Joe Perry has never been one to follow the expected path when it comes to his influences. While many guitarists worshipped the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page, the Aerosmith legend had his own mix of inspirations that weren’t always the obvious choices. Even though his blues-rock roots made him a natural fit alongside bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, Perry’s tastes extended far beyond the usual suspects.
When Aerosmith first formed, Perry was still refining his sound, taking notes from guitar gods like Clapton and Hendrix. But it wasn’t just the biggest names that shaped his playing—The Yardbirds, despite never dominating the charts, had a massive impact on him. After all, any band that featured Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Page at different points in its lineup was bound to inspire a young guitarist.
That said, if there was one band that Aerosmith was constantly compared to, it was The Rolling Stones. The similarities weren’t hard to spot—Steven Tyler and Perry had a dynamic that often mirrored Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. And while The Beatles’ influence crept into their music, early Aerosmith tracks like Movin’ Out and Mama Kin carried the raw, rebellious energy of classic Stones cuts.
Still, Perry’s love for the blues went even deeper. Among all the legendary rock acts of the era, one band held a special place in his heart—Fleetwood Mac, particularly during their Peter Green years. Green wasn’t just another guitarist; he was on another level, playing with an emotional depth that few could match.
Perry’s admiration ran so deep that he once skipped a Rolling Stones concert just to watch Fleetwood Mac perform.
Recalling the moment, he said, “I remember it was either ‘68 or ‘69. I was at the Boston Tea Party out by the ticket window. Fleetwood Mac was playing. A couple of friends of mine had an extra ticket to see the Stones. They told me, ‘This could be the last tour.’ I said, ‘I think I’m going to stay and watch Fleetwood Mac.’”
While a Stones ticket is now worth a small fortune, Perry had no regrets. Seeing Green tear through Albatross and Rattlesnake Shake in his prime was an experience that couldn’t be topped. Though Green eventually faded from the music scene due to personal struggles, his influence never waned.
Even as Fleetwood Mac transitioned into a pop-rock juggernaut with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, Green’s legacy endured—especially in tracks like Oh Well, a song with so much swagger that it remained a live staple long after he was gone.
Perry may have taken inspiration from many greats, but when it came down to it, Peter Green’s blues mastery was something he simply couldn’t walk away from.
