut album’s “Dream On” as a single (and the rest is history, etc.). But it was “Sweet Emotion” that first caught the public’s attention with its dynamic arrangement, chunky guitar licks, and psych-tinged production. The atmospheric intro, guided by Tom Hamilton’s iconic bassline, breaks into a gutsy hard-rock verse that flows into a descending, climactic guitar riff. Every little quirk of the song is calculated for maximum payoff — Perry’s use of the talkbox in the intro; Tyler somehow stretching the titular chorus delivery across four bars; the swooshing tape effect of the chorus riff — making “Sweet Emotion” the stuff of legend, especially from a production standpoint. — J.H.
The opening track from 1976’s Rocks, it’s a killer homage to Gene Autry’s 1939 staple, “Back in the Saddle Again.” Tyler clearly relishes bringing his signature high-pitched feistiness to every lead vocal line; meanwhile, lead axeman Perry handles six-string bass as Whitford lays down the main guitar riffs. He does a phenomenal job throughout, with some especially awesome playing near the end. Supported by the always-reliable rhythmic duo of Hamilton and Kramer, “Back in the Saddle” is easily among the group’s greatest hard rock compositions. — J.B.
04. “Walk This Way”
“Walk This Way” is arguably the greatest two-for-one hit single of all-time. Not only did the riff-centric tune become a Top 10 hit in 1977 (two years after it was included on 1975’s Toys in the Attic), but it would help revitalize Aerosmith’s career when they teamed with Run-DMC for an iconic collaborative cover of the song in 1986. The cover version is often cited as a pioneering moment for the rap-rock genre and simultaneously bridged the gap between rock and hip-hop culture in the mid ’80s. It felt appropriate to include both versions of “Walk This Way” below. — J.H.
05. “Janie’s Got a Gun”
When it comes to dramatic storytelling, evocative atmospheres, and captivating melodies, it’s hard to top “Janie’s Got a Gun.” It’s a chillingly sophisticated tale of a woman getting revenge for childhood abuse, with its moody arrangement (including strings, piano, and backing chants) building tension and catharsis around Tyler’s cautionary verses and hooky choruses. Unsurprisingly, it earned Aerosmith the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group, and it’s an absolute highlight not only from 1989’s Pump but from their entire catalog. — J.B.
06. “Same Old Song and Dance”
Early career staple “Same Old Song and Dance” came about organically. While sitting on his amplifier with guitar in hand, Perry came up with the central riff, and the rest of the song fell into place. Tyler mimicked his vocal melody on the riff (a recurring trait in Aerosmith’s music), while Whitford also followed Perry’s lead to create the track’s potent dual-guitar attack. Producer Jack Douglas’ decision to bring in the Brecker Brothers for the horn section added the finishing touch on this memorable three-minute boogie. — J.H.
07. “Cryin’”
This cut from 1993’s Get a Grip – which kickstarted co-writer Taylor Rhodes’ working relationship with the band – quickly became one of the quintet’s most beloved ballads, and for good reason. As Tyler told Rolling Stone in 2015, “It was country — we just Aerosmith’d it,” and that’s true regarding not only its ruggedly pining lyrics, but also its aridly biting guitarwork, somber harmonica accompaniments, and driving waltz tempo. Plus, the peppering of horns throughout adds a bit of sultry liveliness, making it simultaneously bombastic and brokenhearted. — J.B.
08. “Toys in the Attic”
The raucous title cut from the band’s seminal 1975 album sounds like it’s about to fall off the rails for a good minute, shambling ahead with a lanky blues-rock riff. It’s Tyler’s sharp vocal delivery that reins the band back in, as he matches his cadence to Perry’s guitar line to form the central hook. Aerosmith harnessed a raw chaos early in their career, but they never let it overtake the sharp craftsmanship of their songs. Here, they teeter on the edge, getting a bit messy (but never sloppy) while careening toward the final refrain: “Toys, toys, toys in the attic…” — J.H.
09. “Jaded”
2001’s Just Push Play was somewhat of a career resurgence for the group, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and garnering praise as their best work since the late 1980s. A big reason why was surely lead single “Jaded.” An infectious hybrid of 1970s hard rock and contemporary alternative rock/pop rock, its subtle orchestration, engaging percussion, and sincere singing beautifully embody Tyler’s regret for missing daughter Liv’s childhood. Admittedly, it evokes Led Zeppelin’s “Dancing Days” quite closely, but it also radiates Aerosmith’s characteristic charm. — Jordan Blum
10. “Love in an Elevator”
The hard rock and glam metal musicians of the ’80s hair era often cited Aerosmith as an influence, so it was only appropriate that the band get in on the action with the 1989 single “Love in an Elevator.” Complete with the sexually suggestive lyrics indicative of the times, the track is arguably the closest Aerosmith ever got to the big glammed-up sound that had engulfed the rock music industry at the turn of the decade. Even if Tyler and Perry were apt to poke fun at the hair metal movement, “Love in an Elevator” proved they could still play ball in that industry climate. — Jon Hadusek
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Dream On Aerosmith
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Same Old Song and Dance (Single Version) Aerosmith
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Sweet Emotion (David Thoener Remix) Aerosmith
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Walk This Way (feat. Aerosmith) Run-DMC
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Last Child Aerosmith
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Back In the Saddle Aerosmith
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Draw the Line Aerosmith
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Kings And Queens (Single Version) Aerosmith
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Come Together Aerosmith
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Remember (Walking In the Sand) Aerosmith
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