Aerosmith: Steven Tyler Back on Drugs?
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Aerosmith
There's certainly been a lot of drama within the Aerosmith camp lately, and guitarist Brad Whitford has a theory as to why: singer Steven Tyler is back on drugs.
"This guy has a tremendous history of drug abuse, and you have to be suspicious that this is something that is probably going on with him," Whitford told Rock Radio. "I think that that's got to be a part of this irrational behavior." (Tyler has denied any recent drug use.)
Irrational, indeed. Since Tyler's fall from the stage in South Dakota in August forced the band to cancel their U.S. tour, the frontman has been estranged from the band, and even said he plans to leave the Boston fivesome to focus on "something Steven Tyler: working on the brand of myself -- Brand Tyler." Guitarist Joe Perry soon Tweeted that "Aerosmith is positively looking for a new singer to work with," only to be surprised just days later when Tyler arrived unannounced at Perry's solo gig in New York to perform "Walk This Way," and tell the crowd that "I'm not leaving Aerosmith."
While it seemed all the hubbub was a big misunderstanding, that certainly wasn't the end of Aerosmith's dramarama.
MORE ON SPIN.COM:
>> Aerosmith to Replace Steven Tyler
>> Update: Steven Tyler Not Quitting Aerosmith
After the gig, Perry claimed the band's issues were far from over, as Tyler still planned to take two years off to pursue solo endeavors. Whitford, mirroring Perry, said the band are still considering moving forward with a new singer.
"We all know that there's really no way to replace Steven, but we want to continue touring together," Whitford said. "We even have a 40-year anniversary coming up and it's a milestone. We want to be able to celebrate it together and there's millions of fans out there that are dedicated to us."
Elaborating on Tyler's potential slip back into drug abuse, Whitford added: "Historically or statistically, the majority of people in that situation don't make it. I have a feeling we might be looking at, you know, someone who's just really struggling very badly with this."
Can Aerosmith continue with a new singer? Tell us what you think in the comment section, and then read SPIN's suggestions to replace Tyler.
103 Comments
Click here to comment- Posted By JC Funkalicious
12.21.09 3:21 PM
I'm glad to hear they are back on drugs. Hopefully they will start writing better music.
- Posted By Aerojkl
12.17.09 2:03 PM
In my opinion as long as Aerosmith isn't splitting up then that's good news, all I really want is for either Joe, Steven or even Joey to get some new stuff out there that the next generation might be interested. Yes Aerosmith is a old-time hard-rock band but if they can get some of my generation interested then they could add so many new fans into not just the new music but their old masterpieces as well. I hope that Steven isnt back on drugs but I would understand if he was, I mean really the guys 60 years old, has been rockin for most of his life, and HE JUST FELL OF A STAGE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! All I'm saying is that if he is on drugs then it must be because he is in some sort of pain whether it be phyisical or mental, and I hope he gets better and they continuse working on their next album.
P.S. I'm only 15 and I've been listening to Aerosmith for pretty much all my live...AND I LOVE IT!!!
- Posted By Vicki Niolet
12.15.09 7:25 PM
Ok,I am very upset over this and "come on guys",you FIVE are the best in the bussiness as far as I'm concerned and to me there isn't a band called Aerosmith without Steven Tyler! He has the most unique voice thatt I have ever heard and I love you guys and have been a HARD CORE AEROSMITH FAN FOR YEARS AND HAVE BEEN TO NUMEROUS SHOWS.I would LOVE to continue to come and see you guys in concert again.My world will be crushed if you guys split!PLEASE !! YOU HAVE SO,SO,SO MANY FANS THAT ARE DISAPPOINTED.I am saying this on behalf of all your fans when I say,"STay together",There is NO AEROSMITH WITHOUT STEVEN TYLER!I am 43 years old and have been a fan a long,long time.I do not belive thatt steven is on drugs either.
your hard core ture fan,
Vicki
- Posted By Aerosmith LOVER!
11.25.09 1:51 AM
AEROSMITH IS THE BEST BAND EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I live, breathe, eat and sleep Aerosmith!
Steven has got to get himself together so they can continue rocking my world!
- Posted By stacey simi
11.25.09 12:39 AM
STeven Tyler made Aerosmith who they are. Period. I hope he's not on drugs again. I am just so glad I finally got to see them perform this year before all this happened. Best of luck
- Posted By Nicole
11.24.09 7:54 AM
I think that Liv (Tyler) should cover a few shows for her dad if he needs some time to get her **** together -- that's what family's for. If he's back using some of the same old drugs, or new prescriptions have him strung out, it's probably that (to quote Hunter S. Thompson) he actually LIKES DRUGS. His band mates should remind him of how great they've been doing sober, and how hard they worked at it. Hearing Sweet Emotion still gives me shivers down my spine.
- Posted By Nicole
11.24.09 7:35 AM
I agree -- Aerosmith needs Steve Tyler to be Aerosmith. If he's got **** to work out, maybe his daughter Liv can stand in for him for a while. That's what family's for. He could trade her for some time babysitting his grandchild; that'd be a great motivation to stay off the drugs.
- Posted By Anonymous
11.24.09 3:04 AM
Boy, you can see the age difference just from the comments that have been left here. Most of those who are over 35 (& a few younger) who love the man & the band....& then there's the rest of you. You're too young to appreciate what rock was at that time, or them before they went mainstream. Most "singers" or bands sound like crap live b/c they can't sing & shouldn't be out of the studio. I really like a lot of the new music, but it is what it is.
I, like so many here, love Aerosmith & agree it would not be the same without Steven Tyler. I think individually they're all great, but it would not be Aerosmith without Steven, or any of the others for that matter. I hope he hasn't slipped, or trying to relive his youth through a younger woman. They chose a hard road to travel for many years & I'd hoped they'd gotten past it. He's too talented & has come too far to let it slip away. The number of bands who've made it past 4 years aren't many, ones who have made it to almost 40 can be counted on one hand. I will be one sad woman when their time does come.
- Posted By Anonymous
11.23.09 6:48 AM
Wow...that's really harsh and unkind. You should hope for love and compassion to be present for you in your time of need. You are entitled to your opinion tho I am not sure why so hateful. Aerosmith is a well loved band. They have set records that few bands could even begin to touch. It is not cool to wish demise on anyone...check your hardened heart and learn a little respect and compassion. Peace.
- Posted By Anonymous
11.23.09 3:42 AM
You guys wanna perform for 16 y/o "metalheads" who THINK they are cool, go for it...drop Steven...keep talkin crap.
If you wanna perform for your REAL fan base who have been loyal to you for years and who have supported ALL of you through ALL of your problems (yeh, us real fans know all ya'll **** stank at one time or another), then KEEP TYLER!
Don't sit there talkin crap like you're all a bunch of innocent angels. If he needs some help, do what decent human beings do and HELP HIM!
- Posted By Anonymous
11.20.09 3:45 PM
I have been a die-hard Aerosmith fan for 20+years. I have seen them live 22 times, met them through a fan club meet and greet, and even have their wings logo tattooed above my ass. But, Steven Tyler is Aerosmith. He is the heart and soul of the band and one of the most dynamic lead singers ever. Without Steven, there is no Aerosmith. They can move on and find another singer if they want, but to continue on with the Aerosmith name without Steven would be a total disgrace....period.
- Posted By Heathen of the Mentors
11.20.09 3:30 PM
If you're sixty five years old, still look like Carly Simon in the 1970's and are not fat or apparently bald, I would say that the drugs are working for you pretty good. Maybe the rest of the band should get back on dope so they could make some actually good records like Toys in the Attic and Rocks again.
- Posted By AlwaysAFan
11.20.09 12:17 PM
I am mid 40's and have been a fan since 17 I guess. They are the ONLY band I still love from my rock and roll days. Why? because they have not changed; Tyler still flies all over the stage and has not cut his wild gypsy style hair. Joe still has that sexy pout and shows those amazing (for a guy of ANY age) abs and makes his guitar talk to ones soul. Tyler and Perry ARE the toxic twins but in a good way. Can't everyone see that while musically they are perfection, they are two VERY different people. We are almost expecting a 40 year 'marriage' to continue. And YES, like a little child, I am hoping it does! I say this even as I STILL await my $600 refund for a cancelled show so I love this band. I think it is right of the band to say what might be up w/ Tyler. It's been rumored a certain someone in his life is on drugs....I certainly don't want to wake up one day and hear news like with MJ. Maybe Tyler will get pissed and either prove it isn't true or get help. TYLER- take time off if you need it, get rehab if you need it, just figure it out, for the sake of the guys, the fans and most importantly- YOU. You can't just ditch people that have loved you for 40 years- that includes the band and your fans! Lean on them/ us..the ones that care. You are a legendary band, so legendary frontman- get with it! Don't let people say you can't- those that know, well they know you can! No, you can't truly be replaced but NONE of you can. And, yes, this is the only corny/ sappy post I have ever done for ANY reason, so don't laugh! ;)
- Posted By Anonymous
11.20.09 1:14 AM
I haven't reread this, but in the autobiography of Aerosmith, I recall that the only thing that got Steven into rehab and committed to it was when the band told him he would not have a band if he didn't get and stay clean. He cares a great deal about his band -- as well he should they are the best! I've seen them 20 times since Done With Mirrors and the first 17 times were amazing. I think that the band firmly believes he has problems again, and I think they probably know more about this than they are airing in the media. I believe they are practicing the Tough Love that Tim Collins employed to get them all back to firing on all cylinders, before the all fired him.
- Posted By Trainman
11.19.09 8:56 PM
The comment Steven made, "I'm doing something for Tyler." To me it's crazy because Aerosmith has always been "Tyler". So why swap a bunch of guys for another bunch of guys? The only plausable exception would be he feels they are holding him back or stifeling his creativity, but I can't buy into that argument. They are all immensely talented.
- Posted By Anonymous
11.19.09 7:56 PM
the bible says "you reap what you sow" or as we say today what goes around comes around . i honestly hope &pray these are nothing but false rumors . if they are, i believe people owes Steve an apology & ask him for forgiveness. i remember one other musician that had lies told on him and it almost cost him his life. GOD forbid this is true , pray for Steve & remember Jesus said "ask & you shall receive ."
- Posted By Mickey Walke VR
11.19.09 7:00 PM
Joe Perry and the least interesting three members of Aerosmith should change the band's name to the "Cutthroats", since all they have done is talk to the media about Steven Tyler's substance abuse problems !
Yet, they say he's like a brother to each of them ! Bullsh** !
All of these guys have had alcohol or drug problems at one time or another, but they continue to rag on their so called bandmate brother.
What a bunch of hypocrites they all four are !
Do your 40th anniversary tour, and charge $200 a ticket, and tell everyone you're doing it for your fans !
Just don't be too disappointed when you play to half empty shows, and Tyler gets his sh** together, and puts together a supergroup like Sammy Hagar !
Karma is a bitch, when it bites you in the ass !
Kudos to Tyler for keeping his mouth shut !
- Posted By Boston Rocker
11.19.09 6:40 PM
Tyler needs to rid himself of Erin Brady and Mark Hudson and he will return to greatness!! They are the bad infuence that Joey Kramer is talkin about.
- Posted By Rod Welles
11.19.09 6:38 PM
Get Tylerico into a rehab....then see what happens
- Posted By Everardo
11.19.09 6:23 PM
I think that the whole group would do well to see an integral theorist and do some deep healing with an integral psychotherapist to work out all of their issues (they certainly can afford it). Then perhaps they can take up meditation and do yoga. They can benefit from the BIG MIND process as taught by Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi. There are lots of great healers and spiritual teachers (with a universal spiritual outlook) that could assist them if they are truly seeking help, healing, integration and transcendence. They can preserve and strengthen their band relationship and even take it to another deeper and more expansive level. Will they choose dysfunction or healing, integration and transcendence? Wishing them peace and blessings.
- Posted By Anonymous
11.19.09 6:10 PM
Absolutely perfectly said!! I think I'd be in tears if I woke up to online informing me that Steven Tyler died. We are all praying for him!! I wouldn't want to see them replacing him but I can agree with these four guys that throwing 40 years away at their ages and at this time in their lives would be ridiculous, even if there's no one possible who can do what Steven does. I feel especially bad for his kids and especially Mia who already lost her mother to cancer. I couldn't imagine how awful all four of these guys would feel if they lost him either. He's not reaching out them when they have all tried to reach out to them. I think Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Joey Kramer and Tom Hamilton are using the media to reach out to him and bring him back and I'm praying that Steven starts hearing them thru all the media!!!
01.29.10 5:12 AM
drugs is cool Rock on brother!!