Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler says the band will begin a lengthy farewell tour in 2017.
“I love this band, I really do,” Tyler told Howard Stern on his SiriusXM satellite radio show on Tuesday, “and I want to squash every thought that anybody might have that the band’s over. We’re doing a farewell tour but it’s only because it’s time.”
When Stern asked the singer to confirm the news about a farewell trek, Tyler replied “I think so, next year.”
Tyler said guitarist Joe Perry knows about the plans and, when questioned about the length of the tour, the rocker said, “Probably forever.”
When Stern expressed concern over the concept by way of referencing how many times The Who have claimed to be on the road for a final tour – they’re in the middle of their latest 3-year farewell run now – they both laughed when Tyler replied: “How about KISS? They did 19 farewell tours.”
Tyler’s appearance on Stern’s program was to promote the July 15 release of his debut solo album, “We’re All Somebody From Somewhere”, and companion “Out On A Limb” tour with the Loving Mary band that is set to begin in Las Vegas, NV on July 2.
Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford was the first member of the Boston band to talk about a farewell plan, telling Eddie Trunk last December: "We are actually talking about that — about actually putting together a sort of wind-down tour which we would call the Farewell Tour. I guess it's just because of our age. You know, something's gonna happen. It's just inevitable that somebody's not gonna be able to do it anymore. So it would be very nice to take a nice long bow and say thank you and ... put it to bed kind of gracefully."
Tyler followed Whitford’s remarks with his won in April, telling Rolling Stone: "I'm doing 30 [solo] shows from May until August, and then in 2017 we go out with Aerosmith. We're probably doing a farewell tour. Look, there's two bands that still have the original members, us and the Stones. I'm grateful for that. Whether we do a farewell tour or go into the studio and do another record, I'm just excited about it."
Following Tyler’s comments in April, Perry confirmed the group has been discussing the subject for some time.
"A farewell tour is something we've talked about doing for years, let's say roughly in the last five years," the guitarist told Rolling Stone. "It's just something the band's talked about at various times. At this point, the five of us have never sat down and said, 'It's time to do it.' So 'considering' is an appropriate word for that statement. A farewell tour is definitely not confirmed."
Aerosmith will regroup for a South American tour this fall.
See also:
Steven Tyler announces debut solo album release
AUDIO: Brad Whitford and Derek St. Holmes premiere tracks from Reunion album
Steven Tyler announces summer solo tour
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Search Aerosmith at hennemusic
