Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler (born March 26, 1948, New York City, New York) is an American singer-songwriter best known as the lead singer and front man for the heavy metal rock band Aerosmith. Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry were the driving force behind Aerosmith, which formed in the 1970s. The band is known for its bluesy, swaggering rock, which often was compared to the sound of the Rolling Stones—Tyler himself bore a striking resemblance to the Stones’ lead singer Mick Jagger.

Early life

Tyler grew up in Yonkers, New York. His father was a classical musician and taught music at a high school in the Bronx. Tyler learned to play the drums at an early age, his interest in vocals developing over time. In 1964, while a student at Roosevelt High School, he played in and eventually became the lead singer for the rock band Chain Reaction (originally the Strangeurs); the group opened for acts such as the Byrds and the Beach Boys. In 1967 Tyler was expelled from high school for drug use, a habit that would cause problems later in his life as well. After leaving Roosevelt, Tyler attended and later graduated from Jose Quintano’s School for Young Professionals.

Aerosmith

By the late 1960s, Tyler had moved to Boston, where he connected with other musicians who would form Aerosmith, including Perry, bassist Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer. He also recruited guitarist and childhood friend Raymond Tabano into the band, though Brad Whitford replaced Tobano in 1971. The band played its first show in 1970 and signed its first recording contract, with Columbia Records, two years later. Its self-titled debut album came out in 1973, but it was not until the albums Toys in the Attic (1975) and Rocks (1976) were released that the band made it into the mainstream rock scene. Smash hits off Toys in the Attic, such as “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way,” as well as the hit “Dream On,” from its 1973 album, fueled the band’s early success.

Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.

SIGN UP

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Britannica Quiz

Pop Culture Quiz

In the late 1970s and early ’80s, amid rampant drug abuse and internal fighting, the band lost some members and gained others. Tyler continued to tour with Aerosmith, but his drug addiction began to hinder his performances. In the mid-1980s he successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program, and the original members of the band once again began touring. Aerosmith’s next albums, Permanent Vacation (1987) and Pump (1989), were successes, and the hit single “Janie’s Got a Gun” earned the group its first Grammy Award, in 1990, for best rock performance. During the 1990s, Aerosmith had a huge presence on the cable television network MTV, and its videos drew large audiences.

Aerosmith continued its success with Get a Grip (1993), an album that generated a pair of Grammys for the singles “Livin’ on the Edge” and “Crazy.” Its next release, Nine Lives (1997), reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart, and the single “Pink” garnered a Grammy. Later albums include Just Push Play (2001) and the blues tribute Honkin’ on Bobo (2004).

Later career

Tyler, with his ever-present scarves tied to his microphone stand, remained a large presence in the band. Unrest between Tyler and Perry in 2009 caused Perry to announce that Aerosmith would be looking for a new lead singer. However, after undergoing drug rehabilitation for an addiction to prescription drugs, Tyler returned to lead the band during a 2010 summer tour. From 2011 to 2012 Tyler—still popular with audiences after decades with Aerosmith—served as a judge on the television singing competition show American Idol.

In 2012 Aerosmith reconvened and began its Global Warming Tour, which went through mid-2014 and included performances in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. The tour promoted Music from Another Dimension!, the band’s 15th studio album, and its first album since Honkin’ on Bobo. The group subsequently embarked on the Let Rock Rule Tour, which focused on venues in North America and ended in September 2014. The following year, Tyler made his debut as a solo country singer, releasing the single “Love Is Your Name.” From June through August 2015, Tyler again toured with Aerosmith, this time on the Blue Army Tour, which included some 17 concerts in North America. The group’s final tour, Peace Out: The Farewell Tour, began in 2023 but was postponed to 2024 because of a vocal injury to Tyler, in which he fractured his larynx.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.

SUBSCRIBE

Awards and controversy

Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2013 Tyler and Perry were recognized for their songwriting with an ASCAP Founders Award; both were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame that same year. In 2008 Tyler was included on Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Singers list.

In 2022 Tyler was sued for an alleged sexual assault of a minor in the 1970s; a second lawsuit claiming sexual assault was filed against him in 2023, again for an offense that allegedly happened in the 1970s.