Claim: Steven Tyler can play at least one instrument.

Aerosmith is an American rock band , sometimes referred to as `` the Bad Boys from Boston '' and `` America 's Greatest Rock and Roll Band '' . Their style , which is rooted in blues-based hard rock , has come to also incorporate elements of pop , heavy metal , and rhythm and blues , and has inspired many subsequent rock artists . They were formed in Boston , Massachusetts in 1970 . Guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton , originally in a band together called the Jam Band , met up with vocalist/pianist/harmonicist Steven Tyler , drummer Joey Kramer , and guitarist Ray Tabano , and formed Aerosmith . In 1971 , Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford , and the band began developing a following in Boston .   They were signed to Columbia Records in 1972 , and released a string of gold and platinum albums , beginning with their 1973 eponymous debut album , followed by Get Your Wings in 1974 . In 1975 , the band broke into the mainstream with the album Toys in the Attic , and their 1976 follow-up Rocks cemented their status as hard rock superstars . Two additional albums followed in 1977 and 1979 . Their first five albums have since attained multi-platinum status . Throughout the 1970s , the band toured extensively and charted a dozen Hot 100 singles . By the end of the decade , they were among the most popular hard rock bands in the world and developed a loyal following of fans , often referred to as the `` Blue Army '' . However , drug addiction and internal conflict took their toll on the band , which led to the departures of Perry and Whitford in 1979 and 1981 , respectively ; they were replaced by Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay . The band did not fare well between 1980 and 1984 , releasing the album Rock in a Hard Place , which was certified gold but failed to match their previous successes .   Perry and Whitford returned to Aerosmith in 1984 and the band signed a new deal with Geffen Records . After a comeback tour , the band recorded Done with Mirrors -LRB- 1985 -RRB- , which won some critical praise but failed to come close to commercial expectations . It was not until the band 's collaboration with rap group Run -- D.M.C. in 1986 , and the 1987 multi-platinum release Permanent Vacation , that they regained the level of popularity they had experienced in the 1970s . In the late 1980s and 1990s , the band scored several hits and won numerous awards for music from the multi-platinum albums Pump -LRB- 1989 -RRB- , Get a Grip -LRB- 1993 -RRB- , and Nine Lives -LRB- 1997 -RRB- , and embarked on their most extensive concert tours to date . The band also became a pop culture phenomenon with popular music videos and notable appearances in television , film , and video games . Their comeback has been described as one of the most remarkable and spectacular in rock 'n' roll history . Additional albums followed in 2001 , 2004 , and 2012 . Since 2001 , the band has toured every year , except 2008 . After 47 years of performing , the band continues to tour and record music , but is embarking on a farewell tour that will likely last several years , with the first leg of the tour planned for Europe in the spring and summer of 2017 .   Aerosmith is the best-selling American hard rock band of all time , having sold more than 150 million records worldwide , including over 70 million records in the United States alone . With 25 gold albums , 18 platinum albums , and 12 multi-platinum albums , they hold the record for the most total certifications by an American band and are tied for the most multi-platinum albums by an American band . The band has scored 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 , nine number-one Mainstream Rock hits , four Grammy Awards , six American Music Awards , and ten MTV Video Music Awards . They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 , and were included among both Rolling Stones and VH1 's lists of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time . In 2013 , the band 's principal songwriters , Tyler and Perry , were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame .