It's Official: Aerosmith Tour Completely Cancelled

In a move not entirely unexpected to those following the story, Aerosmith has cancelled all remaining dates on their summer tour. The band issued a statement late Thurs (08/13) saying, "it is with great regret" that the band must cancel the remainder of its tour because of injuries that singer Steven Tyler suffered when he fell off the stage during an Aug. 5 concert in Sturgis, SD.

The 61-year-old Tyler fell backwards while dancing on a stage catwalk, breaking his shoulder and gashing his head.

The tour was cancelled on the advice of the singer's doctors who recommend Tyler take extended time off to thoroughly heal.

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry said in the statement, "Words can't express the sadness I feel for having to cancel this tour."

Perry thanked the fans for sticking by them, and hoped that, "we can get the Aerosmith machine up and running again as soon as possible."

Ticket refunds for the remaining Aerosmith tour dates will be available at the place of purchase

The statement closes the curtain on what has to go down as the most injury plagued tour in the history of rock and roll. In a revolving door like fashion, one Aerosmith member after another was put out of action. Joe Perry started the year with a knee injury. Steve Tyler pulled a leg muscle shortly after the tour started. Guitarist Brad Whitford left the tour after suffering a serious concussion. Bassist Tom Hamilton was sidelined due to surgery. When Whitford finally came back to the fold, Tyler suffered the fall that put the stake in the heart of what has proven to be the most cursed rock n' roll tour since Spinal Tap. Unfortunately, in Aerosmith's case, the drama was quite real as Steve Tyler and the others band members understood all too painfully well.

No doubt fans are greatly disappointed. But better to heal and live to play another day, than to risk yet another injury that could put Tyler and the band out of action for good.

In the meantime, Aerosmith fans should be able to catch Joe Perry in action soon. Perry has not been sitting at home crying in his beer. He's been making the rounds, plugging his new album Have Guitar, Will Travel, and has also been putting in some surprise guest appearances. He recently sat in with Jimmy Buffett and with Jane's Addiction at Lollapalooza recently.

Rob Rheubottom