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Aerosmith's Joe Perry Talks 40 Years Of Being In The Band

Rock legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry on stage. Aerosmith is still rocking more than 40 years after their debut.

Rock legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry on stage. Aerosmith is still rocking more than 40 years after their debut.

When it comes to rock history, the class of 1973 was a great one: debut recordings from Queen, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Lindsay Buckingham & Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, the New York Dolls, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult and Aerosmith. 

Led by guitarist Joe Perry, the band was big from the start. Its self-titled debut record featured the enduring “Dream On,” which is considered one of the best rock ballads ever written, 42 years later.

And, 14 years after induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Aerosmith is still playing. 

As Aerosmith prepares to play the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, Joe Perry talked to KNPR's State of Nevada about the band’s early days, and 40-plus years of being in a band. 

"The most important thing to us is paying attention to the fans," Perry said. "So, it's still really exciting." 

Perry said he enjoys playing songs that he's been playing since the 70s because that is what the fans want to hear, and they owe their career to them.

"I'm really thankful we were able to come up with those tunes," Perry said. "And that the fans are requesting them and liking them so much and that's what excites me about playing them every night"

Perry said the band isn't always sure how a show will come out because there is always the unknown during a live performance.

Joe Perry, guitarist, Aerosmith

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