OT: Billy Idol linked to Aerosmith

[styxfansite]

Everyone has probably already seen this, but if not here you go.

Aerosmith doing "Rebell Yell" or "White Wedding", that would be different.

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=455116&GT1=28102

Billy Idol linked to Aerosmith role
Jan. 29, 2010, 11:33 AM EST
WENN -- Veteran rocker Billy Idol has become the latest big name rumoured to be in the running to replace Steven Tyler as frontman of Aerosmith.

The band revealed they will be hosting auditions to find a new member while Tyler takes a hiatus, with guitarist Joe Perry insisting the star won't be ready to tour with them until he recovers from a recent stint in rehab and a series of operations.

Lenny Kravitz was the first singer linked to the role, but admitted he would never take over from Tyler, while reports have also suggested former Queen star Paul Rodgers.

Now Idol is rumoured to be in contention, with Classic Rock magazine reporting he was due to meet with the musicians but pulled out after falling sick.

A source tells the publication, "Joe said he wanted to talk to Billy about joining Aerosmith, because the band were having problems with Steven. As far as I know Idol did not show up due to having a cold."

Perry recently admitted they have already talked to a number of singers about replacing Tyler, but refused to divulge any names. He said, "(There's) a few people we've talked to, and we'll see how it goes... As far as auditions go, we'll probably just sit around and have a couple of drinks and see if we get along -- because we're already gonna know that they can sing."

[Everett]

Maybe dennis should try out j/k

[Angiekay]

Joe Perry has also asked Chris Cornell and Paul Rodgers to take the position. Both have turned him down because of reunions with their own bands.

[BlackWall]

How about taking a year or two off and giving Tyler a chance to recover? I just don't understand how expendable lead singers seem to be. I know they are supposedly just talking a little while, but man, Tyler is Aerosmith. Why would someone want to go see Billy Idol sing vox on Aerosmith songs? Styx was bad enough, but at least Tommy did have some big hits, but to have someone else sing every flippin' song? I mean, would it kill these guys to take a year off? Just like the Foreigner thing. I don't understand people paying to see someone else sing the songs that Lou Gramm made popular. Isn't it almost like going to see Elton John's band with someone else singing the songs? I mean, I know Lou and Tyler didn't play instruments(that I know of), but they did vocals on all the hits and have co-writing credits. I just don't get it.. If I can't get the real deal, I'd rather pop in a DVD.

[bugsymalone]

How about taking a year or two off and giving Tyler a chance to recover? I just don't understand how expendable lead singers seem to be. I know they are supposedly just talking a little while, but man, Tyler is Aerosmith. Why would someone want to go see Billy Idol sing vox on Aerosmith songs? Styx was bad enough, but at least Tommy did have some big hits, but to have someone else sing every flippin' song? I mean, would it kill these guys to take a year off? Just like the Foreigner thing. I don't understand people paying to see someone else sing the songs that Lou Gramm made popular. Isn't it almost like going to see Elton John's band with someone else singing the songs? I mean, I know Lou and Tyler didn't play instruments(that I know of), but they did vocals on all the hits and have co-writing credits. I just don't get it.. If I can't get the real deal, I'd rather pop in a DVD.

A-effing-men!



Bugsy

[stmonkeys]

if they had chris cornell, i would have been there! billy idol? notsomuch...

[Higgy]

How about taking a year or two off and giving Tyler a chance to recover? I just don't understand how expendable lead singers seem to be. I know they are supposedly just talking a little while, but man, Tyler is Aerosmith. Why would someone want to go see Billy Idol sing vox on Aerosmith songs? Styx was bad enough, but at least Tommy did have some big hits, but to have someone else sing every flippin' song? I mean, would it kill these guys to take a year off? Just like the Foreigner thing. I don't understand people paying to see someone else sing the songs that Lou Gramm made popular. Isn't it almost like going to see Elton John's band with someone else singing the songs? I mean, I know Lou and Tyler didn't play instruments(that I know of), but they did vocals on all the hits and have co-writing credits. I just don't get it.. If I can't get the real deal, I'd rather pop in a DVD.

I completely agree. Lead singers are almost impossible to replace. Even singers who don't sing everything but are the brains behind the band can't be replaced. In addition to the obvious DDY and Styx - look at: Pink Floyd without Roger Waters (Momentary Lapse Of Reason compared with The Wall of Dark Side Of The Moon) and the Beach Boys without Brian Wilson (Holland or the song Kokomo compared with Pet Sounds or Summer Days and Summer Nights). I would compare both to Styx without DDY. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is idiotic. That would be like the Rollingstones without Mick Jagger.

[froy]

How about taking a year or two off and giving Tyler a chance to recover? I just don't understand how expendable lead singers seem to be. I know they are supposedly just talking a little while, but man, Tyler is Aerosmith. Why would someone want to go see Billy Idol sing vox on Aerosmith songs? Styx was bad enough, but at least Tommy did have some big hits, but to have someone else sing every flippin' song? I mean, would it kill these guys to take a year off? Just like the Foreigner thing. I don't understand people paying to see someone else sing the songs that Lou Gramm made popular. Isn't it almost like going to see Elton John's band with someone else singing the songs? I mean, I know Lou and Tyler didn't play instruments(that I know of), but they did vocals on all the hits and have co-writing credits. I just don't get it.. If I can't get the real deal, I'd rather pop in a DVD.

I completely agree. Lead singers are almost impossible to replace. Even singers who don't sing everything but are the brains behind the band can't be replaced. In addition to the obvious DDY and Styx - look at: Pink Floyd without Roger Waters (Momentary Lapse Of Reason compared with The Wall of Dark Side Of The Moon) and the Beach Boys without Brian Wilson (Holland or the song Kokomo compared with Pet Sounds or Summer Days and Summer Nights). I would compare both to Styx without DDY. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is idiotic. That would be like the Rollingstones without Mick Jagger.

Aerosmith with Tyler is bad enough
Put Billy idol in there and you have all but ruined the legacy
Styx ruined theirs and Aerosmith will be next

[Rockwriter]

Joe Perry has also asked Chris Cornell and Paul Rodgers to take the position. Both have turned him down because of reunions with their own bands.

To be honest, I wonder if each of them didn't use that as an excuse not to take a gig that is going to wind up being a terribly rough ride for whomever is dumb enough to accept it. Who'd want that comparison? Even Lenny Kravitz said flat out he would not consider the job because he felt Tyler was too important. I think the feeling among fellow musicians seems to be, keep Tyler and let him come back when he's ready. On the other hand, there has been trouble with him for years and years; it's not just drugs, it's everything, and maybe they have just had enough. Rehab thing isn't going to turn him into someone else, he's still gonna be a front man prima donna and maybe they are just over it. I kinda feel they are using this as an excuse to do something they might have already been contemplating.

There's more to this story than has been told, too, and consequently there's more than one irrational person here. You have to ask yourself, who's the one person who is driving the decision to replace Tyler? And what is that person's motivation? Hmmm . . .

Sterling

[Rockwriter]

How about taking a year or two off and giving Tyler a chance to recover? I just don't understand how expendable lead singers seem to be. I know they are supposedly just talking a little while, but man, Tyler is Aerosmith. Why would someone want to go see Billy Idol sing vox on Aerosmith songs? Styx was bad enough, but at least Tommy did have some big hits, but to have someone else sing every flippin' song? I mean, would it kill these guys to take a year off? Just like the Foreigner thing. I don't understand people paying to see someone else sing the songs that Lou Gramm made popular. Isn't it almost like going to see Elton John's band with someone else singing the songs? I mean, I know Lou and Tyler didn't play instruments(that I know of), but they did vocals on all the hits and have co-writing credits. I just don't get it.. If I can't get the real deal, I'd rather pop in a DVD.

The thing with Foreigner is simply, Lou can't sing those songs well anymore. He's just not physically capable, and the reality there is that Kelly sings them way better than Lou at this point. I can understand someone going to a show that's a really great representation of hits that they otherwise couldn't get. I'd pass on seeing Lou with Foreigner at this point. Not his fault, he can't help it, but time marches on regardless.

Aerosmith is more complicated. There's no guarantee that Tyler will ever be well, and even in the years when he was (allegedly) clean and sober he has been a constant source of frustration for the other band members. He refuses to write with Perry anymore, so in many ways the band has become this empty hit machine that does nothing but play other people's songs. That's one sore point, and the fact that Tyler kinda insists that all scheduling be built around him and his needs is another. He doesn't exactly respect other people's time, either; they can schedule things and there's no telling if he'll show up, and when he does he is generally hours and hours late. One band member complained a few years ago that he has spent a total of several years of his life just waiting on Tyler to show up for things. So I can see both sides; maybe they are so close to retirement that they figure they'd rather go out and do whatever they can without him than wait on him to decide he wants to play ball. This is a scenario we've seen over and over and over.

Having said that, I can't think of a replacement for Steven Tyler and I don't think any of the people who have been suggested could do a better job, not even Paul Rodgers.


Sterling

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Here's more to the Aerosmith Soap Opera...............


Steven Tyler eyes suit to stop Aerosmith replacement

DETROIT (Billboard) – Amidst continuing reports of other singers being approached to front Aerosmith, Steven Tyler and his handlers are taking steps to reassert his position in the band.

Tyler's Los Angeles-based attorney, Skip Miller, fired off a letter to Aerosmith manager Howard Kaufman last week, independently obtained by Billboard.com, requesting that Aerosmith's management "immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members."

Miller subsequently told Billboard.com that on behalf of Tyler he has called a meeting of Aerosmith's "shareholders" on February 9 to discuss the band's future, including such matters as the recording of a new album and tours this year of Europe and South America. The four-page letter also states that "we reserve all of our legal rights and remedies in this matter, including, without limitation, pursuing legal action for damages and other appropriate relief."

"Steven Tyler does not want lawsuits," said Miller. "We do not want to go in that direction. The direction we want is Aerosmith, with Steven Tyler, touring in Europe, touring Latin America, releasing a new album ... This is the direction it's all intended to go. It's just amazing to me current management would be taking any other position."

Aerosmith's management declined comment. Miller says he has not yet received a response from Kaufman or any of Aerosmith's other representatives. As for what the next step will be if Aerosmith continues with its search for a new singer, Miller said, "We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it. I hope we don't. I don't think we will."

Tyler is undergoing therapy for a painkiller addiction brought on by orthopedic problems. The location of his treatment is unknown, but recent public appearances -- singing karaoke at a bar in Palm Springs, Calif., and signing autographs and singing over the public address system at a Home Depot in Rancho Mirage -- led to speculation that he's at the nearby Betty Ford Center.

NOT WANTED

Miller says the January 27 letter was prompted by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's recent comments in the Canadian press about replacing Tyler and by a meeting earlier in January attended by Kaufman; Tyler's music attorney, John Branca; and Tyler's new manager, Allen Kovac of 10th Street Entertainment. Kaufman, according to Miller, "said point blank he didn't think Steven should be part of Aerosmith, flat-out said the band would be better off without Steven -- which, in my opinion, is a very questionable management decision by a fiduciary."

Miller's letter argues that "the animus and negativity you have expressed toward Mr. Tyler has created an inability to protect both Steven as an individual and the band as a whole. This behavior directed toward a person committing to rehabilitation and recovery is detrimental and hurtful on both a personal and professional level. This is a time Steven has dedicated to transform his life."

Miller pointed to Tyler's December 22 statement, in which the singer "confirms his desire to be a part of Aerosmith" and accuses Kaufman of "playing band members off against one another instead of seeking to solidify their relationships and unify them for the overall good of the band ... Contrary to all common sense, you are seeking to bring about the replacement of Steven Tyler. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger, or U2 without Bono. While this management strategy may get the band on the road a few months sooner, it ultimately could destroy Aerosmith."

Miller added, "Can you imagine the manager of the Rolling Stones calling for the replacement of Mick Jagger? It's just absurd ... Tyler is very unique, distinctive. Steven is Aerosmith, along with the others. He's the guy the public knows. He's the singer. I'm blown away that the current manager would even suggest something like (replacing him)."

Both the letter and Miller said that Tyler has been writing songs for a new Aerosmith album and will be ready to perform at the proposed European and South American dates later in the year. Aerosmith had started to record a new album -- its first since 2004's "Honkin' on Bobo" and first of all-original material since 2001's "Just Push Play" -- with producer Brendan O'Brien in late 2008 but put it on hold due to health concerns, including Tyler's bout with pneumonia, and to prepare for a tour last summer with ZZ Top that was aborted after Tyler fell from the stage on August 5 in Sturgis, S.D.

Perry, meanwhile, is touring to promote his latest solo album, "Have Guitar, Will Travel," while Brad Whitford is gearing up for an Experience Hendrix tour in March, and drummer Joey Kramer is promoting his autobiography, "Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top."

The Tyler camp's actions come at a time when rumors are plentiful about who might step in for Tyler. A weekend report by blogger Perez Hilton claimed that Billy Idol, who has been widely reported as under consideration, had to skip a scheduled meeting with Perry because of a cold, while other published reports maintain that Chris Cornell and Paul Rodgers have both been approached. Lenny Kravitz, another rumored candidate, has publicly stated he's not interested.

[Ash]

"Haven't we been here befooooooooore".

[verslibre]

Billy flippin' Idol?

Wasn't 1987 or 1988 the last year he was realistically a viable musical entity?

[Everett]

"Haven't we been here befooooooooore".

"Footsteps lead down to the note on the door that says I can't stay here anymore"

[Ash]

Billy flippin' Idol?

Wasn't 1987 or 1988 the last year he was realistically a viable musical entity?

HEY! What about that Christmas album he did a year or two ago! That was EPIC ...... [sarcasm]

[Rockwriter]

Here's more to the Aerosmith Soap Opera...............


Steven Tyler eyes suit to stop Aerosmith replacement

DETROIT (Billboard) – Amidst continuing reports of other singers being approached to front Aerosmith, Steven Tyler and his handlers are taking steps to reassert his position in the band.

Tyler's Los Angeles-based attorney, Skip Miller, fired off a letter to Aerosmith manager Howard Kaufman last week, independently obtained by Billboard.com, requesting that Aerosmith's management "immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members."

Miller subsequently told Billboard.com that on behalf of Tyler he has called a meeting of Aerosmith's "shareholders" on February 9 to discuss the band's future, including such matters as the recording of a new album and tours this year of Europe and South America. The four-page letter also states that "we reserve all of our legal rights and remedies in this matter, including, without limitation, pursuing legal action for damages and other appropriate relief."

"Steven Tyler does not want lawsuits," said Miller. "We do not want to go in that direction. The direction we want is Aerosmith, with Steven Tyler, touring in Europe, touring Latin America, releasing a new album ... This is the direction it's all intended to go. It's just amazing to me current management would be taking any other position."

Aerosmith's management declined comment. Miller says he has not yet received a response from Kaufman or any of Aerosmith's other representatives. As for what the next step will be if Aerosmith continues with its search for a new singer, Miller said, "We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it. I hope we don't. I don't think we will."

Tyler is undergoing therapy for a painkiller addiction brought on by orthopedic problems. The location of his treatment is unknown, but recent public appearances -- singing karaoke at a bar in Palm Springs, Calif., and signing autographs and singing over the public address system at a Home Depot in Rancho Mirage -- led to speculation that he's at the nearby Betty Ford Center.

NOT WANTED

Miller says the January 27 letter was prompted by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's recent comments in the Canadian press about replacing Tyler and by a meeting earlier in January attended by Kaufman; Tyler's music attorney, John Branca; and Tyler's new manager, Allen Kovac of 10th Street Entertainment. Kaufman, according to Miller, "said point blank he didn't think Steven should be part of Aerosmith, flat-out said the band would be better off without Steven -- which, in my opinion, is a very questionable management decision by a fiduciary."

Miller's letter argues that "the animus and negativity you have expressed toward Mr. Tyler has created an inability to protect both Steven as an individual and the band as a whole. This behavior directed toward a person committing to rehabilitation and recovery is detrimental and hurtful on both a personal and professional level. This is a time Steven has dedicated to transform his life."

Miller pointed to Tyler's December 22 statement, in which the singer "confirms his desire to be a part of Aerosmith" and accuses Kaufman of "playing band members off against one another instead of seeking to solidify their relationships and unify them for the overall good of the band ... Contrary to all common sense, you are seeking to bring about the replacement of Steven Tyler. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger, or U2 without Bono. While this management strategy may get the band on the road a few months sooner, it ultimately could destroy Aerosmith."

Miller added, "Can you imagine the manager of the Rolling Stones calling for the replacement of Mick Jagger? It's just absurd ... Tyler is very unique, distinctive. Steven is Aerosmith, along with the others. He's the guy the public knows. He's the singer. I'm blown away that the current manager would even suggest something like (replacing him)."

Both the letter and Miller said that Tyler has been writing songs for a new Aerosmith album and will be ready to perform at the proposed European and South American dates later in the year. Aerosmith had started to record a new album -- its first since 2004's "Honkin' on Bobo" and first of all-original material since 2001's "Just Push Play" -- with producer Brendan O'Brien in late 2008 but put it on hold due to health concerns, including Tyler's bout with pneumonia, and to prepare for a tour last summer with ZZ Top that was aborted after Tyler fell from the stage on August 5 in Sturgis, S.D.

Perry, meanwhile, is touring to promote his latest solo album, "Have Guitar, Will Travel," while Brad Whitford is gearing up for an Experience Hendrix tour in March, and drummer Joey Kramer is promoting his autobiography, "Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top."

The Tyler camp's actions come at a time when rumors are plentiful about who might step in for Tyler. A weekend report by blogger Perez Hilton claimed that Billy Idol, who has been widely reported as under consideration, had to skip a scheduled meeting with Perry because of a cold, while other published reports maintain that Chris Cornell and Paul Rodgers have both been approached. Lenny Kravitz, another rumored candidate, has publicly stated he's not interested.

What kind of rehab lets guys out to go to karaoke bars and Home Depot? I am starting to wonder if Tyler's really even in rehab or if that is just a strategy move, a story to gain sympathy. And mark my words yet again, I don't believe Tyler is the only band member at fault in regard to being off the program. More will come out sooner or later.

Sterling