Despite Steven Tyler and Joe Perry’s dramatic reunion in New York last week, Aerosmith is still on shaky ground. Several of the non-famous members of the band have spoken to Billboard and make it clear that Tyler remains detached from the rest of the group … which, sensibly, leads them to conjecture that Tyler’s old drug addictions have flared up. Says drummer Joey Kramer: “Steven, he isolates more and more all the time — that’s what gives it away to me that there’s something going on. I don’t know what that is … I just want to see him get some help.†Guitarist Brad Whitford classily joins in the guessing game, adding “this guy has a tremendous history of drug abuse, and you have to be suspicious that this is something that’s probably going on with him. I have a feeling we might be looking at someone who’s just really struggling very badly.†Informative!
Either way, you have to feel good for the shine Kramer and Whitford are getting out of the non-drama. When’s the last time either of those guys was interviewed by a member of the national media? (Kramer even gets a plug for his memoir in the Billboard article.) Perry’s not doing too bad, either — why, just last week we actually mentioned the existence of the Joe Perry Project. Expect word from bassist Tom Hamilton imminently.
Aerosmith Bandmates Fear Steven Tyler Is ‘Struggling Very Badly’ [Billboard]