Aerosmith Cancels Remaining Tour Dates

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith

In a statement issued late Thursday August 13th 2009, the band’s publicist said “it is with great regret” that Aerosmith is canceling the rest of its summer tour with ZZ Top.

While performing for the crowd at the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota during an equipment failure Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler fell off the stage, breaking his left shoulder and cutting his head, requiring 20 stitches.

Thunderstorms delayed the start of the Aerosmith set by an hour, and when fuses blew and the PA system failed Tyler decided to take things into his own hands.

“Well, I wasn’t gonna go hide under the big top and play ‘ROCK STAR’ and wait for everything to be fixed,” Tyler said. “I wanted to go out to the crowd to continue the show.”

He said he was doing “the Tyler shuffle” when he slipped and fell off the edge of the stage.

Doctors have advised Tyler to take the time off to properly recuperate from his injuries prompting the cancellation of the entire tour .

Aerosmith

According to Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry the band had to cancel only a few concerts during its first 25 years but has had a run terrible luck in the past few years. The 61-year-old Tyler pulled a leg muscle at a concert in Uncasville, Conn back in June, and the band was forced to postpone several shows in July. Tyler also fought with pneumonia before the tour began in June while Perry suffered a knee infection.

“Words can’t express the sadness I feel for having to cancel this tour,” said guitarist Joe Perry. “We hope we can get the Aerosmith machine up and running again as soon as possible.”

“We never anticipated this tour coming to such a swift and unfortunate ending,” guitarist Brad Whitford said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steven for a speedy recovery and return to good health.”

Tyler thanked the Sturgis, South Dakota, police department and others who helped him after the fall. The singer also thanked the band’s crew, the helicopter that evacuated him  “for getting me outta there before I bled to death” as well as the doctors and nurses who treated him.

Check out the Aerosmith Official Webstie.

Aerosmith 2009 line-up: Steven Tyler-Vocals / Joe Perry – Guitar / Brad Whitford – Guitar / Tom Hamilton – Bass / Joey Kramer – Drums