Aerosmith earned the title of "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band" through decades of gritty blues-rock and high-energy performances. Initially, the "Bad Boys from Boston" fought their way through small clubs before they conquered stadiums worldwide. Furthermore, they survived intense internal conflicts and addiction struggles to stage one of the most successful comebacks in music history. Consequently, their legacy spans generations of fans who love their raw sound. Explore these fascinating details about the Toxic Twins and their bandmates.
Aerosmith
Joey Kramer came up with the band name in high school. While sitting in English class, he repeatedly wrote the word “Aerosmith” all over his notebooks. Later, he had to convince the other members that it was a cool rock name and not a reference to the Sinclair Lewis novel Arrowsmith.
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry earned the nickname “The Toxic Twins.” During the 1970s, the duo consumed such massive amounts of drugs and alcohol that the press gave them this dangerous moniker. Fortunately, they both eventually sought rehabilitation and led the band into a sober, successful era in the late 1980s.
They lived together in a small Boston apartment during their early days. The entire band shared a cramped space at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue where they ate, slept, and rehearsed constantly. Recently, the city designated the building as a historic landmark to honor the birthplace of the legendary group.
American Pickers found their original tour van in the woods. The hosts of the reality show discovered the 1964 International Harvester Metro van rusting on a property in Massachusetts. Sentimental about their history, the band authenticated the vehicle and purchased it back to preserve a piece of their past.
Run-D.M.C. resurrected Aerosmith’s career with a cover song. In 1986, the rap group covered “Walk This Way,” blending hip-hop beats with Joe Perry’s rock riffs. This groundbreaking collaboration smashed musical barriers and introduced Aerosmith to a completely new generation of MTV viewers.
Surprisingly, their only number-one single is a cover. Despite writing dozens of classic rock hits, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” remains their only song to top the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, songwriter Diane Warren wrote the power ballad specifically for the Armageddon soundtrack.
Liv Tyler did not know Steven Tyler was her father until she was a child. She grew up believing musician Todd Rundgren was her dad until she noticed she looked exactly like Steven’s daughter, Mia. Eventually, her mother confirmed the truth, and Liv developed a close relationship with her biological father.
They were the first band to guest star on The Simpsons. In the episode “Flaming Moe’s,” the band appeared as themselves and performed “Walk This Way” at Moe’s Tavern. This cameo paved the way for countless other musicians to visit Springfield in future seasons.
Vince Neil inspired the hit “Dude (Looks Like a Lady).” Steven Tyler saw the Mötley Crüe singer with long blonde hair at a bar and mistakenly thought he was a beautiful woman. Consequently, he wrote the catchy song about the confusion regarding the rocker’s androgynous appearance.
Disney World built a roller coaster dedicated to the band. The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith launches riders from 0 to 57 miles per hour in less than three seconds. Riders listen to a custom soundtrack of Aerosmith hits while they loop through the dark, indoor track.
“Sweet Emotion” contains a hidden message played backward. If you reverse the song, you can hear a voice repeating “F*** you, Frank.” Reportedly, the band included this as a subtle insult directed at a manager they were fighting with at the time.
Steven Tyler sustained a serious injury after falling off a stage. In 2009, he stepped backward while dancing at a concert in South Dakota and fell into the crowd. He broke his shoulder and required stitches, which forced the band to cancel the remainder of their summer tour.
They signed a multi-million dollar contract on a napkin. According to industry legends, the band inked an early management deal in a restaurant without any formal paperwork. This casual approach to business defined their chaotic early years before they became corporate giants.
Joe Perry quit the band to form his own project. Tensions boiled over in 1979, causing the guitarist to leave Aerosmith and start The Joe Perry Project. However, the separation did not last forever, and he triumphantly returned to the lineup five years later.
Finally, they have sold over 150 million albums worldwide. This staggering figure makes them the best-selling American hard rock band of all time. Thus, they hold more gold and platinum certifications than any other American group in the industry.
