The beginnings

After first childhood touches with rock classics like "Rock around the Clock" under "Tutti Frutti", Joe Perry, inspired by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, discovered guitar playing as a teenager. He jammed to British blues rockers like the Yardbirds or John Mayall, which formed the basis for his "Toug'n Rough Blue Licks" that would later play a big part in Aerosmith's success.

He played in many different bands and finally in 1969 Joe and Steven Tyler crossed paths in Sunapee, New Hampshire. In the same year, Joe and Steven formed the band Aerosmith. In 1973, the band released its first album. Numerous successful albums and singles followed, in the mid-seventies.

After a dispute with Steven, Joe left the band in 1979.

The Joe Perry Project

In the same year 1979, Joe formed his band "The Joe Perry Project" and sold 250,000 albums in the United States.

Since the project often replaced the lead singers as well as the entire ensemble, the band found little support from a record label in 1984.

Aerosmith 2

In 1984, Joe rejoined Aerosmith as did Brad Whitford, and a successful reunion tour followed.

After overcoming drug problems, Steven and Joe became good friends again and performed brilliantly on stage. In 1989, they released the triple-platinum album "PUMP", and more successful singles and albums followed.

In 2001, the band Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Solo album and Joe Perry Project reunion

Joe Perry released his first solo album in May 2005 - "Joe Perry",  recorded in his home studio "The Boneyard". Joe played all the instruments himself except the drums. The album was eagerly awaited by fans and music critics also reacted positively.

At the end of 2009, Joe went on tour in Europe and the USA with "Have guitar, Will travel". In 2011, the magazine Rolling Stone listed Joe on rank 84 of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Joe Perry's film scores & instrumental works

Joe expanded his musical reach to include composing for film and television. He composed the theme song for the animated TV series "Spiderman" as well as instrumental music for the independent film "This Thing of Ours" starring James Caan. His other instrumental works include Aerosmith's Grammy-nominated track "Boogie Man", a guitar tour de force from the 1994 Get a Grip album, and "Mercy" from Joe, his last solo album, which earned him a Grammy nomination in the 2005 Best Rock Instrumental Performance category.

(Nicole - Juli 2023)