In 1976 Columbia Records re-released “Dream On,” as a single only this time it reached number six. Rising to number 11, Toys catapulted the band to national and international status making their touring schedule more hectic and more hedonistic. Toys in the Attic was released in April of 1975 behind single, “Sweet Emotion,” the band’s first Top 40 hit. After extensive touring in support of the release the band went back into the studio to record their third effort, what many believe was their breakout recording. Their second studio effort, Get Your Wings, dropped in 1974 and spawned three singles that failed to chart. It only reached number 166 on the Billboard charts but the lead single, “Dream On,” crept up to number 59. Their self-titled debut album hit the streets in January of 1973 to minor success. They scraped their money together and managed to pay their way onto the bill that night, surely the best investment of their lives as Davis signed them in 1972 for $125,000. Aerosmith wasn’t actually supposed to play the night Davis was attending. The band was quickly developing a reputation for their hard rocking, high-energy performances and it wasn’t long before Clive Davis, President of Columbia Records, came to see them at Max’s Kansas City in NYC. By January of the following year Tabano was out and guitarist Brad Whitford was in. The name Aerosmith was apparently coined by Joey Kramer, who claims it was a reference to Harry Nilsson’s album, Aerial Ballet, but others have stated it was related to a Sinclair Lewis novel.Īerosmith’s first official gig was at a high school in Mendon Massachusetts on November 6th, 1970.
Rhythm guitarist Ray Tabano was added and the band began rehearsals. The rest agreed and the line-up that would endure for most of 45 years was completed. Tyler insisted that he would agree only if he were allowed to move out from behind the drums and take over the lead singer role. The two groups began to entertain the idea of uniting as one. In 1970, the two bands performed on the same bill together. Joe Perry was lead guitarist for The Jam Band which featured Tom Hamilton on bass and Joey Kramer on drums. Tyler was the drummer and backup singer for a band called The Chain Reaction.
In the late 1960s, musicians Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were playing in bands around the Boston area.