After more than five decades of rocking stages worldwide, Aerosmith has announced their retirement from touring. The legendary rock band, formed in 1970, shared the heartbreaking news on Friday through their official social media accounts. The primary reason behind this decision is the inability of frontman Steven Tyler’s voice to fully recover from a recent injury.
A Tribute to the Blue Army
The band’s statement began with a heartfelt tribute to their fans, whom they affectionately call the “Blue Army.” They expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support that has fueled their long-standing career.
“It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith. 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 wrote.
The statement continued to reflect on the profound impact their music has had on fans around the world. Aerosmith emphasized the honor they felt in being part of their listeners’ lives, performing in clubs and on massive tours, and creating unforgettable moments both grand and intimate.
Steven Tyler’s Health Struggles
The core reason for this difficult decision centers on Steven Tyler’s vocal health. Tyler, known for his distinctive voice, has been tirelessly working to recover from his injury, supported by a top-tier medical team. Despite these efforts, a full recovery has proven unattainable.
“Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision — as a band of brothers — to retire from the touring stage,” the band stated.
A Farewell to Touring
Aerosmith expressed their profound gratitude to everyone involved in their journey, from their dedicated crew and team to their passionate fans. They acknowledged the collective effort that made their historic runs possible and thanked their fans for their unwavering support.
“We are grateful beyond words for everyone who was pumped to get on the road with us one last time. Grateful to our expert crew, our incredible team, and the thousands of talented people who’ve made our historic runs possible. A final thank you to you – the best fans on planet Earth. Play our music loud, now and always. Dream On. You’ve made our dreams come true.”
Reflecting on a Legendary Career
In May 2023, Aerosmith announced their farewell tour, giving fans one last chance to experience their live performances. Guitarist Joe Perry cited the advancing age of the band members, all in their early to mid-70s, as a significant factor in the decision to retire from touring.
“I think it’s about time,” Perry simply said.
The band, currently comprising Perry, Tyler, Brad Whitford, Joey Kramer, and Tom Hamilton, has been together since 1970. Over their 53-year career, they have released iconic hits such as “Janie’s Got a Gun,” “Crazy,” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” They performed these songs and more during their Las Vegas residency, which concluded last year.
Reflecting on the upcoming tour, Perry mentioned that they intended to incorporate elements from their Vegas shows into their final performances. “It’s kind of a chance to celebrate the 50 years we’ve been out here. You never know how much longer everybody’s going to be healthy to do this.… It’s been a while since we’ve actually done a real tour. We did that run in Vegas, which was great. It was fun, but (we’re) kind of anxious to get back on the road.”
The Final Farewell
In a statement to The Associated Press at the time of the farewell tour announcement, Tyler emphasized the significance of their last tour. “We’re opening up Pandora’s Box one last time to present our fans with the Peace Out tour. Be there or beware as we bring all the toys out of the attic. Get ready.”
Although both Perry and Tyler referred to the tour as a farewell, Tyler hinted that it might extend longer than initially planned. “It’s the final farewell tour, but I have a feeling it will go on for a while. But I don’t know how many times we’ll be coming back to the same cities. It could very possibly be the last time.”
