On the heels of announcing his latest charity venture, a busy Steven Tyler and his forthcoming solo album have become a source of contention for the rocker’s Aerosmith bandmates. Guitarist Brad Whitford told Billboard that the band is shelving plans for a North American tour in 2016.
“Steven doesn’t want to do it,” says Whitford. “It’s unfortunate. We kind of feel a little bit abandoned by him. I guess he seems to think his solo career is going to go great guns, and he doesn’t seem to realize that – in my opinion – his fans around the globe want to see him in the context of Aerosmith and don’t really care for whatever he thinks he’s gonna do.”
Ouch!
Tyler hinted that his bandmates weren’t thrilled with his solo plans back in May when he released his new country-tinged single, “Love Is Your Name” – an assertion that bassist Tom Hamilton has since refuted. “He wanted to do this creative exercise of going and making an album, and I can’t blame him for wanting to do it,” Hamilton told Digital Journal in July. “Joe’s done it before. I’d love to do it someday. Why be angry about it?”
And Joe Perry told the Arizona Republic last June: “I do know that we’ll be touring at the beginning of next year and then taking some more time off, at least from touring, so that opens up some space for another stint in the studio. It’s always on our minds. But like I said, everybody’s probably got a short list of things they want to do.”
That being said, members of the band aren’t resting on their laurels waiting for a call. Whitford is readying a new album called Reunion with Ted Nugent singer and guitarist Derek St. Holmes, and drummer Joey Kramer has launched a new line of organic coffee. Despite the North American tour announcement, Aerosmith are still expected to play in South America during the new year.
As for Tyler’s latest project – well, let’s just say that Janie’s officially got a fund. Ever since he wrote the song “Janie’s Got a Gun,” the rock star has wondered how he could help girls in similarly abusive situations. Now, Tyler’s started a new charity – aptly named Janie’s Fund after the 1989 hit – to support non-profit organization Youth Villages in providing care and experiential therapies (including a variety of music therapies) to girls who have been abused or neglected.
“As a father and grandfather, I want to focus my energy on things that really matter and leave behind something else in this crazy world along with my music,” Tyler says in a press statement. “I am starting Janie’s Fund to give a voice to the millions of victims who haven’t had one.”
Janie’s Fund kicked off its “54 Days of Impact” initiative on November 8th, the 26th anniversary of the release of “Janie’s Got a Gun,” to continue through the end of the year. Anyone who signs up to support the project during this 54-day time period will becoming a founding member and get special limited-edition goodies, like shirts, lanyards, books and hoodies. Participating fans can also register for a chance to win VIP backstage passes to Tyler’s new solo album release party and concert – and hang out with the rock star himself before and after the show. Tyler’s new solo album is due in early 2016.
For more information about Janie’s Fund and how you can participate, visit its official website. And it’s great to see that the band shared Tyler’s announcement on its Facebook page.
