Aerosmith
Albums
Biography
One of the most popular hard rock bands of
the 1970s, Aerosmith launched one of the
most remarkable comebacks in rock history
and returned to the top of the charts in the late
'80s and early '90s. Combining the bluesy rock
and "bad boy" image of the Rolling Stones
with the flamboyant metal riffs of KISS,
Aerosmith scored a number of radio hits and
set the stage for pop metal bands of the '80s.
Aerosmith began in 1970 in Sunapee, N.H.,
where vocalist Steven Tyler first met guitarist
Joe Perry. Along with bassist Tom Hamilton,
guitarist Brad Whitford, and drummer Joey
Kramer, the band relocated to Boston, Mass.,
Later that year, and soon became club favorites
in the Northeast. After signing with Columbia,
the group released their eponymous debut
album in late 1973. The album was a success,
thanks to the chart single "Dream On." After
touring during much of 1974 with groups such
as Mott the Hoople and the Kinks, Aerosmith
returned late that year with Get Your Wings,
which stayed on the charts for over 85 weeks
despite little airplay, thanks to the band's
grass-roots following.
With their 1975 breakthrough album Toys in
the Attic Aerosmith became a household
name. The Top 40 singles "Sweet Emotion"
and "Walk This Way" pushed the album to No.
11 and became classic rock staples. Success
of the album prompted the re-release of
"Dream On," which reached the Top 10 in
early 1976, and increased sales of the band's
first two albums.
1976's Rocks reached No. 3 and quickly went
platinum. Its late 1977 follow-up, Draw the
Line, went platinum and peaked at No. 11.
Following a 1978 U.S. tour, Aerosmith
appeared in the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely
Hearts Club Band, performing a cover of
"Come Together." Featured on their 1978 live
album, Live! Bootleg, "Come Together" was
the band's last major radio hit of the '70s.
Following the release of the 1979 gold
album
Night in the Ruts, Joe Perry began working on
a solo project, while guitarist Brad Whitford
quit the group to form a new band with ex-Ted
Nugent guitarist Derek St. Holmes. They were
replaced with new guitarists Jimmy Crespo
and Rick Dufay. Meanwhile Steven Tyler got
into a serious motorcycle accident, which
landed him in the hospital for months.
Following the release of a Greatest Hits album
which sold over six million copies, the new
incarnation of Aerosmith released the album
Rock in a Hard Place in 1982. Shortly after its
release, however, the band was dropped from
Columbia Records. Perry and Whitford
returned to the band for a 1984 reunion tour.
Signing a new record deal with Geffen, the
band began a new phase in their career when
they released 1986's Done With Mirrors,
marking a return to the original lineup and the
sound which made them a hit in the '70s. A
guest appearance on Run D.M.C.'s 1986 cover
of "Walk This Way" returned the group to the
spotlight when the single went to No. 4 and
became an MTV hit. Aerosmith's management
began carefully planning the group's
comeback.
Working with the same team behind Bon Jovi's
hit albums, professional songwriter Desmond
Child and producer Bruce Fairburn, Aerosmith
recorded their slick 1987 comeback album
Permanent Vacation, which spawned the Top
10 hits "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)," "Rag Doll"
and "Angel." The album sold over three million
copies and hit No. 11, setting the stage for
their 1989 smash Pump. Featuring hits
"Janie's Got A Gun" and "Love in an Elevator,"
the album sold four million copies and reached
No. 5, solidifying possibly the most successful
comeback in rock history. A massive world
tour followed, and the band signed a new
contract with Columbia (despite owing Geffen
two more albums); a groundbreaking yet risky
move by their old label, who were faithful in the
band's long-term potential.
1993's Get A Grip continued Aerosmith's
winning streak, debuting at No. 1 and spinning
off hit singles like "Livin' on the Edge," "Cryin'"
and the power ballad "Amazing" -- a special
accomplishment considering the sinking
popularity of pop metal in general. The album
eventually sold over 12 million copies
worldwide and won the group two Grammys.
The following year Aerosmith embarked on a
world tour, including an appearance at
Woodstock '94; meanwhile they released the
double-platinum-selling compilation Big Ones,
which completed their contract with Geffen.
Aerosmith's debut for Columbia Records, Nine
Lives, was released in March 1997 and
debuted on the album charts at No.1. Within
four weeks of its release, Nine Lives went gold
in six countries, platinum in one and double
platinum in two countries. The band kicked off
a successful worldwide tour in Newcastle,
England in May 1997.
Band Links
Aero Force One -- the Official Aerosmith Fan Club
My Aerosmith Page: Open 24 Hours
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