The fate of one of America’s most popular rock bands has been up in the air since frontman Tyler tumbled off a stage in Sturgis, S.D., last August, resulting in neck and shoulder injuries and causing the band to cancel its world tour.
After Tyler recuperated enough from injuries so that the band could do a few one-offs, the singer told Classic Rock Magazine that he would be working on “Brand Tyler,” leading many, including Perry, to think Tyler had quit the band.”
But Tyler eventually disavowed those words. In a statement released in late December, Tyler said he was in rehab to treat a 10-year addition to painkillers and eager to rejoin his Aerosmith comrades.
“I love Aerosmith,” Tyler said. “I love performing as the lead singer in Aerosmith. I am grateful for all of the support and love I am receiving and am committed to getting things taken care of.”
At that time, Perry told People the band was getting used to the idea that Tyler wouldn’t be joining the band for up to two years.
Now, in an interview with QMI (Quebec Media Inc.) Agency’s Darryl Sterdan, Perry talked about the possibility of temporarily replacing one of the most famous frontmen in rock.
“But he has to have leg surgery and foot surgery and it’s basically going to take him out of the picture for about a year, year and a half,” Perry said.
“So, in the meantime, the rest of the band wants to play. And I want to play with the other guys in Aerosmith. So the four of us are just making our plans. We’re gonna find somebody to get in there and fill that spot.”
Perry said they’ve talked to a few people about subbing for Tyler and the band will hold auditions after the Joe Perry Project returns from touring Canada with Mötley Crüe.
“The people we’re talking about, as far as auditions go, we’ll probably just sit round and have a couple of drinks and see if we get along,” Perry said, adding, “Because we’re already gonna know that they can sing.”
Perry was clear that any substitute singer would be a short-term solution meant to keep the band fires burning while Tyler recovers from surgery. Perry was also pretty adamant about what they’d call a Tyler-less Aerosmith.
“I think it would be appropriate to call it Aerosmith,” Perry said. “We’ll play Aerosmith songs. Maybe we’ll do five shows, maybe we’ll do 20 shows, I don’t know. And hopefully sometime Steven will come back.”
Click here to read the complete QMI Agency interview posted on the Toronto Sun Web site.