The Joe Perry Project

Tyler and Perry, known as the Toxic Twins because they would do any drug put in front of them, had an intense love hate relationship; it was a kindred spirit, brotherly thing one minute and an ego trip personality clash the next. For years the band did whatever it took to put on a good show for the fans, but the fighting between Tyler and Perry eventually found its way on stage at the sacrifice of great performances.

After the release of Night in the Ruts in November 1979, Joe Perry officially left Aerosmith and formed the Joe Perry Project. By midDecember the band was selling out smaller venues and getting rave reviews from the media. About the time the Joe Perry Project had been declared hot, Aerosmith was declared not, and its Nights in the Rut arena tour was cancelled.

For a few years, Perry worked on his band, and Whitford even backed him up on occasion. Aerosmith continued, filling the gaps in the band with other talented musicians. But neither the Project nor Aerosmith had the power, dazzle, or impact that the five bad boys from Boston had when they were together. The power came from their union-that magical something that happens when bodies, souls, minds, and energies meld to form an entity that is much stronger than the mere sum of its parts.

Rising from the ashes of burned bridges, bruised egos, and thousands of shared joints came the new Aerosmith, one that would experience more success-both financial and personal-than the original band. Getting clean and sober was key in restructuring the band, especially since all of the original members were back on board.