Complete List Of Aerosmith Band Members

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Our Complete List Of Aerosmith Band Members presents a list of musicians who were at one time a member of the band Aerosmith. It does not include touring or session musicians who have performed with the band. Most people are well aware of the main members: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, and Brad Whitford. However, there were a few others at the start and in between who, at one time, were formal members of the band.

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler was born Steven Victor Tallarico on March 26, 1948, in New York City, His early life in Yonkers, New York, revolved around music, as his father was a classical musician who taught at Cardinal Spellman High School. Tyler was drawn to music from a young age, initially playing drums before developing a passion for singing and performance. He joined Chain Reaction, a local band, in the mid-1960s and soon became the lead singer. After being expelled from high school due to drug use, he later graduated from Jose Quintano’s School for Young Professionals.

In 1970, Tyler co-founded Aerosmith in Boston with guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton. With the addition of Joey Kramer on drums and Brad Whitford on guitar, the band became known for its distinctive blend of hard rock and blues. Aerosmith achieved critical acclaim and commercial success with albums like Toys in the Attic and Rocks, but Tyler’s struggles with drug addiction led to a decline in the late 1970s. The band underwent a significant revival in the mid-1980s after Tyler completed drug rehabilitation. Their collaboration with Run-DMC on “Walk This Way” and subsequent albums like Permanent Vacation and Pump re-established Aerosmith as a dominant force in rock music.

Throughout his career, Tyler has cultivated a dynamic stage presence, known for his colorful scarves, high-energy acrobatics, and flamboyant outfits. He has also showcased his talents beyond Aerosmith, releasing the solo album We’re All Somebody from Somewhere in 2016, which featured the single “Love Is Your Name.” Tyler’s ventures have included collaborations with other musicians, appearances on television and film, and writing a memoir. Despite tensions with his bandmates and his battles with addiction, Tyler has remained committed to Aerosmith, leading the band for over five decades and cementing his legacy as one of rock’s most iconic frontmen.

Joe Perry

Joe Perry was born on September 10, 1950. Raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he grew up with dreams of becoming a marine biologist, inspired by Jacques Cousteau. However, his academic struggles and undiagnosed ADHD led his parents to enroll him in Vermont Academy, where Perry’s exposure to new musical influences radically altered his career path. Inspired by the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and British rock bands like the Yardbirds, he began to obsessively play guitar, ultimately forming The Jam Band with bassist Tom Hamilton. They later merged with Steven Tyler, Brad Whitford, and Joey Kramer to create Aerosmith, which quickly gained notoriety in the 1970s for its hits “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” and “Sweet Emotion.”

Despite their initial success, Perry and Tyler became notorious as the “Toxic Twins” due to their heavy drug use, which contributed to Aerosmith’s decline in the late 1970s. Following an onstage argument in 1979, Perry left the band and formed the Joe Perry Project, releasing the album Let the Music Do the Talking in 1980. Although the Project’s subsequent albums did not achieve the same level of success, Perry eventually rejoined Aerosmith in 1984. The band’s collaboration with Run-DMC on “Walk This Way” in 1986 revitalized their career, and they enjoyed renewed success with albums like Permanent Vacation, Pump, and Get a Grip, which catapulted them to global superstardom. Perry maintained his creative collaboration with Tyler while also exploring solo projects, releasing albums such as Joe Perry (2005) and Sweetzerland Manifesto (2018).

Perry has continued performing with Aerosmith in recent years and diversified his musical pursuits. He co-founded the supergroup Hollywood Vampires with Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp, while also pursuing his own hot sauce brand, Rock Your World. Perry has remained active despite health setbacks, such as a collapse in 2016, and has continued touring and recording with Aerosmith. His influences include Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin, whom Perry credits as an inspiration for Aerosmith’s sound.

Brad Whitford

Brad Whitford, born on February 23, 1952, is an American guitarist best known as a member of Aerosmith. He joined the band in 1971, replacing original guitarist Ray Tabano, and quickly made his mark with significant contributions to their hard rock sound. He co-wrote some of Aerosmith’s best-known tracks, including “Last Child,” and played lead guitar on “Back in the Saddle,” “Sick as a Dog,” and “Lord of the Thighs.” Despite Joe Perry’s prominence as the lead guitarist and principal songwriter, Whitford’s playing provided a distinctive edge to many of the band’s heaviest songs. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Aerosmith in 2001 and remains an influential figure in rock music.

Before joining Aerosmith, Whitford honed his craft in several local bands, including Cymbals of Resistance and Teapot Dome. He also studied at Berklee College of Music. After leaving Aerosmith in 1981, he formed Whitford/St. Holmes with Derek St. Holmes, releasing a self-titled album before rejoining Aerosmith in 1984. He later reunited with St. Holmes for tours and a new album, Reunion. In addition to his work with Aerosmith, Whitford served as a producer for other acts and participated in projects like the Experience Hendrix tour, playing with prominent guitarists such as Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson.

Whitford’s musical style and contributions have left an indelible mark on Aerosmith’s legacy. He has played lead guitar on several notable tracks and is known for his technical prowess and well-crafted solos. Although he has stated that he does not consider himself a prolific songwriter, Whitford remains a vital creative force within Aerosmith. His playing has influenced many musicians, including Guns N’ Roses’ Slash, who acknowledged Whitford’s impact on his own guitar work.

Tom Hamilton

Tom Hamilton was born December 31, 1951. He is the bassist and songwriter for Aerosmith. Noted for co-writing some of the band’s most iconic tracks like “Sweet Emotion” and “Janie’s Got a Gun,” Hamilton has been an integral part of the band’s signature hard rock sound. He also occasionally plays guitar, sings backing vocals, and has even taken lead vocals on rare tracks. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Hamilton was raised by a military pilot father and a homemaker mother. He initially played guitar but switched to bass at 14 to fill a vacancy in a local band, leading to the formation of Aerosmith with Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, and others.

Throughout his career, Hamilton’s distinctive bass lines helped shape Aerosmith’s sound, notably on tracks like “Uncle Salty” and “Sick as a Dog.” He has co-written songs across the band’s extensive discography, contributing to albums like Toys in the Attic, Rocks, Draw the Line, and Pump. Despite periods of illness and personal challenges, Hamilton has remained a consistent force in Aerosmith, continuing to perform live and record music. He has also explored acting, appearing in the show Banned in Boston, and owns an adult-themed plush toy brand called Obscenies.

Hamilton’s preference for G&L bass guitars led to the creation of a signature model, which he frequently plays alongside his favored Sadowsky basses. His early use of the Music Man StingRay Bass was particularly influential, and he still incorporates this model into his performances. After surviving throat and tongue cancer, he has continued to tour with Aerosmith and even joined Thin Lizzy for their reunion shows. His contributions to Aerosmith’s music and the rock genre have earned him a 2001 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recognition as one of the key figures in American rock music.

Joey Kramer

Joey Kramer was born on June 21, 1950. He is best known as the long-time drummer for Aerosmith. He grew up in the Bronx, New York City, in a Jewish family and played in several bands before joining Aerosmith. In the early 1970s, Kramer was a member of The Institution, a New Jersey band that opened for Bruce Springsteen’s Steel Mill. He is credited with coining the band’s name after being inspired by Harry Nilsson’s album Aerial Ballet. Kramer moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music, where he met the other founding members of Aerosmith.

Throughout his career with Aerosmith, Kramer contributed to several notable songs, including “Pandora’s Box,” “Kings and Queens,” and “Beautiful.” Despite personal challenges and lineup changes, Kramer maintained a solid rhythm section that formed the backbone of Aerosmith’s distinctive sound. In 2009, he published his memoir, Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top, detailing his struggles with addiction and recovery while being part of one of the world’s biggest rock bands. Kramer also ventured into other projects, including his Rockin’ & Roastin’ Coffee business.

Kramer uses Pearl drums, Zildjian cymbals, and Remo drumheads, and has signature drumsticks with Zildjian. Despite being associated with Ludwig drums for much of his career, he has used a variety of brands, including Fibes, Tama, and DW.

Ray Tabano

Ray Tabano was born on December 23, 1946, and is recognized as one of the founding members of Aerosmith. He played a significant role in the band’s early formation in 1970, but was replaced by Brad Whitford in 1971. Despite leaving the band’s lineup, Tabano remained involved with Aerosmith by managing their office and studio, known as The Wherehouse. He also organized the band’s merchandise and fan club, personally designing the products and writing newsletters. However, in 1979, he was dismissed from this role by the band’s managers, Steve Leber and David Krebs.

Tabano was a childhood friend of Steven Tyler, Aerosmith’s lead singer, and they grew up together in Yonkers, New York. They founded a band called The Strangeurs, which performed in New England as a cover band focusing on Top 40 hits. Their lineup included Tabano on bass guitar and Tyler on drums, along with other musicians. They developed a solid reputation as a party band before moving on to other musical projects.

After leaving Aerosmith, Tabano launched a catering company in Yonkers. In recent years, he made appearances on reality TV shows like Pawn Stars and American Pickers. In Pawn Stars, he sold two prototype Aerosmith T-shirts to Rick Harrison, one of which was signed by the band. In American Pickers, he authenticated an old International Harvester Metro Van that the band used during their early career. The show’s hosts restored the van, and Aerosmith eventually bought it back.

Jimmy Crespo

Jimmy Crespo was born on July 5, 1954. He is a guitarist best known for his tenure with Aerosmith from 1979 to 1984. He co-wrote the album Rock in a Hard Place with Steven Tyler and performed on the song “3 Mile Smile” from Night in the Ruts. Before joining Aerosmith, Crespo played with various artists, including Meat Loaf, Stevie Nicks, and the band Flame, with whom he recorded two albums. He also worked with renowned producer Jimmy Iovine. During his time with Aerosmith, Crespo stepped in to fill the role of lead guitarist after Joe Perry’s departure, helping keep the band together during a challenging period of internal struggles and substance abuse issues.

Crespo and Tyler developed a songwriting partnership that culminated in Rock in a Hard Place, released in 1982. Despite the album’s high production costs and Tyler’s erratic behavior due to drug addiction, it reached number 37 on the Billboard charts. Crespo was instrumental in maintaining the band’s momentum until the original lineup reformed in 1984, leading to his exit. Crespo then joined the band Adam Bomb, contributing to their album Fatal Attraction.

Post-Aerosmith, Crespo played with Bonnie Bramlett’s Bandaloo Doctors and toured with Billy Squier and Rod Stewart. He later formed The Cutt with Paul Shortino, releasing Sacred Place in 2002. Crespo has remained active as a session musician in Las Vegas and developed a rock amplifier simulator. He also joined The Rod Experience, a project featuring Carmine Appice. Crespo continues to perform and work on new music with his project, The Jimmy Crespo Project.

Rick Dufay

Rick Dufay was born on February 19, 1952, in Paris, France. He is known for his role as Aerosmith’s guitarist during a pivotal period in the band’s history. He replaced Brad Whitford in 1981 and played guitar for Aerosmith until Whitford rejoined, along with Joe Perry, in 1984. Prior to joining the band, Dufay released an album titled Tender Loving Abuse, produced by Aerosmith’s regular producer, Jack Douglas. Douglas recommended Dufay to Steven Tyler, leading to his recruitment as Whitford’s replacement. Dufay’s guitar work is featured on parts of Rock in a Hard Place (1982), and he appeared in the video for “Lightning Strikes.”

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