Aerosmith Teases Possible Reunion Tour Despite Previous Retirement Due to Serious Illness
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Retirement Announced Amid Vocal Issues
In August 2024, Aerosmith revealed they were retiring from touring. The decision came after frontman Steven Tyler was diagnosed with damage to his vocal cords. Tyler, now 76, developed “incurable vocal issues” during their farewell tour in 2023. The injury caused the band to delay and eventually cancel tour dates.
Despite these setbacks, a recent interview hints that Aerosmith may hit the road again. Guitarist and founding member Joe Perry spoke on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation. He shared that he stays in touch with Tyler regularly. He said, “I know there’s gotta be at least another Aerosmith gig and I’m not looking forward to putting the setlist together for that one.”
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Bandmates Stay Connected
Perry, aged 74, described the bond between band members. “We talk probably a couple of times a week,” he said. He also noted a recent performance Tyler joined at a charity event in San Francisco. “We played together at a charity up in San Francisco, and Chris Robinson was on the bill too, and it was wild seeing the two of them trading mics.”
He added, “So I don’t know, man. But we’re talking about it. I mean, except for anything on the calendar, we’re all alive and well, so we’ll just have to see.” His tone was light, even suggesting that the next appearance might still happen.
Perry Reflects on Touring Life
Perry also joked about the difficulty of creating a show setlist. He repeated, “I know there’s gotta be at least another Aerosmith gig and I’m not looking forward to putting the setlist together for that one.” He then spoke of how each show feels like the last: “I’ve always played like every show’s the last one. I hate to sound like it’s – a downer, but I give it up every night.”
He recalled that on their final tour, they thought they could make it through. “Certainly, the first gig we did for that tour that got canceled, we certainly felt like there was gonna be another one but s*** happens.”
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Tyler’s Return on Stage
In January, Tyler returned for a performance with Janie’s Fund at the Hollywood Palladium—his first time back since the tour retirement. Trunk Nation host Eddie Trunk asked Perry if Tyler would do another tour. Perry answered thoughtfully: “I think he would. I think it’s just a matter of getting there.”
He then shared how COVID-19 changed his view of touring. “It’s like – we’re up there, man, and it’s a lot. It was interesting with COVID and everyone being home for that length of time,” said Perry. Living at home sparked a shift in how he saw life on the road.
Life Off the Tour Bus
Perry explained that the time off made him see a different side of life. “Other people live,” he said. He added that going a year without gigs brought the bigger picture. “I don’t think I’ve gone a year without something on the calendar and having to be somewhere,” he said. He also added, “I got enough left in me. I still wanna do it.”
Farewell Tour Statement
When Aerosmith announced retirement in August 2024, their statement read: “It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith. Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark caught flame and has been burning for over five decades.” They recognized fans who supported them from early on as the reason they could make rock history.
They added, “Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury… We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision—as a band of brothers—to retire from the touring stage.”
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Career Highlights and Awards
Aerosmith was formed in Boston in 1970 and gained fame in the 1970s with hits like Dream On, Sweet Emotion, and Walk This Way. Their fusion of hard rock, blues, and metal, along with their Run-D.M.C. collaboration, made them icons. The band earned four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
They won Best Rock Performance Grammys for Livin’ On The Edge in 1994 and Crazy in 1995. Their best-selling album Pump hit in 1989, followed by Get a Grip in 1993. In 1998, they released their first number-one hit, I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, featured in the Armageddon soundtrack.
Lineup and Early Years
The original lineup featured Tyler, Joe Perry, bassist Tom Hamilton, drummer Joey Kramer, guitarist Brad Whitford, and early member Ray Tabano. They started with blues-based hard rock and later added elements of glam metal. After moderate success with their first two albums, Aerosmith (1973) and Get Your Wings (1974), they found mainstream fame with Toys in the Attic and Rocks in 1975-76.
Despite struggles in the late 1970s, including member departures and drug issues, Perry and Whitford returned in 1984. They revived their sound and gained new attention with Walk This Way, blending rock and hip-hop.
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Touring Legacy
From early hits to film soundtracks and theme park rides, Aerosmith’s influence crossed multiple stages. Their Super Bowl XXXV halftime show appearance in 2001, alongside contemporaries like Britney Spears and NSYNC, highlighted their mainstream appeal. A year later, they earned a place in music history with their Hall of Fame induction.
With more than 150 million records sold worldwide—including over 85 million in the U.S.—they remain the best-selling American hard rock band ever. Their 25 gold and 18 platinum albums highlight their enduring popularity.
Despite their retirement announcement, Perry’s recent comments suggest a potential return to touring. With Tyler back on stage and the band still in touch, fans may see them perform together again.
