Aerosmith Bassist Confirms: Steven Tyler Joining 'Idol'

American Idol producers won't announce the season 10 judges panel until next month, but Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton has all but confirmed that Steven Tyler will be occupying one of the seats left by Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell. "Steven is doing American Idol. The ink is dry on that," Hamilton told the Newark Star-Ledger . "Steven is someone who absolutely lives to be in front of an audience, and the people closest to him know how witty and entertaining he can be. I don't know if American Idol will be rock 'n' roll enough for him, but it is an opportunity for millions of people to see another side of Steven Tyler." Hamilton also said that the band would work around Tyler's new schedule as they record a new album.

Hamilton's comments follow a The Hollywood Reporter item, citing two sources close to negotiations, that says the Aerosmith frontman has officially signed a contract. Fox will not confirm this, but the network, which has brushed off previous rumors by saying "no deals are signed," have responded with a more open-ended "no comment." With the Aerosmith tour concluding September 16th, Tyler would be able to join his fellow judges in time for Idol auditions.

Aerosmith due to an awkward incident at a concert in Toronto. Tyler gave guitarist Joe Perry a playful bump as Perry played the solo for "Love in an Elevator," and Perry responded by bumping Tyler while his back was turned — knocking Tyler off the stage and into the crowd. Tyler — who last summer fell off the stage in South Dakota and suffered injuries that forced Aerosmith to cancel their tour — took the fall in stride, putting his arms around the fans he collided with. Perry then helped Tyler back onto the stage. "It ain't gonna happen again, baby," Tyler then told the crowd. See video of Perry bumping Tyler off stage over at TMZ.

For more on Aerosmith, check out Rob Sheffield's review of the band's gig at Fenway Park, Tyler's alleged pre-show confrontation with J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf, and why Sheffield thinks Tyler joining Idol is a bad career move.

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

More Song Stories entries »

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