Aerosmith Biography, Top Songs, Discography, Albums & Awards

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Aerosmith wasn’t just labeled “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” for nothing. The iconic Boston-based rock group formed in 1970 and is an integral piece of American Rock History. The lineup that made them famous included Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (lead guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (rhythm guitar). Their signature blues-influenced hard rock sound defined an entire genre and altered the musical landscape for upcoming writers and artists.

The band was created from the merger of two smaller bands which included: Steven Tyler’s Chain Reaction and Joe Perry’s Jam Band. In 1970, they performed together in New Hampshire and the members agreed to join forces as long as Tyler got to call the shots as the lead vocalist. Joey Kramer came up with the name “Aerosmith”, basing it off the Harry Nilsson album “Aerial Ballet.” With Whitford replacing Tabano in 1971, the classic lineup was complete.

Aerosmith debuted in 1973 with “Dream On” featured in their self-titled album. Get Your Wings followed in 1974, but it was the 1975 release of Toys in the Attic that catapulted the band into stardom. It featured “Sweet Emotion” and a re-released “Dream On.” They were now American hard rock legends. Rocks, released in 1976, continued to cement their status as masters of rock, earning them admiration from Slash, James Hetfield and Kurt Cobain.

All this while, Perry and Whitford were navigating tangled personal lives. Perry left the band and Whitford in 1979 which marked an end for the band’s commercial success until the return of the original lineup in 1984. The release of Night in the Ruts and Rock in a Hard Place was marked by failed sales, but the Following the return they launched the Back in the Saddle tour which eventually culminated in a new album, Permanent Vacation in 1987. Their collaboration with Run–D.M.C. released a remixed version of “Walk This Way” which renewed their career and introduced them to a new generation.

Aerosmith reached new heights in the ‘80s and ‘90s with albums like Pump (1989), Get a Grip (1993), and Nine Lives (1997) which produced “Janie’s Got A Gun,” “Cryin’,” “Crazy,” and “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” their first and only No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band embraced film in an era when rock was becoming overshadowed by pop and hip-hop, and MTV darlings created some of their most memorable music videos during this time.

The 2000s were marked by a mixed bag of activity, with a digital media venture, heavy touring, Coming Out with 2001’s Just Push Play and 2004’s Honkin’ on Bobo, and the successful Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. Though solo projects, unresolved personal tensions, and health issues at times interfered with progress, the band remained active by performing at major festivals and planning what was touted as their farewell shows. Other notable performances included a Vegas residency titled Deuces Are Wild, which they launched in 2019.

Aerosmith announced their retirement from touring in 2024, along with a statement that Tyler suffered severe vocal injuries during their “Peace Out” farewell tour. Regardless, they remain hopeful for new music. With a staggering 150 million records sold worldwide, Aerosmith is one of the most foundational bands in the history of rock music.

Top Songs

  • Dream On (1973) – The band’s first major hit, featuring Tyler’s iconic wails and poetic lyrics.
  • Sweet Emotion (1975) – A groove-heavy anthem that helped catapult the band to superstardom.
  • Walk This Way (1975 / 1986) – Classic original and revolutionary rap-rock remake with Run–D.M.C.
  • Janie’s Got a Gun (1989) – A dark, socially-conscious ballad that earned them a Grammy.
  • Cryin’ (1993) – A powerful rock ballad showcasing Aerosmith’s mastery of emotion and melody.
  • Crazy (1993) – A sultry, chart-topping hit with a memorable music video.
  • I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (1998) – A blockbuster ballad and their only No. 1 hit on the Hot 100.
  • Love in an Elevator (1989) – Funky, provocative, and a fan favorite.
  • Angel (1988) – A classic rock ballad that highlighted Tyler’s vocal range.
  • Livin’ on the Edge (1993) – A Grammy-winning single that tackled social issues.

Discography (Studio Albums)

  1. Aerosmith (1973)
  2. Get Your Wings (1974)
  3. Toys in the Attic (1975)
  4. Rocks (1976)
  5. Draw the Line (1977)
  6. Night in the Ruts (1979)
  7. Rock in a Hard Place (1982)
  8. Done with Mirrors (1985)
  9. Permanent Vacation (1987)
  10. Pump (1989)
  11. Get a Grip (1993)
  12. Nine Lives (1997)
  13. Just Push Play (2001)
  14. Honkin’ on Bobo (2004)
  15. Music from Another Dimension! (2012)

Top Albums

  • Toys in the Attic (1975) – Certified 9× platinum; featured “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way.”
  • Rocks (1976) – A raw hard rock classic; highly influential and critically acclaimed.
  • Pump (1989) – Commercial and critical triumph; multiple Grammy-nominated hits.
  • Get a Grip (1993) – Sold over 20 million copies worldwide; packed with hit singles and award-winning videos.
  • Permanent Vacation (1987) – Marked their comeback with mainstream success and a polished sound.

Awards

  • 4 Grammy Awards – Including Best Rock Performance for “Janie’s Got a Gun,” “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Crazy,” and “Pink.”
  • 10 MTV Video Music Awards – More than any other rock band, with standout wins for “Cryin’,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” and “Pink.”
  • 6 American Music Awards
  • 4 Billboard Music Awards
  • 2 People’s Choice Awards
  • 16 Boston Music Awards
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees (2001)
  • Songwriters Hall of Fame (2013) – Tyler and Perry inducted.
  • MusiCares Person of the Year (2020)

Aerosmith’s Singles List

1970s

  1. Dream On (1973)
  2. Mama Kin (1973)
  3. Same Old Song and Dance (1974)
  4. Train Kept A-Rollin’ (1974)
  5. Sweet Emotion (1975)
  6. Walk This Way (1975)
  7. You See Me Crying (1975)
  8. Last Child (1976)
  9. Home Tonight (1976)
  10. Back in the Saddle (1977)
  11. Draw the Line (1977)
  12. Kings and Queens (1978)
  13. Come Together (1978)
  14. Chip Away the Stone (1978)
  15. Remember (Walking in the Sand) (1979)

1980s

  1. Lightning Strikes (1982)
  2. Bitch’s Brew (1982)
  3. Let the Music Do the Talking (1985)
  4. Shela (1985)
  5. Darkness (1986, promo only)
  6. Walk This Way (with Run–D.M.C.) (1986)
  7. Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (1987)
  8. Angel (1988)
  9. Rag Doll (1988)
  10. Love in an Elevator (1989)
  11. F.I.N.E. / Young Lust* (1989, promo)
  12. Janie’s Got a Gun (1989)
  13. What It Takes (1990)

1990s

  1. The Other Side (1990)
  2. Monkey on My Back (1990, promo only)
  3. Sweet Emotion (1991 reissue/remix)
  4. Amazing (1993)
  5. Livin’ on the Edge (1993)
  6. Eat the Rich (1993)
  7. Cryin’ (1993)
  8. Crazy (1994)
  9. Blind Man (1994)
  10. Walk on Water (1995)
  11. Nine Lives (1997)
  12. Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (1997)
  13. Hole in My Soul (1997)
  14. Pink (1997)
  15. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (1998)
  16. Taste of India (1998, limited promo)
  17. Full Circle (1998, limited promo)

2000s

  1. Angel’s Eye (2000)
  2. Jaded (2001)
  3. Fly Away from Here (2001)
  4. Sunshine (2001)
  5. Girls of Summer (2002)
  6. Lay It Down (2002)
  7. Baby, Please Don’t Go (2004)
  8. Devil’s Got a New Disguise (2006)
  9. Sedona Sunrise (2006)

2010s

  1. Legendary Child (2012)
  2. Lover Alot (2012)
  3. What Could Have Been Love (2012)
  4. Can’t Stop Lovin’ You (feat. Carrie Underwood) (2013)

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