Are you an Aerosmith fan? If so, you're in luck! Because I'm about to rip into the iconic band - no holds barred. With their seven original Top Twenty hit singles, and a handful of classic albums, they arguably have one of the most successful runs in rock history…but that doesn't mean they get a free pass from me. From questionable songwriting choices to outrageous behavior on and off stage (at least for their time), I’m prepared to take you on a journey through an expose of some rather dubious decisions made by Steven Tyler and his boys throughout their career. So fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be quite a ride!
Aerosmith is a legendary rock band with a fan following that spans a few decades. With their iconic hits and electrifying performances, Steven Tyler and his boys have been entertaining audiences worldwide for over forty years. However, their on-stage personalities and the songs they wrote were not always up to the mark. In this blog post, I will take an honest, critical look at Aerosmith's career, without sugar-coating the truth.
One of the most crucial aspects of any musician is undoubtedly their songwriting. Although Aerosmith has produced some unforgettable hits, some of their songwriting choices are questionable. Take for instance, their hit song Dude Looks Like a Lady, where the band members objectify and mock a transgender woman. Another example is Big Ten-Inch Record, where Steven Tyler sings about the size of his manhood. While this may have been acceptable in the 70s, it is a crass and insensitive approach towards women and the LGBTQ+ community today.
Another challenge that came with Aerosmith's fame was their excessive off-stage behavior. The band members were notorious for their wild, uncontrolled behavior and drug use. An unfortunate incident happened in 1979, where guitarist Joe Perry collapsed on stage from a drug overdose. This led to the bandmates' growing dependence on drugs, affecting not only their personal lives but also their performances. Reports from their tours suggest that their shows were often delayed or even canceled because some band members were too high to perform.
Aerosmith's career has often been dictated by their everlasting desire to stay relevant. They made some ill-advised decisions that affected their reputation over time. For example, they agreed to create album soundtracks for a few movies- 'Armageddon' and 'Charlie's Angels.' While these soundtracks were commercially successful, they lacked the essence of what people admired about Aerosmith's music- their raw energy and talent.
Another aspect of Aerosmith's career that raises eyebrows is the content of their music videos. A few of their videos objectified women and added to the controversy of using such content for entertainment. Their video for the song Love in an Elevator features a group of models in lingerie fighting in an elevator, almost as if they were engaged in a boxing match.
After analyzing Aerosmith's career and their music, one thing is clear- they were not perfect. Their problematic behavior on and off-stage, questionable songwriting choices, and collaborations with movies eroded their image over time. However, their music and performances remain influential in the rock genre, and their hits are here to stay. It's crucial to separate the music from the behavior and enjoy Aerosmith for the raw entertainment that they have always provided.
