Aerosmith (credit: Columbia Records)
After nearly five decades, Aerosmith, one of the most beloved American rock bands in music history will soon take their final bow ending a hall of fame career that only few can dream of and attain in their lifetime.
The thought of giving up a career in music is something that every globally renowned artist or band would not even dream of… were it not only out of dire necessity. Sadly, such is the case for Aerosmith who announced recently that they will be doing a farewell tour in Europe. To date, it is not yet known, though, if other countries will follow.
Realistically, given the band members’ advanced ages, the issue of health comes to fore when around five months ago lead guitarist Joe Perry collapsed onstage during a concert due to exhaustion and dehydration. It has become clear then it is the right time for the band to retire.
Only some miserable cynic or online troll hiding behind anonymity would make fun of this or see anything wrong with the Aerosmith members wanting to look after their health now above anything else. After all, they too have their own respective families that love them, and who would want to have them finally at home for good with them is something, I am sure, they have been waiting for for a very long time. There is nothing wrong with that. It is only human.
Aerosmith enjoy this status of being “Arena Rock-Gods!”. They were one of the very first American rock bands to be given this distinction way back in the 1970’s. They were considered to be the equivalent of Led Zeppelin in the States.
Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford, and Joey Kramer of Aerosmith have given so much to their fans for so many, many years that they have every right now to look after themselves and enjoy the rest of their lives as they please. There is nothing left for them to prove. They have won practically every award there is to win. They have performed in the biggest stadiums and arenas around the world in front of thousands upon thousands of people. They have sold millions and millions of albums.
They have lasted so long that even people who had initially disliked Aerosmith years ago for some reason or other have now become their fans and are even bummed out by the breaking news.
Indeed, the music of Aerosmith has spanned at least three generations already. You have grand kids whose grandparents were fans of the band.
It is a good thing that I got to write about Aerosmith twice already in the last 4 years. This particular article of mine on them will be the third one on Aerosmith. That is how big a fan I am of this legendary band.
While other artists and bands would naturally worry if they will be remembered or not after having dedicated decades of their lives in doing something they love–that is, making and performing music for everyone–when they are gone and no longer active in making music, Aerosmith will have the peace of mind to know the legacy they have built for more than half of their lives will not be tarnished in any way with their decision to turn their backs from the limelight.
“Father time” is one thing that is inescapable and we will all have our encounters with it when we shall no longer be able to physically perform at our optimum best. No matter how much will and inner drive we may have to be like what we once were when we were still young, the reality is such that the time will come when the body can no longer match the capacity of the mind. Then, wisdom tells us that is the time already to call it a day and be content with one’s life’s works.
Aerosmith (credit: Columbia Records)
In the case of Aerosmith, it is a virtual guarantee that they will always be remembered, looked back to, and continue to be a strong source of musical influence. Their music will always be listened to long after they are gone. That is the legacy they will leave behind.
When Aerosmith will have their final concert, how truly fitting it is, indeed, that the way they will close out such a stellar and hall of fame career of theirs they began decades ago… it will be the way it ends… still performing their music… in front of people.
There will only be one Aerosmith.