When Did Aerosmith Break Up? A Timeline Of The Band’s Career

When did Aerosmith break up? That is a question that has been on the minds of many fans of the iconic rock band. For years, fans have been eagerly awaiting news about their favorite band and whether or not they will ever reunite. Aerosmith has been a staple in rock music for decades, known for their powerful vocals and electrifying guitar riffs. Their music has touched the lives of countless music fans and has left an undeniable mark on the world of rock and roll.

Many fans have been speculating about the state of the band and whether or not they will ever reunite. There have been rumors circulating for years about possible tensions within the band and disagreements over their music. The band has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the years, with various members coming and going throughout their career. Despite these setbacks, Aerosmith continues to be one of the most beloved rock bands of all time, winning numerous awards and accolades for their contributions to music.

As fans eagerly await news of a possible reunion, they continue to cherish the legacy that Aerosmith has left behind. The band’s music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, inspiring countless musicians and music lovers alike. For those who have been following the band for years, the question of when did Aerosmith break up may remain a mystery, but their music continues to live on, inspiring new generations of rock fans every day.

History of Aerosmith’s Formation

Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1970. The band consists of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (lead guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), and Joey Kramer (drums). The band’s influence on the music industry is undeniable, and they continue to perform and make music to this day.

The story of Aerosmith’s formation begins in the late 1960s when Steven Tyler met Joe Perry while they were both playing in different bands. Tyler was the lead vocalist for a band called Chain Reaction, while Perry was the lead guitarist for a band called the Jam Band. The two became friends and began writing music together.

  • In 1969, Tyler and Perry formed a new band called Aerosmith with Tom Hamilton on bass, Joey Kramer on drums, and Ray Tabano on rhythm guitar.
  • Tabano was later replaced by Brad Whitford, solidifying the classic Aerosmith lineup.
  • The band’s early years were filled with gigs at small clubs and bars, where they developed their sound and stage presence.

The band’s debut album, self-titled Aerosmith, was released in 1973, and featured hits such as “Dream On” and “Mama Kin”. The album was a commercial success, and Aerosmith became one of the most popular rock bands of the 1970s. The band continued to release hit albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including Toys in the Attic, Rocks, and Permanent Vacation.

Despite some struggles with addiction and tensions within the band, Aerosmith managed to stay together and produce great music for decades. Today, they are considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and their influence can be heard in countless songs and artists across the music industry.

The Band’s Rise to Stardom

Aerosmith, one of the greatest rock bands in history, embarked on their journey to stardom in the early 1970s. Initially formed in 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts, the band started performing in local clubs and bars. After honing their skills and building up a following, Aerosmith eventually landed a record deal with Columbia Records in 1972.

Their debut album, self-titled ‘Aerosmith,’ was released later that same year. Despite a slow start, the album eventually sold over two million copies. Aerosmith’s second album, ‘Get Your Wings,’ came out in 1974 and continued to build their fan base. It includes classics like ‘Same Old Song and Dance’ and ‘Train Kept A-Rollin’.’

The Band’s Early Successes

  • Aerosmith’s third album, ‘Toys in the Attic,’ released in 1975, was an instant hit and made them a household name.
  • ‘Toys in the Attic’ featured iconic songs such as ‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Sweet Emotion.’
  • The album went on to sell over eight million copies and cemented Aerosmith’s place in rock history.

The Band’s Struggles & Breakup

Despite their early successes, Aerosmith faced immense pressure from record labels to continue churning out hit albums. This led to a tumultuous period of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as creative differences, amongst the members. After releasing several albums that didn’t perform to expectations, the band broke up in 1979.

Year Album Title US Sales
1973 Aerosmith 2 million
1974 Get Your Wings 3 million
1975 Toys in the Attic 8 million

Fortunately, the band reunited in 1984 and released their comeback album, ‘Done with Mirrors.’ Despite mixed reviews, their reunion paved the way for their resurgence in the late 1980s and 1990s, with hits like ‘Dude (Looks Like a Lady)’ and ‘Crazy.’ Today, Aerosmith is a beloved and legendary rock band that has never truly faded into obscurity.

Reasons for Aerosmith’s initial breakup in the 1980s

Many factors contributed to Aerosmith’s initial breakup in the 1980s. Here are some of the most significant reasons:

  • Drug addiction: The band’s drug addiction had reached an all-time high during this period, and it affected their ability to write and perform music. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were particularly struggling with addiction, which led to tensions within the group.
  • Creative differences: Aerosmith members had creative differences on the direction they wanted to take the band. For instance, Steven Tyler was more interested in pop-oriented music, while Joe Perry was more interested in hard rock and blues. The creative differences led to tension within the band, causing divisions that were challenging to reconcile.
  • Financial struggles: Aerosmith was struggling financially due to poor record sales and high expenses, like salary payments to band members, crew members, and management. The group members were also interested in pursuing solo careers, which put pressure on the band’s finances.

All these factors eventually led to the band’s initial breakup in 1984. However, Aerosmith reformed in 1985 and has been creating music ever since.

The Reunion and Resurgence in the 1990s

Following several years of uncertainty and internal disagreements, Aerosmith finally reunited in 1984, with all five original members coming back together to record their album “Done with Mirrors.” Unfortunately, the album failed to generate much commercial success, and the band struggled to stay relevant throughout the remainder of the decade.

  • It wasn’t until 1989 that Aerosmith began to experience a resurgence in popularity, thanks in large part to their collaboration with rap group Run-DMC on a cover of their 1975 song “Walk This Way.”
  • The song was a massive hit, reaching the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and introducing a new generation of fans to Aerosmith’s music.
  • The band followed up their success with a series of hit albums throughout the 1990s, including “Permanent Vacation,” “Pump,” and “Get a Grip,” which all went multi-platinum and spawned several hit singles.

During this time, Aerosmith embarked on numerous successful tours, attracting massive crowds of fans around the world. They also continued to experiment with their sound and collaborate with other musicians, including Lenny Kravitz and Santana.

The band’s resurgence in popularity in the 1990s firmly cemented their status as one of the greatest American rock bands of all time and ensured that their music would continue to be beloved by generations of fans for decades to come.

Album Year Released Certifications
Permanent Vacation 1987 5x Platinum
Pump 1989 7x Platinum
Get a Grip 1993 7x Platinum

Overall, the reunion and resurgence of Aerosmith in the 1990s was a testament to the band’s enduring talent and the strength of their music. Though they had faced numerous challenges and setbacks over the years, they were ultimately able to come back stronger than ever, inspiring legions of fans around the world and securing their place in the pantheon of rock and roll greats.

The departure of band members in the 2000s

Throughout Aerosmith’s career, there have been various changes to the lineup, with the 2000s being no exception. Here are the band members who departed during this period:

  • Joe Perry (2009) – Perry left the band in 2009 due to disagreements with lead singer Steven Tyler, but later returned in 2010.
  • Brad Whitford (2009) – Whitford also left the band in 2009 along with Perry, citing similar reasons for his departure.
  • Joey Kramer (2020) – Although technically not in the 2000s, Kramer’s departure is still noteworthy as it occurred during the band’s residency in Las Vegas in 2020. Kramer had been dealing with health issues and was unable to perform with the band for a period of time.

These departures caused some uncertainty among fans and the music industry, but ultimately Aerosmith was able to continue on with their music and performances.

Cancellation of Tours and Speculation of Another Breakup

Following the release of their 15th album, “Music from Another Dimension!” in 2012, Aerosmith’s future looked uncertain. The band had already taken several hiatuses and dealt with internal conflicts over the years. However, the cancellation of their “The Global Warming Tour” in 2013 and 2014 due to frontman Steven Tyler’s health issues sparked speculation that the group was on the brink of breakup once again.

  • During their “The Global Warming Tour,” Tyler suffered a series of injuries that required the band to cancel several shows. In August 2013, he fell off stage during a concert in South Dakota and injured his head, neck, and shoulder. The band canceled the remainder of the tour while Tyler received medical treatment.
  • The following year, more issues arose as Tyler announced that he was leaving the band to pursue a solo career. Guitarist Joe Perry expressed his frustration with Tyler’s decision and the uncertainty surrounding the band’s future. However, the two eventually reconciled, and Aerosmith went on to perform at various shows throughout the remainder of the year.
  • In 2016, Tyler caused further speculation of a breakup when he announced that he was working on a solo country album. However, Perry assured fans that Aerosmith was still together and planning to release new music in the future.

Despite the rumors and setbacks, Aerosmith has continued to perform and release new music over the years. The band’s resilience and ability to overcome conflicts is a testament to their lasting legacy in the music industry.

Year Event
2013 Steven Tyler falls off stage and injures himself, forcing the cancellation of “The Global Warming Tour.”
2014 Tyler announces his departure from the band to pursue a solo career.
2016 Tyler announces that he is working on a solo country album, causing speculation of a breakup.

Through it all, Aerosmith has remained one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, their music influencing generations to come. While the group has faced its share of challenges and setbacks, their love for music and each other has kept them together and inspired them to keep pushing forward.

Current state and future plans of Aerosmith

After going through numerous ups and downs, the iconic American Rock band, Aerosmith, is still going strong. The band was formed way back in 1970 and released their first album, “Aerosmith,” in 1973. Since then, the band has released 15 more studio albums, 6 live albums, and numerous singles. They have sold over 150 million albums worldwide, making them the best-selling American Rock band of all time.

Despite their success, Aerosmith has also faced many challenges throughout their career. There were periods of drug addiction, infighting, and even a brief breakup in the early 80s. However, they reunited and continued producing hit after hit with their signature Rock sound and unique style.

In recent years, the band has been relatively inactive in terms of new music releases. Their last album, “Music from Another Dimension!”, was released in 2012 and since then, there hasn’t been much buzz about new material. However, the band has been planning a Las Vegas residency, which was set to start in April 2019 but was postponed due to Steven Tyler’s health issues. The residency was rescheduled for the fall of 2019, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been postponed indefinitely.

  • Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of Aerosmith’s Las Vegas residency, the band members have confirmed that they are working on new music.
  • Lead guitarist, Joe Perry, said in an interview: “We’re writing and we’re working on some new stuff and some old stuff.”
  • The band members have also hinted that they are planning a tour for their 50th anniversary in 2022.

It’s clear that the members of Aerosmith still have the passion for music, and they are not ready to hang up their instruments just yet. Fans can look forward to new music and possibly a tour in the near future from this iconic Rock band.

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

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerosmith_discography

Frequently Asked Questions About When Did Aerosmith Break Up

Q: When did Aerosmith break up?
A: Aerosmith never officially broke up. There were some periods of tension and lineup changes, but the band has always continued making music together.

Q: Were there any hiatus periods for Aerosmith?
A: Yes, there were a few times when Aerosmith took a break from touring and recording together. These occurred in 1979-1984, 1996-1998, and 2009-2010.

Q: Did any band members leave and rejoin Aerosmith?
A: Yes, guitarist Joe Perry left the band in 1979 and formed his own project, but he returned in 1984. Guitarist Brad Whitford also left briefly in the 1980s before rejoining.

Q: Was there any drama within Aerosmith that led to a potential break up?
A: In the late 1970s, there were serious issues with drug addiction within the band that led to tension and conflicts. However, they were able to work through those problems and continue as a group.

Q: Has Aerosmith released any new music recently?
A: Yes, Aerosmith released their latest album, “Music from Another Dimension!”, in 2012.

Q: Have there been any recent rumors about Aerosmith breaking up?
A: Not currently. However, the band members have acknowledged that they are getting older and may not be able to tour as extensively as they have in the past.

Q: Will Aerosmith ever go on a farewell tour?
A: There are currently no plans for a farewell tour, although the band has hinted at the possibility of retiring from touring in the future.

Closing Thoughts on When Did Aerosmith Break Up

Thanks for taking the time to read about the history of Aerosmith and their potential breakups. While the band has had its share of challenges, they have always persevered and delivered iconic rock and roll music. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for these legendary musicians. Be sure to check back for more updates on Aerosmith’s career and more music news. Rock on!