Foreigner’s Kelly Hansen: Steven Tyler Is Irreplaceable
Foreigner vocalist Kelly Hansen believes Aerosmith should not try to replace Steven Tyler with a new singer.
However, if the ’Smiths do find a new frontman, then they should consider touring under a different name, Hansen reckons.
Hansen’s standpoint might come as a surprise to some.
That’s because Hansen himself replaced a well-known vocalist in Foreigner, taking over the reins from Lou Gramm in 2005.
Speaking exclusively to Classic Rock’s Geoff Barton, Hansen and Foreigner guitarist/mainman Mick Jones had the following to say about the Aerosmith situation:
Barton: Thinking about a lot of the bands who came to prominence during the mid-70s… obviously Foreigner successfully replaced Lou Gramm. And Journey successfully replaced Steve Perry, on more than one occasion. But what about Aerosmith? Are there always new singers out there who can carry a band forward, or are there idiosyncratic frontmen like Steven Tyler who are, frankly, irreplaceable?
Hansen: I think it depends.
Jones: With us, the fact that Lou obviously had a lot of recognition and a great voice…
Barton: Lou defined that style of AOR singing along with Boston’s Brad Delp, didn’t he?
Jones: I think it’s more to do with personality. In the case of Aerosmith, it’s the charisma, the individuality. And Tyler has all those qualities – even more than the singing. I don’t think it would be too hard to find another Aerosmith singer but it would be very difficult to replace Tyler’s charisma. Although having said that, we did it with the album I did with Van Halen. [Jones produced 5150, which featured Sammy Hagar on vocals.]
Barton: You would’ve thought David Lee Roth was irreplaceable, wouldn’t you?
Hansen: What year was 5150?
Jones: That was 1986, 1987.
Hansen: As far as Aerosmith are concerned, Tyler has been a constant factor in that band for many decades. There’s never been a Tyler-less version of the band… until now, it seems. If Tyler had left Aerosmith in the mid-80s, like Roth did with Van Halen, then I think it would’ve been a lot easier to replace him. Aerosmith could have carried on without him, because Tyler might’ve been changeable like Roth. However, if someone stays in a band from the 60s, to the 70s, to the mid-80s, right up to the present day… then Tyler is one of those people who have cemented their role as the absolute focus of a band. There’s Tyler, there’s Mick Jagger, there’s Robert Plant. There’s not many of them, but they’re all branded entities now. Tyler is one of the very few singers at this point in time who have reached an iconic status where you can’t just make a blind decision to shunt them out of the way. It’s just not possible. Without Tyler, Aerosmith will be a different group. Perhaps it’ll be better to call it a different name.
* Foreigner’s new album, Can’t Slow Down, gets a European release through Ear Music on March 1.
If the chemistry is right….ANYBODY is replacable. Kinda weird hearing the contrary from a vocalist who has done the replacing.
I take his point. Coverdale replaced Gillan in Purple, but the band was still relatively new in ‘73. And Hansen is not the first guy to replace Gramm – remember Johnny Edwards? But Yes’ substitution of Anderson this late has not proved a popular move. You have to empathise with Joe Perry, though – HE was replaced in Aerosmith! Actually, I can’t stand Tyler’s voice OR image – good luck to the Aero boys.
Oh C’mon don’t be fucking ridiculous!! Kelly Hansen has 100% hit the nail on the head – Aerosmith cannot replace Tyler. Without him they’ll be playing the Carling Academy and end up 4th on the bil at High Voltage or something whearas now they are still a massive draw.
The whole thing is frankly ridiculous – why these guys, who have survived as long as they have with all their problems have decided to fall apart as they reach their 60’s and, lets face it, at their creative nadir (that’ll be nearly 9 yrs since their last album of all original material) seems stupid. Very few people are going to buy a Steven Tyler Solo album. Comparatively (to aerosmith) few people are going to want to see a steven tyler solo gig, and NOBODY can seriously tell me they want to see an Aerosmith gig without Steven Tyler!! Total Madness!!
[...] Fonte: Classic Rock [...]
[...] Foreigner singer Kelly Hansen, for one, reckons Aeromsmith will find it impossible to continue without Tyler. Read our story here. [...]
[...] in Foreigner, doesn’t believe Aerosmith should try to replace Steven Tyler. Hansen tells Classic Rock magazine, “Tyler is one of those people who have cemented their role as the absolute focus of [...]
Well said JohnEB. Kelly Hansen is 100% correct and his example of the Stones replacing Jagger is totally justified. Frankly it’s not even worth debating. Aerosmith need to meet up, talk and sort this mess out. Pronto.
John EB said it well. I have been a fan since 70’s and I would never buy a Tyler solo record or Aerosmith record or concert without Tyler. Everyone looses, especially the fans.
Actually, I’ve always said that if Aero ever needed a new singer Kelly Henson would be the obvious choice. Dude is a dead ringer for Tyler. He has great stage presence too. I could picture him singing Rats in the Celler off of Rocks.
What a bunch of bullshit! Kelly Hanson says don’t replace Steve Tyler, but He replaces Lou Gramm!!! He thinks-In my generation Foreigner was the icon group because of Gramms voice and you can replace the icon, but the magic is GONE!!!! Long live the original Foreigner and lay the new to rest!!!!!
You know Kelly is right, Steven Tyler has been with Areosmith so long!!! It would be nearly impossible to replace him unless you could find someone at this stage of the game to have the Charisma, energy, personality that he has or better to carry the group on, now that ain’t easy when this type of status is involved come on now! Look at Foreigner. Take Kelly for instance it was Just a God thing that got Kelly there in the first place. How uncanny is it that he sound like Lou? Look like Steven Tyler? Has the ability to just fit in? And just be able to have the charisma, personality, physical ability, and powerful vocals to just be accepted and make the better!!!