For a moment I thought Steven Tyler's lawyer's previously reported stern letter to the management of Aerosmith, telling the band's people and its other members to stop saying their frontman had quit and that they are looking for a new singer, had worked. Aerosmith's Joe Perry, who has been most vocal about Tyler standing down, has confirmed to Classic Rock that Tyler is still fronting his band.
However, the actual Classic Rock quote simply reaffirms what Perry was saying towards the end of last year - that Tyler is taking a two year break from Aerosmith and that the rest of the band plan to continue performing, but with a new singer, during that time. Tyler's legal letter, revealed by Billboard last week, denies the two year hiatus claims also. Though it's possible Perry's interview with Classic Rock preceded that letter being sent anyway.
Here's what he's told the rock mag: "Steven hasn't quit the band, nor have we sacked him. We're taking the attitude that he's going on a vacation from Aerosmith. While he's away working on other projects, the rest of us want to carry on playing live. So we will bring another singer to make this happen. We're not daft enough to think we can replace Steven, and that's not our plan. But, after 40 years of working together, we just don't wanna stop. How long with Steven be away? He says it'll be two years, but I believe he'll be back a lot sooner. It may end up that we only do ten shows with the new person!"
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