Steven Tyler — Aerosmith’s wild frontman, rock ‘n’ roll royalty, and the ultimate showman — has finally spilled the beans on the seven bands that shaped his life, inspired his iconic voice, and haunted his dreams.

Steven Tyler facts: Aerosmith singer's age, wife, children and career  explained - Smooth
But don’t let the love fool you.

Behind the curtain of admiration lies a twisted tale of rivalry, jealousy, and backstage drama that would make even the most hardened rock journalist blush.

At 77, Tyler’s revelations are as raw and unfiltered as his signature scream, exposing the dark side of musical genius and the price of living in the shadows of legends.

Buckle up, because this is one rollercoaster of rock history you didn’t see coming!👇

Steven Tyler’s rock ‘n’ roll journey started with a crush on four mop-topped lads from Liverpool.

The Beatles weren’t just a band to him; they were *the* reason he picked up a mic.

But as Aerosmith’s fame skyrocketed, so did Tyler’s complicated feelings.

Admiration quickly morphed into a gnawing jealousy that haunted his every move.

Sources say Tyler privately seethed over the Beatles’ untouchable legacy, bitterly complaining that no American band could ever match their iconic status.

He reportedly dismissed Paul McCartney as “living off yesterday’s glory” and avoided Beatles tribute events, feeling overshadowed by a legend he desperately wanted to surpass.

The love was real, but so was the rivalry — a secret war waged in Tyler’s heart for decades.

 

If the Beatles were Tyler’s first love, The Rolling Stones were his ultimate obsession.

Mick Jagger’s snake-like moves and devil-may-care attitude were the blueprint for Tyler’s stage persona.

Yet, beneath the public praise was a simmering resentment.

Insiders reveal Tyler was haunted by being dubbed the “American Mick Jagger,” a comparison he loathed.

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Backstage at festivals and award shows, tension crackled like electricity.

Tyler allegedly avoided Jagger, fearing awkward confrontations, and reportedly made snide remarks about the Stones’ “luck” overshadowing their talent.

The battle for rock’s crown was silent but fierce, with Tyler determined to carve out his own throne — no matter the cost.

 

Led Zeppelin wasn’t just a band; they were gods walking the earth.

Robert Plant’s soaring vocals and Jimmy Page’s guitar wizardry set a bar so high it left Tyler both in awe and despair.

Sources say Tyler obsessed over Zeppelin’s mystique, feeling like an eternal underdog.

He admitted privately that he could never match Plant’s vocal range or Page’s genius, fueling a relentless drive to prove Aerosmith’s worth.

The comparisons tormented him, with critics often placing Zeppelin on a pedestal far above Aerosmith.

Rumor has it Tyler even avoided Zeppelin’s music during recording sessions, afraid the shadow of greatness would paralyze his own creativity.

When Zeppelin broke up in 1980, insiders say Tyler quietly celebrated the “space” it created for other bands to shine.

 

The Who’s explosive energy and rebellious spirit electrified Tyler, inspiring his own wild stage antics.

But the admiration came with backstage battles worthy of a rock opera.

Sources reveal heated clashes between Tyler and The Who’s members at festivals and award shows, where egos collided like cymbals.

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Tyler reportedly despised Roger Daltrey’s “tough guy” attitude and felt disrespected by Pete Townshend’s dismissive remarks about American bands.

The rivalry wasn’t just about music — it was a cultural battle between British arrogance and American grit.

Despite the friction, Tyler never stopped praising The Who’s artistry, even if he couldn’t stand sharing the same room with them.

 

The Yardbirds were a playground for guitar legends like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, and Tyler worshipped their blues rock magic.

But this admiration came with a bitter twist.

Sources say Tyler resented how guitarists always stole the spotlight, leaving vocalists in their shadow.

He reportedly complained that fans cared more about guitar solos than his screaming vocals, a frustration that traced back to the Yardbirds’ influence.

Tyler’s jealousy of guitar heroes like Joe Perry and Brad Whitford in Aerosmith only added fuel to the fire.

While he loved their music, the Yardbirds left him haunted by a lifelong struggle to claim his rightful place center stage.

 

Ray Davies and The Kinks brought a new dimension to rock — clever lyrics, storytelling, and British wit.

Tyler admired Davies as a songwriting genius, but the respect was tangled with professional envy.

Industry insiders say Tyler felt underrated as a lyricist compared to Davies, resenting how critics hailed Davies as a poet while calling Tyler’s writing “typical rock stuff.”

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At music events, Tyler allegedly made passive-aggressive comments about Davies, praising him publicly but privately asserting his own melodic superiority.

The rivalry for rock’s poetic crown was intense, with Tyler determined to prove that Aerosmith’s songs were just as worthy of literary acclaim.

 

Eric Burdon’s raw, soulful growl in The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” was a revelation to young Tyler, shaping his vocal ambitions forever.

Tyler called Burdon his ultimate inspiration, but also his greatest insecurity.

Sources reveal Tyler spent years obsessively studying Burdon’s voice, trying to capture that same emotional power but never feeling he measured up.

Critics often compared the two, and Tyler admitted in private moments that Burdon’s voice was “untouchable.”

 

The respect was absolute, but so was the burden of chasing a ghost he could never catch — a haunting legacy that pushed Tyler to scream louder, perform wilder, and fight harder for his own place in rock history.

 

Steven Tyler’s list of favorite bands is more than a tribute — it’s a window into the complex, messy, and often painful emotions behind rock stardom.

Admiration, jealousy, rivalry, and respect have danced together in his life, fueling both his greatest triumphs and his darkest insecurities.

At 77, Tyler’s revelations remind us that behind every legendary voice is a human story filled with conflict, passion, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.

 

So, which band shocked you the most? Did you expect Tyler’s confessions to be this dramatic? The stage is yours — share your thoughts, debate the rivalries, and keep the rock ‘n’ roll drama alive!