It’s true – Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler auditioned to replace Robert Plant in Led Zeppelin.

It was early in the summer of 2008 that a rumour began circulating about Tyler trying out for Zeppelin – six months after the band’s reunion gig with Robert Plant on vocals at London’s O2 Arena.

…And it’s a rumour that Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry now confirms.

Perry tells Classic Rock:

“Steven disappeared and I called around. Somebody said that he was in London trying out for Led Zeppelin.

“It’s something I’ve never talked about before outside of the [Aerosmith] family, so to speak, and kept out of the press.

“It’s a kind of window into how hard it’s been to keep the partnership together.

“It’s certainly not the first time things like that have happened – that’s the downside of our relationship.”

The audition came about through Henry Smith, a childhood friend of Tyler’s who’d worked with Zeppelin.

In fact, Tyler invited Smith to accompany him to the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour in 2007, where the pair sat at a table with Zep guitarist Jimmy Page.

From various reports it transpires that Tyler came to the Zeppelin rehearsals unprepared, and under the impression that he would be writing new material with the band.

This resulted in some shambolic sessions, some embarrassing, awkward moments – and the Plant-shaped lead singer post still vacant.

Perry caught up with Page at last November’s Classic Rock awards where the Zep six-stringer filled him in on what exactly happened during Tyler’s try-out.

Perry says: “Page said he felt really awkward about the audition, but ultimately it was a group decision.”

Tyler returned to the States believing that Aerosmith were oblivious to his Zep escapade, and things carried on as normal until the singer took his infamous tumble from the stage at an Aerosmith gig in Dakota.

It ultimately dawned on Perry that Tyler was working to a different agenda, leading to his decision to try and look for a new Aerosmith frontman.

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

Estranged Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler may resort to the courtroom to prevent the band appointing a new singer – read the full story here.

Last week Classic Rock was first with the news about guitarist Joe Perry’s quest for a new Aerosmith singer.

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