Aerosmith announced their official retirement from touring in a lengthy statement on social media on Friday, canceling the remainder of what would have been their farewell tour as Steven Tyler struggles to recover from a vocal injury he suffered last year.
“As you know, Stephen’s voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months working tirelessly to restore his voice to what it was before his injury,” the band said Friday. “We have seen him struggle despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made the heartbreaking, difficult, but necessary decision, as a band of brothers, to retire from the touring stage.”
Aerosmith first kicked off their Peace Out farewell tour in May 2023 but only played three shows before the dates were postponed after Tyler suffered a throat injury. The band announced the new show dates in April, having originally planned to continue the tour in September.
“We are so grateful to everyone who was excited to hit the road with us one last time,” Aerosmith said Friday. “Thankful to our expert crew, our incredible team, and the thousands of talented people who made our historic journeys possible. And a final thank you to you – the best fans on the planet. Listen to our music loud, now and always. Keep dreaming. You made our dreams come true.”
The cancellation of the tour ends the career of one of the most famous rock bands in history, with Aerosmith selling more than 150 million records worldwide. “It was in 1970 when the spark of inspiration turned into Aerosmith,” the band said. “And because of you, our Blue Army, that spark was ignited and has burned for over five decades. Some of you have been with us since the beginning and all of you are the reason we made rock and roll history.”
Beyond the vocal injury, Tyler is also facing a lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a minor in the 1970s. The plaintiff, Julia Mesley, alleged that Tyler convinced her mother to give him custody of her so he could take Mesley with him across state lines and have sex with her. Tyler has denied the allegations. About a year later, a second woman filed a lawsuit against him, though that suit was dismissed earlier this year.
The band said those who purchased Aerosmith tickets on Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded, and others who purchased tickets on secondary sites like SeatGeek or StubHub should contact their point of purchase for more details.
Read the band's full statement on their retirement below:
1970 was the year that the spark of inspiration struck that ignited Aerosmith. Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark was ignited and has burned for over five decades. Some of you have been with us since the beginning, and you are all the reason we have made rock and roll history.
It has been a great honor for us to have our music become a part of yours. In every club, on every huge tour and in every great and special moment, you have given us a place in the soundtrack of your lives. We have always wanted to amaze you while performing.
As you know, Stephen's voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months working tirelessly to restore his voice to its pre-injury state. We have seen him struggle despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made the heartbreaking, difficult, but necessary decision, as a band of brothers, to retire from touring.
We are so grateful to everyone who was excited to hit the road with us one last time. Grateful to our expert crew, our incredible team, and the thousands of talented people who made our historic tours possible. And a final thank you to you – the best fans on the planet. Play our music loud, now and always. Keep dreaming. You made our dreams come true.
*For those who purchased their tickets through Ticketmaster, your refund will be automatically processed – there is nothing else you need to do. For those who purchased through third-party resale sites such as SeatGeek, StubHub, VividSeats, etc. – please contact your point of purchase for more details.*
