Report: AEROSMITH Bandmates Fear Steven Tyler Is Struggling Very Badly
November 18, 2009, 15 years ago
Billboard.com has issued the following report from Gary Graff:
Even as they contemplate working with another singer, Steven Tyler's AEROSMITH bandmates say they're worried about their frontman's health and well being.
"Steven, he isolates more and more all the time - that's what gives it away to me that there's something going on," drummer Joey Kramer tells Billboard.com. "I don't know what that is. I know he's made some not so great choices and he's got some negative influences around him now. I love the guy. I just want to see him get some help."Kramer demures on discussing the specific rumors of substance abuse swirling around Tyler via online reports, but guitarist Brad Whitford acknowledges that "this guy has a tremendous history of drug abuse, and you have to be suspicious that this is something that's probably going on with him. I have a feeling we might be looking at someone who's just really struggling very badly."
Whitford adds that Tyler's behavior in recent years "was becoming more erratic and unreasonable" leading to the singer's recent decision to take two years away from Aerosmith to focus on what he refers to as "brand Tyler."
Kramer and Whitford both say Tyler has become increasingly isolated from the rest of the band, hiring separate management and not communicating directly with anyone.
"I have called him and left voice mails and texted him to no avail," says Kramer, who chronicles his complex, passive-aggressive relationship with Tyler in his new memoir Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top."I get no reply. One of his biggest things is that, 'Well, nobody calls me.' Well, that's bullshit, 'cause I have. I've always been there for him and I probably always will be. I can only hope and pray that Steven will put the focus on Steven and get healthy."
Read the full report at Billboard.com.
