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Aerosmith Tributes: Slash, Sammy Hagar & More Honor Iconic Band

By Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Aerosmith tributes have steadily come in following news of the band canceling their farewell tour and retiring from touring.

In September 2023, Aerosmith postponed a handful of dates on their farewell tour. At the time, it was revealed Tyler suffered vocal cord damage that led to “subsequent bleeding.” Doctors also instructed him to go on vocal rest and not sing for 30 days.

Weeks later, Aerosmith postponed their entire farewell tour until 2024 due to issues related to Tyler’s vocal cord injury.

The band shared in a statement, “Unfortunately, Steven’s vocal injury is more serious than initially thought. His doctor has confirmed that in addition to the damage to his vocal cords, he fractured his larynx which requires ongoing care.”

The band noted, “He is receiving the best medical treatment available to ensure his recovery is swift, but given the nature of a fracture, he is being told patience is essential.”

Tyler added in his own personal statement, “I am heartbroken to not be out there with Aerosmith, my brothers and the incredible Black Crowes, rocking with the best fans in the world. I promise we will be back as soon as we can!”

On August 2, Aerosmith issued the following statement:

“It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith. Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark caught flame and has been burning for over five decades. Some of you have been with us since the beginning and all of you are the reason we made rock ‘n’ roll history. 

It has been the honor of our lives to have our music become part of yours.  In every club, on every massive tour and at moments grand and private you have given us a place in the soundtrack of your lives. 

We’ve always wanted to blow your mind when performing.  As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other.  He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury.  We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear, that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage.

We are grateful beyond words for everyone who was pumped to get on the road with us one last time. Grateful to our expert crew, our incredible team and the thousands of talented people who’ve made our historic runs possible. A final thank you to you – the best fans on planet Earth.  Play our music loud, now and always.  Dream On. You’ve made our dreams come true.”

Below are just some of the notable tributes to Aerosmith.

  • Slash

    The guitar icon is famously one of the biggest known Aerosmith fans. Following news of their retirement from touring, Slash took to social media to honor the band. He wrote, “Just wanted to take a moment to thank Aerosmith for everything. Without this band, none of this would have been possible.”

  • Brian May

    The Queen guitarist wrote a very sweet and moving tribute to Aerosmith. May wrote, “This has brought a tear to my eye. Aerosmith have been a huge part of my life, as they have been for millions of other rock fans. Steve Tyler stands as one the greatest vocalists and frontmen of all time – and it’s heartbreaking that his extraordinary voice has been so damaged. We all send our love and prayers for your recovery, Steve.”

    May added, “It’s also typical of the pure class of the band that they have made and broadcast this bold decision in such style. The career of Aerosmith is truly something to celebrate forever. All things must pass – but the inspiring work of Aerosmith will live on – along with the memories of truly one of the most awesome bands to ever hit a stage.”

  • The Black Crowes

    The Black Crowes were undoubtedly influenced by Aerosmith and were even the opening act on the band’s farewell tour. They wrote, “We are shocked and saddened by this news … Nothing but love and respect to our friends in Aerosmith. Heartfelt thanks for all of the incredible memories.”

    The Black Crowes on X (formerly Twitter): "We are shocked and saddened by this news from earlier today. Nothing but love and respect to our friends in @AerosmithHeartfelt thanks for all of the incredible memorieThe #HappinessBastardsTour (The Reprise) WILL STILL ROLL ON THIS FALL with more dates now to be added! pic.twitter.com/zieUnseXq8 / X"

    We are shocked and saddened by this news from earlier today. Nothing but love and respect to our friends in @AerosmithHeartfelt thanks for all of the incredible memorieThe #HappinessBastardsTour (The Reprise) WILL STILL ROLL ON THIS FALL with more dates now to be added! pic.twitter.com/zieUnseXq8

  • Nikki Sixx

    The Motley Crue bassist wrote in detail about how Aerosmith influenced him as a kid. He began, “In 1973, a fifteen-year-old kid named Frank Feranna walked into a record store alone and emerged with the first Aerosmith album in hand. I would carry that album with me everywhere, including to friends’ houses, confessing to them that this was the future of rock ‘n’ roll.
    As the years rolled on, my opinion never changed. Lyrically, musically, rhythmically, and especially with those monster songs, Aerosmith was unparalleled.”

    He added, “Their entire catalog is outstanding, but those first five albums were the holy grail for a young, future Nikki Sixx. I recently sat on the cliffs in St. Barths, playing along to those albums. Can I just say, Tom Hamilton’s work continues to inspire me, and what a rhythm section they had with Joey Kramer behind that kit. Joe Perry and Brad Whitford wove those guitars back and forth to the point you sometimes couldn’t distinguish the dueling guitars because the sound became one big kick to the side of the head. Steven Tyler, to me, has always been the ultimate singer, lyricist, and showman, but personally, he’s a man who helped me at the beginning of my sobriety. I’ve been lucky to become a peer, a friend, and always a fan of this great American rock ‘n’ roll band. Thank you, Aerosmith, for everything.”

    In 1973, a fifteen-year-old kid named Frank Feranna walked into a record store alone and emerged with the first...

    Posted by Nikki Sixx on Tuesday, August 6, 2024

  • Marc Labelle

    The Dirty Honey frontman shared a tribute via Instagram that included a very sweet school picture day photo of him wearing an Aerosmith necklace. Labelle wrote, in part, “It’s a sad day for rock n roll when THE GREATEST American rock band hangs it up. I was just a little kid when I met Steven Tyler and Joe Perry outside of Pyx 106 in New York before my first ever live concert experience at SPAC in Saratoga, NY. It was a day that would forever change my life… Growing up all of my friends were going to see Dave Matthews or whatever pop act that was famous at the time while I was taking family trips to Albany, Philly, or Boston to see The Stones, AC/DC, or Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, but it all started with Aerosmith.”

  • Sammy Hagar

    Sammy Hagar and the Circle were playing at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich. on the night the news broke that Aerosmith was retiring from touring. In between songs, Hagar talked about the news and told the crowd, “Honest to God, my hat goes off to one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll singers of all time, Steven Tyler, for saying, ‘I can’t sing anymore. I quit.’ F— yes! Listen, that’s honorable. That’s f—in’ honorable. The day I can’t sing anymore I will f—in’ do the same thing, and that’s what a lot of other motherf—ers should have done a long time ago.”

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