Aerosmith's Joe Perry says front man Steven Tyler is taking some time off; band to continue

By JOHN CARUCCI , Associated Press

Last update: November 11, 2009 - 8:03 PM

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NEW YORK - Aerosmith's guitarist Joe Perry says the future of the band is still uncertain.

Perry said Wednesday that he thinks front man Steven Tyler wants to take some time off from the band — even though the two appeared together on a New York stage.

"As it stands, Steven wants to take a couple years off and do some of whatever he wants to do and the rest of the band wants to keep working," Perry said in a telephone interview.

"The band is a really well-oiled machine and we're going to work one way or another and I don't know what form that's going to take," he added.

Tyler's publicist, Kim Estlund, said the 61-year-old rock star was not going to issue a statement on Perry's recent comments.

The status of the band — which also includes Joey Kramer, Brad Whitford and Tom Hamilton — has been the topic of rumors since Tyler was quoted as saying he was considering a solo career. Perry tweeted late Monday that Aerosmith was "not splitting up" but "looking for a new singer to work with."

The rumors of a potential break-up seemed to be quashed Tuesday night when Tyler joined Perry and his band for their encore at a concert in New York City. According to Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines, Tyler told the crowd: "I am not leaving Aerosmith" and then he and Perry performed "Walk This Way."

But in his interview, Perry said he was stunned to hear that Tyler was outside his dressing room as he rested before the encore. He said he hadn't been in recent contact with Tyler.

"He was the last person I expected to see," Perry said. "You never know with him. Every time I figure I've got him sussed, he always does just the opposite."

Of Tyler, Perry added: "I think over the last few years he's just kind of drifted away from the band's goals and plans, and really without communicating that stuff to the guys."

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Associated Press Writer Mark Kennedy contributed to this report.