Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx took to social media on Tuesday (August 6th) to pay tribute to Aerosmith, following the legendary band's surprise announcement last week that they have retired from touring due to Steven Tyler's vocal injury.
Sixx wrote, "In 1973, a fifteen-year-old kid named Frank Feranna walked into a record store alone and emerged with the first Aerosmith album in hand. I would carry that album with me everywhere, including to friends' houses, confessing to them that this was the future of rock 'n' roll.
"As the years rolled on, my opinion never changed. Lyrically, musically, rhythmically, and especially with those monster songs, Aerosmith was unparalleled.
"Their entire catalog is outstanding, but those first five albums were the holy grail for a young, future Nikki Sixx. I recently sat on the cliffs in St. Barths, playing along to those albums. Can I just say, Tom Hamilton's work continues to inspire me, and what a rhythm section they had with Joey Kramer behind that kit. Joe Perry and Brad Whitford wove those guitars back and forth to the point you sometimes couldn't distinguish the dueling guitars because the sound became one big kick to the side of the head. Steven Tyler, to me, has always been the ultimate singer, lyricist, and showman, but personally, he's a man who helped me at the beginning of my sobriety. I've been lucky to become a peer, a friend, and always a fan of this great American rock 'n' roll band.
"Thank you, Aerosmith, for everything."
Aerosmith Offshoot Close Enemies Announce New Tour Dates
Aerosmith Offshoot Close Enemies Go 'Inside Out' With New Single
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Announces Grammy Awards Viewing Party
Hear First Song From Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton's New Band Close Enemies
Clarksville, TN Attraction Historic Collinsville Set for Civil War Days Reenactments
RockPile: Willie Nile And More
'Meat' Me at Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi
Al Jardine - Islands in the Sun
Hot In The City: Candlelight Concerts Set to Light Up Phoenix
The Cranberries Plot Special Releases For 30th Anniversary Of 'No Need To Argue'
Half Dizzy 'Turn This Up' To Kick Off Summer
FM Launching Their Brotherhood UK Tour
Men At Work Icon Colin Hay Releases 'Blue for You'
Warren Haynes Introduces The Whisper Sessions With Derek Trucks Collab
Rival Sons Lead Little Steven's Underground Garage Cruise 2 Lineup
Chris Adler Fuels Tonic Breed's New Track 'Anew'
Nervosa 'Smashing Heads' With New Song