Joe Perry: ‘Tyler’s Still In Aerosmith’

Guitarist Joe Perry has said that Steven Tyler will remain a member of Aerosmith, even though another singer is being brought in. “Steven hasn’t quit the band, nor have we sacked him. We’re taking the attitude that he’s going on a vacation from Aerosmith. While he’s away working on other projects, the rest of us (Perry, guitarist Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer) want to carry on playing live. So we will be bring another singer to make this happen.

“We’re not daft enough to think we can replace Steven, and that’s not our plan. But after 40 years of working together we just don’t wanna stop. How long with Steven be away? He says it’ll be two years, but I believe he’ll be back a lot sooner. It may end up that we only do 10 shows with the new person!”

Perry also commented on those singers currently being linked with the Aerosmith slot.
“Every day there appears to be a new name mentioned. All that happens is that someone puts a suggestion on the internet, it’s picked up by others, and within 24 hours that person is the singer we’ve chosen! The reality is that we know a lot of vocalists, and have sounded out some of them as to whether they’d be interested in joining the band. Right now, no-one’s been offered the job.

“The four of us talk all the time on the phone, and we will get down to making the choice after I finish my tour with the Joe Perry Project. As it stands, we are open to all possibilities. We may even choose a female vocalist. Why not? There are some women out there with great voices.”

Aerosmith aim to sort out the situation in the Spring, and get back on the road in the Summer. And Perry hopes the new, temporary line-up will also do some songs the band haven’t done for years.

“All I can say is that this should be a really exciting time for the band. It’s a chance to do something a little different, before Steven returns.”