I remember Aerosmith when they first released “Toys in the Attic.” Of course, I was still playing with toys, but even back in 1975, I could tell they were a great band. However, they loved the rock-n-roll lifestyle a little too much and descended into heavy drug use in the early 80s. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry became known as the “Toxic Twins” at one point because of their heavy drug use.
With help from manager Tim Collins, the band was finally able to get clean and made some of the best music of their careers. After both Tyler and Perry left rehab, they joined forces with hip hop greats Run D.M.C. to do a cover of their big hit “Walk This Way.” It was one of the first songs that blended rock-n-roll with hip hop and set Aerosmith on the comeback trail. A band that almost everyone had written off as good, but lost has lasted longer than most.
But now, they must face a new battle – one that is perhaps even tougher than kicking drugs. Bassist Tom Hamilton has been diagnosed with throat cancer. Hamilton, 54, is recuperating with his family after a seven-week stint of radiation, but is hoping to join the band on tour later this year. Until he can return, David Hull, a long time friend of guitarist Joe Perry, will be filling in on bass. Earlier this year, lead singer Steven Tyler had his own medical scare when he had to have a broken blood vessel in his right vocal cord repaired.
The band will release yet another greatest hits album on October 10th titled “Devil’s Got a New Disguise,” which has 14 greatest hits and two new songs. Joe Perry said the band would begin work on a CD of new music early next year.