Aerosmith has inked a new deal partnering with Universal Music Group (UMG) and bringing its entire catalogue to the label from Sony starting in 2022. According to Billboard, “The blockbuster alliance gives the global music behemoth access to group members' personal archives (known as the band's 'Vindaloo Vaults'), including never-before-heard music, video footage, journals and memorabilia.” The new deal covers the band's entire catalogue and future multimedia archival and new projects.
Co-founding guitarist Joe Perry said in a statement:
It’s been a long road but I’m extremely happy and proud to say on behalf of Aerosmith we have been able to bring our 50 years of music under one roof by partnering with UMG. This will allow us to bring our music to our fans in ways we never were able to before.
It’s something we’ve dreamed about happening for a long time. It's a win for Aerosmith, UMG and ultimately our fans. Needless to say we are very excited. It’s an incredible way to celebrate 50 years and the many more years to come.
Frontman Steven Tyler told us that although he's obviously not onstage all the time — make no mistake, there's nothing about him that's an act: “I don’t obviously dress as I do on stage, because that’s like my 'superhero' look — but I don’t hide because I’m not embarrassed. I’m very grateful for everything I’ve ever gotten, and unfortunately, the me that’s me is me when you see me. A little hard to go out in public, but I’m kinda, sorta, the same guy. If anything, people say, ‘Wow, you’re nicer that I thought,' 'cause they have this image of the scarves and microphone, and the clothes of that guy on stage that’s grimacing and growling and screaming, 'Dream On' — but I’m not far from that guy, I like to stay true.”
Joe Perry admitted to us that no matter what goes down with Aerosmith, there's a bond between him and Steven Tyler that remains unbreakable: “We've been together for so long that in my heart, it's never more than six inches away from Steven's, ever. Even though we may not talk for a short amount of time or a long amount of time, we've been partners, friends for so long, I always have a feeling deep inside that we're always gonna be together. And that's what makes Aerosmith as strong as it is.”
