A Lifetime of Silence, Finally Broken
At the age of 77, Steven Tyler is no longer holding back. The man who spent half a century fronting Aerosmith — one of the greatest rock bands in history — has made a bold decision to name six musicians he says “tested my patience, my pride, and my peace of mind.” Though known for his vibrant persona and rock-and-roll charm, Tyler now admits that behind the curtain, there were moments when resentment ran deep.
“I stayed quiet out of respect for the music,” Tyler said. “But after all these years, I owe it to myself to say what’s been sitting on my chest.”
The List That Shocked the Industry
In a moment that has rocked fans and industry insiders alike, Tyler revealed the six names that haunted — and in some cases, enraged — him most during his career. They are:
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Gene Simmons (KISS)
Tyler once called KISS a “comic book rock band,” and the rivalry between Aerosmith and KISS has spanned decades. The egos were big, the competition fierce, and behind the scenes, words were exchanged that cut deep. “Gene never saw us as equals, Tyler said. “To him, it was always about dominance.”
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David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
According to Tyler, Roth was “all flash, no soul.” Their paths crossed many times, but Tyler found Roth’s attitude off-putting and dismissive. “We were both wild, but I never felt like he respected the roots of the music,” Tyler confessed.
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Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe)
Known for their shared chaotic energy in the ’80s, Tyler claims that Neil crossed lines during their touring days — both personally and professionally. “He took the party too far. There’s a difference between being reckless and being disrespectful,” he said.
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Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
Though many fans dreamed of a Tyler–Axl collaboration, behind the scenes, there was only tension. Tyler described Rose as “brilliant but unbearable,” citing canceled meetings, explosive behavior, and what he called “pure arrogance.”
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Ted Nugent
Tyler’s issues with Nugent went beyond music. “We stood for completely different things,” he said. “He’d talk about unity on stage, and then spit venom off it.” The political and personal divides were too wide to ignore.
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Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
This name surprised many, but Tyler pointed to a brief interaction that left a lasting sting. “He looked at me like I was a clown,” Tyler recalled. “That kind of condescension, you don’t forget.”
Not Just Feuds — But Deep Disappointments
Tyler emphasized that not all of these names came from outright conflict. Some were once his idols. “Disappointment cuts deeper than hate,” he said. “It’s when you expect better — and they show you the opposite.”
While fans may debate the fairness of his list, few can deny that the music world is often driven by ego, competition, and complex personalities. Tyler’s courage to name names, this late in life, has sparked a wider conversation about authenticity in the industry.
“I’m Not Angry. Just Free.”
Despite the boldness of the confession, Tyler insists this isn’t about revenge. “I’m not angry anymore,” he said. “I’m just finally saying it like it is. At my age, you stop pretending.”
He ended with a message to younger artists: “Make peace where you can — but never lose yourself trying to please those who’ll never respect you.”