AEROSMITH

American heavy metal band. One of the biggest arena-rock attractions of the late 1970s, Aerosmith became even more popular with its career revival in the mid-1980s. Principal members were Steven Tyler (byname of Steven Tallarico; b. March 26, 1948, New York, New York, U.S.), Joe Perry (b. September 10, 1950, Boston, Massachusetts), Brad Whitford (b. February 23, 1952, Winchester, Massachusetts), Tom Hamilton (b. December 31, 1951, Colorado Springs, Colorado), and Joey Kramer (b. June 21, 1950, New York). Formed in 1970, the Boston-based band played bluesy, swaggering rock most reminiscent of the Rolling Stones. (Indeed, vocalist Tyler-the band's driving force, along with guitarist Perry-resembled Mick Jagger.) Their later work also incorporated country music influences. Toys in the Attic (1975) and Rocks (1976) were multimillion sellers, but substance abuse and a dearth of creativity led to a period of inactivity for the band in the early 1980s. In 1986, two years after the return of Perry (who had left the band in 1979), Aerosmith returned to the limelight when Run-D.M.C. made a rap version of the band's 1975 hit "Walk This Way." Converted to sobriety, Aerosmith produced Grammy-winning songs in 1990, 1993, and 1994, won numerous music video awards, and reached number one with Get a Grip (1993) and Nine Lives (1997). In 2001 Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.