Aerosmith is arguably the most successful American rock band of all time. With more than 150 million worldwide record sales, a slew of gold and platinum albums and frontman Steven Tyler's recognizable face and style, the classic rock band seems to make all the right moves.
Instructions
1. Bring together a medley of musicians from various background to get the right mix of talent and image, as Aerosmith did in its first years. Steven Tyler was a drummer and background singer who had experience with a number of unsuccessful bands. Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton played in a moderately successful band while drummer Joey Kramer had attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
2. Get your classic rock image down immediately, as Aerosmith did in the early 1970s, so your fans recognize your style and band persona easily. Aerosmith's lead singer, Steven Tyler, changed his name from Steven Tallarico so that the band would have a frontman with a memorable name. Tyler also quickly started hanging scarves from his mike stand, a small effect that gave the band plenty of classic rock character.
3. Find representation that's as smart and ambitious as Aerosmith's agents and managers such as David Krebs and Steve Leber. Leber and Krebs had the gumption to invite the president of Columbia Records, Clive Davis, to an Aerosmith show. The meeting helped rocket the band to success, enabling them to go on to bigger and better shows and albums.
4. Develop a specific sound that falls within the classic rock genre but pulls from other notable, similar musical traditions as Aerosmith did by using blues to give their rock an edge. Consider self-titling your album but definitely make it accessible, original and fun to listen to as the top selling American band did with their first album, "Aerosmith."
