Aerosmith boasts hall-of-fame-worthy career

Staff Report

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Aerosmith shows no signs of slowing down. The Boston-based group, which was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, was one of the most popular hard-rock bands of the '70s and it continues to be popular today.

Rock group Cheap Trick is also performing along with Aerosmith in Vegas. The group is best known for their hit songs "Surrender," "I Want You to Want Me," "Dream Police" and "The Flame."

Aerosmith's ability to pull off both ballads and rock 'n' roll made it extremely successful during the mid-'70s. By the early '80s, the group's audience declined as the band fell prey to drug and alcohol abuse. However, in the late '80s, Aerosmith pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in rock history, returning to the top of the charts with a group of albums that equaled, if not surpassed, the popularity of its earlier albums.

Aerosmith formed in 1970 when vocalist Steven Tyler met guitarist Joe Perry while working at an ice cream parlor. Tyler -- who originally was a drummer -- and Perry decided to form a power trio with bassist Tom Hamilton. The group soon expanded to a quartet, adding a second guitarist, Ray Tabano, who was quickly replaced by Brad Whitford. With the addition of drummer Joey Kramer, Tyler became the full-time lead singer by the end of year.

The group landed a record contract with Columbia Records in 1972. Aerosmith's self-titled debut album was released in the fall of 1973. "Dream On" was released as the first single and it was a minor hit, reaching No. 59. "Get Your Wings," the group's second album, spent 86 weeks on the chart.

Aerosmith's third record, 1975's "Toys in the Attic," was its breakthrough album. "Sweet Emotion," the first single, broke into the Top 40 in the summer of 1975, with the album reaching No. 11 shortly afterward. Its success prompted the re-release of "Dream On," which shot into the Top 10 in early 1976.

"Walk This Way," the final single from "Toys in the Attic," was released about the time of the group's new 1976 album, "Rocks," and was a major hit.

Aerosmith recorded "Night in the Ruts" in 1979, releasing the record at the end of the year. By the time of its release, Perry had left the band to form the Joe Perry Project. Whitford left the group in early 1980.

As Aerosmith regrouped with new guitarists, the band released "Aerosmith's Greatest Hits" in late 1980 and the record sold more than six million copies. The new lineup of Aerosmith released "Rock in a Hard Place" in 1982. Perry and Whitford returned to the band in 1984 and the group began a reunion tour dubbed "Back in the Saddle."

In 1986, Tyler and Perry appeared on Run D.M.C.'s cover of "Walk This Way." The song became a hit, reaching No. 4 on the charts. "Walk This Way" set the stage for the band's full-scale comeback effort, "Permanent Vacation," in 1987. The album offered the hits "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)," "Rag Doll" and "Angel."

"Pump," released in 1989, continued the band's winning streak, reaching No. 5 on the charts, selling more than four million copies, and spawning the Top 10 singles "Love in an Elevator," "Janie's Got a Gun," and "What It Takes."

Aerosmith released "Get a Grip" in 1993. The album was also successful, featuring the hit singles "Livin' on the Edge," "Cryin'," and "Amazing."

While Aerosmith was at the height of its revitalized popularity in the early '90s, the group signed a lucrative multimillion dollar contract with Columbia Records.

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," the theme song from the film "Armageddon," gave Aerosmith its next big hit - the song was No. 1 for four weeks in 1998.

"Just Push Play" was released in March 2001, featuring the hit song "Jaded." The group's most recent album "Tough Love: Best of the Ballads" was released in 2011.