Aerosmith is one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time. Formed in Boston in 1970, Aerosmith has sold over 150 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. The band is known for major hits like “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” as well as their flamboyant style and infamous interpersonal conflicts.
Aerosmith’s Early Years (1970-1979)
Aerosmith was formed in 1970 by lead singer Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer. The young band began playing shows in the Boston area and building a following. They were signed to Columbia Records in 1972 and released their self-titled debut album that year. Hits like “Dream On” and “Mama Kin” got them attention, but it wasn’t until their next albums Get Your Wings (1974) and Toys in the Attic (1975) that Aerosmith became major stars. Songs like “Same Old Song and Dance” and “Walk This Way” cemented their mix of bluesy hard rock and pop melodies.
During this early period, Aerosmith gained notoriety for their raucous shows and prodigious drug use. Tyler and Perry (nicknamed the “Toxic Twins”) fueled rampant drug and alcohol abuse within the group. This began taking a toll on their performances and productivity. Still, Aerosmith managed to release three more successful albums from 1976-1979: Rocks, Draw the Line, and Live! Bootleg. Standout tracks like “Back in the Saddle” and “Last Child” kept their popularity up through the end of the decade.
Decline and Resurgence (1980-1989)
As the 1980s dawned, years of excess caught up with Aerosmith. Tensions between band members escalated, culminating in Perry leaving the group in 1979 mid-tour. Tyler took over lead guitar duties until replacements were found. Aerosmith’s first album without Perry, Night in the Ruts (1979), underperformed both critically and commercially. Their next studio album, Rock in a Hard Place (1982), fared even worse, only going gold compared to their previous multi-platinum sellers.
Aerosmith seemed destined for oblivion, when an unlikely collaboration revived their career. Rap group Run-D.M.C. covered “Walk This Way” in 1986, introducing Aerosmith’s music to a new generation. This motivated Tyler and Perry to reconcile with the band and stage a reunion. Their comeback album, Permanent Vacation, was released in 1987. Powered by hits like “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Rag Doll,” it went 5x platinum and marked a major comeback.
Their renewed success carried through their next release, 1989’s Pump. It featured radio staples like “Love in an Elevator” and “Janie’s Got a Gun,” eventually selling 7x platinum. Aerosmith was fully back as a chart-topping, arena-filling act.
Continued Success and New Ventures (1990-1999)
In the 1990s, Aerosmith enjoyed their most stable and successful period yet. Although marred by some setbacks like Whitney Houston covering “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” instead of “What Kind of Love Are You On,” the band released a string of multi-platinum albums. Get a Grip (1993), Nine Lives (1997), and I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (1998) spawned hits including “Cryin’,” “Crazy,” and “Pink.”
During this time, the members of Aerosmith expanded into other business ventures. Tyler and Perry opened the Mama Kin Music Hall in Boston. Tyler also pursued acting, making his film debut in 1988’s The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years, while Perry released his own self-titled solo album. Even with side projects brewing, the renewed Aerosmith remained a powerful force in rock through the 90s.
Tensions Rise Again (2000-2009)
As they entered the new millennium, Aerosmith experienced renewed turmoil. Despite releasing Just Push Play in 2001, tensions boiled over with drummer Joey Kramer suing his bandmates for frozen royalties and breach of contract. Tyler also entered rehab in the early 2000s after years of prescription drug abuse. However, the band reconciled again for the Honkin’ on Bobo album in 2004 and launched a successful tour with Cheap Trick in 2005.
Off-stage, Tyler became more focused on Hollywood. He released a solo album in 2006, starred as the judge on American Idol in 2011, and pursued more acting roles. This led to friction with the rest of Aerosmith, who wanted their frontman to devote more time to the band. Meanwhile, guitarists Perry and Whitford contributed to the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith music video game in 2008.
Recent Years (2009-Present)
Despite tensions, Aerosmith continued touring extensively in the late 2000s. Tyler suffered injuries in 2009 after falling off stage, forcing the band to cancel concerts. Health issues plagued the aging rockers, but they still released the album Music from Another Dimension! in 2012. Singles like “Legendary Child” and “What Could Have Been Love” saw modest success.
In 2013, Tyler appeared again as a judge on American Idol without consulting his bandmates, renewing friction surrounding his outside ventures. Perry later remarked this was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” However, they managed to complete the Let Rock Rule Tour in 2014. Tyler announced he was leaving Aerosmith in 2015 to pursue solo work, but no official split has occurred.
Aerosmith entered their 50th anniversary in 2020 on better terms, announcing a concert residency in Las Vegas. However, the shows were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While fractures still remain, Aerosmith’s legacy as one of America’s greatest rock bands is firmly cemented. Their journey has been a long train runnin’ with plenty of peaks and valleys.
Aerosmith Album Discography
Here is a complete list of Aerosmith’s studio albums over their long career:
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| Aerosmith | 1973 |
| Get Your Wings | 1974 |
| Toys in the Attic | 1975 |
| Rocks | 1976 |
| Draw the Line | 1977 |
| Night in the Ruts | 1979 |
| Rock in a Hard Place | 1982 |
| Done with Mirrors | 1985 |
| Permanent Vacation | 1987 |
| Pump | 1989 |
| Get a Grip | 1993 |
| Nine Lives | 1997 |
| Just Push Play | 2001 |
| Honkin’ on Bobo | 2004 |
| Music from Another Dimension! | 2012 |
Major Hit Singles
Here are some of Aerosmith’s most popular and well-known songs over their long career:
| Song | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| “Dream On” | 1973 | Aerosmith |
| “Walk This Way” | 1975 | Toys in the Attic |
| “Sweet Emotion” | 1975 | Toys in the Attic |
| “Back in the Saddle” | 1976 | Rocks |
| “Last Child” | 1976 | Rocks |
| “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” | 1987 | Permanent Vacation |
| “Angel” | 1988 | Permanent Vacation |
| “Love in an Elevator” | 1989 | Pump |
| “Janie’s Got a Gun” | 1989 | Pump |
| “Livin’ on the Edge” | 1993 | Get a Grip |
| “Cryin'” | 1993 | Get a Grip |
| “Crazy” | 1993 | Get a Grip |
| “Pink” | 1997 | Nine Lives |
| “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” | 1998 | Armageddon soundtrack |
| “Jaded” | 2001 | Just Push Play |
Conclusion
Aerosmith’s origins trace back to 1970 in Boston, where the original members first formed the group. Over the next five decades, they became one of the biggest forces in American rock music. Their albums have sold over 150 million copies to date, showing incredible longevity through the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and beyond.
Highlights of Aerosmith’s career include their mid-1970s peak with albums like Toys in the Attic and Rocks, their impressive late 1980s comeback after reuniting, and the string of hits in the 1990s like “Pink” that made them the bestselling rock band of the decade. However, there were also valleys – drug abuse and infighting caused declines in the late 1970s and early 2000s. Still, Aerosmith has persevered.
“Pink,” the hit single examined in the title of this article, was released in 1997 on Aerosmith’s album Nine Lives. The song became a #1 mainstream rock track. It was one of their major hits in the 1990s, showing their staying power even late into their career. After 50 years, Aerosmith remains an inspiration to aspiring rockers today.