List of Aerosmith members

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Aerosmith performing live in 2003 (top) and 2017 (bottom).

Aerosmith is an American hard rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in October 1970, the group originally included vocalist Steven Tyler, lead guitarist Joe Perry, rhythm guitarist Ray Tabano, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer, although Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford early the following year.[1] The band's lineup has remained constant for much of its tenure, save for a five-year period between 1979 and 1984. First, Perry left the band after a show on July 28, 1979, when a confrontation between his then-wife Elyssa and Hamilton's wife Terry led to an argument between the guitarist and Tyler, resulting in the former's departure.[2] After contributing to Night in the Ruts as a session guitarist, Jimmy Crespo was invited to replace Perry in Aerosmith in October 1979.[3] Whitford also left Aerosmith in 1981 to work on a solo project with former Ted Nugent guitarist Derek St. Holmes.[4] He was replaced by Rick Dufay, before both Perry and Whitford returned to the band in the spring of 1984.[5]

In addition to the band's regular five-piece lineup, Aerosmith has added several touring musicians since its inception. David Woodford performed saxophone on the band's 1973 self-titled album, and was added to its touring lineup for the subsequent promotional tour.[6] Similarly, keyboardist Scott Cushnie performed on 1975's Toys in the Attic and remained for the album's touring cycle.[7][8] Mark Radice briefly took on the role of touring keyboardist in early 1978,[9] followed by frequent collaborator Richard Supa in 1980, Bobby Mayo between 1982 and 1983,[10][11] and Clayton Bruce Ost in 1987.[12] Thom Gimbel joined as Aerosmith's first long-term keyboardist in 1989, remaining with the band until 1995.[13] He was replaced by Russ Irwin beginning with the Nine Lives Tour in 1997,[14] who toured with the band until he was replaced by Buck Johnson in 2014.[15] The 2012–2013 Global Warming Tour featured saxophonist Mindi Abair,[16] percussionist Jesse Sky Kramer (Joey's son) and backing vocalist Melanie Taylor.[17]

Official members[]

Current members[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Steve-Tyler.jpg
Steven Tyler 1970–present
  • lead vocals
  • harmonica
  • percussion
all Aerosmith releases
Aerosmithbajo.jpg
Tom Hamilton
  • bass
Joey Kramer 2013-10-01 001.jpg
Joey Kramer
  • drums
  • percussion
Joe Perry of Aerosmith 5 April 2013.jpg
Joe Perry
  • 1970–1979
  • 1984–present
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all Aerosmith releases except Rock in a Hard Place (1982)
Tomhaerosmith.jpg
Brad Whitford
  • 1971–1981
  • 1984–present
  • guitar
all Aerosmith releases – one track only on Rock in a Hard Place (1982)

Former members[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Ray Tabano 1970–1971 guitar none
Jimmy Crespo 1979–1984
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • additional vocals
Rick Dufay 1982-1984 guitar

Other contributors[]

Touring musicians[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
David Woodford 1973 saxophone
Scott Cushnie 1975
  • keyboards
  • piano
Mark Radice 1978
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Richard Supa 1980
  • Night in the Ruts (1979) – two tracks only
  • Get a Grip (1993) – one track only
Bobby Mayo 1982–1983 keyboards none
Clayton Bruce Ost 1987–1988
Thom Gimbel 2009.jpg
Thom Gimbel 1989–1995
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • saxophone
  • percussion
A Little South of Sanity (1998)
Russ irwin headshot DSC 2678.jpg
Russ Irwin 1997–2014
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • percussion
  • guitar
Jesse Sky Kramer 2012–2013 percussion Music from Another Dimension! (2012) – one track only
Mindi Abair - Jazz Alley - Seattle - 2011.jpg
Mindi Abair 2012 saxophone none
Melanie Taylor backing vocals Music from Another Dimension! (2012) – two tracks only
Buck Johnson (musician) 2014–present
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • backing vocals
  • guitar
Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014 (2015)

Live substitutes[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Notes
David Minehan 1994 guitar Minehan substituted for Whitford, who was grieving a family member's death, on a Japanese tour in 1994.[18]
Jesse Sky Kramer
  • 2005
  • 2014
  • drums
  • percussion
Kramer has substituted for his father at shows in 2005 and 2014 due to surgery recovery and illness.[19][20]
David Hull
  • 2006
  • 2009
  • 2013
bass Hull substituted for Hamilton at shows in 2006, 2009 and 2013 due to illness and cancer treatment.[21][22][23]
Bobby Schneck 2009 guitar Schneck substituted for Whitford, who was recovering from surgery, at shows in June and July 2009.[24]
John Douglas 2019-2020 drums Douglas substituted for Kramer during the band's Las Vegas residency in 2019, while Kramer was injured.[25]

Timeline[]

Bibliography[]

  • Bienstock, Richard (September 1, 2011), Aerosmith: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Boston Bad Boys, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, ISBN 978-0760341063, retrieved November 17, 2017

References[]

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Aerosmith: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  2. ^ Giles, Jeff (July 28, 2015). "The Day Joe Perry Quit Aerosmith". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  3. ^ Bienstock 2011, p. 96
  4. ^ Prato, Greg. "Brad Whitford: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  5. ^ Christopher, Michael (December 1, 2016). "How Aerosmith Survived the '80s". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  6. ^ Fricke, David (April 27, 2011). "Talk This Way: Rolling Stone's 1994 Interview With Aerosmith's Steven Tyler". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  7. ^ Rockingham, Graham (January 31, 2014). "Professor Piano moves to the Hammer". The Hamilton Spectator. Metroland Media Group. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  8. ^ Bienstock 2011, p. 29
  9. ^ Bienstock 2011, p. 82
  10. ^ Bienstock 2011, p. 107
  11. ^ Newton, Steve (January 20, 2013). "Aerosmith without Joe Perry: remembering Rock in a Hard Place". The Georgia Straight. Vancouver Free Press. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  12. ^ "1987-10-20 – Aerosmith". Aardvark's Aattic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  13. ^ Joles, Christopher (February 4, 2014). "One on One with Thom Gimbel of Foreigner". Maine Music News. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  14. ^ Pesce, Nicole Lyn (July 22, 2012). "Aerosmith backup singer Russ Irwin records second solo album 'Get Me Home'". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  15. ^ Harvey, Alec (July 8, 2016). "Touring with Aerosmith, new solo CD have Alabama's Buck Johnson living rock-star dream". Alabama NewsCenter. Southern Company. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  16. ^ Wood, James (June 4, 2013). "Interview: Mindi Abair Talks Touring with Aerosmith, Jazz and 'Summer Horns'". Guitar World. NewBay Media. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  17. ^ "05/30/16 Melanie Taylor – Vocalist with Bette Midler, John Mayer, Barry Manilow, Aerosmith". EnterTalk Radio. May 30, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  18. ^ Goodison, Donna L. (August 30, 1999). "Dave's new neighborhood". Boston Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  19. ^ "Aerosmith: Joey Kramer And Son To Perform On Upcoming Tour". Blabbermouth.net. October 21, 2005. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  20. ^ "Aerosmith Drummer's Son Fills In For His Father Following Joey Kramer's Health Scare (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. August 19, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  21. ^ "Aerosmith Bassist To Sit Out 'A Few Gigs' On 'The Route Of All Evil' Tour". Blabbermouth.net. August 24, 2006. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  22. ^ "Aerosmith Bassist Forced To Sit Out Shows". Blabbermouth.net. July 14, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  23. ^ "Aerosmith Bassist Forced To Sit Out Remaining Shows On Australian Tour". Blabbermouth.net. April 29, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  24. ^ "Aerosmith's Whitford To Sit Out Part Of Tour; Temporary Replacement Announced". Blabbermouth.net. June 8, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  25. ^ "Aerosmith Drummer Sues Band for Excluding Him Ahead of Grammys". Rolling Stone. January 21, 2020.
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