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Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
Tyler in 2018
Born
Steven Victor Tallarico

(1948-03-26) March 26, 1948 (age 77)
New York City, U.S.
Other names The Demon of Screamin'
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • actor
  • television personality
Years active 1964–present
Spouse(s)
  • Cyrinda Foxe
    (m. 1978; div. 1987)
  • Teresa Barrick
    (m. 1988; div. 2006)
Children 4, including Liv Tyler and Mia Tyler
Relatives Jon Foster (son-in-law)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • harmonica
  • drums
  • percussion
  • guitar

Steven Victor Tallarico (born March 26, 1948), who is known by his stage name Steven Tyler, is an American singer and songwriter. He is famous for being the lead singer of the rock band Aerosmith. In the band, he also plays the keyboards, harmonica, and percussion.

People call him the "Demon of Screamin'" because of his powerful high-pitched screams and incredible vocal range. He is also famous for his energetic and acrobatic performances on stage. During concerts, Tyler often wears colorful outfits and his signature scarves, which hang from his microphone stand.

Early Life and Family

Steven Victor Tallarico was born in Manhattan, New York City. When he was three, his family moved to the Bronx, and later to Yonkers, New York. His father, Victor A. Tallarico, was a classical musician and pianist. His mother, Susan Ray, was a secretary.

Tyler's father had Italian and German roots. His mother had Polish, English, and African-American ancestry. Tyler learned on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are? that one of his ancestors, Robert Elliot, was part African-American. He has one older sister named Lynda.

Tyler went to Roosevelt High School in Yonkers. When he was 17, he visited Greenwich Village in New York and saw a Rolling Stones concert. He said he looked a lot like the singer Mick Jagger because of his large lips.

The Start of Aerosmith

In 1964, Tyler started a band called the Strangeurs, which later became Chain Reaction. Before Aerosmith was even formed, Tyler had already written the song "Dream On", which would become one of the band's biggest hits.

In 1969, he saw future bandmates Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton perform in a group called the Jam Band. Tyler was impressed by their energy. Around 1970, Tyler, Perry, and Hamilton decided to start a new band. Tyler, who used to play drums, became the lead singer. They recruited Joey Kramer to play drums.

The band moved to Boston to focus on their music career. They all lived in a house together, where they wrote songs and practiced. The band needed a name, and Kramer suggested "Aerosmith." He got the idea from the album Aerial Ballet by Harry Nilsson. At first, the other members weren't sure, but they eventually agreed.

Soon, they hired Ray Tabano as a rhythm guitarist. In 1971, Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford. The lineup of Tyler, Perry, Hamilton, Kramer, and Whitford has mostly stayed the same ever since.

Rise to Fame

Success in the 1970s

Aerosmith signed a record deal in 1972 and released their first album, Aerosmith, in 1973. It featured the hit song "Dream On". The band's next album, Get Your Wings (1974), included rock radio favorites like "Same Old Song and Dance".

In 1975, their third album, Toys in the Attic, was a huge success. It had hit singles like "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way". This album proved that Aerosmith was a major force in rock music. Their next album, Rocks (1976), also went platinum and had hits like "Back in the Saddle".

A Period of Challenges

By the late 1970s, the band's popularity began to fade. They released the album Night in the Ruts in 1979. In 1980, Tyler had a serious motorcycle accident that left him in the hospital for two months. This made it hard for him to tour or record music for a while.

The band released Rock in a Hard Place in 1982. In 1984, Aerosmith went on a reunion tour called the Back in the Saddle Tour. Even though many people came to the concerts, the band was still facing challenges.

A Major Comeback

Return to the Top

In 1986, Tyler and Joe Perry worked with the rap group Run-DMC on a new version of "Walk This Way." The song was a massive hit, reaching number 4 on the charts. This introduced Aerosmith to a whole new generation of fans and sparked a major comeback.

After this success, the band members focused on their health and well-being. Their next album, Permanent Vacation (1987), was a huge hit. It sold 5 million copies in the U.S. and had three Top 20 singles: "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)", "Angel", and "Rag Doll".

Superstardom in the 1990s

Aerosmith's success continued with the album Pump (1989). It featured hits like "Love in an Elevator" and "Janie's Got a Gun". The band won its first Grammy Award for "Janie's Got a Gun."

In 1993, they released Get a Grip, which became their first album to debut at number 1. It sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The album included hit ballads like "Cryin'", "Amazing", and "Crazy". Tyler's daughter, actress Liv Tyler, appeared in the music video for "Crazy."

In 1998, the band recorded the song "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" for the movie Armageddon, which also starred Liv Tyler. The song became Aerosmith's first and only number 1 single.

Career in the 21st Century

TylerNassauColliseum
Tyler performing with Aerosmith in July 2012

In 2001, Aerosmith performed at the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show. That same year, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The band continued to tour and release music. In 2004, they released a blues album called Honkin' on Bobo. In 2006, Tyler had throat surgery, but he recovered and was soon performing again. He and Joe Perry performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra for their famous Fourth of July concert.

American Idol and Solo Work

Steven Tyler Piano Chicago 2012
Tyler performing "Dream On" on the piano at an Aerosmith concert in Chicago in June 2012

From 2011 to 2012, Tyler was a judge on the popular TV show American Idol alongside Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. He became known for his funny and encouraging comments to the contestants.

In 2012, Aerosmith released a new album, Music from Another Dimension!. They supported it with the Global Warming Tour.

In 2016, Tyler released his first solo album, We're All Somebody from Somewhere. It was a country rock album and included the single "Love Is Your Name".

Recent Years with Aerosmith

Steven Tyler 2017
Tyler performing in Thackerville, Oklahoma on August 25, 2017

Aerosmith continued to tour around the world. In 2017, they began their Aero-Vederci Baby! Tour, which was described as a "farewell" tour. In 2019, the band started a Las Vegas show called "Deuces Are Wild".

In September 2023, Tyler suffered a serious vocal cord injury during a concert. In August 2024, Aerosmith announced that they would retire from touring because Tyler was unable to fully recover from the injury.

Other Projects

Dirico Motorcycles

Tyler is a big fan of motorcycles. In 2007, he launched his own motorcycle company called Dirico Motorcycles. The bikes are designed by Tyler and built in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Charity Work

In 2015, Tyler started a charity called Janie's Fund. The fund is named after the Aerosmith song "Janie's Got a Gun". It provides support and counseling for young women who have been victims of abuse. In 2017, he opened Janie's House, a shelter in Atlanta for girls and young women.

Personal Life

Tyler has four children. His oldest daughter is the actress Liv Tyler, from a past relationship with model Bebe Buell. He also has a daughter, Mia Tyler, from his marriage to Cyrinda Foxe. With his second wife, Teresa Barrick, he has a daughter named Chelsea and a son named Taj. Tyler is also a grandfather.

Health

Being a rock star involves a very demanding lifestyle. In 2006, Tyler had surgery on his throat after a blood vessel burst. A doctor used a laser to fix it, and Tyler made a full recovery.

He has also had some accidents on stage. In 2009, he fell off a stage in South Dakota and injured his head, neck, and shoulder. He was flown to a hospital and recovered.

In May 2022, the band had to cancel some shows because Tyler needed to focus on his health after having foot surgery.

Awards and Honors

  • In 2001, Tyler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Aerosmith.
  • In 2011, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his voice work as the Mad Hatter in the children's show Wonder Pets!.
  • In 2013, he and Joe Perry were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Steven Tyler para niños

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