Classic Rock can confirm that Paul Rodgers was invited to be Aerosmith’s new frontman.

This happened at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour in London last November, when Aerosmith’s troubles with singer Steven Tyler were just beginning to surface.

The awards were a star-studded affair. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry and Rodgers were among the multitude of high-profile rockers in attendance.

During a break in the ceremony Perry approached Scott Rowley, Classic Rock’s Editor In Chief, and asked him: “Can you introduce me to Paul Rodgers?”

Amazingly, Perry had never met the Free/Bad Company/The Firm/Queen + Paul Rodgers frontman before.

Rowley guided Perry to Rodgers’ table and the two stars engaged in conversation while Rowley chatted to Rodgers’ wife, Cynthia.

However, Classic Rock’s Jerry Ewing, who was sitting at the table, overheard Perry make a direct approach to Rodgers about replacing Tyler in Aerosmith.

Ewing recalls:

“Basically Scott came over with Joe Perry who had asked to be introduced to Paul. After an initial introduction Perry started saying how Rodgers was his second-favourite vocalist of all time.

“Rodgers typically asked who Perry’s favourite was, and Perry said: ‘The lead singer of Aerosmith.’ Cue some embarrassed laughter.

“The talk then moved on to what Perry was doing and he said that he was doing the Joe Perry Project and they were looking to come over here and tour, at which point Rodgers mooted the idea of them supporting Bad Company on their just-announced shows.

“The next thing, Perry is starting to tell Rodgers that they have problems with Tyler and that they intend to carry on regardless – and how great it would be if Rodgers took the slot, and would he be interested in trying out?

“If I remember correctly there were the usual ‘how flattering’ platitudes but no real commitment, as you’d expect, nor refusal.”

Classic Rock knows of two more major names who have been approached to sing for Aerosmith.

We’ll be revealing another of those names on www.classicrockmagazine.com tomorrow (Thursday, January 28), with the final one to follow on Friday. So stay tuned to the Classic Rock website.

The March issue of Classic Rock, which goes on sale next Wednesday, February 3, features Joe Perry on the cover and contains more exclusive Aero-revelations.

Following Classic Rock’s exclusive story that Paul Rodgers was asked by guitarist Joe Perry to be Aerosmith’s new singer, we can reveal the name of another star sounded out by Perry to fill Steven Tyler’s shoes: Billy Idol.

A source tells us:

“Joe had been approaching a few people about replacing Steven and he invited Billy to his show at the House Of Blues in Los Angeles.

“Joe said he wanted to talk to Billy about joining Aerosmith, because the band were having problems with Steven.”

The gig – which featured the Joe Perry Project – took place on November 24 in West Hollywood. It was reviewed in the December 2009 edition of Classic Rock (issue No.139).

However, in a strange turn of events, Idol failed to respond to Perry’s invitation.

“As far as I know Idol did not show up due to having a cold,” says our source.

Whether this means the door remains open for Idol to try out for the Aerosmith job at a future date is unclear.

Besides Paul Rodgers and Billy Idol, Classic Rock knows the name of a third high-profile singer who has been asked to replace Tyler.

We’ll be revealing his name on www.classicrockmagazine.com tomorrow (Friday, January 29). So stay tuned to the Classic Rock website.

The March issue of Classic Rock, which goes on sale next Wednesday, February 3, features Joe Perry on the cover and contains more exclusive Aero-revelations.

Despite the misguided christmas songs album he did Billy Idol's ace.

Mark

I agree, but singing Aerosmith songs? I'd be astounded if he could pull that off

Sammy Hagar?

Following Classic Rock’s exclusive news that both Paul Rodgers and Billy Idol were sounded out by guitarist Joe Perry to be Aerosmith’s new singer, we can reveal the name of another star who Perry believed could replace Steven Tyler: Chris Cornell.

A source close to the Aerosmith camp tells Classic Rock:

“Joe approached Chris Cornell and asked him if he would be interested in the Aerosmith job, because the band were running out of patience with Steven.

“But Cornell, to his credit, didn’t take Joe’s request very seriously. He thought he was joking and was surprised when Joe said he wasn’t.

“In fact, I overheard Cornell telling Joe: ‘[LIFTED] off, can you imagine how ridiculous that would be?!’

“In any case, Cornell told Joe he was committed to Soundgarden’s reunion, so it [Cornell joining Aerosmith] could never happen.”

Tyler to sue Aerosmith?

http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/steve ... h-members/

Billboard.com are reporting that Tyler’s attorney Skip Miller wrote to Aerosmith’s manager, Howard Kaufman, last week, requesting that the band “immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members”.

In fairness, if they’re approaching Billy Idol to replace Tyler, detrimental doesn’t quite cover it.

Leave one major band and join another obscure one I can understand, but to switch between two major bands would just confuse the hell out of me.

I'm not a big listener of any music but hearing Tyler's voice on anything other than Aerosmith would just be, well wrong.

Also he's as old as my Dad, he's got money, why not just retire?