Career Timeline of Steven Tyler: Major Achievements and Milestones

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Steven Tyler

How Steven Tyler built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Steven Tyler, born Steven Victor Tallarico, is an iconic American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, most famous as the frontman of the legendary rock band Aerosmith. Known for his powerful, wide-ranging vocals, often referred to as the "Demon of Screamin'," and energetic stage presence, complete with acrobatics, flamboyant outfits, and trademark microphone scarves. Tyler has left an indelible mark on rock music through Aerosmith's decades-long success and his distinctive vocal style.

1969: Meets Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton

In 1969, Steven Tyler attended a rock show in Sunapee, New Hampshire, where he first saw future bandmates Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton, who were playing in a band called the Jam Band.

1970: Forms Aerosmith and Moves to Boston

Around 1970, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Tom Hamilton formed Aerosmith. In the fall of 1970, the band moved to the Boston area.

1972: Signs Record Deal with Columbia Records

In early 1972, after a showcase at Max's Kansas City, Aerosmith signed a record deal with Columbia Records.

1973: Minor Hit with 'Dream On'

In 1973, Aerosmith had a minor hit with "Dream On", which peaked at number 59.

1973: Release of Debut Album

In 1973, Aerosmith released their eponymous debut album.

1974: Release of 'Get Your Wings'

In 1974, Aerosmith released their second album, "Get Your Wings".

1975: First Top-40 Hit with 'Sweet Emotion'

In 1975, Aerosmith achieved their first top-40 hit with "Sweet Emotion".

1976: Emergence as a Prominent Rock Star

By 1976, Steven Tyler emerged as a prominent rock star and sex symbol, and Aerosmith headlined major stadiums and festivals.

1976: 'Dream On' Re-Release and Top-10 Hit

In 1976, "Dream On" was re-released and hit number six, followed by "Walk This Way" also becoming a top-10 hit.

1978: Acting Debut in 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'

In 1978, Steven Tyler made his acting debut as the leader of the Future Villain Band in the film 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'.

July 28, 1979: Joe Perry Leaves Aerosmith

On July 28, 1979, Joe Perry left Aerosmith to begin his own band after a quarrel at a World Series of Rock concert in Cleveland.

1981: Unable to Tour or Record

In 1981, Steven Tyler was unable to tour or record for much of the year due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident the previous year.

1982: Release of 'Rock in a Hard Place'

In 1982, Aerosmith released the album "Rock in a Hard Place", which Tyler co-wrote and produced with Jimmy Crespo.

1983: Continues to Tour

In 1983, Aerosmith continued to tour with Rick Dufay replacing Brad Whitford.

February 14, 1984: Reunion with Perry and Whitford

On February 14, 1984, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford attended an Aerosmith show, leading to their reunion with the band.

1985: Release of 'Done with Mirrors'

In 1985, after reuniting, Aerosmith released the album "Done with Mirrors".

1986: Collaboration with Run-D.M.C. on 'Walk This Way'

In 1986, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry collaborated with Run-D.M.C. on a cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way", which broke down barriers between hip-hop and rock.

1986: Completes Drug Rehabilitation

In 1986, Steven Tyler completed drug rehabilitation, marking a turning point in his personal life and career. Aerosmith rose to prominence again through a collaboration with Run-DMC.

1987: Release of 'Permanent Vacation'

In 1987, Aerosmith released "Permanent Vacation", which became a multiplatinum success and launched three top-20 hits.

1989: Release of 'Janie's Got a Gun'

Aerosmith released the song 'Janie's Got a Gun' in 1989, which later inspired Steven Tyler to launch Janie's Fund.

1989: Release of 'Pump'

In 1989, Aerosmith released the album "Pump", which was even more successful than "Permanent Vacation" and produced multiple top-10 hits.

1989: Release of 'Live Texxas Jam '78' VHS

In 1989, the live Aerosmith show was captured through the VHS release 'Live Texxas Jam '78'.

1990: Aerosmith on "Wayne's World" Sketch

In 1990, Aerosmith appeared on a "Wayne's World" sketch on Saturday Night Live. In 2004, E! listed the event as SNL's most unforgettable moment.

1991: Aerosmith on The Simpsons and Columbia Record Deal

In 1991, Aerosmith was featured on The Simpsons and signed a $30 million record deal with Columbia, with recording to begin the following year. The box set Pandora's Box was released by Columbia in late 1991, and the band filmed a music video for “Sweet Emotion” to promote the release.

1992: Return to the Studio in 1992

In 1992, Aerosmith returned to the studio to record their next album, facing criticism from A&R man John Kalodner regarding Tyler's lyrics.

1993: Release of "Get a Grip" in 1993

In 1993, Aerosmith released "Get a Grip", their most successful album worldwide, selling over 15 million copies and producing several hit singles. The album won multiple awards despite mixed reviews.

December 1994: End of Get a Grip Tour

In December 1994, Aerosmith's 18-month Get a Grip Tour ended, and the band took a break to spend time with their families.

1994: Liv Tyler's Acting Debut in "Crazy" Music Video

In 1994, Steven Tyler's daughter, Liv Tyler, made her acting debut in Aerosmith's music video for "Crazy". The band also embarked on their largest tour, performing over 240 shows across nearly 30 countries.

1996: Firing of Tim Collins in 1996

In 1996, Aerosmith fired manager Tim Collins amidst recording their next album, due to his actions that nearly caused the band to break up.

1997: Release of Nine Lives and Commercial Appearance

In 1997, Aerosmith released "Nine Lives", which went double platinum and won a Grammy. Tyler and Perry also appeared in a GAP commercial, and the band's autobiography was released that fall.

1998: Tyler's Injury and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" Release

In 1998, while touring, Steven Tyler injured his knee, leading to canceled dates. Aerosmith released "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", their first number-one hit, for the film Armageddon, which featured Tyler's daughter Liv.

1999: "Walk This Way" Performance and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Opening

In 1999, Tyler and Perry performed "Walk This Way" with Kid Rock and Run-D.M.C. at the MTV Video Music Awards. Earlier that year, the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith opened at Walt Disney World.

2001: Super Bowl Halftime Show, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction, and "Just Push Play" Release

In 2001, Aerosmith performed at the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band also released the album "Just Push Play", featuring the hit "Jaded". At the 2001 Indianapolis 500, Tyler sang the National Anthem and altered the lyrics which caused a public outcry, leading to a public apology.

2001: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2001, Steven Tyler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Aerosmith, marking a significant achievement in his career.

2002: "Behind the Music" Release and MTV Icon Honor

In 2002, Aerosmith's "Behind the Music" special was released, detailing their history. They were also honored as MTV Icons. In the summer, they released the compilation "O, Yeah! The Ultimate Aerosmith Hits", which went double platinum.

2003: Honorary Degree and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

In 2003, Steven Tyler received an honorary degree from Berklee College of Music and inducted AC/DC into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Later, he toured with Aerosmith on the Rocksimus Maximus Tour.

2004: Release of "Honkin' on Bobo" and World Series Performance

In 2004, Aerosmith released the blues cover album "Honkin' on Bobo". Tyler sang the National Anthem at the 2004 World Series, and he was featured in the movie "The Polar Express".

2005: Collaboration with Santana and Appearance in "Be Cool"

In 2005, Steven Tyler sang lead vocals on Santana's hit single "Just Feel Better" and made a cameo appearance in the film "Be Cool".

March 22, 2006: Tyler to undergo surgery for undisclosed medical condition

On March 22, 2006, it was reported that Steven Tyler would undergo surgery for an "undisclosed medical condition". Aerosmith canceled the remaining dates on the Rockin' the Joint Tour in North America to allow Tyler's voice to recover.

May 20, 2006: Aerosmith enters studio to work on new album

On May 20, 2006, after Steven Tyler's throat surgery and a few weeks of rest, Tyler and the rest of Aerosmith entered the studio to begin working on their new album.

2006: First public performance after throat surgery

In 2006, Steven Tyler's first public performance after throat surgery was July 3–4 with Joe Perry and the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Hatch Shell in Boston.

2006: Recovery from Throat Surgery and Performance with Boston Pops

In 2006, after recovering from throat surgery, Tyler performed with Joe Perry and the Boston Pops Orchestra for their Fourth of July concert. He also recorded a duet with Keith Anderson.

September 15, 2007: Launch of Dirico Motorcycles

On September 15, 2007, Steven Tyler announced the launch of Dirico Motorcycles, which he designed and Mark Dirico engineered.

2007: Aerosmith World Tour and E! True Hollywood Story Profile

In 2007, Tyler was active with Aerosmith on their world tour. That year, Steven and Liv Tyler were profiled on E! True Hollywood Story.

June 2008: Release of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith

In June 2008, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, the franchise's first video game based solely around one band, was released.

July 18, 2008: Performance at Shea Stadium with Billy Joel

On July 18, 2008, Tyler appeared with Billy Joel at Shea Stadium's last concert, singing "Walk This Way".

August 2008: Book Deal and Performance with Chris Botti

In August 2008, HarperCollins won an auction to publish Tyler's autobiography. That same month, Tyler performed with Chris Botti in Boston.

December 12, 2008: Surprise Appearance at Trans-Siberian Orchestra Concert

On December 12, 2008, Tyler made a surprise appearance at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at Nassau Coliseum.

December 13, 2008: Collaboration with Trans-Siberian Orchestra

On December 13, 2008, Steven Tyler collaborated with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on "Dream On" and "Sweet Emotion" at the Izod Center.

March 2009: Release of Chris Botti In Boston CD/DVD

In March 2009, the concert Steven Tyler performed with Chris Botti in Boston was released as a CD/DVD, Chris Botti In Boston.

August 5, 2009: Tyler's Stage Fall and Injury

On August 5, 2009, during the Guitar Hero Aerosmith Tour, Tyler fell off a stage near Sturgis, South Dakota, and injured his head, neck, and shoulder. The tour was canceled.

November 9, 2009: Media Reports of Isolation From Aerosmith

On November 9, 2009, the media reported that Tyler had no contact with the other members of Aerosmith, sparking rumors of his departure.

November 10, 2009: Aerosmith Departure Rumors and Performance

On November 10, 2009, Joe Perry confirmed Tyler had quit Aerosmith. Despite this, Tyler joined the Joe Perry Project onstage and performed "Walk This Way", assuring the crowd he was not quitting Aerosmith.

2009: Fall From Stage and Prescription Drug Relapse

In 2009, Steven Tyler experienced a fall from the stage at a concert and a relapse with prescription drugs, leading to treatment.

September 16, 2010: Solo Project: "Love Lives"

On September 16, 2010, Tyler announced his first solo project, writing "Love Lives" for the Japanese movie Space Battleship Yamato. The single was released on November 24.

September 22, 2010: American Idol Judge Announcement

On September 22, 2010, Fox confirmed that Tyler would replace Simon Cowell as a judge on American Idol's tenth season.

December 2010: Performance at Kennedy Center Honors

In December 2010, Steven Tyler performed at the Kennedy Center Honors, honoring Paul McCartney with tracks from Abbey Road.

2010: Signs on to American Idol

In 2010, Steven Tyler signed on to be a judge on American Idol, a decision that caused tension with his Aerosmith bandmates.

January 19, 2011: American Idol Debut

On January 19, 2011, Steven Tyler made his debut as a judge on the 10th season of American Idol.

April 2, 2011: Kids' Choice Awards Appearance

On April 2, 2011, Tyler presented an award at the 2011 Kids' Choice Awards.

May 3, 2011: Autobiography and Single Release

On May 3, 2011, Steven Tyler released his autobiography "Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?", which became a New York Times Best Seller. His single "(It) Feels So Good" was released on May 10.

September 2011: Inspiration for Andy Hilfiger's Fashion Line

In September 2011, Tyler was the inspiration for Andy Hilfiger's fashion line, "Andrew Charles", and developed a signature scarf collection called "Rock Scarf".

October 22, 2011: Aerosmith Tour and Hotel Accident

On October 22, 2011, Steven Tyler began an Aerosmith tour across Latin America and Japan. During the tour, he slipped in a hotel shower in Paraguay and injured his face and lost teeth.

2011: Release of '(It) Feels So Good'

In 2011, Steven Tyler released the Top 40 single "(It) Feels So Good" as part of his solo endeavors.

March 26, 2012: Aerosmith Announces "Global Warming Tour"

On March 26, 2012, Aerosmith announced their "Global Warming Tour", featuring dates in major North American cities, starting June 16.

July 12, 2012: Leaves American Idol

On July 12, 2012, Steven Tyler announced his departure from American Idol after two seasons to return to Aerosmith, though reports suggested he was released by the show's bosses.

November 6, 2012: Release of Music from Another Dimension!

November 6, 2012, marked the release of Aerosmith's new album, Music from Another Dimension!

January 21, 2013: "Can't Stop Lovin' You" Single Release

On January 21, 2013, Aerosmith released "Can't Stop Lovin' You" featuring Carrie Underwood, as a single from Music from Another Dimension!.

April 2013: Global Warming Tour Extended

In April 2013, Aerosmith extended their Global Warming Tour to Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Singapore, marking their first performances in Australia in 23 years and their first-ever performances in the latter three countries.

May 2013: Performs at "Boston Strong" Charity Concert

In May 2013, Aerosmith performed as part of the "Boston Strong" charity concert for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.

2013: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 2013, Steven Tyler and his songwriting partner Joe Perry received the ASCAP Founders Award and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

June 28, 2014: Global Warming Tour: European Leg Concludes

On June 28, 2014, Steven Tyler performed the last of 15 shows with Aerosmith on the European leg of the Global Warming Tour.

March 31, 2015: Working on Solo Country Album

On March 31, 2015, Steven Tyler announced that he was working on his first solo country album.

December 2015: Discussing Aerosmith Farewell Tour

Since December 2015, Steven Tyler and fellow Aerosmith bandmates discussed the possibility of an Aerosmith farewell tour.

2015: Tyler launches Janie's Fund

In 2015, Steven Tyler launched Janie's Fund, named after Aerosmith's 'Janie's Got a Gun', to support young female victims of abuse.

2015: Completes Work on Solo Album

Throughout 2015, Steven Tyler completed work on his solo album, We're All Somebody from Somewhere.

January 2016: "Red, White & You" Single Release

In January 2016, Steven Tyler released "Red, White & You" as the second single from his solo album.

March 2016: Performances in Niagara Falls

In March 2016, Steven Tyler did a pair of performances in Niagara Falls.

May 2016: Benefit Show for Janie's Fund

In May 2016, Steven Tyler performed a benefit show for his charity Janie's Fund in New York City.

June 2016: "We're All Somebody from Somewhere" Single Release

In June 2016, Steven Tyler released the title track, "We're All Somebody from Somewhere", as the third single from his solo album.

July 15, 2016: Release of We're All Somebody from Somewhere

On July 15, 2016, Steven Tyler's solo album, We're All Somebody from Somewhere, was released.

September 2016: Out on a Limb Tour

From July through September 2016, Steven Tyler performed with his backing band Loving Mary on the 19-date Out on a Limb Tour.

October 2016: Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Tour

From September through October 2016, Steven Tyler rejoined Aerosmith for a nine-date tour of Latin America, called the Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Tour.

2016: Release of 'We're All Somebody from Somewhere'

In 2016, Steven Tyler released his debut solo album, "We're All Somebody from Somewhere", which is a country rock album featuring the single "Love Is Your Name".

April 2017: Performance at NCAA Final Four and Solo Shows in Japan

In April 2017, Steven Tyler performed with Aerosmith in Phoenix, Arizona, for the NCAA Final Four men's basketball tournament and also performed two solo shows with Loving Mary in Japan.

October 2017: Aero-Vederci Baby! Tour in South America

In September and October 2017, Aerosmith's "farewell" Aero-Vederci Baby! Tour continued in South America.

2017: Janie's House established in Atlanta

In 2017, Janie's House was established in Atlanta, offering shelter and medical facilities for victims of abuse or neglect.

2017: Potential Start of Aerosmith Farewell Tour

In December 2015, Tyler and other band members considered that Aerosmith's "wind-down tour" might start in 2017.

January 2018: Hosts Inaugural Red Carpet Gala for Janie's Fund

In January 2018, Steven Tyler hosted an inaugural red carpet gala for his charity "Janie's Fund" during the 60th Grammy Awards.

April 2019: "Deuces Are Wild" Residency Begins

In April 2019, Steven Tyler appeared with Aerosmith on NBC's Today show to announce a Las Vegas residency called "Deuces Are Wild".

August 2019: Performances at MGM Venues

In July and August 2019, Aerosmith performed nine shows at three MGM venues in Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

June 2020: "Deuces Are Wild" Residency Scheduled End

Aerosmith was booked to play 50 shows from April 2019 thru June 2020 at the Park Theater, as part of their "Deuces Are Wild" residency.

March 2022: Return of "Deuces Are Wild" Residency Announced

In March 2022, Aerosmith announced the return of the Deuces Are Wild residency, which was set to begin in June.

May 24, 2022: June and July Dates Canceled

On May 24, 2022, Aerosmith announced that the June and July dates would be canceled due to Tyler checking himself into a rehab facility after a relapse.

September 2023: Tyler suffers vocal injury during farewell tour

In September 2023, Steven Tyler suffered a vocal injury during a concert from Aerosmith's farewell tour.

August 2024: Retirement from Touring Announced

In August 2024, Aerosmith announced the band's retirement from touring due to Tyler being unable to fully recover from a fractured larynx.

August 2024: Aerosmith cancels tour due to Tyler's vocal injury

In August 2024, Aerosmith was forced to cancel their farewell tour and retire from touring, as Steven Tyler could not sufficiently recover from his vocal injury.