In the lead-up to Aerosmith’s 2012 album ‘Music from Another Dimension!’, tensions within the band began to mount several years earlier. A pivotal incident during the 2009 Guitar Hero Aerosmith Tour, wherein Steven Tyler fell off the stage, marked a turning point.
The fall left Tyler nursing a broken shoulder and a head injury. Amid his recovery, prescribed painkillers inadvertently led to a relapse, a revelation he made months later. Seeking rehabilitation, Tyler’s creative focus took a new trajectory. He delved into solo endeavors and discreetly joined ‘American Idol’ in 2010, opting not to divulge this to his bandmates.
While he continued to record and perform with Aerosmith, Tyler simultaneously embraced his role as a juror on ‘American Idol’ from 2011. However, he left the show two years later and candidly discussed his experience in an interview with The Quietus.
Reflecting on the lessons gleaned from ‘American Idol,’ Tyler imparted, “One key takeaway from that show is to avoid allowing it to dictate or compromise my artistic essence. It’s a television production—an expansive, uncharted realm. The grandeur of the production stunned me when I first joined – an investment of millions. It was enjoyable, sitting alongside J-Lo and Brandy, but it was a departure from the heart of Aerosmith.”
Tyler proceeded to disclose an ultimatum he presented to the show’s producers—an offer seemingly declined. “By the end of the second year, I asserted, ‘Compensate me according to my value, or I shall align with the comrades awaiting me after four long years.’ Fortuitously, the entire band gathered in LA. Jack [Douglas] was present; a magical opportunity to re-record arose.”
Tyler’s ultimatum appears to have catalyzed a significant shift. Notably, it rekindled his unwavering commitment to Aerosmith while reigniting his passion for the band.
In an interview with Yahoo! Music, Tyler underscored how his dedication to Aerosmith factored into his departure from the television show. Substantiating this claim, he unveiled the imminent release of ‘Music from Another Dimension!’ alongside the band in early 2012.
The unveiling of the album’s lead single, ‘Legendary Child,’ took place during the ‘American Idol’ season finale. Embarking on a global tour named ‘The Global Warming Tour,’ Aerosmith rallied behind the album’s launch in the same year.