Aerosmith retires from touring, says Steven Tyler’s voice can’t recover from injury

So much for Aerosmith’s farewell tour.

The band announced they are retiring from touring after five decades together, revealing their legendary lead singer Steven Tyler’s voice can’t recover from his injury.

“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,” their Instagram post read on Friday.

Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer posing for a group shot. Redferns
Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer posing for a group shot. Redferns
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry at the 62nd Annual Grammys on Jan. 26, 2020. FilmMagic
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry at the 62nd Annual Grammys on Jan. 26, 2020. FilmMagic

“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.”

Tyler has been suffering from ongoing vocal cord and larynx problems that the 76-year-old singer can’t bounce back from.

“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,” the statement continued.

Aerosmith’s emotional tour retirement announcement. Instagram/@aerosmith
Aerosmith’s emotional tour retirement announcement. Instagram/@aerosmith

The iconic rock band made sure to give credit where it was due: their inner circle and fans.

“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.”

In September 2023, Aerosmith postponed their Peace Out: The Farewell Tour after discovering that Tyler’s vocal injury was “more serious than initially thought.”

Steven Tyler with a Paraguayan national flag during the band’s concert in 2011. REUTERS
Steven Tyler with a Paraguayan national flag during the band’s concert in 2011. REUTERS
The band performing in front of their old apartment building in Allston, Massachusetts, November 5, 2012. Reuters
The band performing in front of their old apartment building in Allston, Massachusetts, November 5, 2012. Reuters

In their retirement announcement, the band said that everyone with a ticket to the tour will be refunded.

At the time of postponement, Tyler said he was “heartbroken” to push the tour.

In an emotional post, he wrote: “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!”

Tyler’s injury happened during the third show in New York on September 10, 2023, in which he “sustained vocal cord damage,” which “led to subsequent bleeding.”

Aerosmith performs during the 62nd Annual Grammys on January 26, 2020. Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Aerosmith performs during the 62nd Annual Grammys on January 26, 2020. Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler in November 7, 1977. Getty Images
Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler in November 7, 1977. Getty Images

Aerosmith was formed in 1970 with Tyler, Joe Perry, Ray Tabano, Tom Hamilton, and Joey Kramer. Brad Whitford later replaced Tabano.

The band — known for classics like “Dream On,” “Love in an Elevator” and “Janie’s Got a Gun” — has won four Grammys. They were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.