Aerosmith

The ‘Bad Boys from Boston’ better known as Aerosmith are without a doubt the greatest American rock band. Although they are known as a Boston, Massachusetts band, none of the members are actually from that city. Three of the members, Steven Tyler (father of famous actress Liv Tyler), Joe Perry, and Tom Hamilton had originally met in Sunapee, New Hampshire in the late 60's, but had not yet formed a band together. As the three jammed together and found that they liked what they heard they decided to form a band together, and that Boston, Massachusetts would be the place to do it. Later they met up with Joey Kramer (drums) and Brad Whitford (rhythm guitar). And thus was born Aerosmith that would seep into American consciousness and enthrall fans world over for decades to come.

The band enjoyed major popularity throughout the 1970's, but they split from 1979-84 due to serious substance abuse and drug addictions that contributed to their decline. However, in 1984, chiefly due to the tireless efforts of Joe Perry's then manager, Tim Collins, to reform the band, Aerosmith was born again. It was Joe’s manager Collins whose efforts succeeded in helping the band resolve old differences and ultimately overcome their addictions. By 1989, the band had completely stopped their drug abuse. They went on to enjoy resurgence in popularity that has made them one of top-selling and most popular rock bands in the world today.

Aerosmith have influenced a generation of rock bands, these artists include Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mötley Crüe, Velvet Revolver, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, W.A.S.P

In 1997 the band released ‘Nine Lives’ an album which shot to number one on the Billboard top 200 instantly. With this album the band gave a clear message to the rest of the world that they are here to stay and they are going to go a long long way. This album had one of their most memorable tracks ‘Falling in Love( Is Hard On Knees)’.Their greatest worldwide hit after that was "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," from the blockbuster-hit movie Armageddon.

The band’s last studio album was “Just Push Play” in 2001 and they released a blues cover album “Honkin’ on Bobo” in 2004. Currently Aerosmith are on a world tour and are also working on material for their 15th studio release in 2008, which is said to include a cover of Deep Purple’s ‘Highway Star’.

Interesting facts about Aerosmith:
• Aerosmith has been known to play surprise gigs and private shows under such monikers as "Dr. J. Jones and the Interns" , "The G-Spots" , and "Rayco and The Seat Covers"


• In 1977, the band wanted to rent a Convair 240 that had been previously used by southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Aerosmith's flight crew inspected the plane for possible use in the early summer of 1977, but it was rejected. Unfortunately, the plane that they wanted to rent crashed, killing three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and severely injuring the rest of the band. Aerosmith's touring family was shocked by the loss of Lynyrd Skynyrd but also relieved because the band, specifically Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, had been trying to pressure their management into renting that specific plane.


• William Weld, the former governor of Massachusetts, officially declared April 13 to be "Aerosmith Day" in 1993.


• Aerosmith is the first band to have collaborated with a rap group to produce the first rap-rock single. Aerosmith was joined by Run-D.M.C. on a rock/rap version of ‘Walk This Way’. This song also served as an early step in the process of bringing rap to white audiences.

• Abba's music is Sweden's largest export industry after the Volvo.
  
  
• The group had nine #1 UK singles and ten #1 UK albums.
  
  
•   Agnetha Faltskog's first public performance was at the age of five - halfway through her performance she dropped her trousers.
  
  
•   First single to feature all four members of Abba was credited to Benny and Bjorn and was called "Hej Gamle Man!" ("Hey Old Man!").
  
  
• Abba's songwriting team got four consecutive Swedish 'Eurovision' entries.
  
  
• Production values of Abba's music were held in such high esteem that Led Zeppelin recorded their final album in Abba's studio in 1979.