Recent developments in Steven Tyler’s career have raised doubts about his long tenure in Aerosmith and whether it may have come to an end.
Firstly, the singer is currently healing from a serious vocal cord injury, causing the band to delay some concerts on their farewell tour. Tyler issued a statement to update fans on his condition, saying:
“I’m heartbroken to say I have received strict doctor’s orders not to sing for the next thirty days. I sustained vocal cord damage during Saturday’s show that led to subsequent bleeding. We’ll need to postpone a few dates so that we can come back and give you the performance you deserve.”
Additionally, the Aerosmith vocalist is also facing a lawsuit connected to his controversial relationship with Julia Misley in the 1970s while she was 16. In May, to clear Tyler’s name from that, the rocker’s legal team urged the court to dismiss one of Misley’s claims, specifically the one alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) associated with the memoirs. The lawyers claimed in the filing:
“[The strike is] made upon the grounds that [Julia Misley filed a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation] because the conduct complained of arises out of statements made in Tyler’s published memoirs. Such conduct implicates Tyler’s right to free speech.”
Back in May 2022, the band also disclosed that Tyler had checked into a treatment center due to a relapse after maintaining a decade of sobriety. He completed his rehabilitation in July. It occurred when he needed painkillers following foot surgery for Morton’s Neuroma. The frontman’s bandmate Joe Perry spoke about his relapse in an interview with WBUR, saying:
“Well, it’s a disappointment for a minute. It’s a huge bummer, but then it’s like this: Life throws sh*t at us all the time, and you’ve got to either be angry and do damage to yourself with the stress of it or accept it for what it is. There’s that saying, ‘Change the things you can and accept the things you can’t.’ Boy, that is true. That’s one thing you can count on. In life, if you’ve learned one thing, it’s that nothing’s going to stay the same.”
The guitarist added:
“We learned a long time ago, especially after the band got back together, that there comes the point where you realize nothing you do is going to change them, and you have to accept them for who they are. I’m not [just] talking about Steven; I’m talking about everybody in the band. I’m sure people have said [negative things] about me many times.”
In light of the recent challenges Tyler and Aerosmith have faced, including his vocal cord injury, ongoing legal battles, and struggles with addiction, there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding the future of his career with the band. Only time will tell whether they will ultimately mark the end of an era for the rocker.
