Aerosmith
photo: abog · cc by-sa 4.0 ↗Aerosmith formed in Boston in 1970, fusing the blues-rock swagger of the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds with a heavier, riff-driven attack to become one of America's defining hard-rock bands. Fronted by Steven Tyler's elastic, blues-shouting vocals and powered by Joe Perry's raunchy lead guitar, they broke through with 1970s albums like 'Toys in the Attic' and 'Rocks,' then engineered a major comeback in the late 1980s. Their strutting grooves and dual-guitar interplay became a template for generations of hard-rock and glam-metal bands.
Aerosmith were often described as an American answer to the Rolling Stones, and the Tyler–Perry partnership consciously echoed the Jagger–Richards model of a charismatic frontman paired with a riffing, blues-schooled guitarist. The band's loose, groove-first swagger draws directly on the Stones' template.
listen forPlay the Stones' 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and then 'Sweet Emotion' — both hang on a hypnotic, blues-based riff and a strutting, sexually charged vocal delivery.
Aerosmith drew on the British blues-rock of the Yardbirds, and covered 'Train Kept A-Rollin'' — a staple of the Yardbirds' repertoire — on their 1974 album 'Get Your Wings,' carrying over the song's revved-up, blues-based drive.
listen forCompare the Yardbirds' 'Train Kept A-Rollin'' with Aerosmith's version — the same racing rhythm and grinding guitar riff, pushed harder and heavier.
Led Zeppelin's heavy, blues-derived riffing and high, wailing vocals informed Aerosmith's harder-edged material, from the crunching guitar tones to Steven Tyler's upper-register howl.
listen forSet Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' beside 'Same Old Song and Dance' — hear the same swaggering, distorted riff and a vocal that snarls and wails over a heavy blues-rock groove.