Steven Tyler: Aerosmiths ‘Demon Of Screaming’ Is Keeping It Country
After months of speculation, it has been confirmed that Steven Tyler, one of rock’s wild men, is going country. Tyler is best known as the front-man of Boston based rock band Aerosmith. Tyler earned the nickname the “Demon Of Screaming” as a result of his high pitched screams and wide vocal range.
Tyler was renowned as one of rock’s wild men. Tyler was heavily drug and alcohol dependent in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s but entered rehab in 1986. Tyler remained clean for over 20 years, but in 1989 he underwent further treatment for an addiction to prescription pain-killers. In 1975 Tyler cemented his reputation as one of rock’s “wild men” and was widely criticized after he persuaded the parents of a 16-year-old groupie to sign over guardianship to her so they could live together in Boston.
Earlier this month Rolling Stone reported that Tyler had taken to the stage at the Grand Ole Opry to confirm that the rumors concerning a forthcoming solo country album were true. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Tyler made the official announcement after walking onstage during a short set by EMI Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay.
.@IamStevenT just graced the #Opry stage with @ericpaslay announcing his upcoming country album! pic.twitter.com/t7Pw8J86VI
— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) April 1, 2015
Tyler had given some clues to his intention earlier that day when he tweeted a picture of himself with Eric Paslay and Kickstarter-backed singer-songwriter Lindsey Lee Taylor. Tyler message told his fans that he was “Growing Some New Songs” with Pasley and Taylor.
GROWIN SOME NEW SONGS WITH @lindseyleemusic AND @ericpaslay pic.twitter.com/rnCIcGxXX9
— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) March 31, 2015
Billboard reported that Tyler had moved to Nashville in January to collaborate with artists, including Brett James and Jaren Johnston, who are based in the home of country music.
Steven Tyler has signed a deal with Big Machine Records, the label that helped break Taylor Swift. Big Machine has a top line roster of country artists, including the likes of Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts. Proof of Tyler’s intentions, if any more were needed came when Rolling Stone Tweeted a picture of Steven with his signed Big Machine contract.
Steven Tyler has officially inked a deal to release his debut solo country album: http://t.co/qnig616z9z pic.twitter.com/YcYIJeF1O7
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) April 6, 2015
Last week Steven graced the red carpet at the Country Music Awards where Zap2it nominated him for a worst dressed award as a result of the zany pants he wore to the awards ceremony.
Not much else is known about Tyler’s plans for his new country album. No producer or release date have yet been announced, but Billboard speculate that it could be released in time for Christmas this year.
Perhaps we should not be so surprised at Tyler deciding to turn to country music. Steven does have something of a history with the genre. In 1995, Garth Brooks reworked a version of “Fever” from Aerosmith’s 1993 album Get A Grip and broke the country charts with it. Tyler also collaborated with Carrie Underwood on a medley of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” and Underwood’s “Just a Dream” and “Undo It” at the ACM Awards in 2011.
Tyler also follows the likes of Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant with a foray into country music.
[Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images]
