Rock band Aerosmith have taken some time off from touring as lead singer Steven Tyler prepares to release and promote his solo country album. Tyler announced the album early last year. This news led to widespread speculation that the band is finally breaking up after an illustrious career which began in the 1970s, 15 studio albums, more than 25 concert tours, album sales in the millions and numerous awards.
Tyler is scheduled to do 30 solo shows from May to August 2016 to promote his solo effort. Then in 2017 he’s expected to go on tour with his band to perform shows under the Aerosmith name. During an interview with Rolling Stone magazine Tyler mentioned that it’s likely that the 2017 tour will be Aerosmith’s last as a band. “in 2017 we go out with Aerosmith. We're probably doing a farewell tour,” Tyler told the magazine. “Look, there's two bands that still have the original members, us and the Stones. I'm grateful for that. Whether we do a farewell tour or go into the studio and do another record, I'm just excited about it,” he continued.
The band’s guitarist Brad Whitford expressed similar sentiments in December last year during an interview with Eddie Trunk. "We are actually talking about that — about actually putting together a sort of wind-down tour which we would call the Farewell Tour," he said. He attributed the decision to their age, which is indeed a valid point. They are no longer spring chickens; all of the band members are in their 60s. Steven Tyler, the oldest is 68. Their bodies cannot go as they used to anymore, hence it’s a wise decision for the sake of their health and legacy. The road is known to be grueling and can take a toll on your body in a major way. The band’s last public performance took place in September 2015 in Moscow, Russia.
Aerosmith band member Joe Perry was asked his opinion on his band mate’s venture into country music and Perry did not seem too pleased. "If I didn't know him when I heard the song I'd go, 'It's okay, next,'" he told USA Today. Aerosmith has been making rock music for decades so it’s understandable that there’s some resistance to change. I don’t think anyone, including me, expected Tyler to turn to country music. If anything I expected him to break out and do a solo album, but that was just my expectation.
The band has had a blessed career and they have had the type of longevity that few musicians manage to achieve. It’s even more impressive that they have had that longevity as a band. Most bands break up and venture into solo careers with varying degrees of success. I’m glad they have decided to break up sing their swan song under their own terms, and I wish them success in whatever they decide to do after their final tour. If you haven’t heard Tyler’s most recent track titled “Red, White, & You” you can listen to it in the YouTube video below.
