Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton expressed his feelings about the band’s recent retirement from touring, describing his reaction as “surprised but not shocked.” He acknowledged that watching his peers continue to perform is “hard” for him.
In early August, Aerosmith announced the end of over five decades of live shows, a decision praised for its bravery and honesty by fellow musicians like Sammy Hagar and Nikki Sixx. This came nearly a year after lead singer Steven Tyler suffered a vocal cord injury, which forced the cancellation of their rescheduled “Peace Out” farewell tour.
Hamilton reflected on the difficulty of retiring from touring, stating, “I find it hard to believe that we’ll never play again.” He emphasized the unpredictability of the band’s future, given their history of surprising developments.
Discussing Tyler’s determination, Hamilton recounted the incident when Tyler injured his larynx after falling during a show. “I still can’t believe he finished the show,” Hamilton said, noting Tyler’s history of performing through injuries and his commitment to healing and preparing for their return to the stage. Unfortunately, it proved impossible.
Summarizing the current state of Aerosmith, Hamilton described the announcement as “a punch in the gut.” While he holds hope for future projects, he acknowledged that they won’t involve touring. Instead, he’s staying active with a new band called Close Enemies, which has been recording new music.
Hamilton admitted it’s challenging to see other bands performing but is trying to avoid dwelling on it. He expressed gratitude towards the fans who have supported Aerosmith over the years, recognizing the pain of disappointing those who were eager to see them live.
