Since their formation in Boston in 1970, Aerosmith have been one of the most popular and, at time, notorious bands America. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1973, which began a string of ground-breaking hard rock albums. The band enjoyed major popularity throughout the 1970s, but their serious substance abuse and drug addictions contributed to their decline.
Guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford left the group and the period from 1979-1984 was a dark one for the band, which carried on with replacements. However, in 1984, chiefly due to the tireless efforts of Joe Perry's then manager, Tim Collins, to reform the original band, Aerosmith was born again. The members resolved old differences and ultimately overcome their addictions. Since then, Aerosmith has remained sober for nearly 20 years and has achieved a level of sustained success that has well eclipsed their 1970s heyday.
Aerosmith have been performing as the original line-up for the past 22 years have sold 140 million albums worldwide, 66.5 million albums in the United States alone, making them the second bestselling American rock band, second only to The Eagles. They also hold the record for the most gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums by an American group.
The band have scored twenty-one Top 40 hits, nine #1 Mainstream Rock hits, have won four Grammy awards, and continue to tour relentlessly. Their musical evolution over the years has made them major innovators in American hard rock, heavy metal, pop, glam, blues, and R&B, and has inspired legions of rock artists that came after them.