List of Aerosmith members - Misplaced Pages

Aerosmith performing live in 2003 (top) and 2017 (bottom).

Aerosmith is an American hard rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in October 1970, the group originally included vocalist Steven Tyler, lead guitarist Joe Perry, rhythm guitarist Ray Tabano, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer, although Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford early the following year. The band's lineup has remained constant for much of its tenure, save for a five-year period between 1979 and 1984. First, Perry left the band after a show on July 28, 1979, when a confrontation between his then-wife Elyssa and Hamilton's wife Terry led to an argument between the guitarist and Tyler, resulting in the former's departure. After contributing to Night in the Ruts as a session guitarist, Jimmy Crespo was invited to replace Perry in Aerosmith in October 1979. Whitford also left Aerosmith in 1981 to work on a solo project with former Ted Nugent singer Derek St. Holmes. He was replaced by Rick Dufay, before both Perry and Whitford returned to the band in the spring of 1984.

In addition to the band's regular five-piece lineup, Aerosmith has added several touring musicians since its inception. David Woodford performed saxophone on the band's 1973 self-titled album, and was added to its touring lineup for the subsequent promotional tour. Similarly, keyboardist Scott Cushnie performed on 1975's Toys in the Attic and remained for the album's touring cycle. Mark Radice briefly took on the role of touring keyboardist in early 1978, followed by frequent collaborator Richard Supa in 1980, Bobby Mayo between 1982 and 1983, and Clayton Bruce Ost in 1987. Thom Gimbel joined as Aerosmith's first long-term keyboardist in 1989, remaining with the band until 1995. He was replaced by Russ Irwin beginning with the Nine Lives Tour in 1997, who toured with the band until he was replaced by Buck Johnson in 2014. The 2012–2013 Global Warming Tour featured saxophonist Mindi Abair, percussionist Jesse Sky Kramer (Joey's son) and backing vocalist Melanie Taylor.

Official members

Current members

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Steven Tyler	1970–present	lead vocals keyboards harmonica percussion	all Aerosmith releases
Tom Hamilton		bass backing and occasional lead vocals
Joey Kramer		drums percussion
Joe Perry	1970–1979 1984–present	lead and rhythm guitar backing and lead vocals	all Aerosmith releases except Rock in a Hard Place (1982)
Brad Whitford	1971–1981 1984–present	rhythm and lead guitar	all Aerosmith releases – one track session contribution on Rock in a Hard Place (1982)

Former members

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Ray Tabano	1970–1971	rhythm and lead guitar	none
Jimmy Crespo	1979–1984	lead and rhythm guitar backing and additional vocals	Session contribution to Night in the Ruts (1979) – one track only Rock in a Hard Place (1982)
Rick Dufay	1981–1984	rhythm and lead guitar	Rock in a Hard Place (1982) Session contribution to Music from Another Dimension! (2012) – one track only

Other contributors

Session musicians

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Steve Hunter	1973–1974	lead guitar	Get Your Wings (1974)
Dick Wagner	1973–1974 (died 2014)	lead guitar
Michael Brecker	1973–1974 (died 2007)	tenor saxophone
Randy Brecker	1973–1974	trumpet
Jon Pearson	1973–1974	trombone
Stan Bronstein	1973–1974 1977	saxophones	Get Your Wings (1974) Draw the Line (1977)
Jay Messina	1975	bass marimba	Toys in the Attic (1975)
Mike Mainieri		conductor
Uncredited		horn section
Paul Prestopino	1976, 1977	banjo acoustic guitar banjo guitar	Rocks (1976), Draw the Line (1977)
Jack Douglas	1976 1977 2011–2012	backing vocals mandolin percussion keyboards synthesizer organ piano	Rocks (1976) Draw the Line (1977) Rock in a Hard Place (1982) Music from Another Dimension! (2012)
Karen Lawrence	1977	backing vocals	Draw the Line (1977)
Mary Weiss	1979	backing vocals	Night in the Ruts (1979)
George Young		alto saxophone
Louis del Gatto		baritone saxophone
Lou Marini		tenor saxophone
Barry Rogers	1979 (died 1991)	trombone
Neil Thompson	1979	guitar
Paul Harris	1981–1982	piano	Rock in a Hard Place (1982)
John Turi		saxophone
Reinhard Straub		violin
John Lievano		acoustic guitar
Drew Arnott	1987	mellotron	Permanent Vacation (1987)
Ian Putz		baritone saxophone
Henry Christian		trumpet
Scott Fairbairn		cello
Mike Fraser		plunger mute
Morgan Rael		steel drums
Jim Vallance		organ
Christine Arnott		backing vocals
Bob Rogers	1987 1992	trombone	Permanent Vacation (1987) Get a Grip (1993)
Tom Keenlyside	1987 1989 1992	clarinet saxophones horn arrangements	Permanent Vacation (1987) Pump (1989) Get a Grip (1993)
Bruce Fairbairn	1987 1989 1992 (died 1999)	trumpet cello backing vocals
Bob Dowd	1989	backing vocals	Pump (1989)
Catherine Epps		voice
Randy Raine-Reusch		glass harmonica Appalachian dulcimer didgeridoo Thai khaen gourd mouth organ of the Lahu people of Northern Thailand
Henry Christian		brass instruments saxophones
Ian Putz	1989 1992	brass instruments saxophones	Pump (1989) Get a Grip (1993)
John Webster	1989 1992 1996	keyboards backing vocals	Pump (1989) Get a Grip (1993) Nine Lives (1997)
Desmond Child	1992 2011–2012	keyboards piano	Get a Grip (1993) Music from Another Dimension! (2012)
Paul Baron	1992	trumpet	Get a Grip (1993)
Don Henley		backing vocals
Lenny Kravitz		backing vocals
Sandy Kanaeholo		log drums
Melvin Liufau
Wesey Mamea
Liainaiala Tagaloa
Mapuhi T. Tekurio
Aladd Alationa Teofilo
David Campbell	1992 1996 2000	arrangements conductor	Get a Grip (1993) Nine Lives (1997) Just Push Play (2001)
Ramesh Mishra	1996	sarangi	Nine Lives (1997)
Suzie Katayama	1996	strings conductor	Nine Lives (1997)
Paul Santo	2000 2003 2011–2012	keyboards Kurzweil Hammond organ piano electric piano organ	Just Push Play (2001) Honkin' on Bobo (2004) Music from Another Dimension! (2012)
Tower of Power	2000	horns	Just Push Play (2001)
Dan Higgins		clarinet saxophone
Chelsea Tyler		backing vocals
Paul Caruso	2000 (died 2006)	loop programming
Liv Tyler	2000	whispering
Tony Perry		scratching
Jim Cox		piano
Johnnie Johnson	2003 (died 2005)	piano	Honkin' on Bobo (2004)
Tracy Bonham	2003	vocals
The Memphis Horns	2003	brass
Julian Lennon	2011–2012	backing vocals	Music from Another Dimension! (2012)
Sharlotte Gibson
Laura Jones
Mia Tyler
Johnny Depp
Bruce Witkin
Warren Huart
Marti Frederiksen		backing vocals keyboards and guitar synthesizer
Tom Scott		tenor saxophone
Jessy J		tenor saxophone
John Mitchell		baritone saxophone
Bill Reichenbach Jr.		trombone
Gary Grant		trumpet
Larry Hall		trumpet
Carrie Underwood		vocals
Dr. Rudy Tanzi		Hammond organ
Jesse Kotansky		violin
Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain
Lauren Chipman		viola
Richard Dodd		cello
Zac Rae		piano synthesizer electric piano
Daniel J. Coe		synthesizer
Dan Potruch		percussion

Touring musicians

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
David Woodford	1972–1973	saxophone	Aerosmith (1973) – two tracks only Live! Bootleg (1978) – one track only
Ray Colcord	1973–1974 (died 2016)	keyboards	Get Your Wings (1974) – three tracks only
Scott Cushnie	1975 1977	keyboards piano	Toys in the Attic (1975) – two tracks only Draw the Line (1977) – three tracks only
Mark Radice	1978	keyboards backing vocals	Live! Bootleg (1978) Live Texxas Jam '78 (1989)
Richard Supa	1980	keyboards backing vocals additional guitars (sessions only)	Night in the Ruts (1979) – two tracks only Get a Grip (1993) – one track only
Bobby Mayo	1982–1983 (died 2004)	keyboards backing vocals	none
Clayton Bruce Ost	1987–1988	keyboards	none
Thom Gimbel	1989–1995	keyboards saxophone percussion backing vocals	A Little South of Sanity (1998)
Russ Irwin	1997–2014	keyboards piano percussion rhythm guitar backing vocals	A Little South of Sanity (1998) You Gotta Move (2004) Rockin' the Joint (2005) Music from Another Dimension! (2012) – two tracks only Rock for the Rising Sun (2013)
Jesse Sky Kramer	2005 (substitute) 2012–2013 2014 (substitute)	percussion additional drums (session only) drums (substitute only)	Music from Another Dimension! (2012) – one track only Kramer has also substituted for his father at shows in 2005 and 2014 due to surgery recovery and illness.
Mindi Abair	2012	saxophone	none
Melanie Taylor	2012	backing vocals	Music from Another Dimension! (2012) – two tracks only
Buck Johnson	2014–2024	keyboards piano rhythm guitar backing vocals	Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014 (2015)

Live substitutes

Name	Years active	Instruments	Notes
David Minehan	1994	guitar	Minehan substituted for Whitford, who was grieving a family member's death, on a Japanese tour in 1994.
David Hull	2006 2009 2013	bass	Hull substituted for Hamilton at shows in 2006, 2009 and 2013 due to illness and cancer treatment.
Bobby Schneck	2009	guitar	Schneck substituted for Whitford, who was recovering from surgery, at shows in June and July 2009.
John Douglas	2019–2020 2022–2024	drums	Douglas substituted for Kramer during the band's Las Vegas residency in 2019, while Kramer was injured.

Timeline

Lineups

Period	Members	Studio releases
October 1970 – April 1971	Steven Tyler – vocals, harmonica, percussion Joe Perry – lead guitar, backing vocals Ray Tabano – rhythm guitar Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion	none
April 1971 – June 1979	Steven Tyler – vocals, harmonica, percussion Joe Perry – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion Brad Whitford – rhythm and lead guitar	Aerosmith (1973) Get Your Wings (1974) Toys in the Attic (1975) Rocks (1976) Draw the Line (1977) Night in the Ruts (1979)
July 1979 – July 1981	Steven Tyler – vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion Brad Whitford – rhythm and lead guitar Jimmy Crespo – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals	Rock in a Hard Place (1982) - one track only
July 1981 – May 1984	Steven Tyler – vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion Jimmy Crespo – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Rick Dufay – rhythm and lead guitar	Rock in a Hard Place (1982)
May 1984 – present	Steven Tyler – vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards Tom Hamilton – bass Joey Kramer – drums, percussion Brad Whitford – rhythm and lead guitar Joe Perry – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals	Done with Mirrors (1985) Permanent Vacation (1987) Pump (1989) Get a Grip (1993) Nine Lives (1997) Just Push Play (2001) Honkin' on Bobo (2004) Music from Another Dimension! (2012)

Bibliography

Bienstock, Richard (September 1, 2011), Aerosmith: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Boston Bad Boys, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, ISBN 978-0760341063, retrieved November 17, 2017

References

Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Aerosmith: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Giles, Jeff (July 28, 2015). "The Day Joe Perry Quit Aerosmith". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Bienstock 2011, p. 96
Prato, Greg. "Brad Whitford: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Christopher, Michael (December 1, 2016). "How Aerosmith Survived the '80s". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Fricke, David (April 27, 2011). "Talk This Way: Rolling Stone's 1994 Interview With Aerosmith's Steven Tyler". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Rockingham, Graham (January 31, 2014). "Professor Piano moves to the Hammer". The Hamilton Spectator. Metroland Media Group. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Bienstock 2011, p. 29
Bienstock 2011, p. 82
Bienstock 2011, p. 107
Newton, Steve (January 20, 2013). "Aerosmith without Joe Perry: remembering Rock in a Hard Place". The Georgia Straight. Vancouver Free Press. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
"1987-10-20 – Aerosmith". Aardvark's Aattic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Joles, Christopher (February 4, 2014). "One on One with Thom Gimbel of Foreigner". Maine Music News. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Pesce, Nicole Lyn (July 22, 2012). "Aerosmith backup singer Russ Irwin records second solo album 'Get Me Home'". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Harvey, Alec (July 8, 2016). "Touring with Aerosmith, new solo CD have Alabama's Buck Johnson living rock-star dream". Alabama NewsCenter. Southern Company. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Wood, James (June 4, 2013). "Interview: Mindi Abair Talks Touring with Aerosmith, Jazz and 'Summer Horns'". Guitar World. NewBay Media. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
"05/30/16 Melanie Taylor – Vocalist with Bette Midler, John Mayer, Barry Manilow, Aerosmith". EnterTalk Radio. May 30, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
^ Get Your Wings (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 1974. KC 32847.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Draw the Line (liner notes). Aerosmith. CBS Records. 1977. 82147.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Toys in the Attic (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 1975. PC 33479.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Rocks" (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 1976. PC 34165.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Rock in a Hard Place (liner notes). Aerosmith. CBS Records. 1982. 85931.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Music from Another Dimension! (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 2012. 88725 44281 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Night in the Ruts (liner notes). Aerosmith. CBS Records. 1979. 83680.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Permanent Vacation (liner notes). Aerosmith. Geffen Records. 1987. 9 24162-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Get a Grip (liner notes). Aerosmith. Geffen Records. 1993. GEFD-24455.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Pump (liner notes). Aerosmith. Geffen Records. 1989. 9 24254-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Nine Lives (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 1997. COL 485020 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Just Push Play (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 2001. 501535 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Honkin' on Bobo (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 2004. 515447 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
Aerosmith (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 1973. KC 32005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Live! Bootleg (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 1978. 35564.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ A Little South of Sanity (liner notes). Aerosmith. Geffen Records. 1998. GEFD2-25221.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
Rockin' the Joint (liner notes). Aerosmith. Columbia Records. 2005. 82876 72422 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
"Aerosmith: Joey Kramer And Son To Perform On Upcoming Tour". Blabbermouth.net. October 21, 2005. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
"Aerosmith Drummer's Son Fills In For His Father Following Joey Kramer's Health Scare (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. August 19, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
Rocks Donington 2014 (liner notes). Aerosmith. Eagle Vision. 2015. ERDVLP087.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
Goodison, Donna L. (August 30, 1999). "Dave's new neighborhood". Boston Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
"Aerosmith Bassist To Sit Out 'A Few Gigs' On 'The Route Of All Evil' Tour". Blabbermouth.net. August 24, 2006. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
"Aerosmith Bassist Forced To Sit Out Shows". Blabbermouth.net. July 14, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
"Aerosmith Bassist Forced To Sit Out Remaining Shows On Australian Tour". Blabbermouth.net. April 29, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
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"Aerosmith Drummer Sues Band for Excluding Him Ahead of Grammys". Rolling Stone. January 21, 2020.

v t e Aerosmith
Steven Tyler Tom Hamilton Joey Kramer Joe Perry Brad Whitford Ray Tabano Jimmy Crespo Rick Dufay
Studio albums	Aerosmith Get Your Wings Toys in the Attic Rocks Draw the Line Night in the Ruts Rock in a Hard Place Done with Mirrors Permanent Vacation Pump Get a Grip Nine Lives Just Push Play Honkin' on Bobo Music from Another Dimension!
Live albums	Live! Bootleg Classics Live I and II A Little South of Sanity Rockin' the Joint
Extended plays	Vacation Club Made in America
Singles	"Dream On" "Mama Kin" "Same Old Song and Dance" "Train Kept A-Rollin'" "S.O.S. (Too Bad)" "Sweet Emotion" "Walk This Way" "You See Me Crying" "Toys in the Attic" "Last Child" "Home Tonight" "Back in the Saddle" "Draw the Line" "Kings and Queens" "Get It Up" "Come Together" "Chip Away the Stone" "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" "Bitch's Brew" "Let the Music Do the Talking" "Shela" "My Fist Your Face" "Darkness" "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" "Hangman Jury" "Angel" "Rag Doll" "Love in an Elevator" "F.I.N.E.*" "Janie's Got a Gun" "What It Takes" "The Other Side" "Monkey on My Back" "Love Me Two Times" "Helter Skelter" "Livin' on the Edge" "Eat the Rich" "Fever" "Cryin'" "Amazing" "Shut Up and Dance" "Deuces Are Wild" "Crazy" "Blind Man" "Walk on Water" "Nine Lives" "Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)" "Hole in My Soul" "Pink" "Taste of India" "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" "What Kind of Love Are You On" "Angel's Eye" "Jaded" "Fly Away from Here" "Sunshine" "Just Push Play" "Girls of Summer" "Baby, Please Don't Go" "Devil's Got a New Disguise" "Legendary Child" "Lover Alot" "What Could Have Been Love" "Can't Stop Lovin' You"
Compilations	Greatest Hits (1980) Gems Pandora's Box Pandora's Toys Big Ones Box of Fire Classic Aerosmith: The Universal Masters Collection Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits Devil's Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith Tough Love: Best of the Ballads Greatest Hits (2023)
Videos and DVDs	Aerosmith Video Scrapbook Permanent Vacation 3x5 Live Texxas Jam '78 Things That Go Pump in the Night The Making of Pump Big Ones You Can Look At You Gotta Move Rock for the Rising Sun
Concert tours	Back in the Saddle Tour Permanent Vacation Tour Pump Tour Get a Grip Tour Nine Lives Tour Just Push Play Tour Aerosmith World Tour 2007 Aerosmith/ZZ Top Tour Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock Tour Global Warming Tour Let Rock Rule Tour Blue Army Tour Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Tour Aero-Vederci Baby! Tour Deuces Are Wild Peace Out: The Farewell Tour
Related articles	Discography Videography Songs Band members Concert tours Awards Super Bowl XXXV halftime show Toxic Twins The Strangeurs/Chain Reaction Whitford/St. Holmes The Joe Perry Project Walk This Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith Wherehouse Aero Force One Blue Army Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Quest for Fame Revolution X Guitar Hero: Aerosmith songs "Boulevard of Broken Songs"
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