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. 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. After contributing to Night in the Ruts as a session guitarist, Jimmy Crespo was invited to replace Perry in Aerosmith in October 1979. Whitford also left Aerosmith in 1981 to work on a solo project with former Ted Nugent singer Derek St. Holmes. He was replaced by Rick Dufay, before both Perry and Whitford returned to the band in the spring of 1984.
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. Similarly, keyboardist Scott Cushnie performed on 1975's Toys in the Attic and remained for the album's touring cycle. Mark Radice briefly took on the role of touring keyboardist in early 1978, followed by frequent collaborator Richard Supa in 1980, Bobby Mayo between 1982 and 1983, and Clayton Bruce Ost in 1987. Thom Gimbel joined as Aerosmith's first long-term keyboardist in 1989, remaining with the band until 1995. He was replaced by Russ Irwin beginning with the Nine Lives Tour in 1997, who toured with the band until he was replaced by Buck Johnson in 2014. The 2012–2013 Global Warming Tour featured saxophonist Mindi Abair, percussionist Jesse Sky Kramer (Joey's son) and backing vocalist Melanie Taylor.
Official members Current members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsSteven Tyler1970–presentall Aerosmith releasesTom Hamiltonbass, backing vocalsJoey KramerJoe Perryall Aerosmith releases except Rock in a Hard Place (1982)Brad Whitfordguitar, backing vocalsall Aerosmith releases except Rock in a Hard Place (1982) – one track only
Former members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsRay Tabano1970–1971guitarnoneJimmy Crespo1979–1984Rick Dufay1981–1984guitar
Other contributors
Session musicians ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsSteve Hunter 1973–1974lead guitarGet Your Wings (1974)Dick Wagner 1973–1974 Michael Brecker 1973–1974 tenor saxophoneRandy Brecker 1973–1974trumpetJon Pearson tromboneStan BronsteinsaxophonesJay Messina1975bass marimba Toys in the Attic (1975)Mike Mainieri conductor Uncreditedhorn sectionPaul Prestopino Rocks (1976), Draw the Line (1977)Jack Douglas Karen Lawrence1977backing vocalsDraw the Line (1977)Mary Weiss 1979 Night in the Ruts (1979)George Young 1979alto saxophoneLouis del Gattobaritone saxophoneLou Marinitenor saxophoneBarry Rogers 1979 tromboneNeil Thompson 1979guitarPaul Harris 1981–1982pianoRock in a Hard Place (1982)John Turi saxophoneReinhard StraubviolinJohn Lievanoacoustic guitarDrew Arnott1987mellotronPermanent Vacation (1987)Ian Putzbaritone saxophoneHenry ChristiantrumpetScott FairbairncelloMike Fraserplunger muteMorgan Raelsteel drumsJim VallanceorganChristine Arnott backing vocalsBob RogerstromboneTom Keenlyside Bruce Fairbairn Bob Dowd1989backing vocalsPump (1989)Catherine EppsvoiceRandy Raine-ReuschHenry ChristianIan PutzJohn Webster Desmond Child Paul Baron1992trumpetGet a Grip (1993)Don Henley backing vocalsLenny Kravitz Sandy Kanaehololog drumsMelvin LiufauWesey MameaLiainaiala TagaloaMapuhi T. TekurioAladd Alationa TeofiloDavid Campbell Ramesh Mishra1996sarangiNine Lives (1997)Suzie KatayamaPaul SantoTower of Power 2000hornsJust Push Play (2001)Dan HigginsChelsea Tylerbacking vocalsPaul Caruso 2000 loop programmingLiv Tyler2000whispering Tony Perry scratching Jim Cox pianoJohnnie Johnson 2003 Honkin' on Bobo (2004)Tracy Bonham 2003vocalsThe Memphis HornsbrassJulian Lennon2011–2012backing vocalsMusic from Another Dimension! (2012)Sharlotte GibsonLaura JonesMia Tyler Johnny DeppBruce WitkinWarren Huart Marti FrederiksenTom Scott tenor saxophoneJessy J John Mitchellbaritone saxophoneBill Reichenbach Jr. tromboneGary Grant 2011–2012 trumpetLarry Hall 2011–2012Carrie Underwood vocalsDr. Rudy Tanzi Hammond organJesse KotanskyviolinDaphne ChenEric GorfainLauren ChipmanviolaRichard DoddcelloZac RaeDaniel J. Coe synthesizerDan Potruchpercussion
Touring musicians ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsDavid Woodford1972–1973saxophoneRay Colcord1973–1974 keyboardsGet Your Wings (1974) – three tracks onlyScott CushnieMark Radice1978Richard Supa1980Bobby Mayo1982–1983 noneClayton Bruce Ost1987–1988keyboardsThom Gimbel1989–1995A Little South of Sanity (1998)Russ Irwin1997–2014Jesse Sky KramerMindi Abair2012saxophonenoneMelanie Taylorbacking vocalsMusic from Another Dimension! (2012) – two tracks onlyBuck Johnson2014–2024Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014 (2015)
Live substitutes ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsNotesDavid Minehan1994guitarMinehan substituted for Whitford, who was grieving a family member's death, on a Japanese tour in 1994.David HullbassHull substituted for Hamilton at shows in 2006, 2009 and 2013 due to illness and cancer treatment.Bobby Schneck2009guitarSchneck substituted for Whitford, who was recovering from surgery, at shows in June and July 2009.John DouglasdrumsDouglas substituted for Kramer during the band's Las Vegas residency in 2019, while Kramer was injured.
Timeline Members timeline
Touring members timeline
Lineups PeriodMembersStudio releasesOctober 1970 – April 1971 Steven Tyler – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards Joe Perry – lead guitar, backing vocals Ray Tabano – rhythm guitar Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussionnoneApril 1971 – July 1979 Steven Tyler – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion keyboards Joe Perry – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion Brad Whitford – rhythm and lead guitar Aerosmith (1973) Get Your Wings (1974) Toys in the Attic (1975) Rocks (1976) Draw the Line (1977) Night in the Ruts (1979)October 1979 – July 1981 Steven Tyler – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion Brad Whitford – rhythm and lead guitar Jimmy Crespo – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Rock in a Hard Place (1982) - one track onlyJuly 1981 – May 1984 Steven Tyler – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion Jimmy Crespo – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Rick Dufay – rhythm and lead guitar Rock in a Hard Place (1982)May 1984 – present Steven Tyler – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion Brad Whitford – rhythm and lead guitar Joe Perry – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Done with Mirrors (1985) Permanent Vacation (1987) Pump (1989) Get a Grip (1993) Nine Lives (1997) Just Push Play (2001) Honkin' on Bobo (2004) Music from Another Dimension! (2012)
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