From the Editor

THERE’S NO DENYING Aerosmith are survivors. Now in its 50th year, the group has outlasted the excesses of the 1970s, not to mention the temporary departures of guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, various accidents, cancer, bad management, shifting musical trends and internecine conflicts.

Still, as we began planning this issue all the way back in July to discuss Aerosmith’s Deuces Are Wild residency in Las Vegas, I worried that the event might be delayed or, worse, not happen. After all, Aerosmith were forced to cancel part of their South American tour in 2017 when singer Steven Tyler fell ill, and Joe himself had collapsed in July 2016 while performing with his group Hollywood Vampires. He collapsed again in November 2018, following an appearance with Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden, forcing Joe to cancel his remaining fall solo tour dates. At that point we just crossed our fingers and hoped he would be fine, residency and cover story be damned. Today, we’re happy to report that Joe is doing well, and everyone in Aerosmith was in excellent form for the much-anticipated Deuces Are Wild kickoff this past April.