25 Facts About Aerosmith

Aerosmith, one of the most iconic rock bands in history, has had a rollercoaster ride to success. Despite facing numerous challenges, they’ve managed to carve out a legendary career, earning them the title of the American band with the most gold and platinum records. Their dedicated fan base, known as the Blue Army, has stood by them through it all.

25. Steven Tyler’s Sci-Fi Vision
Steven Tyler believes that science fiction is more than just fantasy—it’s our future. A huge Star Trek fan, Tyler is convinced that we’re on the brink of teleportation technology, much like Captain Kirk and Dr. Spock’s adventures.

24. Humble Beginnings
Aerosmith didn’t start in luxury. In their early days, all the band members shared a cramped apartment in Boston. They spent their days surviving on rice and vegetables, watching The Three Stooges, and drawing inspiration from legends like Jeff Beck, Cream, and Deep Purple.

23. Real Names Revealed
Ever wonder about the real names behind the rock legends? Here they are:
– Steven Tyler: Stephen Victor Tallarico
– Joe Perry: Anthony Joseph Pereira
– Brad Whitford: Bradley Ernest Whitford Jr.
– Tom Hamilton: Thomas William Hamilton
– Joey Kramer: Joseph Michael Kramer

22. Mila Kunis in “Jaded”
A young Mila Kunis starred in the music video for “Jaded,” a hit from the past decade. The song reflects how much Tyler missed his daughter Chelsea during his time on tour.

21. The Band’s Name Origins
Before settling on Aerosmith, the band considered names like ArrowSmith, The Bananas, Stit Jane, and Spike Jones.

20. Unforgettable Autographs
Steven Tyler has signed countless autographs over the years, including on some unusual spots. He recalls being asked to sign on fans’ intimate areas and often jokingly asks if their partners won’t mind.

19. “Walk This Way” Inspiration
One of Aerosmith’s biggest hits, “Walk This Way,” came from casual band conversations during their walks. Tyler explains how the lyrics, which are cleverly disguised and quite suggestive, flowed naturally during one such stroll.

18. Mistaken Identity
At a party, Tyler once heard “You See Me Crying” playing and suggested to Joe Perry that they should cover the song—only to be reminded that it was their track from Toys in the Attic.

17. Their First Record Deal
Aerosmith’s big break came after a performance at Max’s Kansas City in New York, a famous club where icons like Andy Warhol, Bob Marley, and Patti Smith frequented. This gig landed them their first record deal in 1972.

16. “Dream On”
“Dream On,” their first single, is a song that started it all. Steven Tyler wrote it at 17, years before Aerosmith was even formed. The song is a tribute to his father, a Juilliard-trained musician, and was first performed live at the Shaboo Inn in Connecticut in 1969.

15. “Living on the Edge” and Excess
Like many rock bands, Aerosmith’s history is intertwined with stories of excess. The band’s struggles with fame and substance abuse are well-documented, but unlike others, they survived without losing any members to the dark side of drugs.

14. Steven Tyler’s First Wife
Tyler’s first wife, Cyrinda Foxe, was also the mother of his daughter, Mia. Before Tyler, Foxe had relationships with David Johansen of the New York Dolls and possibly even David Bowie.

13. The “Toxic Twins”
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were dubbed the “Toxic Twins” due to their heavy drug use. In the late 1970s, Tyler’s physical and mental health deteriorated significantly, highlighting the perils of their lifestyle.

12. Night Vision Binoculars
Tyler owns night vision binoculars that he uses to keep paparazzi at bay, making sure they don’t invade his privacy.

11. Tyler and Perry’s Tense Relationship
The relationship between Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry has always been complicated. Despite their creative partnership, tensions have often run high. Perry even left the band in 1980 but returned four years later.

10. Tyler’s Iconic Scarves
Tyler’s signature scarves on his microphone stand aren’t just for show. Rumor has it that these scarves have pockets where he used to stash some “inspirational” substances.

9. Jogging with Nikki Sixx
While recording the album Pump, Tyler and Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx were both in recovery and would go jogging together, staying hydrated and supporting each other through their detox.

8. Steven Tyler and Bebe Buell
Model Bebe Buell was a key figure in the ’70s music scene and Tyler’s partner for a time. Together, they had a daughter, Liv Tyler, though Steven chose to stay out of her life initially, leaving her to be raised by musician Todd Rundgren.

7. The Origin of “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”
The hit “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” was inspired by a funny encounter when the band mistook Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil for a woman in a bar. The phrase stuck and became the song’s memorable chorus.

6. Draw the Line’s Recording Sessions
Draw the Line, Aerosmith’s fifth album was recorded in an abandoned convent near New York City. The band intended to detox there but ended up indulging in more reckless behavior, including firing guns and driving dangerously.

5. Tyler’s Drug Use
Steven Tyler has tried nearly every drug imaginable, starting at age 16 with speed and weed, and moving on to acid, coke, and alcohol. His drug use led to hepatitis C and numerous stints in rehab. Reflecting on his past, he acknowledges the dangers but notes that some, like him, managed to survive.

4. The Movie Armageddon and Liv Tyler
When Liv Tyler was approached to star in Armageddon, she sought her father’s advice, fearing it was too commercial. Steven encouraged her to take the role, and Aerosmith recorded “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” for the movie—a track that became one of their biggest hits and earned an Oscar nomination.

3. Meeting Paul McCartney
Steven Tyler’s nerves got the best of him when he met Paul McCartney in a bathroom at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. In his excitement, he nearly peed on the legendary Beatle.

2. NatGeo Documentary
Steven Tyler was featured in the National Geographic Channel’s The Incredible Human Machine, where a team of experts analyzed his body’s inner workings in a fascinating experiment.

1. Liv Tyler’s Paternity
Liv Tyler, known for her role in the Lord of the Rings series, grew up believing that Todd Rundgren was her father. At 14, she discovered that her real father was Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith.