Rock & Roll Excess: The Wild Journey of Aerosmith in the 1970s and 1980s
Aerosmith was a band that fully embraced the wild side of rock & roll during their peak in the 1970s and early 1980s. Steven Tyler, the lead singer, once revealed that he spent nearly $20 million on drugs alone, showcasing the extent of their excess. Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry, known as the "Toxic Twins," were deeply immersed in chaos, with heavy drinking, frequent fights, and wild behavior defining their lifestyle. Before their polished power ballads, Aerosmith was notorious for their relentless touring, wild hookups, and drug-fueled antics that left even other rock stars in awe.
In the 1970s, groupies were a common sight around rock bands, and Aerosmith was no exception. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry sometimes shared partners, leading to risky situations. Tyler recalled waking up with Perry and two women after a night on tour, only to discover they had all contracted the same sexually transmitted disease. Their lifestyle was dangerous, chaotic, and a true reflection of their reckless behavior during that time.
Aerosmith didn't wait until after their shows to party; they had a road crew member supply them with cocaine during performances. Tyler and Perry discreetly indulged in drugs between songs, with the roadie delivering quick bumps offstage. Their drug use was constant, even while performing in front of thousands of fans, highlighting the extent of their excess.
The band's reckless behavior often landed them in trouble with the law, like the time they were pulled over on the New Jersey Turnpike with drugs in their possession. Luck and timing spared them from serious consequences, as they managed to hide the illegal substances from the authorities. Aerosmith's excess didn't just affect the band but also strained relationships with their crew, leading to bizarre retaliations like using bologna slices as toilet paper.
Steven Tyler's substance abuse sometimes interfered with performances, with instances of passing out onstage due to excessive drinking and drug use. Despite having a roadie supply him with drugs, Tyler kept a personal stash hidden onstage for easy access. The band's peculiar rule of no sex for ten days before returning home shows how normalized infidelity had become during their early touring years.
Steven Tyler's dangerous encounters continued, like falling off the stage during a performance in 2009 due to taking a sleep aid. The accident resulted in a serious head injury and a broken shoulder, forcing the band to cancel their tour. Joe Perry's involvement in controversial projects like "Lemon Incest" highlighted Aerosmith's tendency to push boundaries. Perry's affair with actress Judy Carne, who had access to prescription drugs, added to the strained relationship between the Toxic Twins.
Years later, Tyler surprised his bandmates by accepting a role as a judge on American Idol without informing them, causing tension within the band. Despite surviving decades of drugs, arrests, and chaos, communication remained a challenge for Aerosmith. Their journey is a testament to the excesses and challenges faced by rock stars in the music industry.