Everyone agrees that the main appeal of Aerosmith lies in the ‘The Toxic Twins’ Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Although the other band members have their own standout moments, the chemistry between the two has captivated fans for years.
You could see that their remarkable onstage connection whenever they performed. As the band gained experience, they moved away from traditional roles and relied on their unique strengths.
In 1979, a conflict during a performance led Perry to initially depart from the band to explore a solo career.
The remaining members of the band persevered through subsequent albums like “Rock in a Hard Place.” However, it became evident that the magic had faded.
Tyler seemed like a mere shadow of himself, struggling to craft song lyrics.
However, Perry’s solo venture didn’t pan out as expected. His manager Tim Collins played a role in reuniting the musical soulmates by suggesting they mend their relationship. After Tyler and Perry put their differences behind them, their comeback took some time to fully materialize.
Later, Aerosmith truly found their groove after collaborating with Run-D.M.C. to remake “Walk This Way.”
The turning point came with their commercial resurgence on “Permanent Vacation.” They collaborated with external songwriters on hits like “Rag Doll,” aligning themselves with the hair metal trend of that era. As their career renaissance continued, Tyler stepped away from the microphone for the first time.
The band initially created an instrumental track called “The Movie” as the closing piece of “Permanent Vacation.” However, Tyler’s influence on the keyboard ensured everyone felt his presence despite the absence of his signature vocal style. Heading into the 1990s, Perry’s confidence to take the lead on a song from the 1993 album “Get A Grip wa visible”
While Perry provided backing vocals when performing live, Tyler often took the lead in studio recordings. Despite Perry’s debut as a lead vocalist on “Bright Light Fright,” Tyler contributed fervent background vocals, staying true to his usual fiery style.
Fresh from his solo career, Perry’s vocal range shone on the track “Walk On Down”, the first song that didn’t feature Steven Tyler.
His slightly deeper tone provided a contrast to Steven Tyler and his customary approach. The change in vocals infused the song with a tough and distinct vibe. This track, unlike other Aerosmith hits, harkened back to Fleetwood Mac’s high-energy days, with Perry channeling his inner Peter Green.
Over the next few years, Perry continued to take the lead on several songs, including “Drop Dead Gorgeous” from “Just Push Play” and the deliberate ballad “Something” from “Music From Another Dimension!”
Perry’s growing comfort with singing lead led him to revamp his solo career, releasing multiple albums with his band during the 2000s.
Although Tyler and Perry have often been linked to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it’s Perry’s rugged voice that bears a resemblance to Keef’s occasional vocal performances.
