Why Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler Turned Down Singing Live With Led Zeppelin
At one point in 2008, Steven Tyler toyed with the idea of playing shows with Led Zeppelin. The Aerosmith lead singer even practiced with Zeppelin guitar legend Jimmy Page for the potential gigs where he'd apparently supplant Robert Plant, Zeppelin's iconic vocalist.
So what became of it? As we know now, the two rock powers didn't go through with the concerts, which would have followed Zeppelin's 2007 reunion performance in London.
When Page was thinking of bringing the show on the road at that time, Plant seemingly wasn't as willing, according to a recent retelling. So the idea of other singers came up.
Tyler explained to Classic Rock, "I went over and played with Jimmy and the rest of them. It wasn't an audition to be in Zeppelin; it was an audition to play with Zeppelin. We were going to do a couple of stadiums."
He continued, "While I was there, Jimmy spoke to me about maybe doing an album. I went home and thought about it for a couple [of] days. And I got back to him and said, 'Look, Jimmy, you're in an iconic band, and so am I. I can't in good faith leave my band and be in your band."
Though Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry has recalled the situation differently — he once said Tyler's audition for Led Zeppelin was "shambolic" and left Page feeling "awkward," per The Guardian — Tyler said he did a week of rehearsals with Zeppelin.
"We played all day for a week," the Aerosmith singer said. "It started with, 'Jimmy, you have no idea how grateful I am to have the chance to come over and jam with you guys, And he goes, 'Well, maybe we can play some shows together.' And I said, 'Stop right there — I'm playing in a band with [Led Zeppelin bassist] John Paul Jones?'"
Tyler remembered they "let me sing every song I wanted — 'Black Dog,' 'Stairway to Heaven.' But it was just a week. And yeah, Jimmy asked me to do some stuff with him. But I didn't want to be Coverdale–Page. Plus, I figured in the time it would take to do that, I could rally [Aerosmith] together."
He added, however, "So, was I going to be in Jimmy's band? No. But what an honor."
Presently, Aerosmith plan to resume touring next month. The band's next scheduled show is on Sept. 4 in Maine. Soon after that, the veteran rockers will head to Vegas for another leg of their concert residency there. See the dates below and get tickets here.
Tyler previously recalled his Zeppelin rehearsals to Howard Stern. Watch:
Steven Tyler Remembers Jamming With Led Zeppelin on SiriusXM's Howard Stern (2016)
Aerosmith Fall 2022 U.S. Tour Dates
Sept. 4 – Bangor, Maine @ Maine Savings Amp.
Sept. 8 – Boston, Mass @ Fenway Park
Sept. 14 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Sept. 17 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Sept. 20 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Sept. 23 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Sept. 26 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Sept. 29 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Oct. 2 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Oct. 5 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Nov. 19 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Nov. 23 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Nov. 26 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Nov. 29 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Dec. 2 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Dec. 5 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Dec. 8 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM
Dec. 11 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Dolby Live at Park MGM