Despite a recent public appearance, Steven Tyler has decided against resuming his touring career. On February 13th, during an interview with the local radio station WBAB, Matt Sorum, the former drummer of Guns N' Roses, provided an update on the Aerosmith frontman and addressed the possibility of future tours. Sorum's insights came less than two weeks after Tyler's performance at the Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles on February 2nd, where he was accompanied by fellow musicians to serenade Aerosmith classics. This event served as a benefit for Janie's Fund, an organization dedicated to "bringing hope and healing to girls who have endured the horrors of abuse and neglect."
At 64, Sorum explained that following fans' observations of Tyler, 77, still belting out tunes, he wished to shed light on the legendary singer's current status. "It was a pivotal moment for him, marked by considerable physical strain," Sorum reminisced about the Grammys event. "Will he embark on another tour? No, he won't. I've clarified this to many; Steven simply cannot subject himself to the grueling demands of a comprehensive global tour due to the immense pressure involved."
"For those unfamiliar with the challenges of singing, they might not comprehend what he endures. At 77, he's a perfectionist," Sorum elaborated. "Any imperfection in his vocals troubles him deeply." He further noted that Tyler refuses to record his current voice or transpose keys to better align with the music. "That's just his essence. He insists, 'I'm an artist, a singer. This is my band. I've dedicated five decades to this. If I can't perform flawlessly, I won't perform at all.' And I hold immense respect for that stance," Sorum added.
"I've discussed this with him multiple times," Sorum continued. "I suggested, 'Why not just sing four or five songs at most?' He agreed, 'I can manage that.' That was a one-time occurrence. Perhaps in the future, he'll do it again, singing a similar number of songs. But the pressure is immense for someone like him."
In August 2024, Tyler and Aerosmith announced their retirement from touring following Tyler's larynx fracture onstage in September 2023, which necessitated postponing the band's farewell tour. A statement posted on Instagram by the band read, "Steven's voice is unparalleled. He has tirelessly worked for months to restore his voice to its pre-injury state, despite having the best medical team. We've witnessed his struggles firsthand. Regrettably, a full recovery from his vocal injury is unachievable."
"As a band of brothers, we've made a heart-wrenching yet necessary decision to retire from the touring stage," Aerosmith continued. "We are incredibly grateful to all who were excited to join us on the road one last time."
The Grammys party marked Tyler's second live performance since his injury. In May 2024, Tyler surprised fans by joining the Black Crowes onstage in London to perform Aerosmith's 1973 hit "Mama Kin."
