Aerosmith announce retirement from touring

Aerosmith have announced their retirement from touring as frontman Steven Tyler’s full recovery from a vocal cord injury was “not possible”.

“As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other,” the US rock band said in a statement published last Friday (2 August).

“He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible,” it continues.

“We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage.”

Tyler suffered vocal cord damage during a concert at the UBS Arena in New York on 9 September 2023 – the third date on the band’s Peace Out farewell tour.

The 75-year-old received doctor’s orders not to sing for 30 days but it later emerged that the injury was “more serious than initially thought” and the band were forced to postpone the remainder of the 40-date North America tour.

Despite hopes Tyler could quickly recover, the postponements stretched into April 2024, when the band announced the tour would resume between September and February 2025.

The new 40-date Live Nation-produced run was to include rescheduled dates as well as three new shows but has now been cancelled.

The three Peace Out tour dates Aerosmith got in the books, at UBS Arena, PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh and Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, earned nearly US$12.4 million, averaging nearly 18,000 tickets sold per show, according to Pollstar.

“He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury”

Aerosmith, comprising founding members Tyler, lead guitarist Joe Perry, bassist Tom Hamilton, guitarist Brad Whitford and founder drummer Joey Kramer, said it had been “the honour of our lives to have our music become part of yours”.

“It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith,” the statement said. “Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark caught flame and has been burning for over five decades. Some of you have been with us since the beginning and all of you are the reason we made rock’n’roll history.”

The band said they were “grateful beyond words” for those who were set to see them on their farewell tour. “A final thank you to you – the best fans on planet Earth,” the statement said. “Play our music loud, now and always. Dream on. You’ve made our dreams come true.”

Queen guitarist Sir Brian May took to Instagram to share his feelings on the band’s retirement: “This has brought a tear to my eye. Aerosmith have been a huge part of my life, as they have been for millions of other rock fans.

“Steve Tyler stands as one of the greatest vocalists and frontmen of all time and it’s heartbreaking that his extraordinary voice has been so damaged. All things must pass, but the inspiring work of Aerosmith will live on – along with the memories of truly one of the most awesome bands to ever hit a stage.”

Fellow American rock band the Black Crowes, the tour’s opening act, said on X: “We are shocked and saddened by this news from earlier today. Nothing but much love and respect to our friends in Aerosmith. Heartfelt thanks for all of the incredible [memories].”

Formed in Boston in 1970, Aerosmith became a household name through smash hits such as Dream On, Sweet Emotion, Love in an Elevator, Walk This Way and I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.

Having sold more than 150 million records worldwide, the quintet is the best-selling American hard rock band of all time.

They are also a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and a four-time Grammy Award-winning act.

Aerosmith are represented by Rod MacSween, ITB, in Europe and Christopher Dalston, CAA, worldwide.

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