“There once was a man from Kent who had one so long that it… nah I won’t go there!” It’s 11:00am PST and Steven Tyler is already on a roll. He has a couple hundred media people on the line waiting to buzz in their questions and even through a teleconference call the man is the star of the show. But of course he is. He’s Steven Tyler.
He’s the “Demon of Screaming” and the reason why many might think that approaching their crush with an a capella rendition of “Janie’s Got A Gun” (Pump 1989) is perfectly sane. Now, the lead singer to rock legend Aerosmith is adding his seal of approval to something else. Accompanying veteran judge, Randy Jackson, and new judge, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler sits as one of the two new judges added to the new season of FOX’s hit television show American Idol.
Now in its tenth season, the show that catapulted the careers of Grammy Award winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood is once again in search for America’s next star. And although the news of his participation may have not sat well with long-time Aerosmith fans, it’s a venture that, according to Steven Tyler, will show a side of his persona that many may have not seen before.
To talk about his experience on the show, Steven Tyler opened up about the difficulty of judging hundreds of “kids”, about whether or not he’ll go harder on those musicians who haven’t “walked the walk”, and about the rumors that have put a strain between his two current gigs: Idol and Aerosmith.
On Judging “kids”
A bunch of kids auditioned with Aerosmith songs. And honestly, I wish they would have sung something else because every time they told me that they were gonna sing one of those songs, I could picture a family member of theirs back home saying “If you sing an Aerosmith song Steven Tyler will be enamored!” And when I didn’t like the way they sang it, I felt a little uneasy with saying that I didn’t like it. I have three daughters and for me it was hard to tell [contestants] what I really wanted to say. I didn’t have the hoofs to tell them why I didn’t like what I heard. It took me a minute to get adjusted to judging them that I even made some harsh comments in the first weeks, but after the third or fourth “I don’t want to miss a thing” rendition, I got into it. That song specifically is a difficult song to sing specially when they’re standing in front of me with no accompaniment. But you know, we’re down to a good number of kids so any rendition you hear of an Aerosmith song on the show you know will be nothing but good.
Up for a challenge
To American Idol I’m just bringing my Italian-know how to work a room-honesty-40 years as some guy from Aerosmith-experience with hopes to find the one kid in America that will take the stage. And you know, I still like a good challenge and with American Idol I get to meet all these FOX people so maybe they can give me my own Survivor-type of show! And besides, it’s nice to sit next to “JLo”. But honestly, I’m not bringing some grumpiness to the show. I’m not letting whatever is happening in my life cloak my judging of these kids. What I care about is can they sing, do they have character and do they have star quality.
Walking the walk
I remember what it was like before I got to play some clubs and it’s an incredible feeling to be able to come out with scars that caused me to have the character that I have now. As a road dog myself, I’m sympathetic to a kid who has played at local clubs and in the past that did color my opinion about someone that didn’t walk the walk in order to get their star. But regardless of whether contestants sang in church or anywhere else, I’m listening to everyone very close. It’s certainly not coloring my judgement anymore. I’m listening to these kids regardless. If they’re good to begin with I’m hoping to see that.
The Aerosmith-Idol Feud
I think that this gig will allow my fans to see a different side of me. On American Idol I’m showing a more vulnerable, more honest and open side. I have a very good ear for all music and that’s why I took this job. I’m always ready to take it up a notch and, you know, I have no regrets. Everything that came my way cut me into what I am today. I’m a recovering drug addict and alcoholic and I am not without my faults. I’m honest with my marks and scars and that’s why people love my music. All the rumors that say that Aerosmith is getting in the way of American Idol and vice versa are certainly not true. The guys and I are starting to write songs for our tour, which by the way, is already booked for this November and December, so nothing has been more convincing than this last year with Aerosmith. We’re starting the song writing process and I’m here to confirm it.
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American Idol season ten premieres Wednesday, January 19, 2011 on the FOX television network.
Here you can catch a glimpse of what’s in store as Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson search nationwide for America’s next star.
