It Looks Like Aerosmith's Farewell Tour Is Skipping Australia

CONTENT WARNING: This article contains discussions of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. 

Aerosmith are going on their farewell tour, but “it’s not goodbye, it’s peace out,” the US rockers said in a statement.

“Get ready and walk this way, you’re going to get the best show of our lives,” the band added. Aerosmith will embark on their final tour this September, starting a run of 40 shows in Philadelphia before wrapping up on 26 January 2024 in Montreal.

As it stands, unless further legs of concerts are added to the band’s itinerary, Australian fans will be missing out.

Also missing out is drummer Joey Kramer, as the Livin’ On The Edge group – vocalist Steven Tyler, lead guitarist Joe Perry, rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford and bassist Tom Hamilton revealed in their announcement today.

“While Joey Kramer remains a beloved founding member of Aerosmith, he has regrettably made the decision to sit out the currently scheduled touring dates to focus his full attention on his family and health,” Aerosmith wrote. “Joey’s unmistakable and legendary presence behind the drum kit will be sorely missed.”

“It’s about time,” Joe Perry told The Associated Press about the band’s wrapping up. The Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers will be joined by The Black Crowes on all tour dates, which you can find below.

The announcement of Aerosmith’s farewell tour arrives a few months after Steven Tyler was accused of sexual assault in a recent lawsuit.

The plaintiff, Julia Holcomb, alleged that she and a then-25-year-old Tyler began a sexual relationship in 1973, just after her 16th birthday.

The suit's details of Tyler gaining guardianship over Holcomb as a teenager match up with her 2011 essay, where she wrote: "My mother signed over guardianship of me to Steven after I had moved to Boston. I remember my surprise when Steven told me she had signed the papers and trying to take this in mentally. A sense of vulnerability came over me, knowing that I was his ward, but we were not married."

Holcomb said that she met Tyler at an Aerosmith concert in Portland. She alleged that Tyler was aware of her age when he invited her back to his hotel room, where he "performed various acts of criminal sexual conduct upon" her. 

Holcomb also accused Tyler of subjecting her to "involuntary infamy" for writing about her in his 2012 memoir, Does The Noise In My Head Bother You? and describing it as a "romantic, loving relationship". 

Holcomb further alleged that in 1975, she became pregnant with Tyler's child and that he insisted that she terminate the pregnancy. Tyler denies all the allegations.