Aerosmith announced that they are retiring from the stage

Aerosmith announced the end of touring due to irreparable damage to Steven Tyler’s vocal cords (EFE/Nils Meilvang)

Iconic American rock band Aerosmith have announced their retirement from touring after the band confirmed that recovery from the vocal cord injury suffered by their frontman, Steven Tyler, is “impossible.”

In an official statement, the singers of hits such as “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”, “Dream On” and “Walk This Way”, expressed: “As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months working tirelessly to regain the voice he had before his injury. We have seen him struggle despite having the best medical team at his side. Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible.”

The band formed in 1970 and consists of Steven Tyler, John Douglas, Joe Perry, and Tom Hamilton (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

In September 2023, the band made the “heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision” to cancel all remaining dates of their farewell tour, titled “Peace Out,” due to Tyler requiring “ongoing care” for a fractured larynx he suffered after playing just three shows.

According to the announcement at the time, the injuries were “more severe than initially thought” but he was “receiving the best medical treatment available to ensure a speedy recovery.”

The musicians made the decision in favour of Steven Tyler, remaining a “band of brothers” until the end (REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)

The musician also shared the news on his personal Instagram account, writing: “My heart breaks to say that I have received strict orders from the doctor not to sing for the next thirty days. I suffered damage to my vocal cords during Saturday’s show which caused bleeding afterwards. We will have to postpone a few dates so that I can come back and give you the performance you deserve.”

Initially, a series of shows planned in the United States and Canada were rescheduled, but last April they confirmed their apparent return with various concerts that extended until February 2025, which have just been completely cancelled.

“Peace Out” was the tour that would initially put an end to Aerosmith’s more than 50-year career.

Queen guitarist Sir Brian May expressed his feelings on Instagram, saying the statement “brought him to tears” and that Aerosmith has been a significant part of his life, as well as for millions of rock fans. “Steve Tyler is one of the greatest vocalists and frontmen of all time and it is heartbreaking that his extraordinary voice has been so damaged. All things pass, but Aerosmith’s inspiring work will live on, along with the memories of one of the most incredible bands to ever grace a stage.”

American rock band The Black Crowes, who were the opening act on the tour, said on X: “We are shocked and saddened by today’s news. We just want to express our love and respect to our friends. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the amazing [recuerdos]”.

“Music from Another Dimension!” from 2012 is the fifteenth and final album released by Aerosmith to date (AP/Michael Conroy)

Aerosmith, which consisted of founding members Tyler, lead guitarist Joe Perry, bassist Tom Hamilton, guitarist Brad Whitford and founding drummer Joey Kramer, said it had been “the honor of our lives to have our music be a part of yours.” In their statement, they added: “It was in 1970 that a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith.”

The frontman’s injury is not an isolated event in Aerosmith’s history. In 2006, they had to cancel dates on another tour because the singer underwent surgery to correct a blood vessel in his vocal cords.

This procedure was documented in the National Geographic film The Incredible Human Machine, which highlighted the importance of Steven Tyler’s voice in the band’s success, which stood out with great albums such as Toys in the Attic (1975) and Rocks (1976). Fortunately, on that occasion, the surgery was successful.